First Fight

In this episode I chat with Joe Pyfer who's coming off his bonus-winning UFC debut. I was touched by Joe's candidness while sharing his story on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. We talk about his very quick first fight, his struggle coming up with an abusive family life, his goals, and how wrestling saved his life.

In this episode, I chat with an old friend & seasoned veteran Gerald Meerschaert about his experiences coming up through the regional circuit. Gerald is a former RFA champ, Titan FC veteran, KOTC veteran, and the current holder of the most submission victories in the UFC middleweight division. We talk about the old school vs the new school mentality and how the newer generation of fighters may have a ton of resources, but it sometimes can hurt the ‘fighter' mindset more than help.

In this episode, I chat with hot prospect Mark Grey about how his collegiate wrestling background has helped him in his fighting career, what the transition was like, as well as, how the pandemic set him up for the right opportunity to take the plunge into fighting.

In this episode I chat with Chris Liguori. Once a troubled kid, Chris started fighting when he was just 16 years old and went on to have a long career in MMA fighting for various promotions. We take a stroll down memory lane where he shares his first loss that made him want more, his long-time relationship with Frankie Edgar, and gives a window into the struggles of the life of an MMA fighter. Chris is a true martial artist who stays sharp despite retiring years ago.

In this episode, I get the opportunity to chat with another pioneer of the MMA game, Matt Serra. Matt is a legendary fighter, coach, gym owner and father. He is also a co-host of the MMA staple podcast, “UFC Unfiltered” and reality show, "Dana White: Lookin' for a Fight." Matt's exposure to martial arts at a young age led him on a wild ride that began with a tough man contest in Manhattan refereed by Mr. T. He shares this experience, his journey to the octagon, his evolution as a fighter and the scare that pushed him to hang it up. Such a treat to be able to get him and his stories added to my archives.

In this episode, I chat with TUF champ, author and Emmy award winning fighter, Eddie Gordon. He shares how watching a UFC event in a bar with his friends sparked his interest and lured him away from the financial world where he was making a living. We talk about the risk he took to pursue his career and how it ultimately paid off. He also shares how fighting saved his life and led him on a path of inspiring others in ways he never dreamed.

In this episode, I chat with one of the original gangsters of MMA, Din Thomas. Din is a man of many talents, a martial artist, a coach, a comedian, an actor and broadcaster. We talk about the early beginnings of MMA when he had his first fight, the old-school mindset versus the new, and his thoughts on coaching and retirement.

In this episode, I talk with rising star Erin Blanchfield. Erin shocked everyone by winning EBI as an 18-year old purple belt and is now making waves in the UFC. Erin represents a new generation of fighters on the scene who have been training MMA from a very young age. We talk about her early beginnings in martial arts, what it's like realizing her dreams and how she keeps her stone-cold mindset.

Kicking off the year with a great interview with Lance “The Party” Palmer. He shares the story of his transition from the pinnacle of collegiate wrestling to fighting on the regional circuit. He packed up everything into his truck and headed out west to go all in on a new pursuit. The risk paid off and he has had a very successful MMA career winning titles in RFA, WSOF and the PFL million dollar tournament twice. He shares a bit on the ups and downs of being a fighter and his thoughts on the attainability of “balance” in life while pursuing greatness.

Special Episode! This episode, I chat with fellow podcaster, Will Manzano. Will shares about how his passion for boxing and working from home during Covid led him to create his own show. We also talk about the struggle of creating content weekly and our top interviews of 2021.

In this episode I talk with Muay Thai standout Frank Wells about his debut fight in MMA that didn't happen and what his experience was like when it actually did. We talk about the impact covid has had on his career, and what he sees for himself and his future in MMA.

I had the opportunity to have an amazing chat with Josh Thomson about his humbling first fight experience and the life lesson it gave him. We also talk about his transition from fighting to commentary and podcasting as well as his outlook on the future of MMA.

Special episode! In today's episode I talk with Hunter Homistek to get a perspective on the fight game from an MMA journalist. Hunter has written for such outlets as the Bleacher Report and FloSports and now has his own business offering writing and marketing services in the Pittsburgh area. We talk about how he got into the industry and a bit about the superstar effect Conor McGregor has had on the landscape of MMA and MMA media. Hunter also turns the interview on me asking my perspective of loss as a spouse on the sidelines.

