When life left Liezl Talaver on the ropes, she turned to boxing for salvation.
The Filipino pianist was plunged into a deep depression when her grandfather died in June, leaving her plagued by panic attacks, self doubt and an urge to self harm.
But those dark times seem so long ago for the 27-year-old, who has transformed her outlook after signing up for the six-week Fighting Fit programme, an online reality show challenging novices to step into the ring.
A month into a gruelling schedule of early morning gym sessions and late night sparring, Ms Talaver feels she is winning back control.
“The biggest challenge is trying not to feel pressure, as I have been struggling with anxiety and depression,” she said.
“I’m battling with it every day. It effects my body and what I eat.
“I had panic attacks, and would fight with my siblings or anyone in the way.
“Since getting into boxing, I have learnt to control my aggression.”
Double daily training sessions and a change in diet, switching from ice cream, pizza and cakes to a tight calorie controlled healthier alternative has transformed her physically, and mentally.
Ms Talaver has four sisters and a brother, and although they are supportive of her new-found pugilism, her parents are not so keen.
“My siblings would see my panic attacks, when I would be banging my head or hurting myself,” she said.
“They worry about me, but see the positive effect boxing is having.
“My parents are more concerned about me getting hurt in the ring.”
Ms Talaver sought professional help at a Dubai clinic, but when the psychiatrist she was referred to immediately recommended medication, she walked out.
“The worst I felt was when I was having bad ideas about how I should hurt myself,” she said.
“Something was making me feel like I had to bang my head really hard into the wall so that whatever was clinging on inside and making me feel that way would disappear.
“I wanted to claw at my chest to pull out all the pain.
“I would cry over anything, particularly if it was something making me feel uncomfortable.
“I told the doctor I was concerned about becoming addicted to the medication.
“When I took up boxing and exercise, it helped my control.
“Now I know when my attacks are coming and how to avoid them.”
Ms Talaver is one of 24 fighters taking part in the selection process for Fighting Fit Dubai, a joint project between UAE-based Nomad Productions and global sports media giant, ESPN.
Producers claim an international audience of millions is tuning in to view the fighters progress across 28 episodes.
Competitors are aged 25 to 57 and hail from a diverse collection of backgrounds.
Two teams of six, and 12 reserves, will be selected from the six week training programme to make the final on April 26 at Zabeel House by Jumeirah, The Greens .
Another competitor hoping to win selection in the showpiece final is Indian mum, Giselle Camoens, 32.
“I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone to test myself,” she said.
“I didn’t expect boxing to affect me as emotionally as it has done. Hitting another person takes its toll.
“After my first fight in the trials, I felt terrible and broke down crying. I was more worried about hurting another person, than getting hurt.”
Boxing is the first sport Ms Camoens has tried - and it is leaving a permanent mark on her personality.
Her husband is often working away, so she is left alone with four-year-old son, Hunter for much of her time.
Giselle also works in a male-dominated environment, so boxing has helped find her voice and build confidence.
“There are some strong personalities at the office, and I have always found it tough to say no in the past to extra work,” she said.
“This is helping me stand my ground. My colleagues are shocked at the difference.
“My dad had a stroke a year ago, and was paralysed and bed ridden, so it has been difficult for the family.
“Boxing has given me a good outlet to relieve some of the stress and a break from the hospital.”
Season three of Fighting Fit Dubai can be viewed online at www.ESPN.com/FightingFitDubai.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
MATCH INFO
Schalke 0
Werder Bremen 1 (Bittencourt 32')
Man of the match Leonardo Bittencourt (Werder Bremen)
Warlight,
Michael Ondaatje, Knopf
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
more from Janine di Giovanni
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Name: Colm McLoughlin
Country: Galway, Ireland
Job: Executive vice chairman and chief executive of Dubai Duty Free
Favourite golf course: Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Favourite part of Dubai: Palm Jumeirah
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Sri Lanka Test squad:
Dimuth Karunaratne (stand-in captain), Niroshan Dickwella (vice captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Milinda Siriwardana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Vishwa Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne, Mohamed Shiraz, Lakshan Sandakan and Lasith Embuldeniya.
Superpower%20
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
2.0
Director: S Shankar
Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films
Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20TV%204K%20(THIRD%20GENERATION)
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Honeymoonish
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
Concrete and Gold
Foo Fighters
RCA records
UAE tour of the Netherlands
UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures: Monday, first 50-over match; Wednesday, second 50-over match; Thursday, third 50-over match