Guest Blog: Quintin Stevens, The Storehouse
A win in the ring would be the bonus
Well… never did I ever think a boxing match for the craic was a good idea. But after a blether with a friend and a quick scan of the internet I was fully committed to a Charity Ultra White Collar Boxing Match.
Day 1 was early in January 2026 - sign on day at Highland Martial Arts Centre in Inverness. I played rugby all the way through school, scuffled in the odd bar and had a few encounters with bouncers along my way, chased wild pigs in Australia with dogs - but this was a whole new level. It was bloody terrifying.
That said, there is something to be said about pushing yourself out of the comfort zone you've carefully carved for yourself, at this stage of life – 51 years old. This challenge brought improved fitness, new muscle memory, increased sharpness and a journey into the unknown. You hear about friends and family and people you don't even know suffering from cancer, illness or other challenges, perhaps unable to do what they want to or try new things. Then you look at yourself and think - why not? Why not do that crazy thing and push yourself well beyond perceived limits? Because all it is, is a perception. We can always do more, way more than we think.
By the end of week one a full training programme was in place - six days a week. As if my life wasn't busy enough without this! Two boxing sessions, two elite gym sessions, one private boxing session and time on the peloton at home. I was exhausted but loving it.
Week two got a bit easier and then I had the bug - endorphins kicking in, full on, here we go. Press ups, sit ups, burpees, running, sparring, biking and all sorts of other exercise. And a bucket load of eating - I was eating for Scotland and for the first time in 25 years my waistline wasn't getting bigger.
After three months of training, fight night was looming. Saturday 14th March, Macdonald Centre, Aviemore - 7pm. My opponent another local boy, a big loon of about 145kg and 6ft 5in. My head was full of ‘what ifs’. How embarrassing would it be if I froze, got knocked out, made a fool of myself, let my family and friends down? But then a sense of realisation kicked in - I was there to enjoy myself and hopefully raise a lot of money for three charities that are really important to me, my family and friends:
- Farmstrong Scotland
- The Highland Hospice Catwalk for Causes
- The Beatson Cancer Charity, Glasgow
The real winning part was the £10,000 plus raised. A win in the ring would be the bonus…
With over 700 people in the audience and a lot of noise - the fight was stopped in the 2nd round. Holy shit, I had won! My heart rate was rocket-ship high, so much so the medical team kept me for a while after the fight. I was so excited and relieved. What an extraordinary experience.
Full respect to anyone who does this as a career. It's an art, skill, mindset and craft with so much to it.
So, the next time an opportunity is put in front of you - go for it. Don't let the no demons get in your way. Think about all the folk who can't take that chance due to illness or disability and do it for them.
Farmstrong - you do so much for so many and probably don't realise how important you are. Thank you.
