Two Women, Two Whiskeys, One Subject: Obstacle Racing 2

My sister-in-law, Alex, and I did a video series on a variety of topics.  Here's our second installment of Two Women, Two Whiskeys, One Subject: Obstacle Racing where I finally apologize to Al for our first mud run.

A Conversation with MMA Fighter, Steven Haag

Steven Haag is a sergeant at Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office, a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and 2007 #1 Ranked ground fighter in the nation by Gladiator Magazine.

Thank you so much for talking to us today, Steven!  How long have you been training martial arts?

I have been training martial arts for 15 years.

What arts do you train?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Boxing

What got you interested?

A friend of mine did a demonstration at our middle school talent show and that’s what hooked me.

Is there something in particular that made you want to take that first fight?

I was a very competitive jiu jitsu practitioner at that time. So more than anything it was just the challenge. It was a new type of challenge. I love pushing myself and challenging myself and that was the next step.

What were your thoughts before your first fight?

LOL! I’m about to go get punched in the face!!!

Have you lost a fight?  If so, what kept you motivated to get back in the cage? I mean some of us find it hard to get out of the chair to go for a walk, my guess is that getting back in there where there is actual physical risk is altogether different.

I finished up 2-0 as an amateur and currently 3-2 as a pro. The way I look at it you either win or you learn. With that type of mindset there are no losses only the possibility for improvement. So that is what continues to push me each and every day.

Have you ever had an embarrassing or unusual moment in the cage?

Luckily not yet.

Knowing how hard you work, does it sometimes get a little annoying to hear people go on about how “tough” their day is?

Not at all. Just because it doesn’t seem tough to me doesn’t mean it’s not tough for someone else. You never know what each individual has going on in their life. So, for them it could be a tough day.

What's your take on making weight?

I hate it! I am very mentally tough so making weight has never been an issue. My last 2 weeks I am very strict on what I eat. Usually about a week out I am 10 pounds over. I cut down to 5 lbs out by Thursday and then cut the last 5 lbs of water weight that morning before weigh ins.

What does Kandace think of your fighting?

It makes her a nervous wreck! However, she knows it is something I am very passionate about and supports me 100%.

What fighters, male or female, do you admire and why?

Mine have changed some over the years but the 2 that has stayed constant is Georges St. Pierre and Demetrious Johnson. Both are very humble and confident. Both are as well rounded as they come.

How did you transition from amateur to pro and what advice to you have for others wanting to do the same?

People are going to progress at different rates but don’t go until you are ready mentally and physically. If you can’t be in the gym 2 times a day 5 to 6 days a week. Don’t make the jump until you are willing to make those sacrifices. I would also suggest have a very strong base in one area whether it be wrestling, bjj, Muay Thai. Anything that you can fall back on when things go sideways in there.

If I recall correctly you were a competitive archer in a former life. Tell me a little about that.

I shot and traveled all over the United States competing in archery when I was younger. In 2003 & 2004 I won back to back shooter of the year awards and back to back world championships!

What’s next for you in your fighting/martial arts career?

No scheduled fights at the moment. However, I just had a Black Belt BJJ Exhibition Match against Chad Hardy at Hatchers in Maryville on November 18^th.

If you were to do ONE thing that you’ve never done, besides martial arts. Something else to apply your dedication to but you don’t because there are only so many hours in the day, what would it be?

I am a huge history buff. So, I think anything in archaeological work would be pretty cool.

I like to ask everyone to tell the readers what is one thing they can do to get started today (in either MMA or fighting-fitness) without any startup costs; something you can do at home, right now. What would you advise someone to do?

There are a ton of Youtube channels and fitness channels that are free of charge. Starting out just be active! Find something and do it 2 to 3 days a week 30 minutes to an hour. No matter what always push yourself. If its easy push harder.

Thank you so much for your time; it’s been an honor. 

Two Women, Two Whiskeys, One Subject: Obstacle Racing Episode 1

My sister-in-law, Alex, and I did a video series on a variety of topics.  Here's our first installment of Two Women, Two Whiskeys, One Subject: Obstacle Racing where I reveal my most embarrassing moment on a course.

A Conversation with Dancer, Leia Campbell

First things first, Leia, thank you for taking the time. And, full-disclosure, we know each other. I married one of your cousins [which one, I won’t say.] So, we are related in that sense, but I must say we are also related in having a love of certain things out of the ordinary.

