I had some of my friends/fans submit more questions for me to answer.
1) When did you start fighting?
I started in martial arts several years ago now, but have only been in MMA/fighting for about six months. Not terribly long, but we all start somewhere!
2) Why did you start fighting?
I honestly haven't fully figured that one out myself. I started martial art training terrified of even sparring, but after a few years of loving that, something in me just called me to try fighting. I figured I'd give it a shot, and here I am.
3) Do your opponents ever know you are gay, or do you hide that in the ring?
While I don't advertise it, I certainly don't hide it. There is a good chance opponents know I'm gay. My sparring buddies and instructors all do, as does my trainer.
4) Have you ever experienced discrimination while fighting because you are gay?
Once, actually. My second capoeira instructor ended up having some homophobic tendencies which would manifest themselves in his singling me out in class as having "technique like a girl," and telling me to "do it like a man." A meia lua de compasso kick (look up the 20 second capoeira mma knockout on Youtube to see this in action) to his head got him to shut up pretty quick. Knocked him out for five minutes, too.
Aside from that, everyone's been really cool about it. Some guys have asked me some very thoughtful questions and I think that's kind of cool.
5) How much & where do you train?
I typically train six days a week, up to twice a day. Once around noon for 30-60 minutes, usually weights and some cardio, then again later in the evening. Evening workouts will consist of running, forms work, heavy bag work, shadowboxing and sparring.
I currently use the heavy bags and space at Gold's Spokane (both locations) and train with a few friends of mine to the side. Not currently affiliated with any martial arts schools/gyms.
6) Tell me about your self-defense classes you teach to the gay community & why you started teaching them.
I believe everyone should know how to defend themselves. I previously helped teach some volunteer classes for women's self defense, but found that in other vulnerable populations such things were lacking. What really drove me to get it out there was a rash of gay bashings here, all in a short period of time. It had several of my friends and family worried and the community on a higher alert. That, unfortunately, did make them more open to learning these things as so many of them had brushed it off saying they had no need for it.
I teach escapes from most basic attacks and law regarding self-defense in the state of Washington.
7) What do you hope to accomplish in your MMA career?
Truthfully, I just wanna have fun with it. Some extra cash would be nice, but really I'm in it because I enjoy it (which is why I also have a day job).
8) Is there anything that would make you stop fighting?
Nothing I can think of. It is in my soul and me not fighting would be like a singer not singing or an artist letting their talents lie unused. It is a very big part of who I am and I don't foresee myself stopping anytime soon.
9) How many fights have you had & what is your record?
I currently have no official MMA fights under my belt because until recently I only knew striking arts. Now that I have some groundwork and am improving, I hope to have my first match sometime very late this year or early next year. And I plan to win!
Great questions everyone...keep em coming!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Interview questions
1) How did you get into the sport?
Started in the martial arts to get some inner peace and build
up some confidence...maybe learn something useful, too. I was
dead scared of sparring though.
Over the years, I found the game (sparring) to be really fun
and wanted to get into the most raw form of that competition-
MMA. There's just something in me that tells me to do it.
Can't really describe it, but it is there and it pushes me to
work harder to be a better fighter.
2) What's your favorite strike/submission to use in a fight?
I love my right front roundhouse. Gives me warm fuzzies when
I throw it.
3) Who is your biggest inspriration?
I would have to say Georges St Pierre. The man is a legend and
is very honest about things-his past, his frustrations and who
he is. Not many in the MMA world will admit to being bullied
as a kid or crying out of frustration when injuries pull them
off the card. That takes balls to do.
4) Which team are you training with in preparation for your
next bout?
Don't have an official team at the moment, just some carefully
selected training, sparring and conditioning buddies and a few
supporters pushing me on.
5) Do you like to stand with your opponents or take them to
the ground?
Stand. I'm a striker all the way at this point. Sprawl and
brawl!
6) What does it mean to be a fighter?
I think the Twisted Genetiks fight team said it best:
Some are born to build, to discover, to heal; and there are
those born to fight. They fight for themselves, their
families, their God. It is their nature, it is their genetics.
Those that cannot understand label it abnormal, deviant ...
twisted. It is our twisted genetics that compels us; it is
what separates us from them.
That is what it means to be a fighter.
7) What holes do you see in your next opponent's game?
Don't have an opponent anytime soon-just focusing on my own
training right now.
8) What separates you from other fighters in your division?
My drive, heart and how I combine some irregular styles into my game like Capoeira.
9) If you could have a dream fight with anyone, who would it
be?
Urijah Faber, GSP, TJ Dillashaw or Jon Fitch.
10) What do you want to be remembered for at the end of your
career?
I'll figure that out when I get there.
11) How do you balance your training and MMA life with your
home life?
It helps me keep a level head with my home life. However,
between that and working an 8-5, it does leave me with little
free time and that has impacted a bit of my social life.
Still, those worth my time work with me and we make time to
hang out.
12) How do you justify participating in a sport where you look
to deliberately hurt another person?
Every sport has a risk of injury, even Tai Chi. Yes, I said
Tai Chi-in one class I was in, someone dislocated a shoulder
doing parting the wild horse's mane incorrectly. The idea of
getting hurt isn't fun, but it is part of the sport and thus
worth it, much like getting a tattoo. Pain is part of the
process.
It isn't the same as just a street brawl, either...hate when
people compare the two. An MMA match is two highly-
conditioned athletes who are voluntarily fighting. There are
rules, safety measures and respect involved. The fight isn't
about hurting one's opponent per-se, it is about who has the
most skill and about respect.
13) What are your tattoos and what do they mean?
I have five currently:
-Greek for "under the shade" as in "we'll fight them under the shade" on my left pec as a symbol of my inner strength.
-Greek for "know thyself" on my left arm-a reminder to always and forever stay true to who I am and not what others want me to be. The two tats are in Greek because I'm half Greek.
-A Maori tattoo on my calf that has a ton of traditional symbolism in it representing where I've been in life up to this point. Very intensely personal tattoo and I don't really tell many people what it means.
-Black/green nautical star on my right pec-black and green are my muay thai colors and that star is a reminder it is okay to fly solo. Also, hoping to find my way in life.
-Rush from Megaman on my upper right arm. I am a huge nerd and always thought Rush was the most awesome character ever and one of my trainers started calling me Rush after I would rush through exercises I either had trouble with or didn't like. When I'd rush, my form would tank and he'd yell at me like a puppy, so it seemed appropriate.
