MMA News and Fight Videos

I recently came across the video below…

Included within is a powerful tribute to the Ironman Triathlon.  Oddly enough, I hardly know anything about the Ironman.  It is not an event that I’ve ever followed.  I’ve never even seen it on TV.  It wasn’t until I watched a few Youtube videos earlier this year that I knew the specifics of the event.

So, why bother posting the video to this blog?

The answer is really quite simple.  Despite knowing nothing about the event, I am not ashamed to say that I am inspired by the athletes.  No, I do not have interest in the event, but I do admire anyone who puts forth a true, all out effort.

I see so many athletes and coaches who argue over which sport is the most difficult.  My answer to this debate is really quite simple however.  There is no such thing.  As I mentioned in a recent article, individual factors are much more significant.  I know fighters that I do not consider to be “tough” athletes.  They are involved in a tough sport, but their individual factors do not stack up to others in less contact based sports.

After watching Ironman footage, I see people from all walks of life who are giving everything they have, and then some.  When you give 110 percent, there is nothing else for you to give.  Such an effort is not dependent on the individual sport, but rather the individual person.  A half ass effort can be applied to any sport or task.

When I see someone put forth a truly gut wrenching performance and effort, I’ll tip my hat in respect, regardless of the event.   We do not all share the same interests in training or sport, but we should share the respect that is earned by those who go for it. What constitutes “it” is less important in my eyes.

The same logic applies to training.  We may not perform the same workouts, or even the same kind of workouts, but that does not mean we do not share the same intensity and effort.  We simply apply these factors towards different pursuits.  The bodybuilder may work as hard as the fighter.  The two simply apply their work in different directions.  Each competitor deserves respect for the effort, not the event that they have chosen.
Ross

At our old boxing gym, we covered the walls with photos of past champions.  We also had magazine and newspaper clippings of motivational stories that the younger fighters could read for inspiration.  There were countless clippings affixed to each of the four walls.

There was one particular story that stood out to everyone however.  Oddly enough, it was one of the few stories that wasn’t even related to boxing.   Everyone read the story at least once, but most of us found ourselves glancing over it on a regular basis.

This story was about Shun Fujimoto and his triumphs during the 1976 Olympic games.  After reading of his amazing performance, you couldn’t help but find motivation to continue training.  You could always find at least one more round in you.

As referenced in the link above, Fujimoto competed (and excelled) despite dealing with a broken kneecap.  His sense of pride and dedication to his teammates and country propelled him to one of the most amazing Olympic performances ever.  He amazingly committed to, and stuck a landing after a twisting triple-somersault dismount from the rings.  His leg only buckled slightly, as he raised his arms signifying the end of the performance.  He managed to hold back the pain of the broken kneecap, as well as the torn ligaments that followed his landing.

I highly recommend taking a few moments to watch the video below, which tells the story of his amazing performance.

Fujimoto’s story shows that we often have much more in us than even the most determined may realize.  Clearly, I’m not suggesting that we train for or through injury, but knowing what we are capable of is something that we can take strength in during difficult times.  This is particularly true for those involved in competitive sporting events.  I’ve been in the corner with fighters who had to literally get up from the canvas and fight their way back towards victory.  Knowing that the potential to keep going lies within is something that you can call on when necessary.

Fujimoto’s story serves as a reminder for what we are capable of when we truly commit ourselves to succeed, regardless of the obstacles that stand in the way.

Ross

Earlier in the year, I posted the video clip seen below.  It’s a great clip to get the adrenaline flowing before heading to the gym.

Two follow ups were posted to the forum last week.  I’ve linked to both below:

Part II

Part III

Regardless of your training interests, it’s always nice to see others who get up and bust some ass in the gym.

The intensity seen within these video clips is addictive however, so be warned!

Ross

It was recently brought to my attention that two videos posted to the blog were no longer active.  Both videos highlighted the truly amazing story of Dick and Rick Hoyt.  Their story has been featured on several programs for good reason, as it is truly one of the most inspirational stories you will ever find.  As a father, the power of their story can’t be expressed in words alone.  I get choked up every time I watch one of their videos.  The video below is no exception.

Dick Hoyt summarizes his family’s philosophy with the following,

“Yes you can. You can do anything that you want to do as long as you make up your mind.  You can do it.”  

After watching their story, how can anyone argue with his outlook on life.  The Hoyt story is one that we can all learn from.

And as mentioned above, there aren’t words that can do justice to the story, so I won’t even attempt.  Just take a few minutes to watch the full video.  You won’t be disappointed.