In this episode, legendary coach Jason Strout shares the story of his spur-of-the-moment first fight and the journey fighting has taken him on. We chat about our mutual beginnings in Milwaukee, how he transitioned from fighter to coach and his passion for the life he lives.

In this episode I talk with newly turned pro, Natalie Schlesinger about her first fight, the highs and lows of her career thus far, and the struggle to fight and train during the pandemic.

In this episode I talk with UFC vet, coach, and gym owner, Nick Catone. We talk about his transition from Division I wrestling to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and how a dare led him on that first walk to the cage in Atlantic City. He shares how injuries led to his retirement and how his newfound hobby of stock car racing helps quell his need for the adrenaline of competition.

In this episode, I talk with an old training partner, “Rocky,” who came from a wrestling family. We talk about how a lifetime of wrestling set her up for success once she ventured into MMA. She shares her first fight story and how a promoters idea to market a brother/sister duo is what pulled her into the world of MMA. She talks about what eventually let her away from the sport.

In this episode I talk with American Muay Thai pioneer, Kevin Ross. He shares a bit about his first fight and some insight into his mindset and mentality regarding life and fighting. Kevin had wanted to be a fighter for years before life's lessons accumulated to the point where he was finally ready to pull the trigger. Fresh off his retirement fight, he shares his thoughts on the “last time” he stepped into the ring and what led him to make the big decision.

In this episode I talk with new face to the PFL women's lightweight division, Laura Sanchez. We chat about her first fight, how her experience competing at a high level in basketball helped her transition to MMA, and how she overcomes mental obstacles in competition.

In this episode, I talk with UFC household name, Uriah Hall about how being bullied led him to his path in martial arts. We discuss the inevitable ups and downs in the journey of a fighter, how he stays motivated, internet trolls, and the importance of legacy. I enjoyed chatting with a true martial artist, such as Uriah and I'm happy to share some of his story.

Special episode! In this episode I chat with fight photographer, Eric Coleman. Eric has traveled around the world photographing a who’s who of fighters. Most notably, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Edie Alvarez, Paige VanZant, Frankie Edgar, and Michael Chandler just to name a few. He talks about how he faked it until he made it into the business and what he loves about the international fight community.

Kyle is a division 1 NCAA All-American and has competed internationally for the US National wrestling team. While his time was short competing in professional MMA, he continues to help coach and train with high level mma fighters. We talk about his mindset going into fighting and how that ultimately led him away from competing. We talk about the wrestlers advantage in the sport as well as, really importance of a separation between being a coach and a husband.

I chat with East Coast jiu-jitsu phenom, Amanda Leve, who has transitioned over to MMA. She shares her experience of what it was like learning the consequences of winning and losing at a young age, training in predominantly male practice rooms, and the health scare that temporarily sidelined her.

An old friend, Corey Meeks, discusses his first fight and the journey that martial arts has taken him on. We met years ago while he was pursuing a career as a professional fighter, but an injury led him on a slightly different path. We also talk about his new company, Bijonari, and how training at a high level changes who you are as a person.

Special Episode! This time I sit down with a good friend of mine, and wife of fighter, Ben Askren to talk about what it is like to be a partner or spouse to someone who fights for a living. Giving another perspective on the fight game, Amy discusses the highs and lows, how she trusts her husband on this wild ride, and her feelings about Ben coming out of retirement to fight a YouTube star.

In this episode, I get the chance to talk with MMA great, Eddie Alvarez. He discusses how fighting in the streets of Philly led him to MMA, the importance of his wife’s role in his career, and the level of self belief it takes to manifest your dreams.

Special Episode! In this episode, I bring my husband back on to discuss loss. We talk about his past losses, what it’s like getting knocked out on the big stage, and how he overcomes these tough setbacks mentally to do it all over again

In this episode I get the chance to pick the brain of MMA striking mastermind, Mark Henry. An elite striking coach of some of the best fighters, Mark has no doubt changed the game. With an extensive boxing career coming to an abrupt end, Mark actually never had any intention of becoming a coach. He shares his story, how he got his start in the MMA world, and the ups and downs of being a coach.

