A Fighting Spirit

The Brick Wall Imparts Upon Us All

2011-11-30T18:59:00.000-08:00

Obstacles are defined as something that stands in the way that must be circumvented. Why then stop when happenstance greets the day with anticipation. Each time an obstacle becomes surmounted is an opportunity for growth and reflection. There is no vicissitude unworthy of performance, no discouragement beneath adjustment, no obstacle beyond repair.

The heart determines the ability to conquer obstacles through understanding. The body will quite long before the mind, and the heart is the determining factor in successful circumnavigation. Every barrier is an opportunity for success. A path will always present with forks, turns and twists. Those finding their way no matter the circumstance are the ones that become champions. This is the stuff legends are made of. There is no road map to success. Follow the heart and remember to maintain an open mind. Success will find you if your heart is in the right place.

“Champions know that success is inevitable; that there is no such thing as failure, only feedback. They know that the best way to forecast the future is to create it.”

Michael J. Gelb quotes

“Champions know there are no shortcuts to the top. They climb the mountain one step at a time. They have no use for helicopters!”

Judi Adler quotes

“The mark of a great player is in his ability to come back. The great champions have all come back from defeat.”

Sam Snead quotes

“Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character”

nhsalan

T. Alan Armstrong quotes

A Better Edge

2011-07-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

I have noticed in Amateur MMA a lot of schools/teams/gyms ignore the importance of elbows and leg submission. Some amateur competitions allow elbows and others don't. I would imagine that many people don't want to spend the limited practice time they have honing skills they may or may not use; understandable, but risky.

After working with one of my teammates and mentors, Ivan, I have gained a new understanding of the importance of the underrated techniques. (I say underrated because I have not seen them very much in competition.) Ivan and I were going over the fine tuning of my last fight. I am a firm believer that there is something to be learned in everything. So, yes, I was victorious but I also have a lot to learn based on the way I fought. During one of our advanced practices Ivan demonstrated for me how to use elbows and strikes to advance my position further. That is the beauty of being able to work hard with people that know so much. I am now more capable of seeing openings that I was not looking for. I have something to work on at practice to help advance me to the next level of my game.

After we had gone over the fine tuning from the fights I asked him to help me out with leg submissions. I will make this generalization and swear by it: most amateur fighters have no clue how to do any leg submissions, nor do they know how to see them coming and defend them. Every time I role with Ivan or T.J. I find myself tapping to a knee bar, leg lock, toe hold, etc. I have been submission grappling for five years and I am decent at it, but I know there is a big hole in my game. After we talked and worked on some stuff, I van dedicated an entire practice to a leg lock series. I did not even realize how many ways there are of submitting people using legs in just one series.

And that is the thing about martial arts: there is always an art to beat yours in one respect or another, always a competitor that knows more, always more knowledge to be gained, always changes and new moves, always a next level. The key to having a better edge is to find a team and coach that you trust, so that you can learn together and build on what you are and who you are. The learning is never finished. I feel like martial arts is a lot like teaching; once you feel like the job is easy, the job is done, then it is time to hang up your shoes and move on to the next.

Where I Have Landed

2011-07-04T14:45:00.000-07:00

I have been around for a long time, going on five years. I have met a number of people and have seen my fair share of everything in this sport; good teams, bad teams, poor sports, true martial artists, phenomenal coaches, terrible coaches, inadequately trained teams, teams that do not have a clue, guys with a lot of heart and "cage fighter bar brawlers." I have experienced enough to know that I have landed in the place that I need to have landed to become successful and live my dreams.

I do not, for a second, take for granted where I am and who I have become as a fighter and as a person because of it. There are very few places that make each and every one of their students feel like they are a part of a family. I have had people bend over backwards for me and for my career without asking for a single thing in return. I have never met more kind-hearted upstanding individials as I have training at Lightining Kicks. I am far away from the place that I called home and from the family I grew up with, but Lightning Kicks is a place where every person can go and know they have a home and a family to back them.

My skill level has immeasurably grown in all aspects in the time I have spent with Master Amir and my teammates. I could never have foreseen my reaching my full potential, but now I know I am capable. I have coaches that give up time with their families and friends to be there for all of us, to help us get better and watch us succeed. All of these sacrifices that each of us make are a testament to our work ethic and sense of family and team.

I know how privileged I am to be where I am and to train with the people I train with each and every day. I can never thank all of my teammates and my coaches enough for all they have done to see me succeed and to live out my goals so that I may achieve my dreams. All I can do is live with the indomitable spirit and demonstrate my knowledge and growth in the cage.

Oss...

Back To It

2011-07-04T14:44:00.000-07:00

Summer school has kicked my butt, so I have been unable to get on here as much as I would like.

Since my last post:

1. Awesome Akimma has decided to sponsor me

2. I became the 125 lb Capital City Cage Fighting Champion

Yaaay!

some vids

2011-06-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kD1bXqC_p0&feature=channel_video_title

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PULDucybQSQ&feature=channel_video_title

Thinking Outside of the Box

2011-05-29T13:08:00.000-07:00

I am pretty broke... Well I guess most people struggle after grad school so I am not alone. I am trying to find creative ways to get in extra strength and conditioning outside of practice. Work keeps me super busy with the two and a half hour total commute and the fact that teaching is a job one takes home. I also do not have the money to join a fitness gym. Yesterday I ran all the way to the pet store and then back with a 40 lb bag of dog food. I am looking to find practical, inexpensive and quick ways to get in small strength and conditioning work outs! Suggestions are welcome! Any ideas out there?

Tonight's Lesson

2011-05-24T19:39:00.000-07:00

I need to hit more. I know my stand up has become so much better in the past year. I know I have the skill and capability to be a great stand up fighter. I am quicker now, I can kick, I can throw combos; but there is still that little voice from the past telling me to hard block so I do not get knocked out by my teammates.

I guess what that boils down to is trust. Like Pavlov proved: a behavior is learned through consequence. At one time, if I threw some punches and left myself vulnerable I would pay a price for it. So, my brain is hard wired to believe that if I make a mistake at practice I will pay for it.

I have become much better at trusting my teammates and knowing that my past is not my present. I do not "pay" for making mistakes at practice; rather, I learn from them. I have very good teachers and teammates. Yes, they do often teach me lessons, but it is never out of cruelty. I know that all of these people want to see me tap into my full potential and would like to see me achieve my goals.

So last week my lesson was "circle left." This weeks lesson is "trust fully in myself and my teammates." That means I better throw some combos :)

A True Fighter is a Believer

2011-05-22T17:03:00.000-07:00

In retrospect, the place I started MMA was not where I should have been. I was already lacking confidence in my life and capability and I began to lose more as the years continued. I did not believe in myself or my fighting ability. During those years I was struggling to find who I am as a person and as a fighter. I was, in a sense, lost. I was in that place between adulthood and childhood where one has to struggle to define his or her role in the world. The best thing I could have done for my life and fight career was attend the University of Michigan where I discovered my true path set out for me.

I now have a firm understanding of what it means to be a part of a brotherhood, a family of fighters. I would do anything for the people I train with and I know I can expect the same loyalty from them. I believe in my coaches, teammates, my family away from home, my best friends, my brothers. I believe in the bond we have and the support we create for one another.

I believe in the message Professor Crabtree sends to his students. He has instilled in me something I always strove for all along; working for what I have and earning what I want. I have known Professor Crabtree for a long time. From the outside I saw how much his students loved him, the sport and each other. I envied that bond and instruction. I am thankful to both Professor Crabtree and his team for accepting me as a part of their family.

I have become more than I ever thought I could have because of his instruction and the support of this family. I have tapped potentials I did not think could exist. Only a Mixed Martial Artist could understand this, but the proudest day of my life was not receiving two bachelors degrees, a masters by the age of 24, having the President of the United States address my graduating class or even becoming a teacher; the proudest moment in my life was accepting my blue belt from one of the people I admire most in this world. I know I worked for it, and I know I earned it. I am thankful for GRBJJ and their support in my pursuit to earn my place in this world.

There are no words to express the sincerity in knowing how blessed I am to train with Master Khillah and Team Lightning Kicks. Master Amir is one of the most talented people I have ever met and he has opened doors for me that I did not even know existed. He has fostered my growth as a fighter and is the truest and kindest heart I have ever met. He cares very deeply about all of his students and spends more time with all of us, helping us excel, than I have ever witnessed. I am blessed to train with the most talented crop of fighters in the state of Michigan and to train with some of the best fighters in the world on occasion. I can never explain what all of these people have meant to my career and more importantly my life.

I am a believer. I have faith. I have been accused of dreaming entirely too much, but then again do fighters not have to dream and believe and put complete faith into the trainer and team they are a part of. I believe in who I am and who I will become despite those who do not think I can make it. I have pushed through door and windows for five years and I am proud of where I have landed. I know the road will still be full of twists and turns but that is all a part of the journey. I know I will do great things... just wait and see.

I am back

2011-05-22T12:55:00.000-07:00

It has been a long while since my last post. Since the last thing I wrote I have received my M.Ed. and I have nearly completed my first year as a teacher. The fight career is going well. I moved to the West Side of the state and I am training with two of the best instructors and teams I could have found. I have grown as a fighter and I am looking forward to showing that to myself and everyone else when I hit the cage June 18th at the Lansing Center. Legion! Oss!

Old but Good; Props to http://www.athenamedusa.com/?p=67#more-67

2009-11-03T20:22:00.000-08:00

East West Women’s Tournament

review by Charles Smith

East West Martial Arts’ inaugural women’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament was a great success. The event was held on Saturday, April 25 2009 at their school in Canton Michigan. The proceeds went to support a local women’s shelter.

