Stacey Copeland faced the most significant fight of her career, overwhelmed by anxiety as she entered the arena, her body shivering uncontrollably.
She struggled with the thought of her opponent’s greater experience, reminding herself, She’s been to the world championships, while I’ve hardly fought ten times. Her worries escalated as she consumed all available information about her opponent, letting her fears run wild: What if I can’t move?
Physically unwell from dread, Copeland’s mind began to echo negative thoughts. This culminated in fear as she entered the ring, leading to her defeat.
After watching footage of the match later, Copeland realized that her performance had been stifled by fear. “I boxed small,” she reflected. “I was so consumed by fear that I underperformed, feeling disappointment in a way that was unrelated to simply losing.”
This moment spurred Copeland to explore her fear. Committed to growth, she studied the topic, engaged with fellow fighters, and became an advocate for mental resilience in boxing.
Boxing uniquely illustrates fear management. Copeland understood that while fear is a natural response, learning to control it is crucial. Here are her three most effective strategies for managing fear:
Put It in the Trunk
Initially, Copeland didn’t see how damaging her thoughts were during stressful moments. Once she recognized their unhelpfulness, she developed a visualization technique—imagining placing her intrusive thoughts in the trunk of a car, locking it, and walking away. “If I let those thoughts steer, no, they must stay in the back,” she said, emphasizing the need to acknowledge negative thoughts without letting them control her.
The Take-Away Method
While mentoring younger fighters, Copeland observed one struggling with anxiety before a bout. Despite reassurance, the fear persisted until another coach suggested that if the fighter didn’t want to compete, it was fine to step back. This unexpected response prompted the fighter to seek out the ring. Copeland adopted this approach for herself, asking, “Would you want this opportunity taken away?” If she didn’t, it reminded her of the importance of her passion, turning nerves into motivation.
Remember Your Why
Preparing for a title match in Zimbabwe, Copeland felt familiar anxiety creeping in. Despite employing her strategies, she struggled until she connected with her deeper motivation—her 11-year-old self who dreamed of boxing. “How dare you panic,” she questioned herself, realizing that her younger self would have cherished the chance to compete. This revelation focused her and transformed fear into strength, culminating in her championship victory.
