Martial Arts Interview: Anna Kristina Ranoso

kristina Ranoso

Martial Arts Interview: Anna Ranoso

Anna Ranoso is an accomplished martial artist with backgrounds in Taekwondo, Wushu, Muay Thai, and XMA. She also has a growing career in music and movie stunt work. 

When did you start your martial arts career? How did it come about?

My career in martial arts first started in 2009, a few months after I had moved to California. I originally came to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music, but after performing martial arts in live shows for a few corporate events, I was hooked!

While performing with the martial arts troupe, I was training at open gyms & met a few stunt people who helped me get into TV & film. There were also people who had seen the work I had done through my troupe that contacted me and helped make the transition.

Anna Kristina Ranoso Action Reel

What are some of the differences between film combat and regular combat?

In film combat, movements are large and for the camera. For film, you must consider camera angles, aesthetics & safety.

In regular combat, movements use economy of motion & less telegraphing.

But the biggest difference is that in real combat, the goal is to win, whether it be to defend yourself or overcome another person. In film combat the goal is make things look good as safely as possible.

Have you ever used martial arts in a real life situation? If so, tell us about it.

Martial arts is not just movement. Martial arts is a spirit one embodies. I use martial arts every day in striving to live in the most authentic way possible.

Tell us about XMA and your involvement with it..

I studied XMA for a year and I very much enjoyed the teaching, movement & culture that goes along with it. It is about doing your best and being your best at all times. XMA continues to progress and push the envelope with new, cutting edge movements. Competitors keep advancing their forms, getting better, & growing in their art.

What's your favorite thing about being a stunt actress?

Everything! I love it all!

Tell use about your band. Where we can we listen to your music?

I am currently in between bands but my old music can be found on itunes and my YouTube channel  www.youtube.com/krisranoso . I am working on new music projects that will be released next year. For updates, you can visit my website at www.annakristinaranoso.com

How do you make time to do all these activities?

There is always time for what you love.

Can  you share with us your future goals and what we can expect from you next. 

In the past year I have been training in different forms of movement that I plan on sharing very soon! I did some stunt acting in the movie Black Sky which should be in theaters this or next year.

Up next for me is to continue in stunts, martial arts, & music. I plan on putting out more media and hopefully being involved in more film & TV projects!

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Train hard, be consistent, live passionately, love with your whole heart, believe in yourself and believe in others. Don't be afraid to be you. Be good to yourself and be good to others. Happy training!

Anna, thank you for interviewing with our site. We had a lot of fun watching your YouTube videos and can't wait to see you in Dark Sky.

Jayson Patino Interview - BJJ Expert

Jayson Patino is a black Belt in BJJ and Taekwondo. He has participated in extreme fighting championships and has a history of winning in high level BJJ matches. 

Tell us about yourself and your school.

My name is Jayson Patino and I am the Owner and Head Instructor of American Top Team East Orlando. I started training Taekwondo when I was five years old then wrestled in high school and college. I was a 2x NCWA All American in wrestling at UCF and a member of the US Grappling World Team. I fought MMA professionally and received my black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from Ricardo Liborio. I teach and train at my academy everyday and compete as much as I can. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is my passion. I love practicing different ways to submit people, its fun! Teaching has given me a way to pass on all the great benefits of training BJJ to my students. It is very rewarding seeing people achieve their goals and improving because of something you showed them. 

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What has been your biggest accomplishment to date? Why did it mean so much to you?

My biggest accomplishment is probably winning the 2009 ADCC North American Trials and competing with the best grapplers in the world at ADCC in Barcelona. This meant a lot to me because after training so hard for so long, I finally got some recognition. I had won several local and regional tournaments but this was my first big tournament win. 

You have won titles in Gi and No Gi brackets. Do you feel it's important to train one more than the other to be expert in both?

I believe training in both gi and no-gi will make you the most effective grappler. My first three years of training were all no-gi. Once I put the gi on it was much harder to submit people who knew how to slow me down using the gi grips. Learning the intricate details of gi will help make you more technical. Then training no-gi will help improve your ground game without relying on the grips of the gi. This mix of both has really helped me through the years. 

