M M A
Mixed Martial Arts
Jason Mitchiner
TESTIMONIAL BY Jason_Mitchiner
I'm 34 years old. I thought after your 20s its pretty much down hill. You metabolism slows down, hair gets thinner, endurance slows down. When I turned 30 I thought this was pretty much my peak, my last hooray at being the best I could be athletically. I started power lifting and taking protein shakes. I looked at football players and thought that they seemed like they were in the best shape, the ultimate athlete, I mean who wouldn't think that watching the games even on television they seem invincible and are hit with incredible force and the strength displayed is daunting to say the least when thinking of myself on that field although I am fit I am also fast so use your imagination were that ever to occur!
I went from 165 lbs to 185 lbs and benched 275 lbs 10 times while squatting the same. However as I got on the tread mill I couldn't even run a mile without getting out of breath, me the ultimate try anything guy, an athlete in every sense since I can remember who have never shied away from any physical challenge and welcomed it, being something I thought would be successful in a career or just for fun, I love physical movement and using my body and understanding it's incredible ability to be flexible to my needs and to push myself, surfing, scuba diving, swimming, etc. Then my biceps starting swelling up so much from curling 75lb dumbbells that it looked like a witch doctor had shrunken my head, the ultimate peanut head. Then I realized that except for the wide receivers and running backs in football, most football players are in only relatively good shape, not fantastic or extreme shape, depending on the position and needs some are actually over weight and only condition their bodies for a quick explosion of physical exertion as most plays from the time the ball is snapped is only 4 seconds and then the football players can go to the sidelines after only a few plays for oxygen, a drink, and even a substitute to go in for them.
After this realization and my constant heavy breathing, as if I had just smoked a pack of Camels, (I'm a non-smoker) I thought I would start giving endurance running a try. I started doing 5 miles races working my way up to a Marathon. As I looked at the top runners, the ones winning the races, in the early days even envying the ones just finishing the races (which I still see as winning because they did not quit) I looked at their bodies and saw mostly skin and bones. Muscles and weight slow you down; I was getting passed by many children who weighed around 60 lbs because they are so light. This reminded me of the Olympic runner who was banned due to being an amputee and his prosthetics, Oscar Pistorius a distance runner because he "shaved" off some weight and had additional spring back from his new bionic legs, called Blade Running.
Two years ago I stumbled upon MMA. MMA or Mixed Martial Arts was a "sport" I had no prior experience of any type in. I had not done any type of combat sport before. I never wrestled, boxed, or did any karate. I had been an athlete, am an athlete, a writer, a father, a provider. I simply had never had much of a need or desire for any combat sports. I always watched wrestling, enjoyed boxing, and then UFC and eventually MMA as it gained popularity with a lot of admiration for the fighters and their discipline to get in shape and fight in their respective "strengths" and "sports".
Have you watched MMA on TV? If you have or something similar like I had done prior to going into my first class, I had all of the preconceived notions that it is a violent sport and only suited for the young, or aged athlete again going for the "last hooray", again, I had felt I was far past my prime. I walked into my first day of the MMA building where I had signed up and started to train and learn. I was in total shock as my body and brain tried to reconcile with the type of exercise that we, as a group had to do together. Not only was my body doing new things that I never knew my body could do or was capable of doing (different stretching, grappling in different positions, and here I am thinking I knew myself so well it was my body and I was stunned) and my mind, it was almost more challenging as I was being pushed and challenged mentally in a way I never envisioned.. As I was actively learning the different steps needed to defeat an opponent (like when you play chess, you must think ahead, it is about strategy, about strengths, and also about honesty, know yourself, and also trust your trainer).
After my first class, I knew I was hooked, it wasn't mindless weight lifting, or running till I'm skin and bones. The professional MMA fighters and trainers were all in supreme shape, a perfect blend of strength, endurance, and mental balance.
Now about battling in the octagon, it is not required by any MMA school that if you start taking classes you need to ever step into or even support the "action" in the octagon to test your skills. There are beginner's classes and children's classes that focus mostly on the "getting in shape" and TOTAL balance of mind, body, and spirit aspect of MMA. However, there are advanced classes and sparring and "live" sessions where you can test all of your MMA, again, without entering the octagon.
