Rock Bottom To Ringside

A Guide To Living In The Arena

Read time: 4 minutes

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96,000 Voices, One Anthem

Walking down the steps to Ringside felt like stepping into a living embodiment of Theodore Roosevelt’s quote: “The Man In The Arena.”

I was there for my birthday to witness the modern-day gladiator clash between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.

A record-breaking 96,000 people at Wembley Stadium.

The sheer scale of the event and the sea of fans were like nothing I’d ever witnessed.

Suddenly the lights went out, and Neal Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” started to ring around the stadium speakers.

The fight was about to begin. 96,000 fans all chanting in sync.

The noise was deafening. The atmosphere, electric.

I stood on the steps, taking in the moment while reflecting on the past year.

Twelve months ago, as I turned 32, I stood on the edge of my balcony in Austin contemplating jumping and ending it all.

Now, turning 33, I was at ringside at the biggest event of the year, surrounded by the very guys who were by my side as I climbed my way back.

So as the crowd roared, fists pumping to the chorus, I stood still. With raw emotion flooding through my veins, knowing how close I had come to losing moments like this.   

This Newsletter is about those defining moments—the times when we choose whether to stay down or step into the arena and fight.

Whether you’re struggling to keep your business afloat, facing setbacks, or searching for the strength to carry on, this is for you.

By the end, you'll understand what it means to face your fears head-on, how to surround yourself with people who lift you up, and how to find power in every fall.

And it all starts with the boxer everyone doubted on this scintillating night of entertainment.

The Underdog Slays The King

Daniel Dubois entered as the underdog.

Only 27, he had already suffered two losses in his career.

Facing the global icon Anthony Joshua, who in most people’s eyes was lined up for an easy night's work.

AJ is no stranger to sold-out football stadiums. 

After winning Olympic gold at 22 he’s been carrying British boxing and the hopes of the entire nation on his shoulders for over a decade.

Returning to his familiar stopping ground to become 3-time heavyweight champion of the world.

For Dubois, this was by far the biggest stage he’d ever fought on. The odds were heavily stacked against him. 

But from the first bell, he came out swinging like a man possessed.

Living. Breathing. Existing. In the Arena.

Where the world expected Dubois to crumble under the weight of Joshua’s legacy, he did the exact opposite.

His movements were filled with raw desire, as he detonated blow after blow onto Joshua’s chin.

He wasn’t intimidated by the name in front of him, the roar of the crowd, or the magnitude of the occasion.

He was focused, poised, and here to show the world he belonged with the best.

Round after round, the crowd gasped in utter disbelief. The outright favourite Anthony Joshua repeatedly falling to the floor clinging on for dear life as Dubois stood tall with a smile on his face.

Just moments before Dubois had been written off by pretty much everyone. Critics, fans, even former boxing hall of famers.

Now, he was about to slay the king.

But what can you, a business owner, take from all this?

When The Going Gets Tough

Like Dubois following his devastating loss to Joe Joyce a few years before, maybe you’ve been cast aside, doubted, written off by the very people who you thought believed in you the most.

People who were supposed to be in your corner suddenly went silent when the going got tough.

Maybe you’ve been grinding for months, even years, but seeing no tangible progress.

The long nights bleed into early mornings. You sacrifice weekends, relationships, sleep, your health – everything – because you’re driven by this insatiable desire to succeed.

Yet, despite all of it, it still feels like you’re stuck in quicksand while the world moves forward. 

The doubts creep in. The voice of the victim whispers in your ear.

Maybe you’ve reached the point where you’re thinking about throwing in the towel.

Retreating back to the safety of a 9-5 seems almost…comforting. You know what’s waiting there - a steady paycheck, clear boundaries, less stress.

But sometimes, when you look at the mountain ahead, you wonder if it’s worth it to keep climbing at all.

That’s where I was 12 months ago.

ROCK BOTTOM.

The vision I had for my future was blurred by betrayal, rejection, self-doubt.

I questioned everything and almost convinced myself that surrender was inevitable.

But there was one other option. To step into the arena and fight. 

And that’s when I started the David to Goliath newsletter.

A vehicle of expression.

A way to document my comeback, to hold myself accountable, and to share the lessons I was learning as I rebuilt my life and business, brick by brick.

And as I sat ringside twelve months later, exploding from my seat alongside the people who had show up for me when I needed them most, I saw Dubois’ story unfold in front of me.

A story of grit, of having the right support, and of refusing to give in, no matter what. 

It reminded me of the truth that had gotten me through: no matter how far you fall, you have to keep stepping back into the arena.

You can rewrite your entire story with that one decision. 

But this is not about me, or Daniel Dubois.

It’s about you.

How To Live In The Arena

1- Surround Yourself with the Right People

There were days in the past year when I felt like I was drowning. 

On those days, it was these new friends I’d found sat alongside me that reminded me of who I was fighting to become.

They challenged me when I was playing small, lifted me when I was weighed down by self-doubt, and refused to let me retreat when all I wanted to do was hide.

Just like Dubois had his corner crew pushing him to keep swinging, I had my own inner circle pushing me to keep showing up for myself, for my business, and for my vision.

So, take a look at the people around you.

Are they pushing you to rise as you step into the arena, or are they the ones who will disappear when the going gets tough?

You need people who will stand in your corner and push you to be your best when everything feels impossible.

Like Winston Churchill said:

2- Never, Never, Never Give In

Even with the right people around you, there will still be moments when the idea of quitting feels like a relief. 

But it’s in those moments that stepping into the arena matters most.

Success—whether in business, in life, or in any personal battle—doesn’t come from perfect plans or flawless execution. 

It comes from consistency, from refusing to back down even when everything seems to be falling apart. 

It comes from showing up every single day, no matter how tired, no matter how discouraged. 

So create a non-negotiable habit that keeps you moving forward. It doesn’t have to be grand, but it does have to be constant.

Each day’s effort may seem small, but every brick you lay is part of building something much bigger. 

And whether you’re Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, or someone striving to build a meaningful life, the critics will always be there, watching and judging. 

But as Theodore Roosevelt said,

 It doesn’t matter what has come before you. It doesn’t matter what scars you bear, people you’ve lost along the way or hardships you’ve encountered.

What matters is that today you step forward into the Arena, put down the victim blanket of comfort and fight.

Because even if you fail you will never have to rest with those cold and timid souls who neither know the feeling of victory nor defeat.

I’ll see you on the inside.

Yours truly,

-Nigel Thomas

P.S. If you’ve hit rock bottom let’s connect on LinkedIn here so I can follow your comeback!