Mark Tullius's Blog, page 15

A Martial Art Mid-Life Crisis

Three years ago I was a sloppy 255 pound 40-year-old with a bad back and no interest in exercising. Every once in a while, I would make a half-hearted attempt at losing weight, but never stuck with anything. When I began Unlocking the Cage, the sociological study of the MMA fighter, I eased back into light training. I noticed some results, but didn’t start feeling better until I began consistently training jiu jitsu 2-3 times a week. The desire to become stronger, leaner, and more flexible was only to improve my slowly developing game. I’m now at the point where I’m competing, striving for my purple belt, and thinking of one day opening up my own affiliate.

I’ve spent the last few months watching the footage of the hundreds of fighters I’ve interviewed. They’ve taught me so many life lessons, and shared countless inspiring tales. They are the amazing people who inspire me: the optimistic, the doers, the goal setters, the accomplished. Powerful stuff.

I’m grateful for the lessons, but I had to wonder what good they are if I don’t apply them to my own life. How much could I improve myself if I followed their examples and applied myself? I’d do it, I decided, for a minimum of 30 days. And I’d document it in order to demonstrate how much a middle-aged man could do with the right coaching, diet, and attitude.

Click for Leslie Smith’s interview

I just had to figure out exactly what I wanted to accomplish and develop a plan of action. I wanted to improve, not only in jiu jitsu, but as a martial artist. The individuals I’m most drawn to are the true martial artists. My goal was to improve my mind, body, and jiu jitsu skill set.

Since I’m not known for my self-discipline, the only way I’d follow through and be successful would be to include activities that I enjoy and schedule them. So it shall be written, so it shall be done. Otherwise I’d fail, and be forced to delete or edit this post.

I came up with a doable, yet demanding routine; a typical week consisting of 5 days of jits, 3 yoga sessions, 3 Onnit’s “Primal Challenge” workouts, 3 swim sessions, and plenty of recovery sessions. There wasn’t going to be a lot of time for family or writing, but it’d just be for a month. I told my wife that I was doing this to see how much time I want to devote to training, and how important it is to me to compete.

That’s when I picked up Ben Greenfield’s book, Beyond Training. I’d bought it after having the opportunity to be a guest on Ben’s podcast , but life got in the way and the book was shelved. I figured it was aimed at endurance athletes, but after I poured through it nearly every other page was dog eared. Needless to say, it contains a wealth of information.

After reading the first two chapters, I realized this book could be the piece bringing my program together. The more I read, the more I understood that Ben’s book isn’t just about become a better athlete, it’s about mastering life through improving all aspects of your health as many ways as you can Life’s way too short, so I’m all for trying to extend and enhance it for myself and my family.

Get Beyond Training on Amazon

Family’s important to Ben, and he talks about the dangers of participating in “selfish” sports. I looked at my program, and realized I’d be seeing a lot less of my kids. True, it was only for one month. But why was I really going to do all this? Was it just so I could learn to effectively choke someone?

Adding to this deliberation was the fact that my knee is still hurting. I saw an orthopedic surgeon last Monday and learned that I had partially torn my ACL 3 months ago. One of the options he presented was for me to continue training and have the surgery when the knee blows. When, not if. Of course that’s the one I wanted to go with. I was still going ahead with the documentary not caring if I injured myself. Why not postpone it, why not put if off? Why was I doing it at all?

Why? That’s a question we rarely ask ourselves before making decisions. Usually it’s because we can’t justify the answer. Sometimes, it’s because we’re ashamed it.

Deep down I knew what my answer was: ego.  It feels good to learn something new, measure improvement by tapping out less or getting down a new move. It’s a blast to hear my toddler say “Daddy do ju ju,” then climb on my back and work the choke. My favorite day of the week is any day I take Olivia to her jiu jitsu class and we talk about it over dinner. Yeah, I wanted to show what a middle-aged man could do, but I also wanted to be that man. And to film it. Ego.

There were other reasons, but none of them were valid enough so I had to change my program. Jiu jitsu is no longer the goal, family, writing, and exercise my priorities. I’m going to strengthen my leg, not destroy my knee; I’ll improve overall function through proper nutrition; I’ll improve my posture and mobility; I’ll grow with my family, not separate from them; I’ll finally finish writing Unlocking the Cage. I’m excited I’ve finally started.

If you want to see what my schedule and supplementation entails, sign up for the blog or check back tomorrow But be warned, my goal is not to get into the best physical form possible, and I will be doing zero endurance work. Imagine Rocky 8 where Stallone finds yoga and inner peace.