We have heard to points of view. One being, "BJJ is the greatest martial art in the world for self defense." and the other, "Being on the ground in a real fight is the worse place to be in." What is your philosophy about these statements?

In terms of self defense, BJJ is definitely one of the most effective martial arts. There are so many variables in self defense situations though, that a mix of multiple martial arts like Muay Thai and BJJ would be the MOST effective way to defend yourself. 

In response to people who say being on the ground during a real fight is the worst place to be in: If there are multiple people attacking you,  then yes, I agree. Your objective should be to defend and escape. In a one on one fight situation though, BJJ is a very effective way to defend yourself and subdue an attacker. In addition to teaching techniques that focus on angles and leverage over strength, BJJ also focuses on staying calm and relaxed. The ability to remain focused and not allow emotions or adrenaline to overwhelm you during a stressful situation can be very useful. 

What do you feel is the most under-utilized technique in BJJ? Taekwondo? Muay Thai?

The most under-utilized technique in BJJ is probably takedowns. Most higher level jui jitsu players want to pull guard and try to sweep or submit instead of working for a takedown. This is actually a very smart strategy but it leaves many jiu-jitsu players with bad takedowns. 

The most under-utilized technique in Taekwondo is protecting your chin. Students are taught to throw punches and bring your fist back to your waist instead of back to your chin. Sparring with experienced fighters really exposes this hole. 

The most under-utilized technique in Muay Thai is probably elbows. Elbows are great close range weapons that can cause serious damage. 

How can someone tell if their local BJJ school is any good?

You can tell if a local BJJ school is good by looking at the instructor's credentials, students' accomplishments and by trying classes there. Ideally, a good academy will have an instructor with decent achievements as well as having produced technical students. Sometimes there are great competitors out there that are not as good at teaching. Trying classes at an academy will let you see the instructor's teaching style, their class structure and let you get a feel for the atmosphere. Training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a lifestyle and long term commitment. You want to make sure you are comfortable with the people you will be training with over the next few years.

What are your thoughts on instructional videos being available for free online?

Instructional videos being available online is a great resource for students worldwide to improve their game. I have watched several instructionals online and post my own instructional videos on YouTube as well. 

If you never win matches at your home gym, do you feel it is still important to attend tournaments? Why?

If you are never winning matches in your academy it is probably not a good idea to compete in a tournament  (unless you are a beginner and have all advanced training partners). Confidence plays an important role in your performance. If your confidence is already low from constantly losing during training, it could get worse if you lose in competition in front of an audience. This could turn someone off from wanting to train BJJ and ultimately cause them to miss out on all the benefits training has to offer. Practicing more and improving your weaknesses before entering in a competition would be a better idea. 

Visit Jayson and American Top Team for more information.

Interview with Angela Jennings - MMA Fighter

MMA fighter

Angela Jennings is an upcoming MMA fighter. She trains 5 to 6 days a week in Muay Thai, BJJ and MMA preparing to be the best Female MMA fighter she can be. She is striving to go pro in the near future. 

What inspires you?

I would have to say that Angela Jennings inspires me. I inspired myself. That is one of the things I love about MMA or fighting…it’s just you out there, you and your opponent. Win or lose you have no one to blame but yourself. I have something to prove to myself and that is what I want to do.

What has been your biggest accomplishment to date? Why did it mean so much to you?

My biggest accomplishment to date would have to be me stepping into my debut fight. I stepped into the cage with a less than 24 hour notice against a tough experienced fighter who was also a title belt holder, at Joe Louis Area in Detroit MI. I took the fight with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Although I lost in the 3rd round via rear naked choke, it was the best fight of my amateur career to date and I couldn’t of asked for a better experience or debut fight.

Congratulations on winning your fight against Courtney Losievsky in: 47 seconds. What do you feel gave you the advantage during that fight? 