Finally, there is entering the octagon. If you have an over whelming desire or ambition of becoming a Pro MMA fighter, then this is the path you will be taking. I never knew after my first class, that I would end up in the octagon, but yet here I am and loving each time I get to enter the cage. Bas Rutten, a UFC Heavyweight Champion, 3 time winner of the Pancrase world champion, now the retired Dutch MMA fighter is an MMA authority, revered and respected he advises that a fighter waits at least three years before their first MMA fight. I think this is a very good and sound rule of thumb.
I entered the octagon after only one year of training and even though my stand up was really good and I was beating my opponent that way, eventually he exploited my weakness and took me to the ground and beat me with a "rear naked choke". (MMA terminology yet I believe you can imagine it was less than pleasant and definitely not something I wished to repeat). I was not discouraged however, perhaps more motivated as I have never been a quitter and have stood by everything I've worked toward and still do until the end result is accomplished. Until then it is all a work in progress, as I am and will continue to be for there is no "perfect" technique or fighter yet they have perfected to the best of their abilities their own strengths and weaknesses and using that philosophy I worked harder on my ground game. My next fight, I sought out another "striker" as I thought this would be a good matchup, instead of fighting another fighter with a wrestling background. However, this "striker" found out about my weakness on the ground and exploited it again, giving me, yet again, a loss. So I have an amateur record of 0-2 in the ring. That's ok; I'll just work harder at my ground and keep getting into the octagon. I am hopeful and confident for my first win in the near future and eventual move onto the next level or wherever MMA takes me.
Even though a victory in the octagon has eluded me thus far, the shape I'm in, I couldn't be happier with. I'm 5'10, 155lbs, I have muscles that are functional and serve a purpose in grappling, striking and in other activities. I have endurance that is explosive, which keeps my body lean and my muscles defined. I'm 34 years old now and look and feel better than I ever have in my life. As we age, some people have gone towards human growth hormones, some plastic surgery. It is more than a sport; it is a way of life, a lifestyle. I say get into shape the MMA way and start today for a new body, mind, and outlook on life!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Mitchiner
I'm 34 years old. I thought after your 20s its pretty much down hill. You metabolism slows down, hair gets thinner, endurance slows down. When I turned 30 I thought this was pretty much my peak, my last hooray at being the best I could be athletically. I started power lifting and taking protein shakes. I looked at football players and thought that they seemed like they were in the best shape, the ultimate athlete, I mean who wouldn't think that watching the games even on television they seem invincible and are hit with incredible force and the strength displayed is daunting to say the least when thinking of myself on that field although I am fit I am also fast so use your imagination were that ever to occur!
I went from 165 lbs to 185 lbs and benched 275 lbs 10 times while squatting the same. However as I got on the tread mill I couldn't even run a mile without getting out of breath, me the ultimate try anything guy, an athlete in every sense since I can remember who have never shied away from any physical challenge and welcomed it, being something I thought would be successful in a career or just for fun, I love physical movement and using my body and understanding it's incredible ability to be flexible to my needs and to push myself, surfing, scuba diving, swimming, etc. Then my biceps starting swelling up so much from curling 75lb dumbbells that it looked like a witch doctor had shrunken my head, the ultimate peanut head. Then I realized that except for the wide receivers and running backs in football, most football players are in only relatively good shape, not fantastic or extreme shape, depending on the position and needs some are actually over weight and only condition their bodies for a quick explosion of physical exertion as most plays from the time the ball is snapped is only 4 seconds and then the football players can go to the sidelines after only a few plays for oxygen, a drink, and even a substitute to go in for them.
After this realization and my constant heavy breathing, as if I had just smoked a pack of Camels, (I'm a non-smoker) I thought I would start giving endurance running a try. I started doing 5 miles races working my way up to a Marathon. As I looked at the top runners, the ones winning the races, in the early days even envying the ones just finishing the races (which I still see as winning because they did not quit) I looked at their bodies and saw mostly skin and bones. Muscles and weight slow you down; I was getting passed by many children who weighed around 60 lbs because they are so light. This reminded me of the Olympic runner who was banned due to being an amputee and his prosthetics, Oscar Pistorius a distance runner because he "shaved" off some weight and had additional spring back from his new bionic legs, called Blade Running.