More than twenty woman from the mid-west (and Canada too, I believe) took to the mat for a day of double elimination competition in both gi and no-gi matches with white and blue belt divisions. The tournament ran smoothly, though there were a few delays and some questions about scoring, but nothing you wouldn’t expect from a first time event. The competition itself was high energy and enjoyed by grapplers and audience alike. The highlights included some great technical work by the young women, who are going to be absolute machines by the time they’re adults and a great technical tour-de-force between Abby Bork and Becky Reaver. Once the videos are up, be sure to check out the barrage of flying arm-bars in the matches between Abby and Mona too. The two of them met four times in some of the toughest, knock-down, drag-out action of the day. I’m telling you, these grapplers are hard core!

I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention mixed martial arts fighter Jen Aniano, who’s most recent fight in the Premier League Fighting Championship is on video. Jen does it all: Mixed martial arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission wrestling, you name it.

After the tournament, organizers had pizza and Xyience (Thanks Becky!) on hand for everyone. When was the last time you got free eats at a tournament?! Below we feature a few photos (with videos coming soon) and information about the next East West women’s tournament.

Photos

In addition to grappling Becky Reaver is also a professional event photographer (www.Reaver.SmugMug.com) and has posted more photos on Flickr.

Videos

More Information

The second East West Womens Tournament in planned for September 2009. For more information contact:

East West Martial Arts
7950 Lilley Rd. Suite B112
Canton, MI 48187
(734) 414-7789
www.eastwestmartialarts.com

Posted in BJJ, NoGi, Photo, Video. Tagged with Abby Bork, Becky Reaver, Canton, East West Martial Arts, East West Womens Tournament, GRBJJ, Jen Aniano, Jess X, Michigan, Mona X, Stacie Kreiser, Torry X, UMABJJ.

By Admin

April 25, 2009

Fighter Girls Article

2009-11-03T20:12:00.000-08:00

RISING STARS

Page 1 | 2

A look at Up-and-Comers in the Fight World. A Personal look at these girls' backgrounds, experiences, and lifestyles. These girls are the Future of Women's Fighting.

Jen "Tink" Aniano
10/17/2009 11:00:22 PM
Posted by MarQ

Michigan’s Jen "Tink" Aniano is dedicated to the sport of mma from all sides. Being a journalism major, blogger, and reporter for The Bleacher Report, Aniano proves she can show her skills outside the cage as well as inside. With an amateur record of 2-0, Aniano is well on her way to being successful in and outside the cage.

Fightergirls - How did you get started in MMA?

Aniano - I started in MMA through wrestling. I was a high school and college wrestler. I met my trainer at a national tournament. He asked me if I would be interested and I was. The story starts there.

Fightergirls - What drives your passion for fighting?

Aniano - My passion for fighting comes from my love of the sport. I train everyday and I love every minute of it. My teammates are like my family and MMA offers me a support system like no other. I would probably die with out fighting. I cannot see myself doing or being anything else.

Fightergirls - Being a writer and blogger, how has that helped in your training and how has training helped in writing?

Aniano - I love writing about MMA and I believe that writing helps my training because I can be objective and understand what I need to do in the gym by watching professionals do what they do. My being in the gym helps my writing because I understand fighting form the inside.

Fightergirls - How was the transition from traditional wrestling to mma?

Aniano - Transitioning from wrestling to MMA was not that hard. I still compete in wrestling as well as cagefights. I am also a BJJ fighter and submission grappler. And I will start competing in boxing soon. So, to me, Mixed Martial Arts is all of these things. Being a true artists means competing in all of the sports that go into fighting. I never had to give up wrestling it is still in my life. And wrestling has only made me a better fighter.

Fightergirls - Any upcoming fights?

Aniano - I have a fight on Halloween and the second weekend in November. All of my fights in MI are often two weight classes up so I look at them as experience. I am hopefully going to get some fights in Ohio soon at my weight to start building a national record. I plan to go pro by next summer. I am also wrestling in the NYAC holiday tournament in November. And I am grappling December 5th.

Jessica Eye
10/15/2009 1:38:16 AM
Posted by MarQ

Fighter Jessica Eye has people looking. The 125 pound Ohio fighter out of the Strong Style Fight team just racked up her fourth amateur victory at the inaugural North American Allied Fight Series, defeating Marcia May this past weekend.When she is not training, Jessica hosts the Co-host NAAFS Radio on SportsTalkNETWORK.com & SportsRadio 1350am WARF in Akron, OH.

Fightergirls - How did you get started in MMA?

Jessica - I just fell into it, I went to a local NAAFS show and met both my coaches thru a mutaul friend when I was 19, they invited me down to try a few classes and I instantly fell in love!

Fightergirls - What drives your passion for fighting?

Jessica - Everything , all the hard work you put into leading up to it. I love the dedication the self worth, and the intenseness of the sport.

Fightergirls - Being a radio fight analyst, has it helped you be a better fighter and has being a fighter helped you in being a radio personality?

Jessica - I think Be on the radio help me look at both parts of a fight as a spectator and a athlete. I get to see alot of fights and I get to learn from them, I like to think as myself as a human sponge soak up all the information and skill i possible can , and use what I feel is aaclable to me.. I don't really think radio has helped me be a better fight just provided me with oppurtunity see it from other angles.

Fightergirls - Are you more comfortable with your jiu-jitsu or your Muay Thai?

Jessica - Jui-jitsu I guess, but muay thai Inspires me cause I played Soccer for many years before I started MMA. So I love the leg kick aspect.. I have the great Jui -jitsu coach Gold medalist in the Pan American Games, so My BJJ is getting better and My Thai coach is Absolutely great too!!!

Fightergirls - Any fights coming up?

Jessica - Yes I just recently Had a fight here in Ohio And won taking my record to 4- 0! But I will be fighting Again in the NAAFS in Ohio on Dec 5.. I very excited for my career and Women MMA to continue to grow and become bigger...Thank you so much for ever.

Sarah Moras
10/6/2009 2:24:27 AM
Posted by MarQ

Sarah Moras has had a banging start to her amateur career. Moras competed in the Tigerbalm grappling tournament in Vancouver, in which she won the first match by points and the second by triangle, winning the all ranks division with only 5 months of training. After training for 2 1/2 years, Moras is undefeated, winning her first fight by decision and her second vis first round submission.

Moras took a big step towards going pro by heading across the big pond to London to train with on of the best fighters in the world, Rosi Sexton. This is leading to her first professionsal match on Nov. 22 with Danielle West on Kayo-MMA card in Watford, England. Moras took some time to talk about her quickly rising career.

Fightergirls - How did you get started in MMA?

I started MMA because a friend of mine was a fighter and told me I should check out a class, after the first class i was hooked.

Fightergirls - What drives your passion for fighting?

I love challenges, and MMA has to be one of the most challenging sports out there if not the most challenging. There is always ALWAYS something new to learn, and you can learn off something from everyone.

Fightergirls - What is is like training with Rosi Sexton?

Training with Rosi is amazing. I am so lucky. She is like everyone a fighter needs all wrapped up into one person. She's a machine and always on the go. I can't wait to see myself progress as I train with her.

Fightergirls - Are you more comfortable with your jiu-jitsu or your Muay Thai?

I'm most comfortable with my Jiu Jitsu.

Stephanie Webber
9/29/2009 3:54:21 PM
Posted by MarQ

Stephianie Webber has just come off a dominating victory over Patricia Vidonic on the Septemeber Tuff-n-uff card. Based out of Olympia, Washington, Webber has a great training partner in Strikeforce fighter Miesha Tate, and at a respectable 4-3, and is on the verge of going pro.

Fightergirls - How did you get started in MMA?

Webber - My Dad teaches wrestling techniques at Victory Athletics in Olympia and invited me to spend time with him at the gym. I have always been a hard working, competitive athlete and Dad thought I might like MMA and the challenges of working out hard again. At that particular time I found myself newly divorced and a newly single parent as well. The gym provided me a way to get in good shape, relieve stress and just feel better! I was immediately in love with the challenges of the sport and have been working hard at it ever since!

Fightergirls - What drives your passion for fighting?

Webber - Finding an exciting, non traditional sport that encourages women to be physically strong and competitive is what drives my passion for MMA. I learn something new every day and surprise my self and my coaches with what I can do on a regular basis. It’s very exciting and the more I let go in the ring the more excited I get thinking what the future might bring for me and other women who take on the challenges of MMA. I like to think I am setting a good example for other girls who want to take on non-traditional challenges in their lives whether it’s a sport or something else they are interested in doing.

Fightergirls - Coming from a grappling background, was it tough to transition to mma?

Webber - My grappling background was limited to wrestling pre-Junior High so I started with a pretty clean slate. My Dad helps me with technique and I have worked very hard to be a decent grappler. I train with Pro and amateur guys at the gym so while I’m not getting my butt kicked as bad as I used to, I’m still getting it kicked pretty good! This I think has been good for me because when I compete with women my own size and weight the grappling part of it doesn’t seem so challenging and it leaves me some room to work on other things in the ring.

Fightergirls - You just won this past weekend - how do you think you are about ready to go pro?

Webber - I was very excited about my performance in my last fight. The girl I fought is going Pro and if you watched the fight I killed her all 3 rounds. At some point, even if you have skills to work on, you have to take the leap and commit yourself to competing on a professional level. I am definitely ready to do that.

Amanda Wilcoxen
9/20/2009 12:18:51 AM
Posted by MarQ

Amanda Wilcoxen is on a hot streak. Being an undefeated 8-0 in the amateur mma ranks, this "All American-Girl" can also tout being champion in Sanshou in her division from the 2006 Fists Against Hunger, first place in the Bando Kickboxing tournament in 2007, placing 1st place in Women's Light Heavy Weight NO-GI Intermediate and 3rd place in the Women's Expert Open Weight NO-GI Advanced in the past few years.

Her diverse background in wrestling, Aikido, combat jujitsu, kickboxing, boxing, and Muay Thai has helped her rise to the top of the amatuer ranks in all forms of martial arts, and she took some time to talk to Fightergirls about her flurrishing career.

