Read

Boxer Mike Lee: From Pain to Purpose

Creator:
Published:
November 28, 2023
July 20, 2019
Boxer-Mike-Lee|Boxer-Mike-Lee-Square

Professional boxer Mike Lee has built an impressive career while battling an autoimmune disease. We go behind the scenes and get to know the real man behind the gloves as he prepares for his world title match against a defending champion.

Video Transcript

Mike Lee: He’s 21-0

Mike Lee: July 20th, baby.

I fought at Madison Square Garden, Cowboy Stadium — some huge venues. But ultimately, I've always said this: The best feeling in life is when you're scared or nervous — you have those butterflies in your stomach — and you still do it. You still step through. It's just one of the most beautiful feelings in life. 

So July 20th, I fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on FOX — it's for a world title. And for boxing, it doesn't get any bigger than this.

In 2014, Mike was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. AS is an autoimmune disease that causes severe pain. Mike was hospitalized regularly for two years. 

This helps. Right now, I'm achy after sparring. Right now, it’s at -180, -186. Here we go. Pop these on.

It's so much more than training for me. I'm constantly trying to repair my body. This autoimmune disease that I got diagnosed with is no joke and I feel like I need to do twice as much as the normal athlete to repair my body.

There were moments in my life that I thought that it was over for me. My darkest times — at one point I was in the hospital 14 days straight and trying to break the pain cycle and my immune system is shutting down just everything. I became really depressed.

So I started surrounding myself with positive things. Every single day I would visualize myself back in the ring or visualize myself out of the hospital or feeling good and feeling excited. And it's incredible that your body will listen to your mind.

From pain to purpose — I truly do believe that God put me through this pain to empathize with people. The next chapter in my life is going to be about helping people, about healing people. That's one thing I'm passionate about. And I'm going to win this title and continue to use this platform to help people. From pain to purpose.

Creators:
Grotto
Published:
November 28, 2023
July 20, 2019
On a related note...
How to Hack Your To-Do List to Find More Time

How to Hack Your To-Do List to Find More Time

Molly Gettinger

Artists Need Us to Use AI Responsibly — Here’s How To Do It

Artists Need Us to Use AI Responsibly — Here’s How To Do It

Molly Cruitt

Father of 6 Speaks to the Challenges and Rewards of Parenting

Father of 6 Speaks to the Challenges and Rewards of Parenting

Grotto

Palm Sunday Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Palm Sunday Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Delivering Joy — One Party at a Time

Delivering Joy — One Party at a Time

Grotto

Pizzeria Serves Up Second Chances in Cleveland

Pizzeria Serves Up Second Chances in Cleveland

Grotto

Comfort in Cold Weather: Winter Beefless Stew

Comfort in Cold Weather: Winter Beefless Stew

Grotto

This Army Chaplain Literally Stood in the Line of Fire

This Army Chaplain Literally Stood in the Line of Fire

Dan Allen

Gossip Isn't Harmless — Here's How to Kick the Habit

Gossip Isn't Harmless — Here's How to Kick the Habit

Maria Walley

5 Hashtags to Cultivate Beauty in Your Feed

5 Hashtags to Cultivate Beauty in Your Feed

Gabriella Patti

4 Dessert Recipes to Sweeten Up Your Summer

4 Dessert Recipes to Sweeten Up Your Summer

Lauren Lawson

Free Download: Lenten Wallpapers for Phone and Desktop

Free Download: Lenten Wallpapers for Phone and Desktop

Grotto

St. Francis Xavier Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Francis Xavier Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Simplify Your Life with a 'Digital Declutter'

Simplify Your Life with a 'Digital Declutter'

Chris Hazell

The Ultimate Guide to Thriving in Life After College

The Ultimate Guide to Thriving in Life After College

Grotto

How Do We Avoid Tech Interfering With Our Humanity?

How Do We Avoid Tech Interfering With Our Humanity?

Erin Spruit

St. Elizabeth Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

St. Elizabeth Spotify Playlist | #GrottoMusic

Grotto

Good and Decent S2|E8: Backstrokes and Headspins

Good and Decent S2|E8: Backstrokes and Headspins

Grotto

What I Love About Not Owning a Smartphone

What I Love About Not Owning a Smartphone

Molly Gettinger

From Living on the Streets to Cleaning Them Up

From Living on the Streets to Cleaning Them Up

Grotto

newsletter

We’d sure love to be pals.

Like what you see? Make it easy on yourself and we’ll meet you right in your inbox next time.