Two years ago I stumbled upon MMA. MMA or Mixed Martial Arts was a "sport" I had no prior experience of any type in. I had not done any type of combat sport before. I never wrestled, boxed, or did any karate. I had been an athlete, am an athlete, a writer, a father, a provider. I simply had never had much of a need or desire for any combat sports. I always watched wrestling, enjoyed boxing, and then UFC and eventually MMA as it gained popularity with a lot of admiration for the fighters and their discipline to get in shape and fight in their respective "strengths" and "sports".
Have you watched MMA on TV? If you have or something similar like I had done prior to going into my first class, I had all of the preconceived notions that it is a violent sport and only suited for the young, or aged athlete again going for the "last hooray", again, I had felt I was far past my prime. I walked into my first day of the MMA building where I had signed up and started to train and learn. I was in total shock as my body and brain tried to reconcile with the type of exercise that we, as a group had to do together. Not only was my body doing new things that I never knew my body could do or was capable of doing (different stretching, grappling in different positions, and here I am thinking I knew myself so well it was my body and I was stunned) and my mind, it was almost more challenging as I was being pushed and challenged mentally in a way I never envisioned.. As I was actively learning the different steps needed to defeat an opponent (like when you play chess, you must think ahead, it is about strategy, about strengths, and also about honesty, know yourself, and also trust your trainer).
After my first class, I knew I was hooked, it wasn't mindless weight lifting, or running till I'm skin and bones. The professional MMA fighters and trainers were all in supreme shape, a perfect blend of strength, endurance, and mental balance.
Now about battling in the octagon, it is not required by any MMA school that if you start taking classes you need to ever step into or even support the "action" in the octagon to test your skills. There are beginner's classes and children's classes that focus mostly on the "getting in shape" and TOTAL balance of mind, body, and spirit aspect of MMA. However, there are advanced classes and sparring and "live" sessions where you can test all of your MMA, again, without entering the octagon.
Finally, there is entering the octagon. If you have an over whelming desire or ambition of becoming a Pro MMA fighter, then this is the path you will be taking. I never knew after my first class, that I would end up in the octagon, but yet here I am and loving each time I get to enter the cage. Bas Rutten, a UFC Heavyweight Champion, 3 time winner of the Pancrase world champion, now the retired Dutch MMA fighter is an MMA authority, revered and respected he advises that a fighter waits at least three years before their first MMA fight. I think this is a very good and sound rule of thumb.
I entered the octagon after only one year of training and even though my stand up was really good and I was beating my opponent that way, eventually he exploited my weakness and took me to the ground and beat me with a "rear naked choke". (MMA terminology yet I believe you can imagine it was less than pleasant and definitely not something I wished to repeat). I was not discouraged however, perhaps more motivated as I have never been a quitter and have stood by everything I've worked toward and still do until the end result is accomplished. Until then it is all a work in progress, as I am and will continue to be for there is no "perfect" technique or fighter yet they have perfected to the best of their abilities their own strengths and weaknesses and using that philosophy I worked harder on my ground game. My next fight, I sought out another "striker" as I thought this would be a good matchup, instead of fighting another fighter with a wrestling background. However, this "striker" found out about my weakness on the ground and exploited it again, giving me, yet again, a loss. So I have an amateur record of 0-2 in the ring. That's ok; I'll just work harder at my ground and keep getting into the octagon. I am hopeful and confident for my first win in the near future and eventual move onto the next level or wherever MMA takes me.
Even though a victory in the octagon has eluded me thus far, the shape I'm in, I couldn't be happier with. I'm 5'10, 155lbs, I have muscles that are functional and serve a purpose in grappling, striking and in other activities. I have endurance that is explosive, which keeps my body lean and my muscles defined. I'm 34 years old now and look and feel better than I ever have in my life. As we age, some people have gone towards human growth hormones, some plastic surgery. It is more than a sport; it is a way of life, a lifestyle. I say get into shape the MMA way and start today for a new body, mind, and outlook on life!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Mitchiner
