Warrior's Way Kickboxing: A Path to Healing

“Warriors Way Kickboxing is class designed to help anyone, whether they suffer from PTSD, other injuries, stress or anxiety.

My name is Terrence Popp, and I am a retired First Sergeant with 33 years of service in the U.S. Army. Throughout my career, I served as a Green Beret, Airborne Ranger, paratrooper, and infantry soldier. The journey was a mix of adventure, terror, and pain that left a mark on my body and mind.

During my time in Iraq, especially in 2004, I experienced horrors that most people can hardly imagine. We faced constant shelling, roadside bombs, and ambushes. In one explosion outside Ramadi, I suffered injuries that altered my life forever. Three years of physical recovery were accompanied by mental battles that lasted far longer. My photographic memory was gone, and I struggled with anxiety, depression, and feelings of being lost in a world I no longer recognized.

After a difficult transition back to civilian life, I found myself drawn to a familiar place — the gym. In the midst of training and hitting the heavy bags, I began to rediscover something crucial: a sense of peace. The rhythm of training, the focus of each punch, and the calm between rounds became my meditation. I wasn’t just regaining physical strength — I was healing emotionally.

Seeing the transformation in myself, the owner of Smash Hit Kickboxing suggested I start teaching a class. Today, I’ve been running a Monday session for over a year now, called Warrior’s Way Kickboxing. It’s more than just a workout. It's a safe space for anyone battling PTSD, stress, anxiety, or recovering from physical and emotional injuries.

​For me, this class has become a mission — to help others find the healing and peace that I discovered in those quiet moments between punches. Every week, I see the difference it makes in others, just as it did for me. My hope is that through Warrior’s Way, we can all find the strength to keep moving forward, together.

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