Even if it turns out I will need surgery on my knee at the end of my program, I’ll be stronger and healthier, and able to recover at a faster rate. I should also be a good deal lighter, which will also help. Ideally, all of my work will make the surgery unnecessary, and I’ll jump back into jiu jitsu a better athlete.

Also, stayed tuned for my blog on “Yoga Lockdown,” the key component to my program and what’s going to keep me primed for jiu jitsu. I’m sure there will be photos; maybe even some video. My ego’s not gone. The bastard’s just hiding.

And whether you’re an athlete or just want to gain a new level of health and happiness for you and your family, be sure to check out Ben Greenfield’s sites:  GreenfieldFitnessSystems.com, BenGreenfieldFitness.com and his book at BeyondTrainingBook.com

 

 

EBI Proves Ready for Prime Time

©2015 EBI3/Drex Photos -Blanca Marisa Garcia All Rights Reserved

Last June, my wife and I had a date night at the Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI). My past experiences with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments had me worried that we’d both die of boredom, but EBI was the exact opposite of what we expected. Because the competitors don’t wear the gi, and winning comes by submission and not points, the matches were very fast-paced; incredibly skilled athletes fighting for themselves and their school. Instead of my wife complaining about guys just holding onto each other, she was amazed by how graceful and smooth Geo Martinez was, and how all of the competitors were lightning quick.

The event made fans out of both of us, and we were excited for the second EBI in October. Unfortunately, we had the absolute worst seats in the venue, and, because there were two separate weight brackets, we couldn’t stay for the entire event.

When I told Jen about EBI 3, she wasn’t so sure that’s how she wanted to spend this past Sunday. I assured her it was going to be well worth it. They’d upgraded venues, moving to the Orpheum, and they were putting it out as a pay-per-view. Also, it was a 16-man-tournament with some of the best no-gi guys in the world, including Garry Tonon and Eddie Cummings, and the rounds would be shorter. Finally, and most intriguing, there were 3 super fights scheduled with young adult competitors.

Jen was game so we dropped off the kids at my parents’ house and headed downtown. The Orpheum was a great choice for the venue, there were no delays between matches, and the action was incredible with the first eight fights ending in submission.

Then it was time for the first super fight: 12-year-old Grace Gundrum vs Checkmat’s Alyssa Wilson. This was the match I most wanted to see. When I visited 10th Planet Bethlehem/Finishers MMA in PA in 2013 for my sociological study of the MMA fighter, the co-owners Zach Maslany and Jon Michael Holland, pointed out Grace and couldn’t stop talking about how impressive she was. I watched her train and I have followed her conquests through Facebook, as she racked up NAGA belts and various medals.

A few months ago, Grace and the Bethlehem crew returned to LA to do damage at Gracie Nationals. I didn’t have a chance to watch Grace compete, but I was at HQ when she rolled with UFC fighter Ben Saunders.

When Grace’s name was called and she walked on stage, I got a little nervous. When Alyssa, a 5x Pan Am champion came out, I became even more nervous.

My wife whispered to me what probably 90% of the crowd was thinking, “Oh no, she’s going to get crushed.”

Her coach, JM, had told me that Grace had dealt with adversity and didn’t start out winning; she lost some at first. Win or lose, he was so proud of her. “She’s a true martial artist, and you’d never know how good she is by looking at her. She does jiu jitsu solely for the love of it, not for attention or free stuff…She embodies what we should all strive to be.”

I don’t want to give away too much, but will just say how impressed I was with both of these young women. I urge you to watch this match and see what you think. MMA fans should appreciate this is the closest thing to mixed martial arts. Whether it’s gi or no-gi, jiu-jitsu is a battle, imposing your will on another, submitting your opponent, refusing to give up, risking limbs and reputations to showcase your art. Fans of any sport can appreciate the athleticism, skill level, and sportsmanship. And whether you’re 5 or 50, I hope everyone can look at this and be reminded that you are capable of doing anything you want; it’s just a matter of finding your passion and putting in the time.

EBI and other submission-only events are ready for prime time. Help make that become a reality by sharing this and other videos. If you want to watch the entire event, which I highly recommend, you can order it here through Budovideos.com.

Unlocking Your Potential

Dr. John Holland

I’ve been under the care of Dr. John Holland at Holland Chiropractic for 26 years, and he’s helped me recover from countless injuries. I credit him with enabling me to begin Unlocking the Cage (UTC), my sociological study and book that focuses on who MMA fighters are and why they compete. My research for this project would require me to get on the mat at the numerous gyms on my itinerary. Dr. Holland’s care was crucial in the early stages of UTC, when I was trying to get into physical shape to start the project.