Started in the martial arts to get some inner peace and build
up some confidence...maybe learn something useful, too. I was
dead scared of sparring though.
Over the years, I found the game (sparring) to be really fun
and wanted to get into the most raw form of that competition-
MMA. There's just something in me that tells me to do it.
Can't really describe it, but it is there and it pushes me to
work harder to be a better fighter.
2) What's your favorite strike/submission to use in a fight?
I love my right front roundhouse. Gives me warm fuzzies when
I throw it.
3) Who is your biggest inspriration?
I would have to say Georges St Pierre. The man is a legend and
is very honest about things-his past, his frustrations and who
he is. Not many in the MMA world will admit to being bullied
as a kid or crying out of frustration when injuries pull them
off the card. That takes balls to do.
4) Which team are you training with in preparation for your
next bout?
Don't have an official team at the moment, just some carefully
selected training, sparring and conditioning buddies and a few
supporters pushing me on.
5) Do you like to stand with your opponents or take them to
the ground?
Stand. I'm a striker all the way at this point. Sprawl and
brawl!
6) What does it mean to be a fighter?
I think the Twisted Genetiks fight team said it best:
Some are born to build, to discover, to heal; and there are
those born to fight. They fight for themselves, their
families, their God. It is their nature, it is their genetics.
Those that cannot understand label it abnormal, deviant ...
twisted. It is our twisted genetics that compels us; it is
what separates us from them.
That is what it means to be a fighter.
7) What holes do you see in your next opponent's game?
Don't have an opponent anytime soon-just focusing on my own
training right now.
8) What separates you from other fighters in your division?
My drive, heart and how I combine some irregular styles into my game like Capoeira.
9) If you could have a dream fight with anyone, who would it
be?
Urijah Faber, GSP, TJ Dillashaw or Jon Fitch.
10) What do you want to be remembered for at the end of your
career?
I'll figure that out when I get there.
11) How do you balance your training and MMA life with your
home life?
It helps me keep a level head with my home life. However,
between that and working an 8-5, it does leave me with little
free time and that has impacted a bit of my social life.
Still, those worth my time work with me and we make time to
hang out.
12) How do you justify participating in a sport where you look
to deliberately hurt another person?
Every sport has a risk of injury, even Tai Chi. Yes, I said
Tai Chi-in one class I was in, someone dislocated a shoulder
doing parting the wild horse's mane incorrectly. The idea of
getting hurt isn't fun, but it is part of the sport and thus
worth it, much like getting a tattoo. Pain is part of the
process.
It isn't the same as just a street brawl, either...hate when
people compare the two. An MMA match is two highly-
conditioned athletes who are voluntarily fighting. There are
rules, safety measures and respect involved. The fight isn't
about hurting one's opponent per-se, it is about who has the
most skill and about respect.
13) What are your tattoos and what do they mean?
I have five currently:
-Greek for "under the shade" as in "we'll fight them under the shade" on my left pec as a symbol of my inner strength.
-Greek for "know thyself" on my left arm-a reminder to always and forever stay true to who I am and not what others want me to be. The two tats are in Greek because I'm half Greek.
-A Maori tattoo on my calf that has a ton of traditional symbolism in it representing where I've been in life up to this point. Very intensely personal tattoo and I don't really tell many people what it means.
-Black/green nautical star on my right pec-black and green are my muay thai colors and that star is a reminder it is okay to fly solo. Also, hoping to find my way in life.
-Rush from Megaman on my upper right arm. I am a huge nerd and always thought Rush was the most awesome character ever and one of my trainers started calling me Rush after I would rush through exercises I either had trouble with or didn't like. When I'd rush, my form would tank and he'd yell at me like a puppy, so it seemed appropriate.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Reflections on my training...
I've been thinking a lot about my past recently-what led me to the martial arts, where I started, where I'm at and how I grew. What motivated me? How have I changed? Where have I been? I'm putting together a journal for my training, sort of a thing that one day I can hand down to someone and say "this is my life's worth of martial knowledge. Use it well." As such, a start point-almost a resume of my most recent training, very brief but a start nonetheless:
Kung Fu For Life-East/West Fitness World
Started training in May 2009 to reclaim some inner peace and confidence. Did not want to spar or deal with the combative side of martial arts, I instead wanted to focus on classical movements and forms. As I learned more and was introduced to sparring as a game in fall of 2009, I found a liking for it and learning the practical side of martial arts.
I had also become fitter and stronger than ever before and claimed a confidence I did not know I could at that time.
After a period of time, I began cross-training with Capoeira Regional and Yang Style Taiji. I also added personal training sessions at my gym with the aim of improving my explosive power and overall fitness.
Reason for leaving in Dec 2010/Jan 2011-upon much reflection, I found the business practices as a student and instructor immoral at best. Further, the head instructor consistently showed behavior unbefitting a 7th degree black belt-short temper, punishing students for bad eating while eating fast food, racist tendencies toward anything Japanese and homophobia as well. I also found that the style was not Kung Fu, but rather a form of basic Karate-Do/Kempo under a different name where things were being added to make it seem like it wasn't. While having gained good basic skills and confidence, I realized I could not grow within that school alone, so I chose to leave.
Capoira-Axe, general and Senzala:
Capoeira is where I found my niche. It is by far the most difficult, strenuous and most rewarding art I've learned. I learned to fly, roll and do what I thought was not possible for me. I started seeing the world in a new way, both in terms of martial arts and in terms of life and relations. This art became my heart and soul. The music empowers and the art teaches one to deal with things as they come, remain playful and relaxed and to trick others.
I first started with Axe. At that point, I still had no interest in fighting, so their emphasis on the martial aspect did not sit well. Now, I much respect and enjoy that view of training.
General: trained with others from Axe, Ginga and various other groups-learned new ways to look at old moves and grew my game by leaps and bounds.
Senzala: I found Angola here and learned to fuse the two in my own way.
Yang Style Taiji-EWFW
Trained under Shifu Wang and learned to use inner power and translate it to outer force, but gently so. My awareness of chi and how it flows began here, and realizing how to use minimal of my own chi was key. Also learning about timing to "eat" another's energy and redirect was a difficult skill. It took many months to finally understand and apply it in push hands training.
TKD-from friends
Yet another way to look at old moves in a new way and also to improve flexibility.
Muay Thai-from friends
Found a very calming part in the Wai Kru/Ram Muay and the music to pace. Very much like Capoeira and very much becoming one of my base styles.