Fightergirls - How did you get started in MMA?

Wilcoxen - I started a few months after I started my foundation in Aikido at a local dojo in town. I was always a shy girl by nature, but when I watched the jujitsu classes it reminded me a lot of my older brother and I rough housing all the time. I think that really grasped my attention and there were like no women that really did the sport. I like doing things that are unique and not the typical "girly" sports.

Fightergirls - What drives your passion for it?

Wilcoxen -I think my passion lies in that it's something that's a challenge for me to not only become better physically/technique wise, but as a person overall. I see and hear people whine about things they can or can't do because of whatever reason and I never wanted to be that person that made excuses for herself. MMA is something you can never perfect and you have to constantly work at. It's not just swinging a golf club to hit a ball, but you have to be well rounded in everything: boxing, wrestling, grappling, conditioning, nutrition, the art of weight cutting/weight gaining etc. You can never be one dimensional or you can get yourself in big trouble....and I talk from experience -lol-.

Fightergirls - You has a vast background in martial arts - can you tell us how being so diverse has helped you in MMA?

Wilcoxen - I think my background in Aikido has helped my overall movement in stand up and understanding the ground game better. No doubt my Judo in conjunction with Aikido helps me recognize throws and how to fall properly. And the diversity comes into play when I go up against women that have these amazing skills (i.e., boxing) and I have to switch to my jujitsu and wrestling background. Vice versa, when the girl's ground game is just as good or perhaps superior to mine, I play the stand up game.

Fightergirls - You are currently undefeated in your amateur career. At what point do you think you will turn pro?

Wilcoxen - By the grace of God and thanks to being coached by Bob Morgan, Sr am I undefeated. I think I'll turn pro in 2010--my manager/trainer, Bob Morgan, says a few more fights and he wants to take me to the next level. Hopefully if I do well in my next two fights in October & December, that's when I'll go pro (Jan 2010 or so). If I lose? Then I'll ask him to postpone me going pro until mid 2010.

Fightergirls - Any upcoming fights?

Wilcoxen - Actually yeah. I'm killing myself to trim down for the October 9, 2009 NAAFS in Cleveland, OH where I have the honor to face the tough & highly skilled Marie Colangelo. I think we're gonna give a really good show. God willing, if I do well in that fight, I'll progress to fight again for an amateur title belt on Decemeber 5, 2009 in Akron, OH. But I'm just focusing on one fight at a time because Marie Colangelo is no joke!

Nina Ansaroff
9/13/2009 1:24:04 AM
Posted by MarQ

To say that Nina Ansaroff is off to a stunning start in the amateur ranks is an understatement. A product of American Top Team, she came out with a bang with her first two fights ending with some impressive ground and pound. Her last fight verse Christy Tada only took 46 seconds. Ansaroff is looking for her next fight, but took time to discuss her blossoming career.

How did you get started in the sport?

Growing up in a single parent home, my father way always trying to find a way to keep us busy, So When I was 6 he started me in Tae Kwon do/American Kick Boxing/Muay Thai under Mike Lee Kanarek and I fell in Love wit it. I started competing in Tournaments when I was 7 until I was 16. I took a break and started playing soccer. A little over a year ago I saw an EliteXC event and decided to get back into it.

What drives your passion for it?

My Family and Friends, although they don’t agree with what I do they are still stand behind me 100%.

You have been working with one of the best training facilities in the country in American Top Team. What's it like to train there?

It is Amazing; I am constantly learning new things everyday. It is my second home. I couldn’t ask for better coaches and teammates.

You came from a kickboxing background and now you are training in mma. How is it transitioning?

The transition has been somewhat easy for me, I am still learning new things on the ground, but overall the transition is going well.

Is there anything you've learned from being in mma?

That there is always something new to learn. The possibilities are endless.

Beth Revell
9/6/2009 1:10:03 AM
Posted by MarQ

Beth Revell is trying to do her part to other people make better lives for themselves by working towards a master's degree in scoial work. But at night, she works to help herself be at the top of her game. The submission wrestler turned mma fighter has been rounding out her strike game, with the help of tough mma fighter Valerie Coolbaugh. Revell is no stranger to being hit hard, as one of her part time hobbies in school was spelunking. She admitted to getting hit by a rock or two a few times. Unlike exploring caves, there is no helmets to protect your head when getting pummeled by punches. As Revell gears up for her first boxing match, she took some time to talk about her preparation and her amateur career.

Fightergirls: How did you get started in the sport?

Revell: When I moved to Edwardsville for school I decided to take group kickboxing classes for fun, I enjoyed it, but I didn't like how cheorographed it was and wanted to really engage. I got busy with classes and quit going. I did an internship at a child welfare agency and realized how vulnerable I really was so I contacted the kickboxing instructor and set up private lessons with her. I enjoyed the lessons but they transistioned into jiu jitsu, and then we added some boxing. I told her (Peggy Brooks) that I wanted to fight so she told me about the the War Room in Wood River. She used to train with those guys when she was learning. I 've been at the War Room ever since.

Fightergirls: What drives your passion for it?

Revell:I have had a pretty poor body image my whole life, even though I was never really big. The training that I have done has definately made me physically and mentally stronger. I actually called my Mum before my last scheduled fight crying (happily) and told her for the first time in my life I am comfortable in my skin.

I also love feeling strong, it is empowering to know that I can physically handle myself in various situations and that I am a healthy person. I know that some guys get into rivalries with the guys that they are supposed to fight or have fought, but for me it isn't about the other person, it is about me testing myself.

Fightergirls: What's it like training with Valerie Coolbaugh?

Revell: Training with Val is fun. I have received more goose eggs from her than I have from any of the guys. And it's not cause they take it easy on me, it's cause she's vicious. Ha ha. We have fun together, we were singing together during grappling last week. Her stand up is awesome, but I can take her, just kidding!!! She's really supportive and a blast to be around.

Fightergirls: You came from a wrestling background and now you are training in boxing. How is it transitioning?

Revell: Even though I started out in submission wrestling, I didn't have a wealth of knowledge about it, so I've been learning it all pretty much at the same time. One of my friends coaches wrestling so this year I might actually go to some of his practices to learn some stuff. I enjoy it all, but when people ask me what I enjoy most if it is a stand up day I usually say ground work, and vice versa.

Fightergirls: Is there anything you've learned from being in mma?

Revell: I am strong, I am more comfortable with my body ever, and if you are lucky enough to join a good gym you gain another family. It's nice to know that my team is there for me to be supportive if it has to do with life issues, training or school.

Fightergirls: What matches to you have coming up? (mma, boxing, grappling, ect.)

Revell: I fight MMA up in Chicago for Bob Schirmer Sept 12th, Boxing in Arnold, Mo Sept 26th, and MMA October 3rd for Adam Marburger for the Warriors Collide show.

Barb Honchak
6/9/2009 6:34:13 PM
Posted by Erin Webb

Written by George Syroney

Photograph Courtesy of Elizabeth Winters

Barb Honchak won the GFight Rising Star Championship at the Hook’n’Shoot 14^th Year Anniversary Super Show on May 30^th. She didn’t have the easiest of paths. First she fought Lissa Braverman and earned a unanimous decision to get to the finals. Then she submitted Christina Domke in the finals. Both were exciting fights from 3 top amateurs.

Fightergirls: Barb those were awesome fights. Congratulations. Thanks for taking time to talk to fightergirls.com

Barb: Thank you for covering the Hook’n’Shoot event and the opportunity for this interview!

Fightergirls: Would you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Barb: I have been training MMA for 2 years at Steve Berger’s MMA in St. Louis MO. In addition to training, I stay busy balancing my career as a laboratory manager and my home life with my husband Timm. We are both avid outdoor enthusiasts and in addition to fighting I take part in a slew of activities including kayaking, mountain and road biking, snow boarding and backpacking. I have a simple philosophy on life; I believe we are meant to really experience our lives by testing the limits of our bodies, minds and hearts with reckless disregard to our egos. My life has taken many unexpected turns, none as unexpected as my addiction to fighting. Non-violent and fairly passive by nature, I fell into mixed martial arts by way of Brazilian jiu jitsu and Steve Berger. For my love of the rush and the constant challenge, this sport has taken my life over like nothing I have experienced. I measure my success, both in fighting and in my personal life, by knowing that I live simply for life’s experiences. In that regard, I am already very wealthy and still have much to look forward to.

Fightergirls: What is your favorite part of being a mixed martial artist?

Barb: My favorite part of this sport is testing my limits. I like to find my physical, mental and emotional thresholds and then see how far I can push myself beyond them.

Fightergirls: Women’s MMA seems to be growing in acceptance. There were two women’s fights right before the main event. How do you feel about the current state of FeMMA?

Barb: We are not there yet. There are so many incredible female fighters who are virtually unknown. Like most sports, professional women still do not get the recognition that the men do. Women’s fighting is both intriguing and taboo, so even the people who say we don’t belong in this sport will watch. Because for them, it will be like driving by an accident, they will want to look away but won’t be able to.

Fightergirls: The Lissa Braverman fight went the distance. What was your game plan going into that fight?

Barb: At the last G-fight, where Lissa also attended, I got to show my BJJ skills in my fight and in the grappling tournaments. I expected that I was coming into this tournament marked as a ground fighter. I knew Lissa had a lot of stand up experience and probably anticipated me going for the take down. Because of her experience, I looked at Lissa as the perfect person to test my stand up game with. So, my game plan was to stand with her.

Fightergirls: Christina really fought that triangle for a while. Did you plan on taking her to the ground?

Barb: I was prepared to take my fight against Christina wherever it ended up. I knew she had a great ground game, but I am comfortable there as well. She had very good defense against my triangle, but I got it pretty early in the round and knew I had time to adjust and let her tire out, so I held it.

Fightergirls: Jeff Osborne told the crowd he felt the women in the competition were among the top amateurs in their weight classes. What will best indicate that it is time to step up to the pro ranks?