Ross

As a kid, Mark Speckman’s mother would create challenges for him.  She tested him to see what he could do.  She forced him to think.  She didn’t want to coddle the youngster.  She wanted him to figure it out.  There is always a way.

And while this bit of parenting may not seem too unique, Mark Speckman certainly is.  Born without hands, Speckman has always found a way. He has been figuring it out for over 50 years now. Take a look at the video below to watch his amazing story.

I find this story particularly inspiring.  Earlier in my life, I went through my own poor me moment.  I had hand problems from boxing and was forced to walk away from the sport.  At the time, it seemed like I would live in a cast forever.  I had fracture after fracture.  Each time I returned to action, I broke the hand again.  Being forced to walk away from the sport I loved, it seemed like the end of the world.

Fortunately, I snapped out of it and went on with my life, but it would have been nice to see Mark Speckman’s story.  Talk about putting things in perspective!  This is man born without hands.  He doesn’t even have hands to break, but that never slowed him down.  He’s become a success, both on and off the field.

Speckman’s story has me raring to go this morning!

Ross

Below is an inspiring video that was recently posted to the message board.  Within the video, you’ll see the story of Stevie Zee, a man who has refused to succumb to the challenges of cerebral palsy.

Aside from the obvious physical accomplishments, I enjoyed listening to Stevie’s words of wisdom.  He speaks about the “poor me” attitude, and how he refuses to live with that mindset.

In his own words,

“When you change your attitude, you never know what you can do with your life.”

We can all learn from Stevie’s example.  I see the “poor me” attitude almost every day.  Why waste your time living with such a negative outlook on life?  No matter how bad you have it, someone else has it much worse.  And when people like Stevie Zee can take what many would consider a bad situation and turn it into a positive, there is no reason that we all cannot do the same with our lives.

And while many will read this and nod their heads in agreement, please note that agreeing and doing are not the same.  It is one thing to know something is right, but quite another to actually initiate action and change.

Actions speak louder than words.

Ross

Can you imagine biking for 112 miles, swimming 2.4 miles, and running 26.2 miles, all in a single day?   At first glance, many would view this challenge as physically impossible, regardless of their training and preparation.

Fortunately, one woman can change your mind. Her name is Sister Madonna Buder.  She didn’t start exercising until she was 50 years old.  She has now been setting Ironman records for the past 20 years.  At age 77, she is still going strong!

Can you imagine approaching a 50 year old man or woman with no exercise experience, and explaining to them the possibility of competing in a triathlon?  Most would consider us crazy for even suggesting the idea.

But who is crazy?  Those who believe that the body is much more capable than others realize, or those who never try to find out for themselves?

If pushing past commonly perceived limits makes us crazy, I’ll live happily crazy for the rest of my life!
Ross

Last month, I posted a video of Barbara Guerra.  It had been emailed to me, and I was obviously impressed and inspired by her abilities.  To my surprise however, there is much more to her story.  A reader of the blog recently emailed me another video of Guerra. To say that I am impressed is an understatement.  I am in awe over how this woman has adapted to the cards that she has been dealt in life.

Her daily life is a walking and talking demonstration of human potential.  It also confirms my beliefs from a prior entry (regarding the power of choice).  When choice is removed from the equation, we as people become far more capable than many could ever imagine.

After watching this video, I found another from a few years earlier.  Within the older clip, she demonstrates her ability to change a diaper with her feet.  I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve had troubles when my daughter is squirming around and I’m using two hands!

I’m literally blown away at Guerra’s ability to move past surviving and move on to thriving.   There really is so much that we can all learn from this story.

Ross

The videos below tell the story of Richard Jensen (full story here).

As a former methamphetamine addict and ex-convict, Jensen is now a 37 year old college student, and a member of the Clackamas Community College wrestling team.

As stated in a past entry, we’ve all made mistakes in life.  No one is perfect, but we all have the opportunity to change our lives and improve.  Each day presents that opportunity.  Some wake up and go for it, while others sit back and let the days pass.

Jensen is a real life example of human resilience.  It’s one thing to wrestle competitively at age 37, but it is entirely more impressive when you consider his mistakes over the 15+ years beforehand.  We all have bad days from time to time.  Some may have bad weeks, or perhaps even a bad year.  But how many have had 15 year stretches of hardship, including serious drug addiction and prison?  I’ve made my share of mistakes, but these are two that never made my list.

And please don’t mistake the message behind this blog entry.  Jensen has clearly made mistakes in life.  I’m sure he’s hurt people over the years, perhaps without even realizing it.  I’m not here to overlook his mistakes or to suggest that they are okay.  He paid his debt to society however, and has shown that we all have the ability to turn things around.  That is the message that I hope to share through this entry.