The decision to jump back into the world of mixed martial arts was one of the best I’ve made, but it’s been hell on my body. As an out-of-shape 40 year-old, I attempted to jump in with pro MMA athletes and it wasn’t pretty. When I was in Southern CA it wasn’t a big deal thanks to Dr. Holland being so close, but on every single road trip I suffered an injury that would have sidelined me had it not been for chiropractic care.

Getting ribs massaged by Maurice Jackson at Syndicate

On my first trip to the East Coast, I tore the cartilage in my ribs and was in intense pain, until I saw Dr. Marc Saulnier at Saulnier Family Chiropractic in Norwood, MA. On my second trip to that part of the country, I was back in his office for upper back and neck pain stemming from a two-week trip up to Montreal, hitting ten gyms along the way. I visited Dr. Saulnier a third time after a cramped flight and subsequent workout at Lauzon’s MMA screwed up my low back. Every time I left his office I felt incredible. On the last East Coast trip, I injured my neck at 10th Planet in Easton, PA and was fortunate enough to find Dr. Ryan Mullen at Proactive Chiropractic in Rockville, MD.

While at Team Quest in Portland, OR, I made the mistake of jumping in with the pros for wrestling practice, and was repeatedly slammed, leaving me with whiplash. If it weren’t for Dr. Dale Johnston at Wilsonville Chiropractic, there’s no way I could have driven to my next team, let alone trained with them.

When I was cruising through the Midwest, I got demolished sparring at American Top Team in Oklahoma. Thanks to Dr. Brandon Mills at Mills Chiropractic in Oklahoma City, OK, I quickly recovered and was able to enjoy a week-long vacation with my family in the Ozarks.

Fabricio Werdum at Kings reminding me I’m not a fighter

A wrestling practice at Jackson’s-Winkeljohn’s in Albuquerque landed me at the office of Dr. Zandall Carpenter.  The session with Dr. Carpenter was amazing, and I went from intense pain to relatively none.

I’m grateful to all of these doctors for seeing me on short notice, enabling me to train again, but, I also know that there’s more to it than that. Chiropractic adjustments improve more than just physical function; they improve every function.

Our nervous system controls every aspect of our existence. It is constantly at work, from seeing and responding to the world around us; to the digestion of every meal; to the maintenance of our blood pressure, moods, and cognition. We rarely think about this amazing system because it is always there working quietly in the background. It is typically only once we experience pain, which is a very small portion of what the nervous system is dedicated to, that we may begin to think about it.

Because the spinal cord travels through the spinal column, misalignments known as vertebral subluxations can significantly impair our overall health, function, and well-being. While the chiropractic adjustments of my spine were critically important to help me recover from the demands I placed on my body, they provided other essential benefits as well.

When I asked Dr. Holland why he became a chiropractor, he said it was to help people get better. He didn’t want to simply rehabilitate joints and fix sore backs. He wanted to remove the interference that prevents people from functioning at their full potential.

Based on the talks I’ve had with Dr. Holland over the years, and the in-depth scientific and philosophical discussions I’ve had with my brother, Dr. Steve Tullius, and Dr. Mattie Leto of Brickhouse Chiropractic in Boulder, CO, I believe I have a firm understanding of chiropractic’s unique and powerful contribution to health and human potential. Thinking of chiropractic as a last resort, as something only to be used for treating traumatic injuries from car accidents or serious sports injuries, is the equivalent of going to the L’Ouvre only to see the Mona Lisa, and leaving without viewing any of the other masterpieces that are there.

Click for D.C. resource website

Chiropractic’s greatest contribution to humanity is the fact that it recognizes that vertebral subluxation occurs as a result of life’s many stressors, much like cavities occur when we don’t take care of our teeth. Chiropractic care removes the subluxations so there is no interference to your nervous system, allowing your body to do what it is meant to do: express optimal health and function.

This is exactly why both of my children have received chiropractic care since they were a few weeks old. What parent does not want their children to experience their optimal health and potential? I encourage everyone to seek it for their own children, and see the many positive results, such as fewer and less severe illnesses due to improved immune system function.

Click to read why my children are adjusted

Chiropractic can also make a tremendous difference when all hope is lost. My brother has been seeing incredible results in children with both autism and epilepsy. Watch his videos and listen to the parents of these children to truly grasp the depth of what chiropractic is. Imagine what chiropractic could be doing in your life, and, if implemented on a global scale, what it could be doing for the health, well-being, and economic status of nations.

My book is designed to unlock the world of MMA, but my travels and experiences over the past few years have helped me understand that chiropractic unlocks our potential as human beings.