Barb: We have been talking about going pro a lot lately. I am at a place where we are keeping our eyes open for the right opportunity. My coach would like for me to have 10 amateur fights before moving up, but if a good offer came up, we would certainly consider it.

Fightergirls: Who do you think is the best pro in your weight class today?

Barb: The best pro in my class is Megumi Fuji. She is amazing!

Fightergirls: Do you have another fight lined up yet?

Barb: The next one is on June 27^th. I am not sure who it will be against yet or where it will be because there are two different show trying to get me on their card.

Fightergirls: I know that in the fightergirls.com forums someone said they would like to have seen Lauren Feldman get to the finals. How would you feel about fighting her somewhere down the road?

Barb: Lauren looked great at Hook’n’Shoot. One of the promoters mentioned her as a potential fighter for their June 27^th card. I would love to take that fight.

Fightergirls: You fought almost a total of 15 minutes that night. How do you feel about the women pros fighting 5 minute rounds like their male counterparts?

Barb: I think woman pros should have 5 minute rounds. The more experienced fighters are more technical and the fight requires more strategy. Fights with 3 minute rounds don’t give the fighters time to feel each other out the way the men do. The fights get rushed and they end up looking less skilled then they really are.

Fightergirls: Thanks again Barb. Is there anything you’d like to say in closing?

Barb: Yes, I have so many people to thank. Thank you to my husband Timm, who helps keep me balanced. My MMA and BJJ coach Steve Berger, thank you for believing in me even when I have doubted myself. I also want to thank Kevin Bozada, Valerie Coolbaugh and Mark Botindry for their contributions to my training. Finally, I want to give my gratitude to my amazing team, especially the guys who look beyond my gender and train with me like any another fighter.

Lynn "Lights Out" Alvarez
1/26/2009 4:40:28 PM
Posted by Erin Webb

Name: Lynn "Lights Out" Alvarez

Record: Pro 4-1

Weight Class: 115-120 lb

Fights Out of: Raydord Martial Arts/Legion Jiujitsu in Las Vegas, NV

How did you get into fighting: I started off training Kajukenbo, which is a traditional mixed martial art comprised of Karate, Judo, Jiujitsu, Kenpo, and Chinese boxing. I earned my black belt, and it was just a matter of time until I started actively competing. My instructor, Sifu Joe Solie, mentioned the idea of full contact fighting, and I was all for it. We started off with some kickboxing matches, then transitioned to MMA.

Toughest opponent to date: I would have to say Michelle Ould. She was a very tough opponent, very well rounded, had A LOT of heart and was very strong. It was a real battle in all aspects of our fight. She's a great fighter/person and I hope to see her competing again soon.

Who would you most like to fight: Hmm...I am pretty set on avenging my one loss, which is against Angela Magana.

Next fight: Feb. 28, 2009, Freestyle Cage Fighting, opponent is Angela Magana, the Bantamweight Champion.

Training Regimen: I train 6 days a week in Muay Thai, jiujitsu, and judo. I do cardio 5 days/week and weight training 4 days a week.

Other Hobbies: Racquetball

Goal for 2009: My goal is to constantly become a better fighter and improve in all aspects of my game.

Anything you want to add: Thank you to my manager, Sam Wilson. My coaches Kenny Rayford and Cameron Diffley. My dad, the best father in the world. The greatest boyfriend ever, Shandon Eguchi, and my best friend, Paul Hirayama. :) Without these people, I wouldn't be where I am today.

Jessica Bednark
1/23/2009 7:39:41 AM
Posted by Erin Webb

Name: Jessica Bednark Record: 5-1 Pro MMA, 0-1 World Combat League, 0-1 Pro Boxing

Weight Class: 135, had my 1st two MMA fights at 145, fought spring 2008 in the WCL at 128

Fights Out of: St. Cloud, MN . There is a boxing gym in town that my boyfriend Jay and I use as a facility to train in. My boyfriend Jay has solid wrestling skills (placed in State twice in high school in Minnesota) and has been kickboxing for about 5 years. He is 5'4, 140 lbs, so he is the same weight as me. I thought I had a harder work ethic than anyone I trained with until I met Jay. He pushes me hard every day, wearing me out and expecting me to not slow my pace or get sloppy. He is the best training partner I've ever had because he has such high expectations and is very impatient if I don't meet them very quickly. Unlike a lot of guys, he seems oblivious to me being a girl and will hit me hard when we spar and be very rough when we wrestle and practice jiu-jitsu. There is nowhere to learn MMA in St. Cloud. When we have money (we're catching up from being on disability) we drive a little over an hour to the cities (area) to train at Northway Gym (former UFC champ Dave Menne's gym).

How did you get into fighting: I started karate at 13 years old. Despite it being American sport karate (point fighting) when we were not competing, we sparred with heavy contact at my karate school. I did well when I competed in point sparring, but I always thought that I would do better in full contact fighting (where there isn't a break every time a kick or punch is landed) because I can take and deliver hard strikes. I didn't even know what MMA was until I was 18. When I was 19, I took my 1st MMA fight and won by rear naked choke in the 3rd round. A week later, I got ejected from a car, breaking my back (in addition to 4 bulging discs in my back) and tearing my rotator cuff in my left shoulder. I was on bed rest for a few months. I could not go back to work or training for almost a year. During my recovery, I decided that when I got better I was going to train for MMA and fight. In the spring of 2007, I started going back to the gym. My back was too messed up at first to kick, but I boxed for a few months and slowly rehabilitated myself into being able to do everything again. About 2 months after I had been back in the gym, my 1 training partner - my boyfriend Jay - tore his ACL wrestling. What he was told was going to be a 3 week recovery turned into a 6 month recovery after he had surgery. Money was tight trying to catch up on bills from being on disability for so long, and now my boyfriend was making less than half of his usual paychecks. We were strapped for money, and I didn't think I was ready to fight (cause my ground game was non-existent), but I took a fight anyway. The girl I fought was 3-0 amateur and 3-0 pro. I knocked her out cold in the 3rd round. It didn't pay much, but it made the car payment that month and lifted our spirits. I kept fighting and kept winning, despite feeling that I wasn't getting the training I needed. So here I am now, busting my ass every day, trying to absorb what I can with anyone who will teach me, sparring with whoever walks in the gym every day, just trying to be faster and stronger and in better cardio shape than the next girl I fight.

You mentioned fighting for Chuck Norris' World Combat League, what was that experience like: I fought on the Miami Force team. Al Wichers, one of the refs for the WCL, refereed my second MMA fight in Wisconsin. I knocked the chick I fought out cold in the 3rd round and after the fight he told me I should fight for the WCL. This was September 2007 and the season for WCL started in about a month. I had just cut weight for the 1st time (only 7lbs) to make 145. When he told me that I had to weigh in at 128 to fight, I didn't think I could make it - I hadn't been below 140 in years. My next fight (5 months later) was at 135. I cut from 150 again and weighed in at 133 and felt great during the fight. I figured, what's another 5 pounds, I can do that, so I called up Al and told him I wanted to fight for WCL the next season. He told me there was a girl that was injured on one team and they needed someone to fill her spot for the playoffs. A month later, I started for the Miami team in the playoffs. We fought the New York team. I fought Jennifer Santiago, who is ranked higher than any other chick in the WCL. Her back round is karate and boxing. She fights like a point fighter, a very good one. She likes to keep the distance and then come in and tag her opponents with a few quick strikes. She hates fighting in close. Every time I closed the distance, she fell on her butt (3 times in our 3 minute fight) and they'd just call it a slip and separate us. It kind of irritated me. We had an alright fight, it was close. We each landed a few good shots, but we blocked most of each other's strikes. She got the win and I think she deserved it. I felt like I moved really slowly during that fight. The weight cut was rougher than I expected. I cut from 142 to 126 (weighed in 2lbs under) in 4 days. I had trouble regaining my strength and keeping food down after that fight. This experience caused me to start dieting and eating better, and since that fight, I haven't cut (meaning starving and dehydrating/sweating) more than 5 pounds for any fight. I would like to do WCL again, but I need to take some time and get used to maintaining a much lower weight. I like taking kickboxing and boxing matches because I think it makes my MMA fighting better, but I never care to have a big career as a kickboxer or boxer. It was great to be able to fight in the World Combat League, but MMA is my focus. I take a lot of pride in my MMA fighting, because I feel like it is more physically and mentally demanding than other kinds of fighting. Oh, back to the WCL- our team lost, so we were done for the season.

Toughest opponent to date: Nana Berto, because she's the only person I've lost too. She is a very strong girl and she is aggressive on the feet and has very technical jiu-jitsu. I got choked in the 1st round. I don't feel like I fought very well that fight - I wasn't mentally focused - but regardless, she whooped my ass.

Who would you most like to fight: I really don't care. I'm not looking to go after any big names yet, I don't feel like I'm at that level yet. Right now I am really focused on getting consistent training from Dave Menne's gym and getting more experience. It was looking like I was going to fight Tonya Evinger a month ago, but that fell through. I expect we'll probably fight sometime in 2009. Kaitlin Young is right in Minnesota and I think we would put on a really entertaining fight if we fought. The problem is, I've yet to meet a promoter in Minnesota that pays decent - for MMA that is. Katlin Young and I were lined up to fight what would have been my second fight, but she withdrew to do the show that landed her a fight on Elite XC. I don't expect to get a fight with her any time soon. She goes to a gym that has a lot of recognition and I don't, so unless it's a big show I doubt we'll be fighting each other. My boyfriend wants me to get a fight with Sara Schnieder.