Much has been glossed over, but for now this shall do as a brief reflection upon my former training. As time goes, I shall expand and add upon this...knowing one's past will help direct and lead one's future. This is where I came from and where I will end up, only time will tell.
Kung Fu For Life-East/West Fitness World
Started training in May 2009 to reclaim some inner peace and confidence. Did not want to spar or deal with the combative side of martial arts, I instead wanted to focus on classical movements and forms. As I learned more and was introduced to sparring as a game in fall of 2009, I found a liking for it and learning the practical side of martial arts.
I had also become fitter and stronger than ever before and claimed a confidence I did not know I could at that time.
After a period of time, I began cross-training with Capoeira Regional and Yang Style Taiji. I also added personal training sessions at my gym with the aim of improving my explosive power and overall fitness.
Reason for leaving in Dec 2010/Jan 2011-upon much reflection, I found the business practices as a student and instructor immoral at best. Further, the head instructor consistently showed behavior unbefitting a 7th degree black belt-short temper, punishing students for bad eating while eating fast food, racist tendencies toward anything Japanese and homophobia as well. I also found that the style was not Kung Fu, but rather a form of basic Karate-Do/Kempo under a different name where things were being added to make it seem like it wasn't. While having gained good basic skills and confidence, I realized I could not grow within that school alone, so I chose to leave.
Capoira-Axe, general and Senzala:
Capoeira is where I found my niche. It is by far the most difficult, strenuous and most rewarding art I've learned. I learned to fly, roll and do what I thought was not possible for me. I started seeing the world in a new way, both in terms of martial arts and in terms of life and relations. This art became my heart and soul. The music empowers and the art teaches one to deal with things as they come, remain playful and relaxed and to trick others.
I first started with Axe. At that point, I still had no interest in fighting, so their emphasis on the martial aspect did not sit well. Now, I much respect and enjoy that view of training.
General: trained with others from Axe, Ginga and various other groups-learned new ways to look at old moves and grew my game by leaps and bounds.
Senzala: I found Angola here and learned to fuse the two in my own way.
Yang Style Taiji-EWFW
Trained under Shifu Wang and learned to use inner power and translate it to outer force, but gently so. My awareness of chi and how it flows began here, and realizing how to use minimal of my own chi was key. Also learning about timing to "eat" another's energy and redirect was a difficult skill. It took many months to finally understand and apply it in push hands training.
TKD-from friends
Yet another way to look at old moves in a new way and also to improve flexibility.
Muay Thai-from friends
Found a very calming part in the Wai Kru/Ram Muay and the music to pace. Very much like Capoeira and very much becoming one of my base styles.
Much has been glossed over, but for now this shall do as a brief reflection upon my former training. As time goes, I shall expand and add upon this...knowing one's past will help direct and lead one's future. This is where I came from and where I will end up, only time will tell.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Why I train and why I fight.
First of all, a quick check-in. Since my last post, I:
-Ran Bloomsday
-Ran my first full marathon in Missoula
-Found out my Papou (aionia tou i mnimi) passed that morning around when I started
-Fell in love
-Went to Japan for two weeks
-Ended up single
-Have four more tattoos
-Have been pushing my limits, growing and becoming stronger every day since I ended up single
-Found out my strength is there, even when I think it isn't
-Found out who my true friends really are.
And now for the main blog post. Enjoy!
The most common question I get once people find out I'm training MMA (albeit in a very non-traditional manner by doing each martial art separately and blending them as suits me) is "why?" This usually takes the form of "wait, you mean cage fighting/UFC/toughman?" "Um...yeah." "Why would you want to do that/bruise that pretty face/get hurt/etc?!" It also goes with the comment "you are so mellow/nice/funny, I just can't imagine you fighting!"
I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I never really gave much reason beyond "it seems fun" or "because I can." Then again, I don't feel I owe anybody an explanation unless I really want to give them one (just like the meanings behind my tats-don't always tell people cuz they are personal. That's a whole different post though).
So some background. I used to be anti-MMA. And afraid of sparring. And afraid of martial arts in general. My, oh my, how I have changed! I still remember how timid I was when I started training, and how I could barely walk up the stairs after my first lesson (and I only did some stance training and basic punches/kicks)! I used to think MMA was for people who "had something to prove, but didn't know what, to whom or why." I was sorely mistaken, and part of it came from the less-than-savory fanbase that simply crossed over from WWE/WWF/WCW. Another part came from my misconception that MMA is somehow "less" than formal martial arts; that it is glorified street-fighting. I didn't understand it back then, and that is a crying shame!
So flash forward a few years and here I am, well-versed in a good few styles of martial arts and teaching one. I love sparring and for a while, something inside me has been itching to put it all to the test. I didn't really think about it too much, but instead just went with it and have been training myself for that. It was only recently that I wondered "why?"
After some soul-searching, I think I might know, and I'm willing to share part of it. I have problems with my confidence. Period. I know this, and so do the people I choose to open up to. My training has done wonders for me physically, which has added some confidence. Knowing I have some awesome abilities also added.
But I still feel the need to prove something to myself. I ran a 12k on a whim It was easy. I started running half marathons...challenging, but easy. Did a marathon this year-tough as fuck, but I still did it. There's a part of me always looking for that next challenge to tackle, and a fight, one on one in a cage seems to be the next one.
I feel the need to rise up to the occasion, work myself like never before (and most people could only wish), learn not only about myself but another, learn my own strengths and weaknesses, grow stronger and have the sheer discipline and will to do it all. Then combine all of that and face another man, one on one, in a contest of skill and strength. This is the ultimate challenge. And it is my challenge because I chose to accept it.
I am passionate about my sport, there is no doubt about it. I think everyone should take some classes-get fit, learn some useful self-defense skills (comes in handy when someone tries to gay bash you), get some confidence and be a better person. I think that it gets a very bad rap from people such as John McCain who called it glorified cock-fighting. And I refuse to give it up for anyone or anything. It is an integral part of who I am. I eat, sleep and breathe my martial arts. Day in and day out, I play scenarios in my mind, train physically, come up with combos and even dream about it. I even have fun with it doing things like BODYCOMBAT, a cardio martial arts-based workout class I will be certifying in soon.
My enthusiasm rubs off on others because I've helped get some numbers up in classes by talking people into it and just enjoying the hell out of it all. Attitude is infectious and apparently mine's like an STD on a college campus!!
Not everyone is meant to compete, though, and I fully understand that now. Few of us have the drive or desire to compete this way. Even fewer can physically handle the demands. And even fewer have the fighter's heart.