Chiropractic is gentle and safe, but it’s also very important that you find the right doctor. I recommend that you use one of these websites to help you find a chiropractor proficiently trained in the detection and correction of vertebral subluxation in both children and adults.

http://icpa4kids.org/Find-a-Chiropractor/

http://ifcochiro.org/

Thanks to www.nachotoonz.com for the artwork.

A True Martial Artist

Click to watch Duane’s interview

One of the things I’ve come to appreciate through my sociological study of the MMA athlete is the difference between a fighter and a martial artist. While all MMA fighters utilize at least a few individual martial arts, not all make the transition to what I would consider a true martial artist. I, for one, never came close.

I’m still working on my own definition of a true martial artist, but it’s one of those things where you know when you meet one. I believe there are three aspects of a martial artist: physical, mental, and spiritual; the latter being what sets the true martial artist apart. I’ve crossed paths with over one thousand fighters these past two years, the majority of them being incredible athletes who spend countless hours honing their technique and developing a mental toughness unmatched by their peers. They spend each day striving to improve, to become a better fighter, and, in the process, they often become a better person.

In my interview with Duane Ludwig, an incredible fighter, coach, and a true martial artist, he said that fighters who just jump into MMA without the traditional martial arts background usually don’t have the same values, honor, and respect. He was drawn to the martial arts as a child, and that’s what made him into the man he is: trustworthy, loyal, and dedicated. He is a good husband, father, teammate, and friend; a great role model for others.

Click to watch Kirik’s interview

There are others whom I respect and view as stellar examples of true martial artists. Three of the top guys have over one hundred years of combined experience. In Amherst, MA, I dropped by New England Submission Fighting to speak with Kirik Jenness, the MMA record keeper of all sanctioned fights in the US. He is also the author of The Fighter’s Notebook, and the co-founder of The Underground Forum. I wasn’t sure what to expect from one of the most knowledgeable men in the MMA world, but it definitely wasn’t seeing him train a teenage boy who looked as if he’d never fight. I learned a lot from Kirik over the next few days, and really appreciated his insights regarding fighters, but I missed the bigger picture and didn’t understand why he was training that kid.

Click to watch Scott’s interview

Later that year, I stopped by Team Quest in Tualatin, OR, and watched Scott McQuary teaching a children’s class. My limited knowledge of Scott was him being head trainer of Chael Sonnen. I wondered why Scott didn’t take the approach many coaches at other schools did and simply have one of his students take over the kids’ class so he could focus on fighters. In his interview, he talked about having heart surgery at the age of eight and not being allowed to do anything physical. When other kids realized he couldn’t defend himself, he began training in martial arts for self-defense, which turned into a passion that has molded him into who he is today. The martial arts taught him nothing could hold him back. He lists family, friends, honor, and integrity as the things most important to him.

The next year I stopped by Wink’s gym in Albuquerque, NM, not expecting to see owner Mike Winkeljohn there. As one of the top striking coaches in MMA, I assumed he dedicated all his time to the elite fighters he was polishing at Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA, undoubtedly one of the best MMA camps in the world. But there he was at Wink’s, teaching the kids’ class, holding pads, focused on the students the entire time. When I asked him why he did it, he lit up and explained why the martial arts was so great for kids, emphasizing how it builds true confidence, friendships, and compassion. For him it’s not about fighting, it’s about playing. He loves working with children; it’s a chance to mold them into stronger and more successful people.

Click to watch Mike’s interview

A true martial artist doesn’t necessarily need to work with children. One thing I hear from most fighters is that they will stay involved in MMA after their fighting careers end because they want to give back. They want to give others the wonderful gift that they’ve been given.

Regardless of age, training in the martial arts is incredibly beneficial. It’s a form of therapy, a place to let go, test yourself, learn who you are, and maybe discover you’re not so tough after all. You can see where you’re weak, understand that you can get better with practice, and learn to successfully work toward a goal. It happens in a positive environment where there’s no judgment. Profession, race, social status: none of these matters on the mat. Above and beyond all of the health benefits, you’ll learn a new skill set, self-control, discipline, focus, and leadership.

This is what you can give your children or yourself. Find the right school and the right instructor, a true martial artist like these men that want to give back, and you will not regret it.

 

Exploring MMA at Brown University

When I graduated from Brown, I never imagined returning 19 years later to guest lecture, much less lecture about mixed martial arts (MMA). I had majored in sociology, concentrating on crime and deviance, mainly because I wanted to take a deeper look at the darker side of society. Initially, I began Unlocking the Cage, a sociological study of the MMA fighter, because I wanted to understand myself. Perhaps by interviewing 400 fighters from 110 gyms across the country, I would recognize their reasons for fighting and finally be able to answer the question of why I had fought.

