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.
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