It is something inside of me that I just instinctively "know" I'm meant to do. I'm perfectly happy knowing I could get knocked out, sustain a concussion, break some bones/joints (myself or my opponent's!) and otherwise get injured doing this. It is something so few people understand, or even try to understand, and I don't really expect people to. It isn't something for them to know...it is something only a few of us will ever fully know and experience, and that makes it truly special in my eyes.
I may still be working on my discipline and lack a ground game (which is being fixed, I might add). I might still be learning how my body best works, what the best fuel for it is and what workload it can handle. I might be sustaining the odd injury here and there, too. But through it all, I have heart. I know I'm not the best fighter out there, but I'm damn good at what I do and will work and work and work to improve.
Sometimes I get down because I'm stiff or my flexibility leaves a bit to be desired in some spots. Sometimes I get down about life and overdo the training resulting in an injury. And sometimes, even I don't fully understand why I do what I do...but I do it anyways because it eventually makes sense.
Why do I fight? Because it'll help me prove something to myself. Because I enjoy it. Because I can. I'm not sure. Because I have heart.
I am a fighter, and this is MY mind, my motivation and my drive. These are things for me and me alone to experience, though my friends and family may be there to support me.
My name is Nick. I prefer Rush (my nickname). And I am a fighter until the very end.
-Ran Bloomsday
-Ran my first full marathon in Missoula
-Found out my Papou (aionia tou i mnimi) passed that morning around when I started
-Fell in love
-Went to Japan for two weeks
-Ended up single
-Have four more tattoos
-Have been pushing my limits, growing and becoming stronger every day since I ended up single
-Found out my strength is there, even when I think it isn't
-Found out who my true friends really are.
And now for the main blog post. Enjoy!
The most common question I get once people find out I'm training MMA (albeit in a very non-traditional manner by doing each martial art separately and blending them as suits me) is "why?" This usually takes the form of "wait, you mean cage fighting/UFC/toughman?" "Um...yeah." "Why would you want to do that/bruise that pretty face/get hurt/etc?!" It also goes with the comment "you are so mellow/nice/funny, I just can't imagine you fighting!"
I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I never really gave much reason beyond "it seems fun" or "because I can." Then again, I don't feel I owe anybody an explanation unless I really want to give them one (just like the meanings behind my tats-don't always tell people cuz they are personal. That's a whole different post though).
So some background. I used to be anti-MMA. And afraid of sparring. And afraid of martial arts in general. My, oh my, how I have changed! I still remember how timid I was when I started training, and how I could barely walk up the stairs after my first lesson (and I only did some stance training and basic punches/kicks)! I used to think MMA was for people who "had something to prove, but didn't know what, to whom or why." I was sorely mistaken, and part of it came from the less-than-savory fanbase that simply crossed over from WWE/WWF/WCW. Another part came from my misconception that MMA is somehow "less" than formal martial arts; that it is glorified street-fighting. I didn't understand it back then, and that is a crying shame!
So flash forward a few years and here I am, well-versed in a good few styles of martial arts and teaching one. I love sparring and for a while, something inside me has been itching to put it all to the test. I didn't really think about it too much, but instead just went with it and have been training myself for that. It was only recently that I wondered "why?"
After some soul-searching, I think I might know, and I'm willing to share part of it. I have problems with my confidence. Period. I know this, and so do the people I choose to open up to. My training has done wonders for me physically, which has added some confidence. Knowing I have some awesome abilities also added.
But I still feel the need to prove something to myself. I ran a 12k on a whim It was easy. I started running half marathons...challenging, but easy. Did a marathon this year-tough as fuck, but I still did it. There's a part of me always looking for that next challenge to tackle, and a fight, one on one in a cage seems to be the next one.
I feel the need to rise up to the occasion, work myself like never before (and most people could only wish), learn not only about myself but another, learn my own strengths and weaknesses, grow stronger and have the sheer discipline and will to do it all. Then combine all of that and face another man, one on one, in a contest of skill and strength. This is the ultimate challenge. And it is my challenge because I chose to accept it.
I am passionate about my sport, there is no doubt about it. I think everyone should take some classes-get fit, learn some useful self-defense skills (comes in handy when someone tries to gay bash you), get some confidence and be a better person. I think that it gets a very bad rap from people such as John McCain who called it glorified cock-fighting. And I refuse to give it up for anyone or anything. It is an integral part of who I am. I eat, sleep and breathe my martial arts. Day in and day out, I play scenarios in my mind, train physically, come up with combos and even dream about it. I even have fun with it doing things like BODYCOMBAT, a cardio martial arts-based workout class I will be certifying in soon.
My enthusiasm rubs off on others because I've helped get some numbers up in classes by talking people into it and just enjoying the hell out of it all. Attitude is infectious and apparently mine's like an STD on a college campus!!
Not everyone is meant to compete, though, and I fully understand that now. Few of us have the drive or desire to compete this way. Even fewer can physically handle the demands. And even fewer have the fighter's heart.
It is something inside of me that I just instinctively "know" I'm meant to do. I'm perfectly happy knowing I could get knocked out, sustain a concussion, break some bones/joints (myself or my opponent's!) and otherwise get injured doing this. It is something so few people understand, or even try to understand, and I don't really expect people to. It isn't something for them to know...it is something only a few of us will ever fully know and experience, and that makes it truly special in my eyes.
I may still be working on my discipline and lack a ground game (which is being fixed, I might add). I might still be learning how my body best works, what the best fuel for it is and what workload it can handle. I might be sustaining the odd injury here and there, too. But through it all, I have heart. I know I'm not the best fighter out there, but I'm damn good at what I do and will work and work and work to improve.
Sometimes I get down because I'm stiff or my flexibility leaves a bit to be desired in some spots. Sometimes I get down about life and overdo the training resulting in an injury. And sometimes, even I don't fully understand why I do what I do...but I do it anyways because it eventually makes sense.
Why do I fight? Because it'll help me prove something to myself. Because I enjoy it. Because I can. I'm not sure. Because I have heart.
I am a fighter, and this is MY mind, my motivation and my drive. These are things for me and me alone to experience, though my friends and family may be there to support me.
My name is Nick. I prefer Rush (my nickname). And I am a fighter until the very end.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Enlightenment...jock style!
There comes a point in every athlete's training where they reach a certain level of performance that even they didn't know existed. Some call it the zone. Monks might call such instances a form of enlightenment. I call it enlightenment jock style. And it happened again earlier this evening.
