- As a fighter, I'm sure its incredibly difficult for you not to train, what are you doing to keep busy while recuperating?
You can say that again. I have been doing the stationary bike every day for 30 minutes ? hard! I am not allowed to run outside (in the snow ? might slip, they say). As of this week, I started bag work, but only using my left side. I attend all martial arts classes, and I?m visualizing like crazy.
Pete quotes a study that shows the best athletic performance comes from a 75% visualization, 25% physical practice, so I am encouraged by the value of visualization.
I still teach the kids martial arts classes, and some of the adult classes. For the more physical group fitness classes I usually teach, I do the parts I am allowed to do (like crunches, stretches) and call out the rest.
That?s how I?m keeping busy. It also takes me an eternity to floss my teeth with only one hand, put on deodorant, shave my legs, get dressed, open jars, and type on the computer. So that?s keeping me pretty busy, too!
- As a woman fighter, you face many unique challenges that many of your male counterparts do not.
The only "unique" challenge I am confronted with is that no one understands what I do. When I try to explain it, the response I usually get is, "Oh yeah, my six-year-old nephew does that, too! He?s a black belt in taekwondo (or karate)."
I don?t have tattoos, a shaved head and eyebrow piercings, dress in black, or ride a motorcycle. People assume that?s the deal if you?re a "fighter." But I bet Rich Franklin gets that kind of reaction, too (NOT that I?m comparing myself in any way to someone of his athletic ability!!) so I don?t think it?s a uniquely female challenge.
I can?t think of a single other "challenge" that I face as a woman that a 135-pound man wouldn?t also face, including being taken seriously.
- How do you maintain the drive to be the best?
I try not to be a zero in anything. Keep my circle round, as my coach would say. In MMA, you work ground, and your stand-up gets weak. You focus on your stand-up, and your strength, say, declines. You hit the weights, and then all hell breaks loose at home or at work, because you?re spending too much time away at the gym. So I suppose the impetus to be the best comes from constantly working and re-working this balancing act.
- With Roxanne Modeferi's impressive victories over Jen Howe, and Julie Kedzie winning the whole boat at hook and shoot, the landscape in womens mma is changing. What challenges still await Tanya Vlahac?
The women are getting younger and more technical, but I have the advantage of the mental game. Not to say you can?t be young and mentally tough. I?ve just been doing it longer, I?ve lived some life, and I have the advantage that comes with age and experiences. Fitness-wise, I can hold my own against most people, and I think my mental toughness makes me train harder than someone who takes their fitness for granted. The new fighters are technically amazing ? but I still think fighting is 90% a mental game.
So to answer your question, what challenges still await me? Well, I?m not ready to stop fighting any time soon. I thought I was in the best shape of my life for Judy Neff. A month ago in Evansville, I KNOW I was in the best shape of my life, and technically better than ever. I want to see what I can do next time around. Exactly what event or which fight that will be, I don?t know, but I?ve just had something taken away that I always took for granted. When I?m back, it?ll be with a vengeance, because I will value the opportunities that come my way more than ever before.
- Who do you want to fight next?
I never got to fight Molly Helsel because of this injury. I like her attitude, and I respect her fire. I sat beside her Mom and brother at Hook ?n Shoot and they?re really good people. So I?d be willing to fight Molly some day. But I haven?t really thought about it much. Let?s see what happens next year, when I?m back in fighting shape.
- What fighters inspire you to train hard and do what you do?
Pete Tremblay, my coach. He doesn?t fight any more, but I?ve seen some of his fights from 25 years ago, and, man, they were crazy back then!!!! Of the pro fighters, you can guess I?d name this person: Randy Couture, for the sheer no-quit in him. Rich Franklin, for talent and brains and the self-effacing, and highly successful, disposition he showed as a coach on the T.U.F. television series. Females? Debi Purcell. Love her athletic talent, her unpretentious personality, the fact that she naturally and unabashedly promotes femininity as well as fighting ability, and for what she's done as an advocate for women MMA fighters. I hope the women coming up realize how much Debi has done to pave the way for them, and I hope they show her the respect and recognition she deserves.
- Any advice for other women who are looking to start training nhb?
Stop limiting yourself with false ideas. Human beings have walked the earth for a few thousand years ? if our bodies were that fragile, we wouldn?t have survived this long. Train hard, suck it up. If you have a coach who treats you differently than he or she treats the guys, find a new coach. Watch what the guys of your weight can do, and try to do it, too, to the very best of your ability. If you have your period, shut up. Just train. Wanna know how I really feel (smiling)?
- Thanks for a great interview. Anyone operating behind the curtain you want to thank? Any sponsers who have helped you become the fighter you are today?
Jeff Osborne from Hook ?n Shoot. Jeff is one of the classiest people I?ve had the privilege to meet (and you sure get to meet a lot of people in this business.) Jeff Osborne had the guts to do Revolution, Evolution, and the latest ?first?, the Women?s Grand Prix, a tournament-style MMA event. He?s put a lot on the line to advance women MMA fighters.
Thank you, Angus, for your interest, and for asking all those great questions. It was a pleasure for me. My friends say I talk too much, so thank you for actually asking me to talk ? instead of shutting me up!!
Big hello to you and all my friends in the States.
As you guys know, you can?t talk to a Canadian, "aye", without hearing something about the weather: So I?ll give you an update. We?re looking at minus 20 degrees today, and expecting 12 inches of snow overnight. Hope you guys are nice and warm! Take care.