So, when did you first start pole dancing and how did you get started?  Did you take a class? 

I started pole dancing about five years ago. I stumbled across pole dancing watching YouTube videos one night and got sucked down the rabbit hole. That night I thought mhmm, I would like to try this, I wonder if anybody teaches here in Knoxville. So, I searched online and came across Sheer Inspiration Pole Fitness. I asked my husband what he thought about it, and signed up for a class.

Do you do any other types of dance or sports? 

I have taken belly dance classes and performed in a burlesque troop for about two years. I also love to explore outdoors and paddleboard.

What does Caleb think of your dancing? 

I have his full support. He knows I enjoy it, that it challenges me, keeps me healthy. And he thinks its sexy.

Have you done public performances, private events, or is this for the sheer love of it? 

I have performed in a studio review at The International. Sheer Inspiration Pole Fitness does a student review about twice a year and the shows are awesome! Everybody puts a lot of work, training, and creativity into their performances, the support and feedback one gets from fellow performers is invaluable.  It really makes it fun to participate in. And if you’ve never been to a pole show before they are so much fun!

What thoughts did you have before your first performance? 

Even though I had performed before in the burlesque troupe performing for the pole review was a different beast altogether. I was so nervous!

Do you have a stage name and if so how did you come by it? 

I do not have a stage name for pole performances. My burlesque stage name was Diane Taluvya, and my husband came up with the name.  I thought it was cheeky and could work in a cutesy and a kind of deadly dame manner which was the persona I was going for, and I think I carried that through into my performance for pole. I’ve always been drawn to the dark and sort of macabre side of things.

Have you ever had an embarrassing or unusual moment in a performance?

Something unexpected almost always happens in a performance and you’ve just got to go with it and make it look like you meant to do that. In the pole performance my bustle skirt snapped and when I stood up to walk off stage my skirt came detached too, so I just flung it over my shoulder nonchalantly, did a little half turn and wink and strutted off the stage. Had I not had experience in doing burlesque I probably would’ve been mortified and looked awkward, but the thing is to keep the “act” going no matter what happens.

Who inspires you in dancing?  

My pole momma and instructor at the studio I attend, Natasha Fine, is a huge inspiration to me! Along with I everyone I dance with at the studio they are all amazing and supportive. I also love Alethea Austin and Marlo Fisken. Alethea has a studio in Nashville, the Chrome Bar, and produces and performs in her shows Live Dancing Girls and Miss Pole Dance America. If you have the chance to attend one of her shows, go! It will blow your mind! Marlo Fisken has a studio based out of Boulder, CO, and she teaches movement classes called Flow Movement that are available to the masses online, if you can’t attend one in person; they are also amazing!

Any other inspirations outside dancing? 

I love film, nature, music, my family, and friends, I draw inspiration from all these things. I’m not a professional dancer and I am certainly not the best pole dancer I know (there are many others that are waaaayyy better than me), but I have fallen in love with the sport and plan to keep doing it as long as I can.

Pole dancing has a stigma of being associated with stripping and not-niceness, which is short-sighted to my mind.  Is the stripper-connection a misconception or do they work hand in hand?

The thing that people have a misconception about pole dance is that it is one thing. When in truth it can be whatever you want it to be. If you want a challenging workout that works all parts of your body in strength, endurance, and flexibility, then pole is for you. If you want to float like a fairy in a tutu and have a completely ethereal look, then pole is for you. If you want to have high drama or express your pain, then pole is for you. Pole is whatever you make it! So, if you want to also dance in stripper style with grinding, directional body touching, heel clacks, and floor work then, yes, pole dancing is for you! Pole dancing is what you make it!

You once posted this cute video of Caleb holding Coraline, then just a baby, and getting her to swing around the pole.  I believe you said now she plays on it and says "Look Mommy!  I go round and round!"  It was so adorable! Have you had any judgmental push back? What would you say to them if they were right in front of you? 

I have gotten eye rolls, been made fun of, been aghast at, had that awkward silence after saying something about what you did in class that day or that you performed in a pole show. The misconception that the studio is where sleazy strip club managers come to your class on a talent search for their club (yes, someone asked me if that happened) is just flat out wrong! I know that pole is so much more than what people think it is. People can either see past their preconceptions or you realize that is not something you can share with them. I know now that there is a wonderful community of people that love the sport, and are willing to talk and share about their love of pole too.