The first time I experienced this was when I took my yellow belt test: I was at the end of my test and had to only do my two forms and things were done. By that point, I was drenched in sweat and my nervousness had died down. I chose the softer style form first and when performing it, something amazing happened: my body did exactly what it needed to without effort, it remembered and did every motion flawlessly. I felt every single muscle contract and release in harmony as I performed it and my mind was perfectly clear the whole time.
The second time was training capoeira up here. I was in class after having done two hours of martial arts beforehand, so I was tired. Still I chugged along and at one point in the roda, my instructor started calling out moves and I just did them. There was a direct link between words and my body, no thought, just performance.
The third time was amazing as well: I was in a roda in Seattle and all I remember is hearing a single berimbau playing. The other instruments, singing and clapping were like fuzz in the background. I didn't even notice the people around me, just my opponent's eyes and being in sync with her those moments. It was like pure perfection; once I saw a hand in front of me (someone buying the game), reality rushed back as I stepped back to the edge of the roda, but I will never ever forget that experience.
Tonight was similar in many ways, but also its own creature. I was in my Bodycombat class (a martial arts-based cardio class through Les Mills) and during the warmup I didn't need to think too much as I've done this release a couple of times now. What was fun was in the thick of class, combos would get called and my body just did them. Usually I have to think a lot, even if I had done the release a few times, but not tonight. I felt the beat of the music in my body and the moves just happened. I didn't have to think, I didn't miss too many beats and it was another example of pure performance.
Many of us train day in and day out, fatiguing and figuring out our limits. What so few of us know is that those limits are merely mental and that there is a plane of practice that is so difficult to reach that when you get there, it is almost like a spiritual experience. I know it is for me; perfect sync with my body and sparring partners, calm mind and complete reaction. My body does what it was trained to do and I remain in a zen-like state. There really is nothing to describe this; you have to experience it to grasp it.
It is at this level, those moments, when something that is normally physical and grueling becomes empowering, energizing and takes you to a different state of existence. You transcend the normal boundaries of your body and become something you never thought...and it sticks with you for as long as you train. These moments are what makes it worth it; not winning, not repition, not the idea that you're beating up your boss after a bad day...the moments when you become the athlete you never knew you were.
The first time I experienced this was when I took my yellow belt test: I was at the end of my test and had to only do my two forms and things were done. By that point, I was drenched in sweat and my nervousness had died down. I chose the softer style form first and when performing it, something amazing happened: my body did exactly what it needed to without effort, it remembered and did every motion flawlessly. I felt every single muscle contract and release in harmony as I performed it and my mind was perfectly clear the whole time.
The second time was training capoeira up here. I was in class after having done two hours of martial arts beforehand, so I was tired. Still I chugged along and at one point in the roda, my instructor started calling out moves and I just did them. There was a direct link between words and my body, no thought, just performance.
The third time was amazing as well: I was in a roda in Seattle and all I remember is hearing a single berimbau playing. The other instruments, singing and clapping were like fuzz in the background. I didn't even notice the people around me, just my opponent's eyes and being in sync with her those moments. It was like pure perfection; once I saw a hand in front of me (someone buying the game), reality rushed back as I stepped back to the edge of the roda, but I will never ever forget that experience.
Tonight was similar in many ways, but also its own creature. I was in my Bodycombat class (a martial arts-based cardio class through Les Mills) and during the warmup I didn't need to think too much as I've done this release a couple of times now. What was fun was in the thick of class, combos would get called and my body just did them. Usually I have to think a lot, even if I had done the release a few times, but not tonight. I felt the beat of the music in my body and the moves just happened. I didn't have to think, I didn't miss too many beats and it was another example of pure performance.
Many of us train day in and day out, fatiguing and figuring out our limits. What so few of us know is that those limits are merely mental and that there is a plane of practice that is so difficult to reach that when you get there, it is almost like a spiritual experience. I know it is for me; perfect sync with my body and sparring partners, calm mind and complete reaction. My body does what it was trained to do and I remain in a zen-like state. There really is nothing to describe this; you have to experience it to grasp it.
It is at this level, those moments, when something that is normally physical and grueling becomes empowering, energizing and takes you to a different state of existence. You transcend the normal boundaries of your body and become something you never thought...and it sticks with you for as long as you train. These moments are what makes it worth it; not winning, not repition, not the idea that you're beating up your boss after a bad day...the moments when you become the athlete you never knew you were.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The Zen of Fighting
One topic that people always seem to bring up when I mention martial arts or fighting is that it seems so violent. They ask how someone as mellow as me would even like such things because it seems chaotic and just plain angry.
Truth be told, I find that the martial arts are what gives me patience with others, patience with myself and a good solid sense of inner peace. I've heard the same from many other martial artists when we talk, too. It is a common thread; we are chill because we fight. On a related note, many of us are pretty much pacifists when it comes to daily life and violence simply because we know how to diffuse situations and wish to avoid physical confrontation (yes, that was a jab at those who claim we're all bullies, because we are not). Let us not forget that the martial arts did also start as a spiritual exercise (at least many Eastern martial arts) derived from physical forms of Yoga that were brought to China by Bodhidharma. They are an external way to find, cultivate and maintain inner peace.
What most people will never understand, because they have not experienced it, is the connection with both one's own body and being able to read another person's without fail. I've had this happen on a few occasions, mostly during forms work, playing in the roda and when sparring. An example I always show is a video on my Facebook page where within about three seconds it looks like my partner in the roda and I just stopped, but a lot more happened and from my view when I was in the jogo, it was all in slow motion. Just me, Julian and the music. I faked a meia lua de compasso to my right to get him to dodge (he did), then went for a headbutt. He misread me and launched a meia lua de compasso to his right (my left) and got me right in the temple. I lost consciousness for a split second, but didn't fall down or anything. We shook hands, went volto ao mundo and called it good. All within three seconds.
Another example is when I had my first big roda in Seattle...I was so scared to go in, but Mestre Gato called me, so I did. I remember going in, then the world slowing down...me, my partner's eyes and us being in perfect sync with each other. I only heard the bass berimbau and clapping, nothing else was there until I saw a hand in front of me from someone buying the game, then everything rushed back into existence as I joined the ranks on the sides of the roda. It was truly like a form of enlightenment.