I chat with a good friend of mine, Rex Harris, who’s been in the fight game for a while. He reveals how his quest to be a professional football player led him to fighting, his first fight, and the importance of a supportive spouse while chasing your dreams.

I talk with an exciting new prospect, Turpal, about his background in martial arts, his first fight, and his life in war-torn Chechnya before his family moved to the United States. Turpal is just one piece of the melting pot that is the fight community and I’m fortunate to share his story.

SPECIAL EPISODE! Kicking off 2021 with some new special interviews of various people in the industry who are not fighters to get a different perspective. My first interview is with longtime friend and coach of Frankie Edgar, Steve Rivera. Steve shares his point of view of Frankie’s first fight and gives some insight to what it’s like being on this journey with Frankie.

This rising star in the the UFC's featherweight division talks about what its like living out his dream as a prizefighter. He tells us about the frustrating thing that kept happening in his first fight, and what drives him to always hunt for the finish.

Previous guest, Sijara Eubanks is back for a special episode to give the behind the scenes of training for a fight during a global pandemic. She has been on lockdown for weeks training with fellow UFC fighter, Claudia Gadelha. Both are fighting during the UFC's controversial comeback. Hear what she has to say.

Kaitlin Young is a pioneer in women’s MMA & lifelong martial artist. She shares the story of her first pro MMA fight, we discuss how she plans on fostering a positive gym culture at her new gym, the Striking Institute, & she shares her thoughts on the state of women's MMA.

In this episode, I talk with fellow Milwaukee native, Montel Jackson, who has found success in the UFC coming off Dana White's Contender Series. He shares his first fight, as well as, what it is like coming up in a rough neighborhood and what he thinks a fighter's style says about their personality.

On this episode, I talk with Dez Morgan about how getting jumped on the street led him to fighting and the effect martial arts has on the way you see life.

Frank Savannah shares how he got his start in boxing, reminisces on his career, and talks about the fight that once broke him.

The legendary Ricardo Almeida shares his extraordinary start in MMA that was completely by chance. He discusses what fighting has taught him about himself and what he sees when a fighter walks into his school.

The creator of first fight discusses how the concept was created, what she is trying to achieve with the podcast, shares her first fight story, as well as, the original First Fight interview.

In this episode, I sit down with up-and-coming prospect Santo Curatolo. The Staten Island native talks about his start in Sambo, what he thinks of training with world class teammates, and the role his parents play in his career.

On this episode, Sijara Eubanks tells us how trying to lose weight and watching knockout videos on YouTube started her on her martial arts journey. We also discuss the role of age in MMA and the resurgence of the antihero in the sport.

It all started at a smoker in the Bronx... the legendary Frankie Edgar paints a picture of his first fight. He also shares his view on the current state of the MMA business, the mindset that contributes to his longevity in the sport, and describes what fighting really means to him.

Corey shares his first fight experience. He also gives some insight on his recent victory over Johnny Walker and the path that has let him to this point in his career.

Katlyn Chookagian discusses how a hurricane almost hampered her ammy debut, as well as how she feels about her criticisms as a fighter

A quick chat with CFFC champ & rising Bellator star, Ricky Bandejas. He discusses his interesting first fight experience and his most recent victory.

Up-and-comer Karl Reed discusses his first fight experience and the mindset needed to be a successful fighter.

Deanna Bennett discusses the roller coaster ride that is MMA & the what got her in the cage in the first place.

In one of my original interviews, I sit down with the former UFC welterweight champ, Tyron Woodley. He talks about his transition from college wrestling to MMA and the feelings he had leading up to his first fight.

Karl Roberson shares his first fight experience, which sent his life on a trajectory far beyond what he thought was possible for a kid from the streets.

With over 130 fights and a career spanning decades, John Wayne Parr has become a household name in the fight world. Fighting out of Australia, he started at the young age of 14. He then went on to win many accolades all the while, fighting some of the best in the world. He discusses how he got his start and what motivates his passion for Martial Arts.