We were lucky to catch up with Nyseim Tucker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Nyseim, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

The field I’m in is always a risk, combat sports is such a danger, we risk our lives every time we step into the ring. I take this risk because I feel as tho the award in the end is bigger then the fear or the risk I’m taking. Win or lose I’m able to solidify my name through fighting. I love the sport and it’s no secret boxing is one of the most dangerous sports in the world. But with this big risk I take comes high reward, reward to be able to say I’m one of the greats.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started training in boxing when I was thirteen, my grandfather is the first really in my family tree to train in any martial arts. Then my older brother Monye Tucker took things a step further. Growing up I’ve watched my brother compete in different combat sports from wrestling, martial, arts, boxing, and etc. So naturally seeing this all my life I wanted to follow in my older brother’s footsteps, and he introduced me to boxing. I’m most proud of the fact because he did that I was able to step out of my comfort zone with these kind of things. The pressure you feel when it’s your first time in the ring with a roaring crowd behind you. It can be kind of overwhelming. So I’m proud and I can step out of my comfort zone as well.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Probably in the year of 2020 Covid had just hit, and everything was closed including my gym. I had to be 16 around the time, and honestly it was fine in the beginning. But I feel as tho being locked in the house I developed anxiety. Honestly that could’ve been the worse time I’ve experienced. Because before then I’ve never gone through anxiety, and it all around changed me. From trips back and forth to the hospital and having talking with therapist to tell me it was all in my head. It made me spiral out and even made it to where I had a battle with depression. I had to overcome this battle and in the end I came out stronger then ever. It took me years to overcome everything, and still to this day it’s a battle. But I know I’m stronger than what was mentally and physically, I can handle anything that comes my way.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the idea of procrastination, the saying “time waits for no man” is true. I had to realize after my anxiety I went into a lazy mode and then I had my first child. After that everything changed. At one point in life it wasn’t about boxing anymore and the fire in me went out. And boxing being such a big part of my life it hurt me mentally. Than I had to come to the realization instead of moping about it do something about it. “I’m only getting older” I thought to myself. So why not chase my dreams while I still can.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Nyseim_thedreamtucker