Next fight: I think I have a boxing match in January, but it hasn't been finalized yet. The next MMA fight I will have I believe will be January 31st for Combat USA. They put on really good shows and I really like the promoter. I think I will be fighting Karen Williams a second time. On Sept 29th, 2008, I TKOed her in 1 min 58 seconds into the 1st round. She didn't do a damn thing in those 2 minutes to deserve a rematch. I came out, threw a few kicks and punches, landed every single one, she rushed in, took me down and threw a few little punches to my face that did no damage, immediately I turned her, got on top of her and dropped punches and elbows to her face for the next 1 ½ minutes. I landed 4 elbows to her face in a row right before the ref stepped in and stopped it. She was tough, she was trying to fight out of it, but I don't think she has the skills to take me. I don't think she deserves a rematch. I don't think she has anything for me and I think I'm going to manhandle her a second time in our next fight. The reason they think she deserves a rematch is because the fight was for a belt, so it was 12 - 2 minute rounds (the promoter thinks it's more entertaining with the shorter rounds). So the ref stopped it 2 seconds before the end of the round, and a lot of people would have liked to see a second round. Plus, the fights are in Wisconsin, she's from Wisconsin and undefeated (until then) and some people from Wisconsin think she's tough just because they've seen her knock a couple chicks out. Doesn't matter, our re-match won't last long either.

Training Regimen: I spar 5 to 6 days a week, primarily with my boyfriend, but with whoever is willing to spar – kickboxers, boxers, mixed martial artists, tae kwon do dudes, ect. We spar 5 min rounds, 15 second rest for over an hour– no breaks. I also roll about 3 days a week. 3 to 4 days a week I hit bags with heavy gloves and sometimes weights on my ankles to work endurance, technique and speed. In the mornings before school I run at least 5 miles (slowly increasing the miles). I lifted weights through most of my teenage years, but quit when I broke my back. I just resumed weightlifting this week, but haven't come up with a real set plan for how I'm going to go about it, but I will keep it up because I feel like I'm getting old and losing my strength now that I just turned 22.

Other Hobbies/etc: I am going to school with the goal of becoming a physician's assistant. I started out going for art, but changed my major because I don't want to struggle so much to make money. I love to paint and draw, but rarely have time to do it. I live with my boyfriend who is a single father. I've been helping him raise his son since he was 17 months old and now he is 4. Not really a hobby, but very time consuming, but worth it. He is a great kid and comes to the gym with us while we train every day. They haven't nailed down what he has yet, but it's some form of asbergers - but he's very high functioning. He has speech, physical and occupational therapy twice a week and goes to a special preschool 3 times a week to get him ready for regular preschool, so taking turns running him around to his appointments is a very big part of my life as well. Other than that I just like hanging out with my boys and seeing my family whenever I can.

Goal for 2009: Arrange my finances so that I can train at Dave Menne's gym a few times every week. Also, I'd like to maintain a lower weight. I have been weighing about 142, fighting at 135 and I want to maintain 130, taking fights at 125 and 135. Anything you want to add: It's not on this website, but my pro record is 5-1 (my first fight was never reported and I'm sure it never will be – it was almost 3 years ago). But the fight I'm talking about is when I fought Karen Williams on Sept 29, 2008. I'm not sure if this is accurate (you guys would probably know better than anybody), but the promoter said that this fight was the 1st women's MMA main event on a card where all the other fights on the card were guy fights. It was for a belt that was vacant prior to that.

http://www.athenamedusa.com/?p=883

2009-07-17T12:21:00.001-07:00

Jen Aniano Interview

AthenaMedusa e-interviewed mixed martial arts fighter, Jen Aniano in July 2009. We’ve included video from her match in Premier League Fighting Championship 3.

Stats
Name: Jen “Tink” Aniano
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Born: 1986
Height: 5′ 0″
Weight: 115 lbs.
Family: Single with a Boston terrier named Jake, a pit bull named Casey, and a bearded dragon named Willis.

How long have you been training in mixed martial art?
Started wrestling at 15, MMA 2.5 years ago and jiu-jitsu 8 months.

What weight class do you compete in?
I walk around at 115lbs. Amateur I take match-ups mostly much bigger than me. When I turn pro within the next year or so I will be fighting at 105lbs. I am waiting to finish my intensive masters program at UofM before I go pro.

Where do you currently train?
Self Defense Academy of Michigan under Motor City Boxing and Jamel’s Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

What’s an average week’s training schedule for you, including any other type of training you do? (CrossFit, other martial arts, etc.)?
I just started my masters in June; however, when I am training full time I am in the gym 6 days a week. A typical Mon/Wed is BJJ 6-7 MMA 7-9:30. A typical Tues/Thurs is BJJ 7-9. A typical Friday MMA 6-9. Typical Sat is BJJ from 10-12 MMA from 1:30-4. Since I am now living in Ann Arbor and I am in class 9 hours a day I am taking a hiatus from BJJ and concentrating on MMA. I am at the gym Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat. Tues/Thurs/Sun I do rounds in my apartment alternating 5 min on a stationary bike, 5 min ground and pound rounds, 5 min shadow boxing, 5 minutes on a heavy bag, 5 min with resistance bands. I basically do that until I cannot stand it any longer. As you can imagine I do not entertain at my apartment as my living area is pretty much a gym with a tv.

Who influences you most in your training?
My trainer Dom O’grady. He shaped me. I have a wrestling background. Other than that I owe him everything I have accomplished. He is a brilliant fighter and I respect him and trust his training unconditionally.

Have you ever quit or considered quitting? Why/why not?
I have had a bad few weeks. I lost a fight I should not have lost and did not deserve to lose. And I grappled like I left my brain at home this weekend. The last few weeks have been a big adjustment period in my personal life as far as school and some other stuff that has gone on. But I am at this point where I am searching deep to find out what I really want and need. After I lost for a second a thought maybe I was not cut out for this. But then I realized I was born to do it. I could not live without MMA and without my teammates. I love this sport it is my life. I have never quite anything before and I do not ever plan on quitting. As that saying goes “I am a wrestler and I will reap what I sew.”

Would you describe yourself as addicted to training? If yes, what about it is so compelling? If not, why not?
Yes, I just cannot live without it. I need an outlet. Going to the bars and living the “young single life” is not my thing. I need structure.

How often do you compete in mixed martial art? In jiu-jitsu?
As often as possible I have only had 4 MMA fights in 2.5 yrs because of my small size. BJJ I would say three time per year.

What benefits do you see to being one of relatively few women in the community? Disadvantages?
Advantages are the door is wide open disadvantages are I have to knock the door down to get through. There are a lot of people that support us but a lot of people that don’t. Another disadvantage is finding opponents small enough for a fair fight. Also the disparity in talent and technique between amateur and pro is astounding. You have to be very, very, very good to make it as a pro female fighter.

What are your short and long term goals?
Short term to complete this masters program and still train hardcore while also getting a few fights in. Long term goal is to be a pro.

What advice would you give to the women who are at the beginning of their mixed martial arts or jiu-jitsu journey?
Chin up. Everyone has to win and everyone has to lose. Let every experience teach you what you must improve on to move forward.

How do we get more women into this sport?
I believe chicks have this thing where they are very territorial. If you are the only woman on your team often times you do not want other chicks on the team. I don’t know why women get all petty like that but sometimes they do. So if you are a female MMA fighter be good to the women that try to join your team. Mold them and
shape them into good fighters. Training other women really does help your own game so embrace them.

Do you have any nicknames?
My trainer has this theory that you should never give yourself a nickname. It is something that has to happen and cannot be forced. So, “Tink” unfortunately happened to me. :) I have loved Peter Pan since I was a little kid, actually Hook is my second favorite movie too, so I have Tinkerbell attire. I showed up at the gym one day I had to cut some weight for my first MMA fight and I had this fleece Tinkerbell sweatshirt that had been my cutting sweatshirt since high school wrestling. Thus I was dubbed Jen “Tink” Aniano.

Anything else you’d like to add to help our readers get to know you better?
Watch for me out there. I plan on making the big leagues in the next two years.

I Have to get my Head Back into the Game

2009-07-12T09:23:00.002-07:00

The only thing preventing me from being a great fighter is my brain. I am going to hit the gym twice as hard now despite this intensive masters program. I will survive this year of school. student teaching and fighting. I will persevere and I will come out on top. I will reap what I sew.

EliteXC

2008-10-26T16:50:00.000-07:00

Man... the closing of EliteXC means two different things. As a fight fan I saw it coming and I cannot say I am that mad about it. The fights for the most part were garbage and I might go far enough to say they were fixed. The fighters were protected (Carano and Kimbo). So as a fan who knows and respects the game I cannot be too sad about the folding of EliteXC. I can, however, be sad that EliteXC was the only prime time demonstration of MMA. The organization had the opportunity to bring the MMA game to people who cannot afford to buy paper views, buy tickets to events or run up a tab at the bar, however; they failed miserably to bring an intelligent and well thought out game plan to the public. As a female fighter though, I am uneasy. EliteXC was the only current organization to offer so many women a contract and opportunity. And we all know the UFC will not afford women the same opportunity. First of all there is no sense in arguing with Dana White because he would not listen and he has some valid reasons for not putting women on the card. So, the fact remains is everything is ridding on the AFL to come through and give women the deals that EliteXC did. OR maybe no one will give women the shot they deserve and everyone will blame the amount of women in EliteXC on the folding of the organization.

Digital Journalism Hobby Story

2008-10-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

Some people have hobbies they love and enjoy. Some people dislike their jobs and or careers. Why not turn a hobby into a career to love and enjoy?

Twenty-five year old Oakland University business student Jon Aniano has turned his childhood hobby of playing with computers and the Internet into a career. Since 2004 he has worked at Active Media Architects, an Internet design company. His current job title is chief operating officer.

"I was roughly 11 years old when I began working on computers," said Aniano. "Back then, computers weren't so "turn key." They quite frequently "broke" and were costly to fix. I quickly became adept at troubleshooting hardware and software issues, mostly by trial and error with a few costly and explosive mishaps, until I was comfortable tackling larger and larger computer projects."