I've even experienced it in my training; working so hard to a level that my body just doesn't register pain and does what it is told. A former instructor would call out movements and I would just do them...it was insane! I never knew my mind and body could have that kind of connection before, and now I know what any tweak, twinge or pop means and how to treat it. Any other martial artist is probably the same.
Finally, during sparring, a similar thing happens. My body just reacts and does what it needs to, my eyes lose focus but maintain it to take in everything around me. I've even done blindfolded sparring! Now that's a trip if you haven't done it...your other senses really kick up and take control so you don't even really need your sight as much.
These things come with an innate sense of calm and stillness...you only focus on yourself and your opponent/partner (depending how you look at it). There is nothing else, and you are prepared to do what you need to in order to win. You know you've trained hard enough, you're smart enough, you're fast and agile enough and that your body will instinctively do what you've taught it. There is no worry, only enjoyment and calm, which may sound strange considering it is fighting. But to us, the martial arts community, it makes perfect sense. It is what I call the Zen of fighting.
Truth be told, I find that the martial arts are what gives me patience with others, patience with myself and a good solid sense of inner peace. I've heard the same from many other martial artists when we talk, too. It is a common thread; we are chill because we fight. On a related note, many of us are pretty much pacifists when it comes to daily life and violence simply because we know how to diffuse situations and wish to avoid physical confrontation (yes, that was a jab at those who claim we're all bullies, because we are not). Let us not forget that the martial arts did also start as a spiritual exercise (at least many Eastern martial arts) derived from physical forms of Yoga that were brought to China by Bodhidharma. They are an external way to find, cultivate and maintain inner peace.
What most people will never understand, because they have not experienced it, is the connection with both one's own body and being able to read another person's without fail. I've had this happen on a few occasions, mostly during forms work, playing in the roda and when sparring. An example I always show is a video on my Facebook page where within about three seconds it looks like my partner in the roda and I just stopped, but a lot more happened and from my view when I was in the jogo, it was all in slow motion. Just me, Julian and the music. I faked a meia lua de compasso to my right to get him to dodge (he did), then went for a headbutt. He misread me and launched a meia lua de compasso to his right (my left) and got me right in the temple. I lost consciousness for a split second, but didn't fall down or anything. We shook hands, went volto ao mundo and called it good. All within three seconds.
Another example is when I had my first big roda in Seattle...I was so scared to go in, but Mestre Gato called me, so I did. I remember going in, then the world slowing down...me, my partner's eyes and us being in perfect sync with each other. I only heard the bass berimbau and clapping, nothing else was there until I saw a hand in front of me from someone buying the game, then everything rushed back into existence as I joined the ranks on the sides of the roda. It was truly like a form of enlightenment.
I've even experienced it in my training; working so hard to a level that my body just doesn't register pain and does what it is told. A former instructor would call out movements and I would just do them...it was insane! I never knew my mind and body could have that kind of connection before, and now I know what any tweak, twinge or pop means and how to treat it. Any other martial artist is probably the same.
Finally, during sparring, a similar thing happens. My body just reacts and does what it needs to, my eyes lose focus but maintain it to take in everything around me. I've even done blindfolded sparring! Now that's a trip if you haven't done it...your other senses really kick up and take control so you don't even really need your sight as much.
These things come with an innate sense of calm and stillness...you only focus on yourself and your opponent/partner (depending how you look at it). There is nothing else, and you are prepared to do what you need to in order to win. You know you've trained hard enough, you're smart enough, you're fast and agile enough and that your body will instinctively do what you've taught it. There is no worry, only enjoyment and calm, which may sound strange considering it is fighting. But to us, the martial arts community, it makes perfect sense. It is what I call the Zen of fighting.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Recovery, recovery, recovery
On a list of the top principals a fighter should train with, recovery is often missed. A lot. I know I missed it when I started my heavy training cycle a few years ago, training 3+ hours a night and at lunch as well. Daily, with maybe a day of rest. That was probably the dumbest idea I ever had.
Training that much kept my immune system low, so I got sick a lot. It also messed with my body's natural recovery mechanisms and prevented muscle growth/fat loss. It kept me stressed and was just bad as a whole.
Point one: Don't overtrain, it is highly counterproductive.
So, as we all know, aside from the occasional drink here/there, I don't drink anymore. My body has become incredibly efficient and anything more than that occasional drink throws me out of whack and slows down my recovery. I get sluggish and heavy and well, in training I just can't have that.
The same goes for certain foods. I can't do lots of pasta anymore, nor can I really do fast food. It either makes me sick, goes right out the other end or makes me heavy and sluggish.
Point two: nutrition is key to recovery. It'll help your body grow, fix itself and become stronger, faster and more powerful.
Sleep, often undervalued, overlooked and few people get enough of it. I used to be an insomniac and back when I was training too heavily (read: overtraining), I would max at three or four hours of sleep a night. That worked against me, like everything else at that point. They say eight hours of sleep a night, but the body needs around seven. The number eight came to cover falling asleep and waking up throughout the night. I find that so long as I get at least six and a half to seven hours of sleep, I'm able to handle whatever comes my way. Any less and I rely on caffeine and N.O. Xplode to take me through a workout, and shouldn't have to. I hate relying on supplements to make my body do what it should be able to handle on its own, so I've been adjusting my schedule to make sure I get that sleep.
This is the last major adjustment I've been working on to help my recovery peak so that when it is heavy training time for my matches, I'll be ready. The good habits will be there, so there'll be less to deal with, which always helps.
Point three: sleep. Get plenty of it, you'll need it!
So a question for my loyal readers: what have you tried that helped your recovery time between training/events/matches? On the flip side, what have you found adversely affects your recovery time? I think an open dialogue about these things could benefit everyone; I know it'll be nice to see what other people have learned from!
Training that much kept my immune system low, so I got sick a lot. It also messed with my body's natural recovery mechanisms and prevented muscle growth/fat loss. It kept me stressed and was just bad as a whole.
Point one: Don't overtrain, it is highly counterproductive.
So, as we all know, aside from the occasional drink here/there, I don't drink anymore. My body has become incredibly efficient and anything more than that occasional drink throws me out of whack and slows down my recovery. I get sluggish and heavy and well, in training I just can't have that.
The same goes for certain foods. I can't do lots of pasta anymore, nor can I really do fast food. It either makes me sick, goes right out the other end or makes me heavy and sluggish.
Point two: nutrition is key to recovery. It'll help your body grow, fix itself and become stronger, faster and more powerful.
