Age is just a Number

By, Robert Samborsky

I was born in Ukraine and have also lived in Israel for 4 years. After moving to United States from South Africa I was introduced to Bodybuilding. From coaching to judging to owning one of the best and well known hardcore gyms in the USA, [sk_button color=”000066″ target=”_” href=”https://www.facebook.com/pages/Apollon-Gym/401351585082″]Apollon Gym[/sk_button] All those years I was the coach, the nutritionist, prepping athletes for various competitions, ranging from bodybuilding to MMA.

In 2010 at the age of 35 I suddenly realized that I still had the competitive fire burning in me just as much as ever. In my teens I was a decent boxer, but that was almost 20 years ago. So I thought it would be like starting from scratch, so I might as well try something different. I decided to give MMA a try, but quickly realized that Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling were not my cup of tea and decided to take up Kickboxing or Muay Thai. After 2 years of training with some of the best coaches in the country like Dan Miragliotta, Kaensak Sor Plonjit, Chris Tran and Jaffer Panezai as well as the help and support from my friend Boban and also training with Peter Teijsse in Amsterdam, I was ready for my first fight on February 6th, 2013, but on January 16th just few weeks prior I tore my quadriceps muscled and the dream was over.

Depression, pain, disappointment, weight gain took over. However I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by some amazing people who encouraged me to keep fighting and to push forward. I resumed training and pushed my body to the limit and beyond and on September 7th, 2014 had my first fight. And even though it was a loss, it was a necessary step to take, as it was a part of a learning process and even though I still was not 100%, I was happy as I felt that was the necessary closure. I really thought that would be the end, but I wasn’t quite done and in March 2014 I traveled to Sinbi Muay Thai in Thailand, to both get training from the best in the world as well as to get my first Win. That was the experience I’ll cherish forever.

Now only few months away from the big 40, I’m strongly considering another and yes perhaps a final run and go back to Thailand and finish this journey with a bang. I better make up my mind fast :)

I want to thank everyone who helped me and was with me throughout this whole journey, as without my team, none of this would be possible.

Dan Miragliotta, Kaensak Sor Plonjit, Jaffer Panezai, Peter Teijsse, Chris Tran (Weapons 9), Spencer Grekoski, Jon Curtis, Marc Seno, Angwl Fernandez, Alina Kolomeyer, Karolina Molochayeva, Irina Veselova, Boban and of course Marina & Jessica Samborsky. Dave Palumbo – a friend and somebody who is always there for me and helps me with both diet and weight cutting with his great and very knowledgeable approach. Thank you Dave. Thank you to Gasp and Better Bodies clothing (coolest shorts to fight and train), Muscle Foods USA (they have everything you need for sports nutrition supplementation), RTN and Rich Tuma.