Attempting to sum up 2.5 years of research in a 2.5 hour lecture isn’t easy, especially when squeezing in a 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu demonstration and a live interview with a fighter. I simplified things, gave the students a brief look at who I had been at their age, and a quick summary of the fighters: win-loss ratios, number of fights, over half of them had bachelor degrees or higher and worked in a wide range of professions. I’d trained with lawyers and law enforcement officers, preschool teachers, a porn star; I had even been punched by a pastor. The fighters came from all backgrounds: stable middle-class families with 2.3 kids, broken homes, victims of bullies. They played every sport or none at all, excelled at wrestling or was worst on the team, fancied football or hockey or traditional martial arts.

Johnny “Cupcakes” Campbell. Click for interview.

While everyone had a different story, most of the fighters could testify to the sacrifices they’d made in order to pursue a career with slim odds of finding financial stability. In the lecture, I shared some of the struggles fighters endure, then discussed what it’s like to step foot in the cage and some of the reasons these fighters do it. Some feel closer to God, others are addicted to the adrenaline rush, and several are retired fighters willing to risk anything for one more shot.

Fighters often claim they don’t know the real reason they are fighting, but there were five answers that kept emerging. The desire to compete is a big one, especially among former wrestlers. Another is the appeal of fame and fortune; this being something I witness more with the new breed. Social status attainment and identifying as a fighter, an outlet for aggression, and representing their school, were also common responses. All of these rang true for me to some degree, and I’d guess most fighters would list at least 3 of them.

My research is incomplete as I have not yet conducted the quantitative survey, and I’m still delving through the hundred plus hours of video, but due to the scope of my project I feel I have a decent understanding of who these men and women are. Whatever the reason they are drawn to the sport, the one thing that stays fairly consistent is that they’re exceptional people. Just as you would find in any other group, there were a handful of individuals I’d rather not associate with, but I’d be fortunate to call at least 90% a friend. Fighters are some of the most humble, loyal, generous, and caring people I’ve come across. That is a much different reality from how the general public perceives them.

They fight because it’s their path; it’s what completes them and makes them happy. It’s not an easy sport, but that’s not what they’re looking for. They’re searching for something and wanting to work for it, welcoming challenges and embracing the grind. I’m glad I’ve had the opportunity to be around so many positive people, and that I am able to share their stories. My hope is that society will begin to see both the sport and its athletes in a new light, respecting them not simply for the damage they might do inside the cage, but for all the good they do outside of it.

Special edition rash guard coming in December

 

Taking 10th Planet to the Ivy League

When I began fighting, I treated Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) as a tool instead of a martial art. I preferred striking and had very limited knowledge on the ground, was decent at a few submissions and sweeps, the ability to defend. Then I stepped away from fighting for eight years and forgot the little that I did know.

As part of Unlocking the Cage, my sociological study of the MMA fighter, I began training again. I visited over 100 gyms across the country and jumped into classes anytime I could, attending no-gi sessions because I wasn’t about to drag around a sweaty gi. After extensive discussions with BJJ black belts on the relevance of gi training, I was at peace with my approach.  With limited time to train, it made the most sense to study the sport closest to how I wanted to compete.

During my travels, I noted the differences between fighters and martial artists, and understood that I’d never made that transition. Interested in finally treating jiu jitsu as an art and starting over from step one, I headed to 10th Planet HQ in downtown LA to check out a class. The system and terminology was a bit overwhelming, but I was hooked, and only partly due to the pre-class conspiracy fact discussion.

After a few more classes, I committed to training twice a week, despite my tight schedule, banged up body, and the fact that I was well on my way to becoming The Most Submitted Man in America. Instead of visiting different MMA gyms and training for free, I paid my dues and braved the drive downtown, gradually picking up skills while making great friends.

Click here to see the rest of the photos on Facebook

Though still a beginner, I drilled enough to confidently perform a demonstration at Brown University when I guest lectured for a Sociology of Martial Arts class. The next night I joined Brown’s Grappling and Mixed Martial Arts club, an awesome group I wish they had when I was a student. Thanks to Pete Jeffery, the head coach of Tri-Force MMA and the club, I had the pleasure of teaching the Lockdown and the Electric Chair sweep and submission. I had no business teaching to kids that outranked me, but hoped I could show them something new to consider.

Two days later, I jumped into the Super Heavyweight, intermediate, old man division at NAGA, barely winning my first match, and losing the second on a judge’s decision. I was disappointed in my performance because I didn’t better represent the school, but I’m only going to train harder because of it. The 10th Planet system does work, I believe in it, but just like anything else that’s worth mastering, it’s a matter of putting in the time and effort to learn it.

