UGer’s The Fighter Within book publishes tomorrow
Chris Olech traveled across North America and Europe interviewing and often training with some of the biggest names in the fight world. And now he shares the journey.
Chris Olech’s The Fighter Within: Everyone Has A Fight-Insights into the Minds and Souls of True Champions?publishes today.
Olechtraveled across North America and Europe interviewing and often training with some of the biggest names in the fight world. And now he shares the journey in his book.
You learn so many different principles, regardless of the type of training you choose to do, and that really drew me in,” he said to Chris Doucette for the Toronto Sun. “Mixed martial arts taught me anything worthwhile in life requires hard work. But the strong work ethic, persistence and other traits needed to be successful in MMA also help you break down barriers and accomplish goals in your life outside of the gym.
While writing for MMACanada.net I realized I had a knack for not only getting interviews but also getting people to open up to me. As a huge MMA fan myself, I felt like I knew what would interest other fans, so I decided I needed to do something bigger. The idea was to go deeper, to find out more about these people we idolize and really show who they are.
Everybody has a different personality, so each person required a different approach. With some I barely had to say anything, I just guided them in a direction and they went with it. Others, like Fedor Emelianenko, were much more difficult. It took three full interviews to really start breaking down the walls with him. But everyone was so humble. These great legends opened up their time, their hearts and, in some cases, even their families to me.
I’m just really passionate about MMA, a sport that is still so young. I was lucky enough to watch Royce Gracie win the first ever UFC tournament in 1993, when I was just a kid, and I’ve watched it evolve over the years. I’m excited to see where the sport goes in the next 10 years.
A glimpse into The Fighter Within:
So every time I do fight, it always takes me on a different journey and it takes me to a place where I learn a lot about myself, because when it comes down to it, everybody helped me prepare and stuff like that, but it’s me …the one who steps inside the cage. It’s me who has to face the weakest parts of me, you know? When you’re held accountable and your back is against the wall, you’re going to find out what kind of person you are inside. Some people like what they find and some people don’t.
Suga Rashad Evans, former UFC light heavyweight champion
How much hard work and dedication are you willing to put into something is what it really boils down to. However dedicated you think you are, there is somebody out there that is more dedicated than you trying to take your spot, trying to take it away from you, you just have to remember that. There is always somebody else, and if you get that into your head, you can never be secure in the position you attained. The hard work it took to get you there is the same work that will keep you there.
Rich Ace Franklin, former UFC middleweight champion now retired
Obviously, fear can come into it if you let it, but if you can learn how to control it and be realistic about your situation and to put all the other big stuff out of your head, like people’s judgements, the show and that stuff … just think about fighting. Like once you are in there, that’s it. Basically your outlook has to be like this is the last day of your life, nothing else matters, but if you think about what people are going to think of you, think about if you lose, you won’t get that money, or you don’t get that title shot, then you are going to start freaking out, getting scared and nervous, you know?
Rory Red King MacDonald, #1 UFC welterweight contender