Thank you, I feel like I had a couple advantages in that fight…I came in very prepared, mentally and physically. Any fight I take or anytime I step into that cage I am always prepared to fight someone that is the best. As my coach always tells me “We aren’t preparing you for this fight we are preparing you for the top (UFC)”.  I always train as if I were to fight the world champion. I never underestimate anybody!

Are there any rules that are different between female MMA fights and male fights? Is so, do you agree or disagree with these differences? 

When it comes to rules, I don’t there is any difference and I agree with that. 

What are 3 things women should know before they consider before participating in MMA fighting?

When it comes to participating in MMA, especially the cage... There are a few things that not only women should know but anyone. MMA is not a joke. MMA is something you have to be dedicated too. It cannot just be a part-time thing, especially when you want to compete in a ring. People need to understand it is a life altering experience, once you step into a cage you don’t step out the same person. Some people rush or get into fighting and don’t realize you can get hurt, or even die. When you participate in MMA you have to be prepared mentally and physically knowing that.

What do you think makes the difference between someone who wants to be a professional fighter and someone who makes it?

The Difference will come down to your mental mind state and HEART. You have to be willing to dedicate your life and be willing to make sacrifices. You either want it or you don’t.  There is always going to be someone else out there who is working harder than you and wants it more, that is what you have to tell yourself.

What are your pet peeves?

Hmmm…I would have to say one of my biggest pet peeves is “WANNA BE, UFC” Fighters. One of my biggest pet peeves is seeing someone who comes to the gym 1 or 2 times every 2 weeks, and trains for an hour and says they want to fight. Or trains once or twice and wants to tell everyone they are a fighter.  NO you’re not a fighter! I can tell you right now; I’m a fighter and I’m in the gym 5-6 days a week, more than once a day, especially with my fight camps. 

What superhero do you believe resembles your personality the most?

Lol, I don’t think there is any superhero that resembles my personality.

What can we expect to see from you in the future?

In the near future I am planning on going pro. I have some big opportunities coming up and hopefully you will really get to see me showcase my skills. 

Thank you Angela for taking time to answer our questions. 

Interview with Roxy "Balboa" Richardson - Muay Thai

Roxy "Balboa" Richardson

Roxy has a truly inspiring story with her Muay Thai experience. (Read it here). She became the IAMTF Women's Lightweight Champ from 2008 & 2009. She held a pro record of 3W-1L and an Amateur record of 12W-4L-3T. She currently owns and operates an ultra modern, highly successful fitness center in the Los-Angles area.

BKO Kung Fu: We have spoken with other women Muay Thai fighters. Some of them feel women don't get enough recognition in the sport. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

Roxy: I think women who are talented and skilled get plenty of coverage. The top women of Muay Thai are a big draw and definitely command respect. Just look how popular Julie Kitchen became. The fight with Julie vs Miriam Nakamoto was very much anticipated and closely followed and covered. Tiffany Van Soest is headlining the next Lion Fight card in Vegas. Talented women do get respect in the sport.  There are just not as many female fighters so guys are covered more in the press overall. I don't want special treatment for being a female, so I don't expect anyone to give me respect or recognition unless I earn it via skill not gender. 

BKO: What would you tell a new person that wanted to fight but was scared?

Roxy: Well, no-one should make you fight if you don't want to. I'd hope they had been training for a while and had some time to think about why they want to fight. It's not for everyone. If you're confident in your training, your coach believes in you and you have a solid reason you want to fight, I say focus on the reason and know every fighter gets nerves before fights - It's how you deal with the nervous energy that makes you a good fighter. Personally I keep focusing on how hard I've work and how much I want to win and keep the negative self talk away. 

BKO: How did you encourage yourself before your fights?

Roxy: I would just trust my coach and my training. If I put in the work the results showed. It also helped to journal and get my thoughts down on paper if I felt anxious or stuck.

BKO: In your opinion, what determines the difference in technique between a good fighter and a great fighter?