According to a Monster.com article, there are a few things to decide before turning a hobby into a career path. First and most important is to decide how marketable the hobby is. The hobby has to be researched to see if the revenue it can offer can support the cost of living.

Monster.com also suggests thinking through the idea of your hobby taking over every minute of everyday. They suggest that sometimes hobbies are not as interesting when turned into a full time career.

"I will definitely continue to go to school to grow myself as a person and to add value to myself as an employee," said Aniano. "But, I will definitely strive to keep computers and the Internet a major part of my lifetime employment. I ultimately would like to help make an impact on the way people or businesses use and interact with computers and the Internet - wherever that takes me I will go."

According to Olivia CrosbyÕs "Turn your Hobby into a Career" on Jobjournal.com turning a hobby into a career is often an exercise in critical thinking.

Recent Eastern Michigan University journalism graduate and Specs Howard School of Broadcasting graduate Paul Cicchini, 24, loves listening to sports talk radio and writing. He also loves and knows facts about most sports. Cicchini decided to get his degrees in order to turn his sports obsession into a broadcasting and writing career.

"When I first heard Jim Rome in 2003 I knew I wanted to be on the radio," said Cicchini. "As for writing, I always liked writing, but it wasn't until 2004 that I decided to study journalism."

Cicchini is on his way to turning his dream of sports reporting into a reality.

"I work for Mentor Partners; it's a small radio group," said Cicchini. "One day I hope this radio gig, or one in the future leads to bigger things. I want to write a newspaper column, have a sports talk radio show and be on TV."

Crosby also insists that pursuing a hobby as a career must be looked at as an adventure. Seeking this career path may be a failure, which is why Crosby suggests thoroughly researching the options the hobby presents.

Fists for Freedom

2008-08-04T14:43:00.001-07:00

The Olympics provide a stage for the entire world to, not only watch sports, but also fight for beliefs. Yet in recent Olympic history, the world has ignored the true calling of the Olympics.

The 2008 Olympics comes at a time when the first African American is running for the U.S. Presidency, Tibet is fighting for freedom from China, and Iraq is searching for its identity from the coalition, among many other world issues. Why then has the Olympic Committee decided to hold the Olympics in China?

Given the current state of international affairs, many human beings do not respect the decision to hold the Olympics in China.

On the other hand, China may be the perfect place to make a political statement.

Often times, athletes in the Olympics are fighting for rights or freedoms in their home countries. If the world believes that China has violated human rights and freedoms, then what better place is there to bring the world's eyes to the attention of human injustice? And who better to protest than the athletes themselves?

The 1968 Olympics is a perfect example of how a controversial location and an unstable international climate could lead to an everlasting memory of the human spirit and a symbol of rights and freedom for oppressed people across the globe.

Mexico City was a turbulant place when the Olympics moved in. And 1968 was a time of wars and international unrest—America itself was fighting an internal freedom struggle.

The Vietnam war was in full swing entering its ninth year and Martin Luther King Jr. died shortly before the Olympics in April of 1968. The world, alongside of America, would mourn.

Mexico City was plagued with violence. Many young citizens of Mexico believed the Olympics was a waste of social funding and authority. Mexican student protesters were massacred a few days before the Olympics and nearly 300 died.

The world's eyes were on the 1968 Olympics not only for the joy and fuffilment of watching the athletes and believing in passion but also because of the international and political climate of the time.

San Jose University African American track runners, John Carlos and Tommie Smith, understood then that this was an opportunity for them to peacefully protest the injustices of the U.S. racial system and the hopelessness of human rights injustices around the world.

Smith took the gold with an impressive 19.5 second 200 meter run. Carlos finished with a bronze.

The two solemnly walked to the podium where they were adorned with flowers and medals. Both men wore black socks with no shoes and sported human rights badges. They climbed the podium and their black socks clashed with the white boxes beneath their feet.

Slowly the national anthem began to play. Both men bowed their heads and proudly raised a fist encased in a black glove into the air in the black power salute.

These men were good enough to compete for their country but were not good enough to share the liberties that other Americans enjoyed. They understood that.

They used the controversial stage set at the Mexico City Olympics to their advantage.

While they were barred from further competition in the Olympics and were not heroically received in the U.S., Carlos and Smith are looked upon as heroes of the civil rights movements and heroes of human rights around the world.

China, much like Mexico City, is a controversial place to hold the Olympics. The Iraq war, much like the Vietnam War, is a controversial war. The Tibetan Freedom Fight, much like the African American Freedom Fight, is one that the world is watching.

If the actions of two men in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City can be a part of the reason why an African American man can run for the 2008 presidential seat, then China is the perfect stage to set the Olympics.

The world should not boycott the Olympics for its location—instead the world should celebrate the athletes who made the games, and the athletes should use the Olympics to make a small, yet meaningful, difference.

London allotments and the 2012 Olympics

2008-07-05T10:35:00.000-07:00

The stage has been set for the 2012 Olympics in London. While many Olympic fans in England are extraordinarily happy to host the Olympics others are upset with the cost.

One side effect of the Olympics is reconstruction. While the reconstruction efforts can add diversity and new life to areas that otherwise are not thriving some areas are essentially being destroyed.

London has a series of land allotments that are a traditional part of society. Many people use these allotments to feed their families and friends and to experience nature.

When the Olympic committee and delegates moved in they deemed these land allotments a destructible part of the reconstruction projects.

Hundreds of allotment holder's lands have been forcibly removed and relocated to unsuitable areas. Many British are out of their land and out of hope.

Some of these allotments have been in families for generations. The Olympics are supposed to be a sine of peace and worldly togetherness so why is it so destructive? Why not use these allotments to the advantage of everyone and display them for the world to see as an integral part of British society?

Has the Olympic Committee and the Olympic games gone too far?

What Would The Founding Fathers Think?

2008-06-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

I look at this coming presidential election as both exciting and sad. I do not believe that the founders of this country could have foreseen an African American man winning a presidential candidate nomination nor do I believe they could have foreseen a women coming in at a close second. This is an exciting time for any man, woman or child no matter how you feel about who has been nominated.

Our country is changing and our political structure will surely change too. But I believe some of the changes have been negative ones. The fact that a two-party system exists really ruins the integrity of our "democracy." The fact is this system really is not democratic. I do not want to vote for McCain or Obama yet in November I will be forced to decide between the two.

Yes I have seen a presidential ballot before! And yes I do understand that there are Libertarians and the Green Party with others, but do you know who is running for those parties? Have you seen them debating Obama or McCain? Do you sincerely believe that is a true democracy?

I believe the two-party system is an unfortunate side effect of a divisive American past and that the system has ruined the integrity of America, of freedom, and of the democratic process.

Enterprise Story- Unpublished Version For Class

2008-05-15T16:33:00.001-07:00

Echoes of Fear Still Ring Out

A year and a half after the Dec. 15, 2006 murder of Laura Dickinson committed on Eastern Michigan University’s campus students still fear for their safety.
“I would tell them I completely understand their apprehension,” said Student Body President Greg Jones. “However, the problems that have occurred in the past are largely a result of systematic failures that have now been highlighted and are being resolved.”
According to the Program Review Report by the U.S. Department of Education from June 29, 2007, from the time of the murder to the time of the arrest “EMU did not provide any relevant information to the campus that would alert it of a potential safety threat.”
“It was frustrating because the misinformation and then the murder revelation caused students to fear and be angry,” said former Student body President during the Dickinson murder Daniel Cicchini. “What the police did may not necessarily have endangered students but the way the information came out created terrible fear. Students were never in danger but the way the info was handled was irresponsible.”
“There are no benefits for covering up crimes,” said the new DPS Chief Greg O’Dell. “I think it is important to be completely open and honest.”
The Department of Education in their Program Review Report concluded EMU was noncompliant in several areas with the Clery Act.
EMU failed to provide a “Timely Warning” in response to a homicide investigation, had a lack of administrative capability, lacked a timely warning policy, failed to properly disclose crime statistics, lacked adequate policy statements, failed to report all required statistics occurring on public property and in non-campus buildings or property, and failed to properly maintain a crime log.
“I can think of one or two incidents in all of the years that I have been working where it was briefly beneficial to withhold information,” said Chief O’Dell. “Withholding information almost never makes sense.”
According to the report EMU misreported sexual offense crimes in the Annual Security Report for 2003-2005. Four non-forcible sex offenses in 2003, one non-forcible sex offense in 2004, and three non-forcible sex offenses in 2005 met the definition for and should have been reported as forcible criminal sexual conduct incidents.
EMU also misreported campus judiciary referrals and arrest statistics related to alcohol, drug and illegal weapons possession violations.
The report also points out information listed in electronic form and on the Internet has conflicted with information in the Annual Security Report. For example, crimes have not been categorized by location as required by law. Time frames have also been left out of reporting. EMU has also been accused of inaccurately or not in a timely matter updating the campus crime log maintained by DPS and required by law.
“I would absolutely comply with federal law,” said Chief O’Dell. “You are doing a great disservice not to come forward with information. If we have information that applies why not tell [the community].”
Security on Campus, Inc filed a formal complaint against EMU for violating the Clery Act. EMU was accused of withholding information and not presenting the campus community with a “timely warning” that a potential murder was committed on campus.
On Dec. 15, 2006, 22-year-old Laura Dickinson of Hastings was found dead on the floor of her dorm room on the fifth floor of Hill Hall. Dickinson was found naked from the waist down with a pillow over her head.
On Dec. 16, 2006 EMU released a written statement explaining, “at this point there is no reason to suspect foul play.” A series of reasons for Dickinson’s death soon followed. A potential drug and/or alcohol overdose was ruled out by an autopsy. A heart condition was also blamed for the death and later ruled out.
In Eastern Echo reporter Christine Laughren’s “Student Found Dead in Dorm,” Dickenson’s father is quoted as saying he did not believe his daughter died as a result of violence. The article was published on Jan. 9, 2007.
On Feb. 23, 2007, 21-year-old Orange Taylor III was arrested and charged with the rape and murder of Dickinson.
“Students did not necessarily have the right to know all of the details of the investigation,” said Cicchini. “But students had a right to not deliberately be lied to and to be informed.”
“There was a complete lack of the proper structure to handle an on-campus murder,” said Jones. “As a result, EMU was caught off guard and some people made some decisions that hurt the university pretty badly.”
After the complaint was lodged by Security on Campus, Inc, Vice President for Student Affairs Jim Vick was placed on paid administrative leave. Eventually, Vick, President John Fallon, and Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Cindy Hall were fired.
“To my understanding they were involved in the investigation,” said Cicchini. “I did not know more than what other students were told. I think there was a series of poor decisions and correctable mistakes.”
According to the Ann Arbor News, EMU settled with the Dickinson family for $2.5 million. However, the settlement did not include an admission of liability on the part of the university.
According to Transcript.com EMU was fined $357,000 for violating the Clery Act. The University was found guilty of committing 13 offenses against the federal law.
According to the Ann Arbor News even after EMU was cited for violating federal law, the campus failed to issue a campus wide security alert four months after the incident.
Two students witnessed an intruder grab a computer and flee from their room Nov. 1, 2007. EMU failed to comply with the Clery Act while being scrutinized for violating the Clery Act.
“One thing I am doing is evaluating all procedures,” said Chief O’Dell. “I have issued new ones and worked with legal council. Some have already taken affect.”
While there was a murder on campus and there are occasional crimes EMU’s crime statistics are comparable to other large universities. According to the EMU safety and security website the Dickinson murder was the only on-campus homicide in EMU’s 159-year history.
“I did a matrix of crime statistics,” said Chief O’Dell. “I put together the MAC schools and local Michigan schools. We are in the middle or bottom third of most of the statistics.”
The Department of Education Report does site errors in statistical reporting of crimes by EMU, however, also points out EMU has seen a decline in sex offenses, robberies and aggravated assaults since 2005 to 2006.
“Campus safety efforts have been stepped up in hiring an outside security firm to augment the existing framework, SEEUS hours have been expanded and just about every member of the administration was required to attend a two-day training session on the Clery Act,” said Jones. “The systematic issues that caused the subsequent debacle seems to have been resolved.”
According to the EMU safety and security website EMU has experienced a drop in the number of forcible sexual offenses. The sexual offenses on EMU’s campus have dropped from 11 to six during the last year.
EMU also installed over 200 security cameras, added swipe cards at the entrances of 11 residence halls and changed more than 5,500 locks.
“I think the university offers many services to assist in being prepared to deal with crime,” said Jones. “The situation is slowly improving.”
EMU offers crime prevention seminars. Since 1987 there have been over 1,200 seminars.
Some seminars include rape aggression defense, theft prevention and self-defense protection. For more information on crime prevention seminars contact Officer Candice Dorsey at (734) 487-0987.

