I’ve been involved with martial arts for about, ummm 24 years. For 19 of those years, I've trained at San Jose’s American Kickboxing Academy–AKA®. While I focused on kickboxing, AKA became a global force in MMA, home to UFC and Strikeforce champions. Astonishingly enough, I developed skills. Armed with silly confidence, I began hard sparring and entering “Smoker” events. My wife was not thrilled. I crawled home damaged, iced my boo-boo’s and meowed. I’d get the look – the wife look. Her face said, "My parents were correct. I married an idiot."
I began cornering fighters at our Smokers and helping other members with techniques – a good experience. Finally, AKA opened a gym closer to my home. At the new gym, a lot of my time was spent mentoring and training young members. Over time, we had built a small team of amateur MMA fighters who wanted to seriously compete. Suddenly, I became their coach.
I began cornering fighters at our Smokers and helping other members with techniques – a good experience. Finally, AKA opened a gym closer to my home. At the new gym, a lot of my time was spent mentoring and training young members. Over time, we had built a small team of amateur MMA fighters who wanted to seriously compete. Suddenly, I became their coach.
What? Me!? I’m a kickboxer! MMA incorporates, Jujitsu, Boxing, Kickboxing and Wrestling! I know zip about MMA.
So, now what, Mr. Smarty Pants?!
So, now what, Mr. Smarty Pants?!
My approach was ripped out of the pages of business marketing. I developed SWOT analysis for each of my fighters. I researched all opponents to identify their styles, strengths and weaknesses. I also devoured every piece of data about their coaches. Only then, did I create a fight strategy. We knew more about our opposition than they knew about themselves. I preached intelligence! I gave my kids a copy of Sun Tzu’s, The Art of War. Anatomy documents were provided that illustrated the effects of strikes and holds to the body.
I proclaimed, “MMA is a creative high speed chess game”. Creative? At first my kids laughed, but our results spoke loudly.
Overall, we have a 90+% win ratio.
Plus, I can baffle our competition. At weigh-in, I will wear flip-flops, a "dad shirt", big smile and chat-up the teams.
Occasionally I could hear them asking each other, “Mondo! Who dah F was that Ol dude? You know what he talkin' bout?
I dunno Raymond, but he be talkin' funny."
Overall, we have a 90+% win ratio.
Plus, I can baffle our competition. At weigh-in, I will wear flip-flops, a "dad shirt", big smile and chat-up the teams.
Occasionally I could hear them asking each other, “Mondo! Who dah F was that Ol dude? You know what he talkin' bout?
I dunno Raymond, but he be talkin' funny."
Old Dude? Aw really? It dawned on me, we needed to brand our team. So, we came up with a name, Los Bullies.
Bullies?
It's a counterbalance. My kids are understated and polite but, devastating inside the cage. I will not bluff you, MMA is a brutal game. But, through intelligence, creativity and hard technical training, we won without sustaining damage. I've returned all of my kids to their families with every tooth, bone and brain cell in top shape. Plus, they have big smiles on their faces.
Who knew that an Advertising & Design Creative Director could develop a winning MMA fight team?
Yet, I'm still getting "the look" from my wife.
Who knew that an Advertising & Design Creative Director could develop a winning MMA fight team?
Yet, I'm still getting "the look" from my wife.
Thank you for your appreciation