Roxy: Technique is only one part of being a good fighter. Conviction, conditioning and strength also come into play. There are great fighters with excellent technique and there are great fighters with fair technique but they are strong, fast, and confident which goes far. It's always good to learn and improve technique, but you have to realize there are other elements to the sport which must also be improved to be a well rounded fighter.

BKO: How do you tell if you are pushing yourself to far in training versus not training hard enough?

Roxy: I would monitor my sleep, mood and performance. Signs of over training include insomnia, irritability, and lack of energy. As I got older I realized that sometimes it was better to rest more than train more. 

BKO: There's a lot of shin banging going on in Muay Thai. After the much talked about Anderson Silva's leg break, we would like your advice on how to keep this from happening to us.

Roxy: Turn your kicks over so you can hit with the hard top of your shin. Assuming you have done the work to condition you shins, your leg won't break that way. It takes time, years to condition your shins with bag work, sparring and TLC and even the toughest shins can feel pain if they mistakenly hit a knee or an elbow - it's just part of the game, so time your kicks well and do your bagwork on hard bags. 

BKO: Tell us about your Gym and what you want to accomplish with it in the next few years?

Roxy: My gym is called  Function 5 Fitness in Los Angeles, CA. It's a hybrid gym with the heart of our programs being Muay Thai, but we also offer Kettlebell Classes, Circuit Training, Personal Training, and Nutrition. We are unique in that we offer our clients a well rounded fitness and health program with everything from sport to nutrition to resistance training to massage. I'm blessed to have an amazing team of trainers that help to coach our clients. In the next few years, we plan to expand to a bigger facility so we can help even more people change their lives with Muay Thai, health & fitness. 

BKO: Ok, we have to ask. We saw you offer Rofling at your location. What is it?

Roxy: Rolfing is a type of body work that is structural therapy. It's like deep tissue massage, but different, it's a 10 session system designed to re-structure the body back into balance. It is very beneficial for those struggling with postural imbalances and also for athletes. 

BKO: What's your favorite quote?

Roxy: I have so many but here is one:  "I'm tough, ambitious and I know exactly what I want, if that makes me a bitch, okay." - Madonna

BKO: Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

You can follow me on twitter @roxybalboa and on Facebook at Facebook.com/missroxybalboa I'm also on Instagram as @missroxybalboa 

Interview with Angela "Overkill" Hill

Angela "Overkill" Hill is a raising star in the field of MMA. She has recently made the switch to pro fighter and has signed with XFC MMA. She has an impressive record of  1w-0L (pro) with 14W-0L as an amateur. Four of those wins were ko's. She will be making her XFC MMA debut soon. Angela has attracted a great deal of attention already and we suggest you follow her career early on.

BKO Kung Fu: Angela, thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions for our website.

Tell us about yourself before you started Muay Thai training?

Angela: Before muay thai, I was an art school undergrad working as a bartender and an animator. All that sitting around was catching up to me and I wanted a work out that wouldn't bore me. I took a trail Muay Thai class with Brandon Levi, the owner of Evolution Muay Thai, and I've been hooked ever since!

BKO: What motivates you?

Angela: A lot of things motivate me. Obviously the people around me, my coaches, my training partners, my family and friends. A kind of new motivation is my fans, I'm hearing more and more stories of people, especially black women, being inspired to be strong, active and live healthy lifestyles after following me and my career. I feel like we don't have nearly enough black women in the fight world to look up to, so being able to be a Layla Ali or a Lisa King to other young people who aren't always encouraged to follow their passion means a lot to me.

BKO: What is different about you between when you first starting fighting vs. now?

Angela: I fight a lot smarter now-a-days. Before, I relied on my aggression and just overwhelming my opponent. Now, I'm able to execute the game plans a little more effectively and adapt on the fly when they do something unexpected. I think I hit way harder than I used to too, haha!

BKO: What was the number one life changing event you ever experienced? What did you learn from it?