City Council Story- Unpublished

2008-05-15T16:30:00.001-07:00

Concerned with parking issues, Berkley residents confronted the city council at the bimonthly meeting on Monday.
Residents living on Edgewood Street voiced their concerns to the council about the potential dangers of a new local restaurants parking situation.
Bagger Daves’, located at the corner of Edgewood Street and Coolidge Highway, patrons are parking on Edgewood Street when the lot is full.
Resident Mary Nelson voiced her concern about being unable to park in her driveway.
“It is very inconvenient, more than inconvenient, in fact, dangerous when they park on either side of my driveway in particular,” said Nelson. “I don’t think we are getting a fair share of our tax dollars.”
Resident, Michelle Buckler, voiced her concerns about child safety.
“I think it is rather dangerous,” said Buckler. “We have a lot of children on our block who play outside and run around.”
The solution may be as simple as stop sign at the exit or making the street permit paring only.
“Why couldn’t e make this permit parking for residents?” asked Buckler
Another resident Lyoness Borowski is trying to sell his house but fears the constant traffic on his street will drop property values.
“ Seven days a week there is no chance for anyone stopping by to visit to park there,” said Borowski. “Property values with the way they are going is going down and people aren’t going to want to move here with the parking situation.”
Councilman Phil O’Dwyer said most Berkley citizens are receptive to the new businesses coming to the area.
“We will need to look to a way to work with Bagger Daves to allow business to continue but also satisfy the citizens,” said O’Dwyer.
The city council welcomed a new member to the Berkley Police Force. Dennis Greary was sworn in as a Public Safety Officer.
“There are roughly 45 officers in the Berkley Police Department,” said O’Dwyer. “There were two sworn in this year because of retirements”
Another major topic of discussion was the closing of the Berkley Veteran’s of Foreign War Post 9222.
Resident Ben Baily wants the community to understand that VFW Post 9222 is not just for socializing and drinking.
“We are currently doing things like adopt a highway and we are staying active,” said Baily. “We are not trying to receive recognition or accolades we are trying to get an understanding from the community that we are more than just old guys who sit at a bar.”
Post 9222 served the community for 54 years.
“The VFW was present in the community through service,” said O’Dwyer. “This certainly is a nostalgic time.”

Court Story Example-unpublished

2008-05-15T16:29:00.001-07:00

ROSEVILLE – A Fraser man pleaded not guilty to illegal possession of a narcotic on Feb. 27 at the 39th District Court of the State of Michigan.
Matthew Gordon was pulled over by Roseville police on Dec. 15, 2007 and allegedly had Oxycodone on his person without a prescription. He was charged with illegal possession of a narcotic and faces a felony conviction.
Judge Catherine B. Steenland asked Gordon if he had anything to say. Gordon proceeded to apologize and was stopped by Judge Steenland.
“You don’t want to do that Mr. Gordon,” said Judge Steenland. “Do you have the money to post bond; at least $1,000?”
Judge Steenland noticed a baby in the courtroom.
“Is that your baby?” asked Judge Steenland.
Gordon nodded.
“Ok, can you post $500?“ asked Judge Steenland. “I am being extremely generous here.”
“Yeah, I can do that,” said Gordon. “Thank you judge.”
Gordon is expected to appear in court on March 5 for a preliminary examination.
Another Fraser man pleaded guilty to his second Operating While Under the Influence offense. In order to plead guilty Kenneth Bender had to corroborate the charges.
On Dec. 2,2007 Bender was pulled over by Roseville Police and according to his attorney Bender had a blood alcohol content of 0.18.
“I went out around 9 p.m. and had my share of three pitchers of beer,” said Bender. “I left the bar at around 12:30 a.m. and that’s when I was pulled over.”
Judge Steenland dropped Bender’s other charge of failure to change the address on an operator’s license.
“I will dismiss this charge since you are pleading guilty today,” said Judge Steenland.
Bender was convicted of his first OWI offense on June 24, 2003.
Bender was released on a $750 bond and will be sentenced on March 26.
A Chesterfield man also pleaded guilty to his second OWI offense. Roseville Police pulled over Edward Lavender on Feb. 12.
“I had four Long Island Iced Teas your honor,” said Lavender. Lavender was given two breathalyzers and subsequently had a BAC of 0.22 and 0.21.
“That’s a lot of liquor Mr. Lavender,” said Judge Steenland.
Lavender was convicted of his first OWI offense in Nov. 2007. He was released on a $250 bond. His sentencing will be on March 26.
Taminia Miller of Ypsilanti appeared for sentencing. The court did not state her offense.
Miller’s attorney argued she was in a tight financial situation and could not afford to pay large fines.
“She has three teenagers,” said Miller’s attorney. “Her paychecks are already being garnished because she previously filled for bankruptcy.”
Steenland sentenced Miller to 12 months probation. Miller is also ordered to attend an alcohol education program and a victim education panel. She must maintain employment and under no circumstances is permitted to use non-prescription drugs or drink alcohol.
Miller will be subject to random drug and alcohol screens. She must pay her $900 court fees within 180 days.
“I don’t expect to see you back here,” said Steenland. “I have been extremely generous and if I see you back that means you broke probation.”

Fighter Diary #5

2008-05-15T16:23:00.000-07:00

Wow I need a sponsor. These as prices are killing me. Driving 120 mi round trip every time I have to go to school and paying for classes are breaking my bank so bad that I can't train right now without a sponsor. We moved to a new gym and as opposed to being 1 mi from my house it is not 20 mi from my house, which relatively speaking is not far, but when I am driving so much already it is not so good. Plus I am going to HI in July and I don't get paid vacation days so I am hurting. And before anyone thinks poorly of my decision to go to HI it may be my last opportunity to go for just the plane ride. I don't have to pay for lodging and all of my friends know the non-tourists spots to hit. I am actually hoping to get some features and compositions out of the trip. So Bill Gates if you are out there and find this blog I really could use a sponsor :)

School board story example- unpulished

2008-05-15T16:22:00.001-07:00

WARREN - The Royal Oak Chapter of the Chinese Cultural Exchange Program joined the Warren Consolidated School District’s School Board at their March 19 meeting.
“We are all very aware that the global economy is a reality today,” said Executive Director of Secondary Education Todd Biederwolf. “We have to ensure our students that they will be competitive in business.”
Biederwolf and the Chinese Cultural Exchange Program members asked board members to support their initiative to begin a program that would eventually lead to high school students from China graduating from Warren Consolidated High Schools. Warren Consolidated Students would also have the opportunity to graduate from Chinese high schools.
Biederwolf and his supporters, including Principal of Sterling Heights High School Bob Scheonerr, believe programs such as these will allow American students to be competitive in business, understand the global economy, and learn Mandarin Chinese.
“Teaching our students Chinese is incredibly important to be well versed in today’s culture,” said Principal Scheonerr. “We hope that next year we can bring Shanghai students to Michigan. They will live in a boarding style home with adult supervision and graduate from Sterling with an American diploma.”
Eastern Michigan University and the International Higher Education Exchange Center have teamed up with Sterling Heights High School to aid in developing the program so all Warren Consolidated students can partake in the cultural exchange.
The board members were also asked to support changes in testing policies in the district in order to be compliant with policy 545 of the Michigan Merit Curriculum.
“I think it is important we talk about a waiver here,” said Biederwolf. “It’s not that we don’t care about health in education, but a student should be allowed to get that half credit in an area of interest.”
The board supported the change in the testing policy. Students will no longer be required to fulfill their half credit in health class in order to graduate. Now students may take another unrestricted elective, such as art, and will be eligible to graduate.
“Students may also be exempted from gym class with two seasons on the same J.V. or Varsity sport, two years of marching band, or one year of passing grade in WCS performing arts classes,” said Biederwolf. “The question is should we continue to do this?”
The board voted to allow students to continue to be exempt from gym class if they fulfill the requirement another way.
Students may also test out of classes so long as they receive a C-plus or higher. This raised concern with some board members.
“My own concern is a C-plus,” said Vice President Brendan Wagner. “I think we need to raise the bar. For testing, this is too low and most can do that with little effort.”
According to Biederwolf, the board cannot mandate students must receive a higher test score while testing out of classes because a C-plus is acceptable in Michigan law.
The Board also announced that Carter, Grissom and Carleton Middle Schools made it to the state band competition.