Sleep, often undervalued, overlooked and few people get enough of it. I used to be an insomniac and back when I was training too heavily (read: overtraining), I would max at three or four hours of sleep a night. That worked against me, like everything else at that point. They say eight hours of sleep a night, but the body needs around seven. The number eight came to cover falling asleep and waking up throughout the night. I find that so long as I get at least six and a half to seven hours of sleep, I'm able to handle whatever comes my way. Any less and I rely on caffeine and N.O. Xplode to take me through a workout, and shouldn't have to. I hate relying on supplements to make my body do what it should be able to handle on its own, so I've been adjusting my schedule to make sure I get that sleep.
This is the last major adjustment I've been working on to help my recovery peak so that when it is heavy training time for my matches, I'll be ready. The good habits will be there, so there'll be less to deal with, which always helps.
Point three: sleep. Get plenty of it, you'll need it!
So a question for my loyal readers: what have you tried that helped your recovery time between training/events/matches? On the flip side, what have you found adversely affects your recovery time? I think an open dialogue about these things could benefit everyone; I know it'll be nice to see what other people have learned from!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Learning to pace and stay in the fight
Today's training consisted of a high-intensity circuit with my personal trainer. It was a relatively simple circuit (three sets of all):
20" box jumps (land on one leg and stand) six reps each side
Pullups 12 reps
Stability ball pushups 12 reps
Power wheel leg curl/hip raise 12 reps
Power wheel pike/inchworm walk 10 reps
So being that we finished up about ten minutes early, I decided to introduce him to the world of my normal training. My gym has a wavemaster bag set up in a corner and I had him time out some rounds...and he decided to add burpee pushups/jumps in between each round, which was killer.
My lesson of the day, however, came from the rounds on the bag itself. I went a bit hard on my first round and lost steam, which affected the other two rounds I did. Badly...like I was dying after that last round. What I learned is something I've kind of known and the reason two of my styles (Muay Thai and Capoeira) have music; to pace one's self in order to last out as long as they can. I need to learn to slow it down at first and just do what I need to to either win or defend. Its simple, really, but I never really thought of it until then. Lesson learned and hopefully applied soon.
Short post today, but not much to report at this point. Good night ya'll!
20" box jumps (land on one leg and stand) six reps each side
Pullups 12 reps
Stability ball pushups 12 reps
Power wheel leg curl/hip raise 12 reps
Power wheel pike/inchworm walk 10 reps
So being that we finished up about ten minutes early, I decided to introduce him to the world of my normal training. My gym has a wavemaster bag set up in a corner and I had him time out some rounds...and he decided to add burpee pushups/jumps in between each round, which was killer.
My lesson of the day, however, came from the rounds on the bag itself. I went a bit hard on my first round and lost steam, which affected the other two rounds I did. Badly...like I was dying after that last round. What I learned is something I've kind of known and the reason two of my styles (Muay Thai and Capoeira) have music; to pace one's self in order to last out as long as they can. I need to learn to slow it down at first and just do what I need to to either win or defend. Its simple, really, but I never really thought of it until then. Lesson learned and hopefully applied soon.
Short post today, but not much to report at this point. Good night ya'll!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
I hate intro posts...
I hate introduction posts, I really do. The biggest problem is always how to open them and keep people interested while you tell them what you're about and your history, but at the same time not blab on and on about details that aren't really relavent. Really, intro posts are my bane...but that rant aside, here's my intro post.
I'm Nick, but you can call me Tigrinho (chee-green-yo). I'm 27 years old and training to compete in local mixed martial arts competition. Yep, I wanna fight. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? I suppose some of you might think I'm prone to violence or maybe got into a few fights as a kid. Truth be told, I had one fight, in seventh grade and got my ass kicked. It wasn't even really a fight because I didn't defend myself...got held down by two bigger guys while the third gut punched me a few times because I wouldn't help him cheat on his math test or something. Other than that, never been in anything that could be considered a fight.
I'm not even really a fan of violence. Yeah, I joke about breaking arms and how eye rakes in class give me warm fuzzies, because they do, but the actual idea of using them in a self-defense kinda grosses me out. Hell, I even attempted to register as a conscientious objector when I was 18, but having freshly converted to Buddhism at that point, I didn't qualify as having crystallized beliefs or some shit. In short, never have been violent and probably never will be.
Yet, I still wanna get into MMA. Seems like a contradiction, doesn't it? Well, in my opinion, MMA is a sport. It is almost the epitome of contact sport; no ball chasing, no goals, just you and the other guy and you're trying to prove your skill is better than his. It isn't about violence, it is about skill and competition. Those are two things I feel the need within myself to prove, both to others and to me.
I suppose some of you might want some sob story about how I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, was in trouble in school a lot (okay, this one might be true for a year or so), didn't get a chance at college and had to claw my way to the top. Well, I hate to disappoint, but that isn't going to happen. I grew up in a lower-middle class home, mostly raised by my mom (fully when my parents split), excelled in school (except seventh grade, but everyone has that one year that they flop) and went to college. I now work in a fairly good office job and take martial arts in the evening...think geek by day, badass by night. There's nothing that would make you think I'd have something to prove...but there's something in me that yearns for it. Something inside of me that was until a few years ago unknown to me.
July 2009, a month I'd like to forget. It was then that my ex and I broke up. Three plus years of history and frankly, I'd lost myself in it. I put on weight, got lazy and well, yeah...not so proud of that. So when it ended, I had nothing to fall back on. I started working out and taking martial arts classes to cope and get back some of my confidence. My ex wasn't a fan because they'd make me more aggressive or something, but I kept taking them because I liked what I was learning and it was not only getting me in shape, but it was also giving me a new identity forged on the mats and in sparring...I was finally embracing my heritage (I'm half Spartan/Greek on my dad's side and my mom's side is German, Irish, Gaullish with some Native American for good measure...I'm born and bred to fight) and enjoying the hell out of it! That was my start point on this journey to the ring and it is hard to believe I actually asked my first instructor if I'd ever have to spar because I didn't want to.
Yeah, I was afraid of sparring. Deathly afraid of it. I only wanted to work forms and some practical stuff, or so I thought...but something inside me clicked with it and I started training more and diversifying my training. Over the years, I've made my way through a few different styles now (green sash in a form of Kung Fu/Kempo blend, a lot of capoeira regional and angola, Muay Thai and touches of TKD and Goju Ryu for good measure) and I love it all!