Angela: Living in Thailand for a month was definitely life changing. We were out in the boonies outside of Bangkok and really saw the level of poverty that exists out there. It made me appreciate the things I took for granted back home. I trained in a Thai camp and fought twice while I was there, and the training was HARD. The best way to describe it is boarding school for American fighters. I learned to focus more when I trained, making goals for myself on top of the 10 mile runs and hundreds of "knee bag" 's I had to do each day. When I got back home there was way less complaining when Brandon would make me do something, haha.

BKO:  Did anything else about Thailand, the culture or country, catch you by surprise? How so?

Angela: I was surprised how many scam artists there were. Luckily living in NYC prepared me not to trust strangers with great bargains "just for me!" All in all though, Thailand was a great experience. One of my coolest memories was going back to MBK mall after fighting the previous weekend, a couple taxi drivers recognized me and went "Oooh! good muay thai!" and started mimicking knees to the face, haha. Good times.

BKO: What do you think is the greatest moment in fighting history? why?

Angela: The greatest moment of fighting history? That's a tough one, there's so many. I'm gonna go with the one that has most to do with my journey and say Cyborg v.s Carrano. It was the first time women had made the main event in a major organization and they showcased athleticism comparable to the mens'. It proved there is an interest in women's MMA and there are women capable of performing at a level to be expected of athletes. It also proved Cyborg is an unstoppable beast.

BKO: What are your top 5 priorities in life, in order?

Angela: Be happy.

              Live with no regrets.

              Eat, sleep, train.

BKO: You've stated before that you stock your fridge with beer and ice-cream before every fight. What is your favorite beer? ice-cream?

Angela: Beer: Rasputin Imperial Ale

              Icecream: Ben & Jerry's Coffee Heathbar

BKO Kung Fu: Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

I didn't get a chance to fight Dec 13th but 2014 holds a lot of promise between XFC, Invicta, Lion Fight, and UFC's announcement of their 115lb womens' division. Follow me via my Facebook fan page Facebook.com/AngelaHillMMA or via instagram and twitter @angieoverkill to stay updated on whats up next!

Interview with BJJ Blackbelt Jeff Messina

Jeff Messina is a well-known and respected expert in the world of mixed martial arts. His impressive wins in professional MMA fights help to prove it. He has trained with legends like Tito Ortiz, Fransico Albuquerque, and Rodrigo Medeiros to name a few. He has spent time training in the home lands of BJJ and Muay Thai; bringing his knowledge back to share in the United States. He currently owns 3 successful MMA training centers and is consistently involved with the training at all levels. (Expanded Bio)

BKO Kung Fu: Jeff, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer our questions today.

You have traveled to Brazil to train in Jiu-Jitsu and have traveled to Thailand to train in Muay Thai. We have noticed some other martial artist do this also? Do you believe this helps in a martial artist career? Why?

Jeff: Traveling to the homeland of BJJ and Thai boxing is a great experience to learn from the source and get the history and culture of your martial arts. I'm lucky to have spent the last 10 years going back and forth to train and compete in Rio. My coach has a gym in Rio Called Nova Geracao. I'm actually going next week. I feel privileged to be part of my team. The team is a close knit group and full of integrity with skilled fighters.  It helps to put yourself among others that are just as serious about training as you are and to get away from your routine and daily distractions; to just focus on your training.  When I first started, getting quality training was hard here. So, I went to the source.

Jeff Messina Highlight Reel

BKO: What do you wish more people knew about BJJ?

Jeff: I wish more people knew BJJ is a culture and a lifestyle that is for everyone and will help anyone and much more than they could understand. There's no other martial art as effective or life changing as BJJ. It takes the longest to master but is the fastest to become very effective in. I have seen BJJ change people and even save people’s lives.  There is no realistic martial arts without bjj period. Other styles must incorporate bjj to become effective, not the other way around.

BKO: What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment in martial arts? Why does it stand out over everything else?