CHINA

2008-05-13T16:11:00.000-07:00

As an aspiring journalist I am really struggling now. With the cyclone a few weeks ago and now the Earthquake that has claimed 12,000 to date with he tole steadily rising I have begun to ask myself can I do this job? Will I be able to hold back the tears as countless lifeless bodies of children are pulled from the rubble of what once was a safe place for them to be. The tiny frozen hand clutching the pencil as if the child was gong to write his next sentence when his life was so ruthlessly stolen from him? Should I have to hold back the tears when reporting on such a catastrophe? Is that healthy or even human? I am a very empathetic person. As I saw the mothers clutching the bodies of their now dead children I cried, and I felt a heart so sharp in my heart I thought I may be sick. But why as a journalist is that so wrong? Isn't the point of journalism to bring the facts to the world, to help people through print? So why should I have to leave out the pain I feel when such a horrific event occurs? I am a strong woman, I am independent, dependable, practical, timely, yet this struck a chord with me. I won't apologize for that and I am not sure I have to even if some of the old timers would believe differentially.

Fighter Diary #4

2008-04-05T13:04:00.000-07:00

Grappling Update

4-3-1

I went to champions challenge a few weeks ago. I placed first but I realized I have a lot to work on. I have no guard passing skills whatsoever. And I am terrible at submission on top. I think that since when I am on top in fighting I throw punches I have not forced myself to learn submissions from an advantage position. I would love to train hardcore bjj but I cannot afford it. With school it is really hard to pay for anything else.

Maybe this summer since I don't have tot take summer classes I will be able to do a little bjj training. I think I would be an awesome grappler with my wrestling background if I could train hardcore.

I am going to Hawaii for to weeks in July to visit my best friend. I know there is some sweet bjj and MMA training out there. I am going to advantage of that.

Last weekend I went to a low level grappling tournament. I weighed in at 117. The one opponent I had weighed in at 135. Not a terrible disadvantage but I could not use my decent judo tossing abilities. She was just too heavy. I usually win grappling tournament on a good take down and quick knee on belly or mount. I have yet to submit anyone but I also have yet to catch myself on my back long enough to do so.

I went 1-1-1 with her. she beat me with a standing submission attempt and one by points. Then I won with take downs and a knee one belly in the second match. The third match I took her down and knee on belly to mount. She got a strong submission attempt. And they called it a draw. I say that is crap but it wasn't a ranked tournament so I don't care.

Fighter Diary #3

2008-03-05T07:56:00.000-08:00

I competed in the NAGA Tournament at the Arnold Classic this past weekend. I did the no-gi division. I have never trained in BJJ nor do I own a gi so that was my only option.

I decided that I will have more money and no classes this summer so I am going to take BJJ then. I am hoping to have my Blue Belt within a year. I work hard so I think I can do it.

I faired well for my first tournament and since I don't train BJJ. I won my first match. Did well in my second. I faced the girl who took first in no-gi and second in gi. We were even on points until I slipped out the back door and left my arm behind.

She arm bard me with 10 seconds left to go. I freaked and tapped way too quickly but it was a learning experience,

In my third match I was going for third place. I lost by 1 point. she had the submission attempt from the air. She was probably a foot taller than me and just kept guillotining me. She could not take me down with the choke but got the point for the standing attempt.

All in all I had a blast. I saw a few UFC guys and chatted with Carter. That was really cool!

Fighter Diary #2

2008-03-05T07:43:00.000-08:00

I had my second amateur fight last Thursday. The girl that I beat wanted a rematch. We were supposed to have that rematch a few weeks ago but she never showed up.

This time I won by TKO about one minute into the second round. This time she actually came back with a vengeance.

I have to hand it to her, she hit me with about seven good knees in a row before I ended it. And she took, with no exaggeration, at least seven straight rights to the face. I am pretty positive I broke her nose.

I thought I was going to knock her out cold. She made the mistake of trying to take me down. But with my wrestling experience unless my opponent is a very good wrestler, I am not getting taken down.

After being relentlessly kneed my adrenaline kicked in. As soon as I grabbed her leg as she kneed me she fell straight to her back. She has no sense of balance or mat awareness for someone who trains in grappling. My trainer wanted me to keep the fight standing so I let her back up.

As soon as she stood up I pounded her face until we hit the ropes in my corner. I then took her down and fell into her half guard. I still have a problem with quickly transitioning out of the guard when I take someone down.

Still yet, from half guard I managed to TKO her. Not bad!

I have to work on plenty of things before I move up to face harder opponents. But win or lose amateur competitions are always a learning experience. I guess knowing that is the first thing to learn. I am ready to start moving up. I have decided that being a pro fighter is what I want to do.

No there is not a lot of money in it for women. And yes I will have a double degree by December. But continuing to a Doctorate in history, or going back to school for my teaching degree, or sitting on my ass in an office just is not me. At least not yet.

This fighting thing is a bug. And it has been inside of me since I could remember. Except now I have finally figure out what I want to do. And nothing will stop me!

Fighter Diary #1

2008-02-25T11:26:00.000-08:00

So I had my first amateur cage fight a few weeks ago. I won in 47 secs by TKO. That was pretty cool, but I know that I have a long road ahead to be the great fighter I hope to be.

I have another fight coming up on Thurs. The girl I beat wants a rematch so I am accepting. And then on Sat it is time for the NAGA tourney at the Arnold Classic. I love the Arnold Classic. Cheap dietary products and many cool people. All in all it will be a fun weekend.

The it is back to the grind next week. Train hard, work, and school. I sacrifice a lot in order to fight and I hope this will all pay off in the end.

fate

2008-01-20T13:45:00.001-08:00

I BELIEVE IN FATE. FATE IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN TOUCH OR TASTE. FATE HAS NO ODOR OR COLOR. FATE IS UNRECOGNIZABLE AS A TANGEABLE OBJECT. BUT I KNOW WHEN FATE TAKES HOLD. I KNOW WHEN FATE WORKS ITS MAGIC. I BELIEVE THAT I AM IN THE HERE AND NOW BECAUSE OF FATE. A SERIES OF DECISIONS HAVE LANDED ME IN MY CURRENT CONDITION; A SERIES OF DECISION BROUGHT ABOUT BY FATE. ALTHOUGH I HATE MY LIFE SOMETIMES I CANNOT FAULT FATE FOR THAT HATRED. LIFE WILL HAND YOU LEMONS SOMETIMES SO GO AHEAD AND GRAB A SPOON FULL OF SUGAR AND MAKE LEMONADE. DONT HATE WHERE FATE HAS BROUGHT YOU BUT EMBRACE IT FOR WHERE IT MAY TAKE YOU.

SO HERE I AM RIGHT NOW. I AM ON THE VERGE OF GRADUATING COLLEGE, ON THE VERGE OF BECOMING SOMETHING I AM UNAWARE OF. HERE I AM ON THE VERGE OF BECOMING THE FIGHTER I WANT TO BE. HERE I AM ON THE VERGE OF SOMETHING SO BEAUTIFUL THAT I MIGHT ONE DAY CALL IT LOVE. HERE I AM WONDERING IF I SHOULD LEAVE THE PAST COMPLETELY BEHIND AND JUMP OFF THE LEDGE OF THIS PLACE THAT I AM STUCK IN. I KNOW I WANT TO BE A PRO FIGHTER AND I WANT TO WORK FOR THAT. I KNOW I WANT TO GO TO GRADUATE SCHOOL I JUST DON'T KNOW FOR WHAT. I KNOW I COULD FALL HEAD OVER HEALS FOR YOU IF YOU WOULD ONLY LET ME. I KNOW I WANT TO TRAVEL TO PLACES I HAVE NEVER BEEN. I KNOW I AM A DREAMER I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT MY DREAMS ARE.

INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FORCE MY LIFE AND MY RELATIONSHIP STATUS IN THE DIRECTION I THINK IT SHOULD GO, I LEAVE MY LIFE AND MY LOVE TO YOU FATE. SO IF FATE GOES MY WAY I WILL BE ABLE TO FIGHT FOR MANY YEARS TO COME AND BE PAID TO DO SO, YOU WILL REALIZE THAT WE MIGHT BE GOOD TOGETHER, I WILL GET A GOOD JOB THAT WE SUPPORT ME FINANCIALLY AND GIVE ME THE FREEDOM TO TRAIN AND TRAVEL, I WILL SOMEHOW FALL INTO GRADUATE SCHOOL, AND I WILL BE HAPPY. SO HERES TO YOU FATE. I YET AGAIN PUT MY LIFE IN YOUR HANDS. I TRUST YOU WILL POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS YOU ALWAYS HAVE.