Rock Steady Boxing in Carson City announces first-ever Boxer of the Month

Rock Steady Boxing of Northern Nevada, based out of the Tazmanian Boxing Club in Carson City, has named Gloria Navarro as the program's first ever "Boxer of the Month."

Her coach and trainer, Cisco Rodriguez, is a former professional title holder who owns Tazmanian Boxing Club and became certified this year to train Parkinson's patients.

He said Navarro is a model student who attends every class with enthusiasm.

"She's always got a positive attitude," Rodriguez said. "She never said 'I can't' when she first tried Rock Steady Boxing. She's an inspiration for all of us."

Here is her story:

"In 2014, I was diagnosed with Benign Essential Tremors. Thinking that I could deal with a tremor here and there, I accepted the diagnosis.

"In February 2015, my life changed. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Devastated by this news, it took a while to digest. After meetings with my family and their underlying support, follow up appointments with my neurologist, I accepted my fate.

"The first eight months were challenging as I did not feel physically well and the tremors had now increased to a level that I believed would end my career, which caused me to experience periods of depression.

"After trial and error, and the right balance of medication prescribed followed by heart to heart discussions with my neurologist, he strongly recommended that I continue working. Thus things seem to be settling.

"As months passed by, there still was something missing. I began to seek out support groups and to my dismay, no one knew of any active support groups in the area. I went online and joined the Parkinson’s Support Program online and began receiving a wealth of information.

"Along with this, I then signed onto the Michael J. Fox’s website and again began receiving information and noting their webinars. This was all great, except there was no one really to dialogue with. In the latter part of 2015, I decided I would change my diet and start eating healthier, doing everything I could to just feel better about myself.

"Then in January 2016, my 93-year-old mother returned home from her 'exercise class' and brought a flyer home about Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson’s patients. I read the flyer with interest and decided to reach out to Nina Vogel. She invited me to preview the class. I went down and saw these amazing individuals with their limitations so engaged in this workout. She then advised that I could try out a class for free if I was interested.

"So, the following week, I did.

"Wow, what a workout. Nina and Cisco were relentless. After class, my niece and I got into my car and I just broke down crying. I told my niece, 'I can’t do this, this was so hard.'

"Having for the most part of my life worked out regularly, I now faced reality that I indeed had limitations. So, after a good cry, I reflected on seeing Bob with his walker, David hunched over, Marlene (the only woman), Randy, Rick, Paul, Anthony, Terry, Tim etc. I finally told myself to 'suck it up' and start going to these classes and quit feeling sorry for yourself.

"Rock Steady saved my life. Watching these individuals all work out has been so inspiring. To see their individual progress has been amazing.

"On day one, I was welcomed with open arms and I immediately felt like I had known these individuals all my life. They have been my inspiration since we are all in this fight together.

"Having Nina and Cisco as our 'coaches' has been life changing. They are so committed to our success and don’t cut us any slack (yes we do whine). However, their style to have us be successful is one of compassion. They care so much for all of us. They are so encouraging and yet so understanding.

"I am now so committed to Rock Steady that if I could be there seven days a week, I would be. I have challenged myself to work hard and give it 120 percent when I am there.

"My balance, tremors have improved, my self-confidence is through the roof. The workouts are definitely challenging and I especially love the 'speed bag' and the open discussions."

Rock Steady Boxing Club is nationally recognized organization based out of Indianapolis, Indiana. Its focus is on improving the lives of individuals stricken with Parkinson's Disease through an exercise program designed to improve physical function.

The Club's Northern Nevada affiliate is based in Carson City through Tazmanian Boxing Club, located at 1701 South Sutro Terrace. For more information, contact certified trainer and Tazmanian Boxing owner Cisco Rodriguez at (775) 722-1752.