Although I couldn’t bring home a gold medal, I was cheered up by my friend, Adam Aparicio, who had been my partner for the lecture demonstration. Adam, an experienced fighter and jiu jitsu competitor, informed me that one of the students from GAMMA surprised him with the Electric Chair four days after I had demonstrated it. It’s very cool to hear that the student had enough faith in it to add the move to his game plan. It’s even cooler to hear that he nailed the submission.

If you are interested in learning more about why I enjoy 10th Planet, check out this clip from the lecture.

Unlocking the Cage with Johnny Campbell

Campbell vs Matsuda

I began Unlocking the Cage (UTC) May 2012, kicking it off by attending Cage Titans FC: Conquer. I hadn’t been to a fight since I last fought in 2004 when I gave up mixed martial arts (MMA) due to too many losses and concussions. In those 8 years, I had turned away from the sport, rarely watched it on TV, and wasn’t sure how I would react to a regional show where I didn’t know any of the fighters. To make matters worse, I had torn the cartilage in my ribs at a NAGA tournament earlier that afternoon and all I wanted to do was load up on painkillers and call it a night.

All that changed with the very first fight, the energy of the crowd contagious. It was a full fight card and still going strong near midnight. I had an hour drive back home, but decided to stay for the final match, a bantamweight title fight between Tateki Matsuda and Johnny “Cupcakes” Campbell. This 5 round battle was one of the most exciting fights I’d watched in a long time and I was seriously impressed with both fighters, never a dull moment as they exchanged blows. Johnny lost a close decision, but I was a fan and wanted to talk with him.

Two days later, I visited South Shore Sportfighting, the gym in Norwell, MA where Johnny trains. I had some great interviews with his coaches and training partners, but unfortunately the sound quality was so poor I couldn’t produce any videos from them. Understandably, Johnny wasn’t in that night, but his coach gave me his number and the following day I made my first house call.

Photo by DOMINEYphotography

Johnny met me at the door with a pronounced limp, his thigh a deep black and blue, a couple small scrapes and bruises across his face. We hit it off immediately, Johnny’s charm and intelligence apparent from the start. It was a nice change being able to take my time with the interview in a comfortable setting without shrill buzzers or heavy bags being beaten. Johnny talked at length about his past, where he was presently, and what he hoped the future would hold. Not only did I learn a lot about him and why he was fighting, but he also gave me some solid advice that really helped me in my personal life.

Last month when Professor Michael Kennedy invited me to guest lecture on MMA for his sociology class at Brown University, I asked if I could do a live interview of a fighter. It’d be a great opportunity for the class to see both the interview process and insight into a fighter, and I’d have the chance to do a follow up with Johnny.

I’d been watching Johnny’s career and wasn’t sure what to expect in the interview. He had dealt with a couple disappointing loses but was now on a 3-win streak. It was awesome to see how Johnny had grown since that first interview and how he’s now pursuing his passion as a career, finally putting 100% into fighting, what it takes to reach the top levels. His goal is to become a champion, to reach the UFC, to be remembered. Without a doubt he has that potential and I’ll be rooting him on. He’s exactly the type of fighter that should be in the UFC, not only because his exciting style will make him a fan favorite, but he’s a good person that will make a positive impact on his community.

I’m honored to be sponsoring him for this fight and I encourage those in the New England area to check him out Nov. 1 for Cage Titans FC XXI at Memorial Hall in Plymouth, MA. Contact him for shirts and/or tickets if you plan on attending. You can also support Johnny by liking his Facebook page Johnny “Cupcakes” Campbell and following him on twitter.

Click below to hear his interview:

And here is what Professor Kennedy had to say:

The Will to Overcome

For the past three months I’ve been watching and editing interviews from my sociological study, Unlocking the Cage. I search for the similarities and differences in over 400 fighters, noting attributes that influence a successful career, and which attitudes don’t pay off. The project began nearly two and a half years ago, and I still try to follow as many of the fighters as possible, watching the ups and downs in their fight careers, as well as their personal lives. Being a fighter is not easy, and I have deep respect for any professional who enters that cage. I have even more respect and admiration for those men and women who have overcome adversity and battled their way to victory. That’s what this past weekend was all about.

Click to watch UTC pilot featuring Joe Lauzon (1:20 mark)

One of my favorite fighters is Joe Lauzon, the first UFC veteran I interviewed. Besides being a brilliant submission expert and exciting fighter to watch, the man has no quit in him. Anyone who witnessed the Jim Miller fight can testify to that. Joe’s real resolve was tested January when he discovered that his newborn son, Joey, had a cancer called Neuroblastoma. I can’t imagine how difficult it was for Joe, Katie, and little Joey, and I completely understand why Joe didn’t know if he’d ever fight again. Fortunately, little Joey is a badass just like his father and he’s doing well. His fight isn’t over though, and neither is his dad’s. Joe got back in the cage on Friday and finished off a very tough Michael Chiesa in the second round with a ref stoppage, earning his 13th performance bonus, and breaking the UFC record.

