Q: So when did you realize that you were ‘good’ at boxing? That this could be more than just a hobby?
A: Probably when I was 13 or 14. My Dad put me in the ring with people who were twice as old as me, and twice as big as me and I was killing them. I don’t know if they were taking it easy on me or what, but I knew that I could do this.
Q: Do you feel like there’s pressure on you because of your Dad? (Sean’s father is Steven ‘Spyder’ Hemphill, 2 time world kickboxing champion and MMA title holder)
A: No. He’s proud of me and I know that he’s always there, but I don’t feel like he pressures me to fight.
Q: What does it feel like to be in the ring during a fight…all by yourself, people watching and cheering?
A: It’s exhilarating…a high. Times stands still and nothing else matters outside of that moment.
Q: Tell me about training camp? What’s a regular day like at training camp? (As a member of the U.S. National Team, Sean has spent time training at the U.S. Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs)
A: It’s about what you’d think it would be like…(he says with a laugh).. You’re up at 6AM and work out three times a day. In the mornings we do cardio, anything from rowing, sprints, distance running. Then we eat breakfast and rest for a little while. We meet back at 10AM and work on boxing which can be sparring, drills, hitting the bag. We break for lunch and a little rest then start again around 5 with strength & conditioning. Then dinner, than rest until the next day.
Q: That sounds exhausting. Do you miss home when you’re there?
A: We are all physically beaten down by the end, so It’s nice to hang out with some of the other guys at night. When it’s too quiet I definitely think about my people at home…what are they doing, do they miss me.
It’s important to be there though, keep up my mental game and my eye on the prize.
Q: Thanks Sean. I’ll be back with more questions soon.
A: Ask me anything…