So back to the topic, I've been training for a few years and forged a new identity for myself. I went from being overweight, timid and quiet to who I am now, confident (but not arrogant), in shape and ready for competition. I've decided it is time to take the plunge and go for it. I have a fairly good striking game; I have some holes like anyone, but I am constantly training it to improve. All I lack is a ground game and putting it all to use on the mats at this time. To remedy that, I'm checking out a few BJJ groups out here as well as an MMA gym that caught my attention. I'm hoping to have myself well enough rounded that by this fall (2011), I can have an amateur match under my belt.
Until I have the resources to go to more formal training, I'm maintaining what I have and working with a personal trainer at my gym to get myself in better fighting shape. He's got me on high-intensity circuits that take a lot from crossfit, whole-body motions with weight and plyometrics along with a HIIT cardio regimen. Between that and messing with nutrition on my own to see what works best for this and some funner cardio classes (Bodycombat!!), I'm turning myself into a lean, mean little fighter.
Did I mention that I'm openly gay? Yeah, that'll make for a fun combo when I get my way in because I kinda keep it quieter until I get to know people in this realm. My capoeira crew all knows as do most of my regular training buddies, but newcomers to my circle get to wait until I feel like telling them. It'll definitely be a ride to say the least; expect at least a few posts relating to that.
And no, MMA does not turn me on, guys. Do you get horned up rolling with a chick? No, you're worried about her kicking your ass. Same for me, so yeah. That's all I got to say about that for now.
So, is there anything anyone wants to know? Anything at all? I plan to write about my training regimen, anything that works/doesn't work for me, how my styles blend (mostly commentary from sparring buddies), nutrition, posting articles of interest, hopes, fears, dreams, achievements, setbacks...the usual, I guess. Really, though, I'm an open book and I'll need blog post ideas.
I'm Nick, but you can call me Tigrinho (chee-green-yo). I'm 27 years old and training to compete in local mixed martial arts competition. Yep, I wanna fight. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? I suppose some of you might think I'm prone to violence or maybe got into a few fights as a kid. Truth be told, I had one fight, in seventh grade and got my ass kicked. It wasn't even really a fight because I didn't defend myself...got held down by two bigger guys while the third gut punched me a few times because I wouldn't help him cheat on his math test or something. Other than that, never been in anything that could be considered a fight.
I'm not even really a fan of violence. Yeah, I joke about breaking arms and how eye rakes in class give me warm fuzzies, because they do, but the actual idea of using them in a self-defense kinda grosses me out. Hell, I even attempted to register as a conscientious objector when I was 18, but having freshly converted to Buddhism at that point, I didn't qualify as having crystallized beliefs or some shit. In short, never have been violent and probably never will be.
Yet, I still wanna get into MMA. Seems like a contradiction, doesn't it? Well, in my opinion, MMA is a sport. It is almost the epitome of contact sport; no ball chasing, no goals, just you and the other guy and you're trying to prove your skill is better than his. It isn't about violence, it is about skill and competition. Those are two things I feel the need within myself to prove, both to others and to me.
I suppose some of you might want some sob story about how I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, was in trouble in school a lot (okay, this one might be true for a year or so), didn't get a chance at college and had to claw my way to the top. Well, I hate to disappoint, but that isn't going to happen. I grew up in a lower-middle class home, mostly raised by my mom (fully when my parents split), excelled in school (except seventh grade, but everyone has that one year that they flop) and went to college. I now work in a fairly good office job and take martial arts in the evening...think geek by day, badass by night. There's nothing that would make you think I'd have something to prove...but there's something in me that yearns for it. Something inside of me that was until a few years ago unknown to me.
July 2009, a month I'd like to forget. It was then that my ex and I broke up. Three plus years of history and frankly, I'd lost myself in it. I put on weight, got lazy and well, yeah...not so proud of that. So when it ended, I had nothing to fall back on. I started working out and taking martial arts classes to cope and get back some of my confidence. My ex wasn't a fan because they'd make me more aggressive or something, but I kept taking them because I liked what I was learning and it was not only getting me in shape, but it was also giving me a new identity forged on the mats and in sparring...I was finally embracing my heritage (I'm half Spartan/Greek on my dad's side and my mom's side is German, Irish, Gaullish with some Native American for good measure...I'm born and bred to fight) and enjoying the hell out of it! That was my start point on this journey to the ring and it is hard to believe I actually asked my first instructor if I'd ever have to spar because I didn't want to.
Yeah, I was afraid of sparring. Deathly afraid of it. I only wanted to work forms and some practical stuff, or so I thought...but something inside me clicked with it and I started training more and diversifying my training. Over the years, I've made my way through a few different styles now (green sash in a form of Kung Fu/Kempo blend, a lot of capoeira regional and angola, Muay Thai and touches of TKD and Goju Ryu for good measure) and I love it all!
So back to the topic, I've been training for a few years and forged a new identity for myself. I went from being overweight, timid and quiet to who I am now, confident (but not arrogant), in shape and ready for competition. I've decided it is time to take the plunge and go for it. I have a fairly good striking game; I have some holes like anyone, but I am constantly training it to improve. All I lack is a ground game and putting it all to use on the mats at this time. To remedy that, I'm checking out a few BJJ groups out here as well as an MMA gym that caught my attention. I'm hoping to have myself well enough rounded that by this fall (2011), I can have an amateur match under my belt.
Until I have the resources to go to more formal training, I'm maintaining what I have and working with a personal trainer at my gym to get myself in better fighting shape. He's got me on high-intensity circuits that take a lot from crossfit, whole-body motions with weight and plyometrics along with a HIIT cardio regimen. Between that and messing with nutrition on my own to see what works best for this and some funner cardio classes (Bodycombat!!), I'm turning myself into a lean, mean little fighter.
Did I mention that I'm openly gay? Yeah, that'll make for a fun combo when I get my way in because I kinda keep it quieter until I get to know people in this realm. My capoeira crew all knows as do most of my regular training buddies, but newcomers to my circle get to wait until I feel like telling them. It'll definitely be a ride to say the least; expect at least a few posts relating to that.
And no, MMA does not turn me on, guys. Do you get horned up rolling with a chick? No, you're worried about her kicking your ass. Same for me, so yeah. That's all I got to say about that for now.
So, is there anything anyone wants to know? Anything at all? I plan to write about my training regimen, anything that works/doesn't work for me, how my styles blend (mostly commentary from sparring buddies), nutrition, posting articles of interest, hopes, fears, dreams, achievements, setbacks...the usual, I guess. Really, though, I'm an open book and I'll need blog post ideas.
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