Click to watch interview

Michelle Waterson is a fighter from Jackson-Winkeljohn’s in Albuquerque, NM that I had the pleasure of talking with in August 2013. Michelle had won the Invicta FC atomweight title four months earlier, and was hard at work preparing to defend her belt. She talked about the sacrifices of being a professional fighter and how she managed to make time to be a mother and wife.

Instead of a reasonable 6-9 month period between fights, Michelle was stuck in limbo. Her contract prevented her from joining the UFC, and a lack of Invicta FC events kept her out of the cage for 17 months. It’s no surprise that she considered taking a break from the sport so she could get pregnant again and focus on her family. Nearly every fighter will tell you that the fight is the fun part, that training is the battle. Training sessions are not the glamorous 15 second clips you see in promos, and I couldn’t imagine being stuck in her position with no pay off for all the hard work. She stuck it out and was finally given an opponent. On Saturday, she fought Yasuko Tamada, overwhelming the Japanese fighter with the fight being stopped near the end of the third round.

Click to watch interview

Another fighter I interviewed while I was in New Mexico was Steve Garcia, a young man who had just suffered an injury that knocked him off the Bellator card I was in town to cover. Instead of being bitter about the injury, Steve spoke with such confidence that I had no doubt he’d be back. He believed that MMA was his calling, and the injury was simply a small setback. Steve went on to win his next three fights, extending his streak to four, and remaining undefeated, with a split decision win over Kin Moy Friday night at Bellator MMA 123.

One of the things I love about my project is that I don’t limit myself to hitting the biggest gyms and talking to the top-ranked fighters. I’m interested in every fighter’s story. Two who stand out had fought on a New England Fight card that I covered in 2012, and were again fighting for the organization last Saturday.

The first time I watched Bruce Boyington step into the cage, I was not rooting for him. A few days before, I had interviewed his opponent, Keegan Hornstra, at The Shop MMA in New Hampshire. Keegan had talked about how much the fight meant to him, and I watched him busting ass to drop the last few pounds. It was painful to watch Bruce land a devastating spinning back kick that knocked Keegan out at just 10 seconds in.

Click to watch interview

I interviewed Bruce a few days after the fight, when I stopped by Young’s MMA. He spoke about his life-long pursuit of his martial arts dream and his time in the Marines. With a family and full-time job, Bruce knew fighting wouldn’t be easy, but he was giving it what he could. The past two years have held some ups and downs in his career, but Friday night he stepped into the cage and was victorious, winning the NEF lightweight title via TKO in the second round.

Click to watch interview

The other fighter on the card was Derek Shorey, another fighter I met at The Shop. He had recently moved up to Maine and was training with Marcus Davis, a UFC veteran and one of my favorite interviews. In 2012, I watched Derek lose to John Raio, a tough, hardworking family man who now owns First Class Fitness and MMA. When I heard they were having the rematch on Saturday for Derek’s pro debut, I wasn’t sure who I should root for as I’d also interviewed John. John’s an outstanding guy but I had been following Derek’s difficult journey through his amateur career, and hoped things would finally turn around for him. I didn’t see the fight, but it sounded like John was winning the first round until Derek came through with the choke and a much needed win, proving to himself that all the sacrifice and hard work does indeed pay off.

I’m happy for the fighters that pulled off a win this weekend. My deepest respect goes to everyone that steps into the cage, dedicating their life to the sport, and putting it all out there in front of friends, family, and an often brutal crowd. These fighters can use your support, even if it’s simply liking their Facebook page or following them on Twitter. I hope you’ll also consider donating to the Lauzon Family’s Jimmy Fund Walk to help fight cancer.

Visit Donate.JoeLauzon.com to help make a difference.

Your Typical MMA Athlete

I began my sociological study of mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes hoping that the understanding of these men and women would shed some light on why I had fought. It had been 8 years since I had ended an unsuccessful attempt at a fighting career and I was no longer a fan of the sport. I viewed MMA as a form of violence and I assumed there had to be something wrong with these fighters, just as there must have been something wrong with myself.

Although it took a while for me to fall back in love with the sport, in less than a week I realized there was something special about these athletes. My questions no longer simply focused on why they were fighting and how they were raised. I wanted to hear their definition of what it meant to be a good person and who they strived to be. Instead of simply filming the interviews so I could review them later, I documented them so I could share their statements with the world. I wanted to break the general public’s perception of what fighters were all about.