Jeff: I have many good memories from competing in bjj. I feel the best ones haven't come yet but probably the one that sticks out is when I won the IBJJF nationals at brown belt in the absolute category, submitting all 3 opponents, and then receiving my black belt from my coach Rodrigo Medieros on the Podium.

BKO: Tell us about your school in Katy, Texas? What can people expect if they want to become students?

Jeff: I have 3 schools; one in Katy, one in downtown Houston and we just opened one in Richmond/fulshur. A student can expect the highest quality instruction and training in a family environment. You will be adopted into my family and feel important no matter what your goal is.

BKO: What is the hardest thing about leading a martial arts school? How do you deal with it?

Jeff: I would say the hardest thing about running a martial art school is the business side. Keeping people motivated to not give up. Real martial arts are tough and the reward is slow in regards to belts. Most people give up when the going gets tough, not just in bjj but in life. Those who are successful in bjj are usually successful in their personal lives or will become so because of what bjj can teach you.

BKO: Do you train any professional fighters that are actively fighting? Can you name a few?

I have several tough MMA fighters. I would say my top two pro fighters are Domingo Pilarte and Larry Crowe. I have been training Domingo since he was a teenager. He's very talented and dangerous in all areas. Larry is also very dangerous and has huge potential. In addition, I have several great amateur fighters such as Perry Scott, Quetin Kiper and Colby and Sage Northcutt. I have many more that will be making their debut shortly.

BKO Kung Fu: Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Jeff: Come give us a try, I will change your life for the better. www.revolutiondojo.com

Interview with Alexis Rufus, 5 Times World Champion,

Alexis Rufus

Alexis Rufus is the current WMC MAD, WPMF, ISKA, IKF & WKA World Champion, WMC & ISKA European Champion, UKMF British & English Champion and ISKA Female Fighter of the Year 2011

BKO Kung Fu: What is your training day schedule like when you are preparing for a fight?

Alexis: I train 6 days a week, Sundays rest day. We normally split my training sessions into two, doing my run and weights or circuit (strength & conditioning) training in the morning and then a pads and clinch session in the afternoon. I will do sprints and weights 2 or 3 times a week, and then longer runs (8-10km) on the other days. In the last week of training before the fight I would just stick to longer runs and no sprints or weights. Pad work I do every day, I will do clinch work 3 or 4 times a week and sparring at least 2 or 3 times a week. I try and fit in my shadow boxing too which I think is essential to any fighter. So overall I would train between 3 and 4 hours a day.

Alexis Rufus: Training Video

BKO: People often overlook the mental toughness for a fight. How does one program themselves with a mindset of a champion?

Alexis: Mental toughness should never be overlooked. It is often more important than physical toughness. If you allow any doubt into your mind, it could cost you the fight. I believe that 80% of the fight is won through mental strength and dominance over an opponent. If the mind is strong, the physical possibilities are endless. The mind controls the body. I think it is hard to just programme yourself with the mindset of a champion. That comes with experience. But there are certain ways which you can help squash those doubts. Set yourself tough goals and targets. Then when you reach them, go beyond them. Constantly test yourself. Always go the extra bit in training. I always think about what my opponent is doing and could I do more? Fitness is key to confidence, so make sure your fitness is not even a word that enters your mind near the fight. Never get involved in forums or people arguing who is the best fighter etc etc. It can play evil games with your mind. At the end of the day it is only you and your opponent in the ring when the bell goes. Nothing else or no one else matters. 

BKO: What is a common miss conception people in other martial arts have about Muay Thai?

Alexis: There is a misconception that Muay Thai is purely aggressive and that fighters engage in fights outside of the ring, that they are aggressive people. But Muay Thai is so heavily based on respect on all levels. Respect for the trainer. For the opponent. For other fighters. Most of the people I meet and have met through this sport have been so passive and down to earth and not aggressive at all. A true fighter knows how to channel the aggression in the correct way and deliver devastating strikes in the right way at the right time. 

BKO: What changes have you seen in Women's Mauy Thai fighting since you have started? What do you see for the future?