Like Jensen, I too am in my 30’s.  I know men in their 30’s who I knew as kids.  Many have done nothing with their lives.  Jensen’s story shows that it is never too late however.  How many 36 year old former drug addicts wake up one day and decide to enroll in college?  Many would have assumed that it was already too late.  After periods of hardship, many unfortunately give up on life.  They honestly do not believe that change is possible.

Fortunately, most who make such decisions have never gone through half of what Jensen has endured.  This isn’t to say that one problem is better or worse, as our problems are our problems.  Nothing hurts more than a problem that is our own.  Yet, with that said, seeing Jensen turn his life around should give hope to others who currently see no hope in their future.  No matter how bad it has been, it can always get better.  Sure, it can get worse, but we all have the power to write our own future.  It won’t be easy, and the decision isn’t one that you make one time.  You’ll likely need to make the decision day after day, or perhaps hour after hour.

If you want something, go get it.  It is yours for the taking.  Often times, the only thing that can stop you is you, just as the only thing that can start you is you.

Ross

PS - the full video of Jensen’s story can also be seen here 

With the Olympic Games underway, it is a great time to focus our attention towards an Olympic powerhouse.  And while the story alone is interesting, there are important lessons that can be realized by studying the success of one small island nation.

Cuba is without question the most dominant force in amateur boxing.  This small island of 11 million people won its first Olympic boxing medal in 1968.  In the time since, Cuba has captured 32 medals, including 26 gold.  These astounding numbers are slightly deceiving however, considering that Cuba boycotted the 1984 and 1988 games.  Their totals would have likely surpassed the 40 medal mark (through 2004) if they had competed in the 1980’s.  In 1992, they came back and won 9 medals, including 7 gold.
So, how does this nation of 11 million people create so many champions?  New York City alone has over 8 million people.  Cuba isn’t competing with New York City however.  Cuba has dominated the United States, along with the rest of the world.  An entire world of boxers cannot compete with an island of 11 million people.

How can it be?
Many will read of Cuba’s success and assume that the nation has the most sophisticated training methods in the world.  They must have dedicated PhD’s, sports scientists, nutritionists, certified trainers and specialists, etc. all working around the clock, right?  After all, our industry promotes the message that one cannot excel in today’s sporting world without highly sophisticated methods.

Yet, to your surprise, Cuba’s methods would be considered rudimentary by many in our world.  Their athletes are not successful because of a state of the art facility.  Their coaches didn’t become successful by paying thousands of dollars on Internet certification programs.  Their small island isn’t blessed with a superior genetic pool.

So, what is the secret?

There really is no secret. Cuban boxers begin training as youngsters.  There is a boxing academy in each of Cuba’s 14 provinces.  Children have access to the sport, and take pride in becoming champions.  Within the video clips below, you’ll see how the Cubans advance through their system.  One of the young fighters makes the following statement:

“To become someone, you have to make sacrifices.  If you don’t, you can’t become what you want to become.”

These young fighters are raised with this mentality.  They train hard and become active as youngsters.  The combination of hard work, consistent work, pride, and experience is instrumental in their success.  Boxing is one sport where experience is a must.  No amount of bag work in the basement can substitute the need for real competitive experience.  Cuban fighters commonly rack up well over 100 amateur bouts, often much more.  This amount of experience is worth its weight in gold (literally).
Take some time to watch documentary below.  There is a related story at this link.

The Cuban story highlights many truths regarding athletic preparation.  Successful coaches know their sport.  Their knowledge wasn’t developed in a laboratory.  It comes through years of involvement in the actual sport. Speaking from personal experience, many of my own mentors would be considered uneducated from a societal standpoint. Their knowledge of the sport however is as refined and advanced as the most educated professional.  There is absolutely no substitute for experience.

There is also no substitute for hard work, just as there is no substitute for pride in your work.  The fact that a nation of 11 million people can continually dominate the international boxing scene shows us that there is much more to athletic success than simply having superior genetics.  Hard, consistent work with experienced coaches is the only real secret, and this is the message that we should all be preaching.
And no, this isn’t a knock against sports research and science.  A week doesn’t pass without me actively studying new material.  There are times however when we must fall back on the most simplistic definition of science.  Merriam-Webster lists the following definition:

Science - the state of knowing

Cuba knows how to develop champions, which makes their methods as scientific as any.  As a coach, it is useful to learn from those in the trenches, who continually produce champions.  Spending time in an archaic gym that produces champions then becomes just one more step in the “scientific” process.

Ross