Over the last two years I’ve interviewed over 400 fighters from 110 gyms across the country and I can honestly say that 90% of them are people I respect and trust, a much higher percentage than I would expect to find among other groups. Out of that questionable 10%, most of them were in the early stages of their fighting career and will hopefully be transformed by their martial arts journey. The others appeared to be damaged individuals fighting to release the incredible amount of anger they struggled to contain. A dozen or so individuals out of 400. Definitely not an indicator of who fighters are.

And then there’s War Machine, formerly Jonathan Koppenhaver, who was recently arrested by U.S. Marshals after being on the run for allegedly assaulting his ex-girlfriend. I did not interview this guy and I’m glad I didn’t because I don’t have time for anyone who would attack another person outside of the cage, especially others who are unable to defend themselves. This is the definition of what a man is not. He is that tiny percentage point, a man so filled with hatred and hurt that he’d attack a woman. After reading what he allegedly did, it is hard to write this. Read it for yourself and come to your own conclusions, but do not think that he is representative of MMA athletes, an incredible group of people who are loyal, generous, humble, kind, and caring, some of the most inspiring and positive people I’ve had  the fortune of meeting.

If you’d like an example of the type of people they are, click on any of the videos on my YouTube channel. Here are some of my favorites:

Jeremy Stephens

Duane Ludwig

Marcus Davis

Michael Chandler

Matt Grice

Leslie Smith

Kirik Jenness

David Mitchell

Jorge Rivera

Julie Kedzie

Lew Polley

Pete Jeffery

Ashlee Evans-Smith

 

 

A True Warrior

Jake Tullius: author

So yesterday I’m tearing through the mail and scattering it around the living room when I come across this thing. I’m only 15 months old so my reading skills suck, but I could make out WARRIOR in big red letters right below a sweet patch. It was from Onnit so of course I assumed it was for me.

 

I figured they must have seen how much I love their protein shakes. These things are delicious and Dad’s always preaching about how good hemp is for you. When I hear that blender, I go all Pavlov, double how much I already drool from teething.

I took the patch and slapped it on my chest, told my sister Olivia to meet me downstairs. With a little work maybe I could whip her into a warrior. Maybe one day she’d get her own patch.

We warmed up with some bands before we ran drills on the grappling dummy. The 120 pound pretend one, not the 230 pound one busy behind the camera.

We broke a sweat and got started on the weights. It was sort of sad that I had to help Olivia with a 3 pound dumbbell. Maybe if she paid less attention to the camera.

I let my frustration get the best of me, asked Dad why couldn’t I have a brother.

I counted my toes and took a deep breath. Warriors need to lead by example. I demonstrated how it was done. I held this squeeze for a solid minute before giving my guns a break. Got to put in the work if you want the results.

Things went a little smoother after that, Olivia showing me the respect I deserve. I let her enjoy the air conditioning for another five minutes then told her to head outside. She said it was too hot. I took an even deeper deep breath. Look Olivia,” I told her. “Being a warrior isn’t all fun and games. It isn’t all giant Legos and Yo Gabba Gabba dolls and pink cars. It’s getting in mat time while other kids are napping. It’s going that extra mile, which feels more like five when you’ve got tiny ass legs like mine. It’s being a doer. Now hurry up and turn the handle because I can’t reach it.”

I pulled out our Onnit battle ropes and showed her how to do it. She gave it her best. I’ve seen better form but I kept in mind she’s just a girl.

My heart rate was a little too high after my fifth set so I used this animal to calm me. That’s all it was. I’m not a cat guy. Swear it. Just shows how hard I must have been training.

We finished up the workout and went out to dinner, walking proud with the patch upon my chest.

In between throwing fistfuls of food under my chair, I got to thinking. Maybe Onnit had read my mind like people can in Brightside and was going to get into the baby food market. Parents that use Onnit care for themselves and most likely care even more for their kids. Why shouldn’t babies and kids be getting nutrients that help them be healthy and run as optimally as possible? Maybe Onnit already had that in the works and that Warrior patch was really a job offer to be their spokesbaby?

My inner voice said I was being stupid, why would they want me, but then I fist bumped my patch and got back on track. I’m young. I’m hip. I have more hair than some of their current spokespeople. Chicks dig me. Especially seventy year olds. I blow them a kiss and they are putty in my hands.

Plus, I can make this face.

Before anyone gets too upset over the girl comments, please understand that they are jokes meant to point out the ridiculousness. My sister can, and will, do anything she dedicates herself to. With the exception of being cooler than me. Other than that, the sky’s the limit.