Alexis: Since I started fighting, there are so many more females competing in the sport and training in general. Fighters like Julie Kitchen and Germaine de Randamie have helped change the attitude & opinion people had towards female fighters and gave other girls the confidence to take things to championship level. It has been and always will be a male dominated sport, but I think nowadays it is becoming less intimidating to females and people are actually taking notice of females as serious contenders in the sport. There are so many great female fighters now and so many young ones making their way onto the scene. I can only see carrying on in the same manner. 

BKO: Can you confirm the fight scheduled for December 21, 2013? We see conflicting info online. What are your thoughts about the upcoming fight?

Alexis: I am fighting on 21st December on Smash Muay Thai in Liverpool. My original opponent was Christi Brereton but there were issues with her and the promoter so I heard they pulled her from the show. Tanya Merrett from Wales has now stepped up to take the fight. I don't know a great deal about Tanya, but I do know she is less experienced than me in terms of her fight record. But in my eyes anyone who steps up a level and challenges herself against more experienced opponents should never be taken lightly. I firmly believe that Tanya will come to fight and I am preparing myself for every eventuality. I look forward to meeting her next month. It should be an exciting fight. 

BKO: Are you training anyone to follow in your footsteps to be a professional fighter? if so, tell us about them.

Alexis: I am training a handful of fighters at the moment. We have a number of up and coming fighters at my gym. Two names to take note of are Wayne Ward and Ryan Ward. Two brothers with such natural talent and will to win. I truly believe they will go all the way to the top in this sport. I am also training a great female fighter, Linda Coppard. She is tough and has one of the biggest hearts of any fighter I have had the pleasure to train. So, watch this space!

BKO: What is the weirdest experience you ever had with a fan?

Alexis: Now there's a question!! I have had a few strange experiences. Some strange requests for training sessions and men asking to be hit by a 'strong woman'. Obviously I didn't entertain their fantasies...!

BKO: What has been the greatest adversity you have overcome in life? What advice would you give someone going through a similar experience?

Alexis: The biggest adversity I have ever overcome was battling with anorexia when I was younger. It nearly killed me and the only thing that saved me was my will and choice to live. My mind played all sorts of games with me as it does when you starve yourself of nutrients and somehow I managed to overcome that and get better. My mind made me ill but equally it made me strong again. It has helped me now with my training, my work, everything. I hit rock bottom and survived and I know that I can apply that same attitude to anything in life. To anyone going through a similar experience I would say to them that it's a choice. You can choose to live one way or another. It's one day at a time and if you can get through it then you will be stronger than ever. Like I said earlier, if the mind is strong, the physical possibilities are endless. 

BKO: What is your favorite movie, book, and type of music?

Alexis: My favourite film depends on my mood. But Shawshank Redemption, Apocalypse Now and Thelma & Louise all rank fairly high! I listen to a fairly eclectic range of music, again depending on my mood! But the latest music I downloaded was an Arctic Monkeys album and some Dubstep podcasts! As for books, it's the one thing I never do...read! 

BKO Kung Fu: Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Alexis: The only thing I would like to say is to anyone considering a career similar to mine, don't ever let anyone tell you can't or shouldn't do it. Fighting is an extremely selfish sport, but equally it brings such a diverse group of people together. It is one of the best journey's I have made and I regret none of it. I have learnt a huge amount on both physical and mental levels. I have met some amazing and lifelong friends. 

When someone told me I can't, I just went all out to do it. Those people now admire my tenacity.

BKO: Alexis, thank you for taking the time to share about yourself with us. We look forward to following your career.

Be sure to follow Alexis Rufus on Facebook.

Interview with Sean Fagan The Muay Thai Guy

Sean Fagan is an Amateur Muay Thai fighter who is looking to turn pro this year. He fights at 145 lbs and is currently 11-3 with 5 KO’s. He is currently on a 7 fight winning streak and won a championship title at Muay Thai at the Mecca 2 in New York City.

Muay Thai

Brandon: What's your favorite thing about the culture of Muay Thai and why?

