Trading Desks for Boxing Gloves: Corporate Boxing Event

A Day in My Life at Blue Tree Project: Trading Desks for Boxing Gloves

I often get asked, “What does a typical day at Blue Tree Project look like?” Well, stepping into a boxing ring isn’t something I’d usually include in my answer—but this year was anything but typical.

I laced up my gloves and jumped in the ring to fight for a mentally healthy future. Why? Because for the past two years, Blue Tree Project has been the lucky charity partner for an incredible boxing event created by former UFC champion Soa Palelei and the Strong Minds, Strong Mines team.

Here’s how it works: business executives like me sign up for a 12-week training camp led by experienced coaches. It’s no walk in the park—this program is all about pushing us out of our comfort zones and testing our mental and physical resilience. At the end of it all, we showcase our newfound boxing skills at a high-energy event, squaring off against professional athletes. (Yes, my friends and family were convinced I wouldn’t last a round.)

The Highlights

There’s so much to love about this journey, but here are a few moments that really stood out:

• Conquering the Learning Curve
  Landing my first solid punch felt like a personal victory. From fumbling footwork to throwing decent combinations—it’s incredible what you can achieve with the right support.
• Building Connections
  I met an amazing group of executives from “competing companies.” By the end of it, we weren’t competitors—we were teammates, united for a common cause.
• Nidia’s Snacks
  Post-training treats from Nidia? Absolute lifesavers. Thanks, Nids!
• The Big Night
  Walking into the grand ballroom, feeling the energy of 650 people cheering us on—it was a moment I’ll never forget.

Gratitude & Reflection

I’ve been involved with this event for a couple of years now, and I’m constantly in awe of the time, effort, and heart that Soa and his team pour into making it happen. To date, they’ve helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for Blue Tree Project, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

In the mental health space, collaboration isn’t always easy. But working with Soa and the Strong Minds, Strong Mines team has been nothing but a dream—open arms and a shared mission to build a mentally healthy future.

Final Thoughts

Taking on this fight was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. It reminded me why I do what I do every day at Blue Tree Project: to make a difference, one punch (or painted tree) at a time.

So, if there’s one takeaway from my story, it’s this: always fight for what you believe in.

Until next time,
Kendall