Local Mom Inspires Twin Sons As She Closes In On Golden Gloves Boxing Crown
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – It's a story about intestinal fortitude, how one mother gave herself a fitness goal, but along the way found a more suitable destination.
Like many moms, Adrienne Ford had life figured out -- a secure job providing the best for her twin boys, Aiden and Austin.
"I really hope to teach them stick-to-it-tiveness. Just about being goal-oriented," Ford told CBS2's Steve Overmyer.
Her goal was to lose weight. Her method was boxing. The results have been shocking.
Ford is now the No. 1 ranked amateur in New York and the favorite to win the Golden Gloves next week -- at the age of 33, and as a mother.
"I was a nursing mother of twins, which was very demanding. It wasn't until I stopped nursing them I felt like I could reclaim myself. And I had to do it, for my spirit, for them," Ford said.
Adrienne tried boxing once 12 years ago, so joining Mendez Gym in Manhattan seemed natural. What started out as a way to get fit, turned into an awakening.
"She became a sparring partner. I guess even she began to see that she had what it takes to be a complete fighter," trainer Lee Shabaka said.
As if training for the fight of her life this month isn't the definition of March madness, Adrienne is in the middle of it as the associate director of the CBS coverage of the NCAA Tournament.
"You have to work hard towards something, because otherwise what are you doing here?" she said. "For my kids, I think the part that they might respect those most is when I come home with a belt or trophy. They don't care about the paycheck I get."
When asked what he thinks when he sees his mom working out in the gym, Aiden said, "It's pretty cool because she wins a lot of matches."
Adrienne lost 46 pounds in eight months and said she found her confidence.
However, this is not going to be a full-time career for her. The maximum age for Golden Gloves amateur fighting is 35, so she plans on retiring -- after she wins the next two years.