Travis Hartman, 28, was raised in Osborne, Mo and grew up with two brothers around the same age as him. Fights occurred regularly at the Hartman household; still, growing up, Hartman couldn't have imagined his life was going to turn out the way it did.
"Fighting on HBO pay-per-view in front of people like Michael Jordan and so many other super stars; NBA all stars and legends, to NFL players, actors, actresses, R&B singers, comedians; that was my favorite boxing memory," Hartman said.
Hartman is a former professional and amateur boxer that now runs his own boxing and fitness gym on 24th and Union behind the soccer fields at Bode Middle School. Being a former boxer, there is very little he doesn't know about fitness.
"If everybody in the world worked out and cared about their bodies, this would be a better place," Hartman said. "Your body is your temple and you have to take care of it."
Hartman learned the fundamentals of being healthy as a young kid. He started boxing at the age of eight, and while other kids his age were out playing games, he was in the gym working out. While other kids were eating what they wanted to, he had to watch his weight, gaining every competitive advantage possible for when he entered the ring.
"It was hard losing weight, but I had to do it," Hartman said. "It is something that at the time felt so pointless, but looking back, I have no complaints."
Now, Hartman teaches the same discipline to his young boxers that come to Team Hartman Gym, a given 15 a night; women, men, young and old.
"It feels great to know I am helping someone become a healthier person," Hartman said. "I also love teaching kids the discipline of what boxing has to offer. It keeps them out of trouble and prepares them for life. If they can box then there is no challenge in life that they can't conquer or have confidence in approaching."
Hartman is one of the most accomplished amateur boxers in Northwest Missouri. He won the National Silver Gloves Tournament two times. He also went to major tournaments such as the National Golden Gloves and the Junior Olympics; though Hartman's reign in the amateurs fell short of the Olympics, losing in the quarterfinals at the Western Trials in 2004. After that, he knew it was time to turn pro.
"It was always something I wanted to do," Hartman said. "After the trials, I knew it was time."
And so he started his professional career. After six fights, still undefeated, Hartman decided to take a big money fight against the son of boxing hall-of-famer Julio Cesar Chavez. After losing the fight by TKO in round three, Hartman decided to take the route of a journeyman boxer, and take money fights instead of trying to build up his own record.
Now, 28 years old and retired due to a neck injury, Hartman can look back at his career and teach others the do's and don'ts of life. Hartman says there is no other better way to do that than to write about it.
"I like giving people a look from a guy who has been there, done that, so-to-speak," Hartman said. "I think most writers have never competed at a higher level and are strictly writing from the outside, whereas a former athlete can bring you the inside-out if done correctly."
Hartman is a part time sports reporter at the Saint Joseph News-Press, reporting on high school prep sports and boxing events. He runs his gym the nights he is not at work with help from his dad and younger brother. He is a busy man, as he also has his own radio gig on "The Ringside Boxing Show" every Sunday at 4 p.m. There isn't much time for him to rest, but he prefers it that way.
"I love everything about my life; I love my job, my gym, I wouldn't change a thing."
Last Saturday, Hartman teamed up with a group of six from the News-Press and Saint Joe Now Channel 3 and took on their rival competitors, KQ2, at their annual basketball game at Missouri Western. The News-Press won by 20, with Hartman scoring double digits in route to claiming the victory. It's events like these that Hartman lives for everyday.
"It was fun," Hartman said. "I had a blast playing and even more fun winning."
After the game, Hartman gets cleaned up, congratulates the competitors before getting on his cell phone. He is calling work to tell them he is going to be a few minutes late because the game lasted a little longer than expected. It's as if Hartman does not have enough time in the day to accomplish everything he wants.
Still, Sunday morning he will wake up extra early after a long, hard night of work that last until midnight, because the KU game is going to be on; and they are playing Missouri.
"Hopefully (the game) won't go into overtime," Hartman said. "I got to go on air at four."
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