Sean: I love the mutual respect of everyone who trains in the art. Whether it's training partners or competitors, there is always a show of class and respect between the two which lack from many other sports. Not to mention since Muay Thai is rooted deep in Thai culture it is full of numerous Thai traditions and ceremonies that make the sport that much more interesting and unique.

Brandon: What are 3 uncommonly known facts about Muay Thai?

Sean:  1) Muay Thai is not kickboxing. It is a form of kickboxing that utilizes more techniques than kickboxing does such as the clinch, elbows and sweeps.

2) Muay Thai is a way to make a living in Thailand. People commonly misunderstand that Thai boxers in Thailand are celebrities and well off because they fight so much, but it is quite the contrary. Only the elite really make a good living while the other lower level fighters can fight multiple times a month and still only have enough to pay for food and shelter. Also for young Thai children whose families can't afford a living, Muay Thai gyms will claim ownership of the children and train them so they can make money for the gym and their family.

3) Most people don't know the 'why' of the traditions and ceremonies behind Muay Thai. It's important to know the reasoning behind the ram muay, wai kru, mongkon, prajioud and other elements of Muay Thai. I wrote a whole page about the traditions and culture of Muay Thai here;
http://www.muay-thai-guy.com/traditional-muay-thai.html

Brandon: Describe the proper way to throw an over hand punch. What happens if you do it right vs. doing it wrong?

Sean:  Ah my favorite strike! The way I explain it to most people is that it's basically like throwing a pitch for baseball except without the whole wind-up. A lot of people (including myself) really overthrow and power up for this strike when in reality accuracy and timing is the most important aspect of almost any strike. If you do it wrong your opponent will see it coming a mile away and you'll gas yourself out quickly!


Brandon: What are the 3 most important things you learned about Muay Thai while training in Thailand besides the 5 things you listed never to do on your site? Why are these important?

Sean:  One was the culture behind the sport and how to perform the ceremonial dance, the ram muay wai kru, before my first fight. Secondly was the mutual respect everyone had for each other whether it's a complete beginner, a seasoned champion or an experienced trainer. And lastly is how Muay Thai is a way of life in Thailand.

Brandon: What was the lowest point of your career? How did you overcome it?

Sean:  I can recall two low points. One was after I fought twice in a week I tore a ligament in my thumb which sidelined me for a bit. It's not like it was the worst injury in the world but I kept making excuses not to train and not to continue improving when I knew I could be focusing on different aspects of my game. It was pretty frustrating because I knew subconsciously I was just being a little bitch.

The other one was my second trip to Thailand. I had planned on staying there for 4+ months but got extremely home sick even though I was pursuing my passion and doing something that I knew many people would kill to do. I hated feeling sorry for myself and wanting to go home, but after my only fight there about a month in (I won by KO), I flew home to take care of some things at home that I left open-ended before I left for Thailand. It ended up being a great decision because I found an awesome instructor job that opened a lot of new doors to my fighting career.

Brandon: You mentioned about going pro. What is the hardest thing about going pro besides having the skills and talent?

Sean: I think it's just the overall mindset. Once you go pro, you're fighting the best of the best. If you're not confident in your skills to fight someone who is going to give you a tough fight, then you're not ready to go pro. Also as a professional you have to treat it like your job and make sure you never skip out on training, eat a healthy diet and do everything you can to make sure you're one step ahead of your competition.

Brandon: Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?

Sean: Just to follow your passion and live your dreams regardless of what they are. Life is too short to have regrets and chances are you'll regret the things you don't do rather than the things you do. I encourage you to follow along as I pursue my dreams at www.muay-thai-guy.com in hopes to inspire others to pursue theirs. Other than that I'd just like to thank my fans for being so supportive and awesome as well as my girlfriend, Liz, my family and my friends... without all of you this journey would be meaningless! Thank you for the interview!


Brandon: Thank you Sean for taking the time out of your busy training schedule. We look forward to seeing pro in the near future.

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