Luke was a veteran who loved boxing. There was just one problem: every time he tried to put in his gumshield at the gym, he’d gag. The reflex was so strong that it prevented him from sparring. For someone with a military boxing background who wanted to train properly, it was incredibly frustrating. Add PTSD, anxiety, and a mind that raced at “100mph,” and Luke was struggling on multiple fronts.
THE CHALLENGE
When Luke came to therapy, his goal was clear: overcome the gag reflex so he could spar and train properly. But underneath that specific phobia was a bigger picture – PTSD from his Infantry service, anxiety, and racing thoughts that never seemed to stop.
He needed tools to calm his mind and regulate his emotions. The gumshield was just the most visible symptom.
Starting point: Feeling 7/10
THE JOURNEY
Visualising the Gumshield (Week 1)
We started with detailed visualisation. Luke closed his eyes, and we walked through the entire process: putting on his gloves, picking up the gumshield, placing it in his mouth, and actually sparring.
His brain needed to see it was possible before his body would believe it.
“Had to Fight the Wretching” (Week 2)
The next week, Luke came back with news: “Went sparring last week and put in the gumshield ok, but I had to fight the wretching.”
It wasn’t perfect, but it was progress as he’d actually sparred with the gumshield in.
I explained how the gag reflex was his primitive brain thinking he was in crisis or danger. It wasn’t a physical problem … it was his mind’s stress response. Understanding that changed everything.
The Breakthrough – It’s Not About the Gumshield Anymore (Week 3)
This was the turning point. When we got to the miracle question, Luke didn’t mention the gumshield at all. He talked about planning his day, looking forward to the gym, and feeling clear about what was happening.
The phobia was no longer his primary concern. In just three sessions, we’d shifted from the gumshield dominating his thoughts to it being a non-issue.
I introduced a metaphor that really stuck with him: traffic lights. When you see green phasing to amber, do you race through or prepare to stop? Your brain needs time to learn new situations, just like you need time to react safely to changing lights.
Signing Up for the Charity Match (Week 4)
Then Luke did something extraordinary: he signed up for a charity boxing match, raising money for veterans. He’s progressed from someone who couldn’t put in a gumshield without gagging to someone confident enough to compete publicly in a boxing ring.
“Perfect Days” and Confidence (Week 7)
By week 7, Luke had reached 10 out of 10. He said something simple but powerful:
“I will be confident. I am enjoying training with a purpose.”
The charity match had given him focus and meaning. He wasn’t just training to train, he was training to raise money for fellow veterans. Purpose changes everything.
“The Old Me Is Gone” (Final Session)
In our final session, Luke reflected on how far he’d come:
“I’m actually not negatively forecasting. I am focused on this match so much, and when I do [negatively forcast] I tell myself to let it go.”
He’d learned to catch negative thoughts and actively interrupt them. When his mind started racing, he could slow it down. When he was tired, he recognised it and adjusted.
Most importantly, he told me: “I get that there are things I cannot do anything about”.
Acceptance, controlling boundaries and self-awareness were the tools he was now using to maintain his progress long-term.
THE TRANSFORMATION
Before therapy:
- Gag reflex preventing sparring (gumshield phobia)
- PTSD and anxiety from Infantry service
- Mind racing at “100mph”
- Unable to train properly for boxing
Feeling 7/10
After 8 sessions:
- Complete phobia resolution (gumshield not mentioned after week 3)
- Signed up for charity boxing match for veterans
- Active thought management (“tell myself to let it go”)
- Training with purpose and confidence
Feeling 10/10 (peak)
Luke’s Reflections
Luke’s journey taught him something profound:
“I get that there are things I cannot do anything about.”
For someone with PTSD and a military background, learning to let go of control and accept uncertainty was huge. He didn’t need to manage everything, just the things within his power.
Where Luke Is Now
Luke competed in his charity boxing match … gumshield in, no gag reflex, raising money for fellow veterans. The phobia that brought him to therapy was completely resolved by week 3.
But more than that, he’s managing his PTSD symptoms, slowing down his racing thoughts, and training with purpose and confidence. When negative forecasting creeps in, he catches it and lets it go. When he’s tired, he recognises it and adjusts.
From gag reflex preventing training to competing in a charity boxing match and from mind racing at 100mph to focused, purposeful thinking. Luke didn’t just overcome a phobia, he found purpose, confidence, and the tools to manage his PTSD long-term. And he’s giving back to the veteran community that supported him.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy helped Luke overcome gag reflex phobia and manage PTSD symptoms in just 8 sessions over 11 weeks.