If my daughter came to me today and said mommy I want to learn how to do that, I would let her in a heartbeat. I would liken it to gymnastics and have seen other children participate in it as well, so I see nothing wrong with it.

What advice would you give to other dancers who are faced with opposition from friends/family/culture about what they do? 

Keep going, do what you love. I’ve learned who I can be open about it with and who I will get a backlash from. If you do get a backlash, I would realize that they don’t have a full picture of what pole dance is, and for those haters, realize that you can do something they can’t, and smile to yourself about it, you are the one enjoying the spoils and satisfaction from the hard work you have put into your training, they are the ones missing out, wishing they had arms like yours.

If there were one other hobby/pastime that you don’t currently do, but wouldn’t mind giving it a go, what would it be? 

I would like to try silks or lyra. The aerial arts bug has bitten me. And I feel like the community of flow artists is rich in this area. As a little girl I wanted to join the circus and as an adult I don’t feel like that feeling has ever left except now I feel like I might have a talent if the option ever arose.

So, Leia, if our readers wanted to start dancing what advice could you give them to get up right now and get started without any money or going somewhere? How can they capture a little bit of what you do? 

Turn on some music and start to move, see where the music takes you. To vary it up set a mood in the area you are dancing, change up the lighting, and challenge yourself by trying to evoke a mood thru dance or dance to music you wouldn’t typically dance too; push yourself out of your comfort zone and see what happens. You might surprise yourself!

Here are my answers, Kylie. Thanks for thinking of me when you think of doers, that feels good. I hope to keep doing and try new things and hopefully inspire others, especially my daughter. 

Interview with Female MMA Fighter, Amanda Miller

First things first, thanks for taking the time talk with me, Mandy!

Thank you so much for the invite and the questions.  You came up with some great questions thank you for taking the time to come up with them and the blog.

Now, correct me if I am wrong, but I believe I have heard Coach Chris Martindale of The Dawg House Gym refer to you as the most decorated female martial artist in West Virginia, is that correct?

Yes, He has been known to refer to me as that lol.

How long have you been training martial arts?

I have been training for 15 years.

What arts do you train?

Wow! Well I have trained in several different styles of martial arts: Ko Sutemi Seiei Kan Karate.  Ju-Jitsu,  Boxing,  Kickboxing, Wrestling, Judo, Aikido, Muay Thai those are the ones I can think of as of right now.

What got you interested?

I started my son in karate class when he was 5 years old.  The instructor's wife talked me into taking a class, and after I got through the basics I fell in love with it.

Now, Mixed Martial arts, or MMA, is about as rough as it gets. Allow me to ask, why do you do it?

For me it is a passion.  I just have a love for the competition and the sport it keeps me centered.

Is there something in particular that made you want to take a fight?

Yes.  when I had my first fight I was soul searching.  After my first fight I realized it made me feel alive or human again.  See at the time I was in a marriage that was both mentally and physically abusive.  Not many people know this and it's something I didn't talk about but over the past 5 years I have been able to open up about it some.  but for the blog I will say that the fighting and the training always gave me something to look forward to.

What were your thoughts before your first fight?

Scared to death!  But lots of emotions fear being one.  a huge adrenaline rush.  "Can I do this?"  "What am I doing?"  "Ok let's do this!!!"  I literally couldn't sit still before I entered the cage.

Have you lost a fight?  If so, what kept you motivated to get back in the cage? I mean some of us get upset if they fall off of a diet, my guess is that getting back in there where there is actual physical risk is altogether different.

Yes. I have lost fights. My motivation is the passion for the sport and the competition.  And yes, I am my worst critic. always questioning: Am I good enough? Did I train enough?  What happened? What went wrong? Watching and re-watching the fight to see my mistakes where I could improve or where I should have done this instead of that. I put so much time and energy into training camps that it takes a hard mental-toll even more than a physical one

Knowing how hard you work, does it sometimes get a little annoying to hear people go on about how “tough” their day is?

No not really. I think with the world we live in today everyone has their "tough" days. Everyone's lifestyle is different and really, I just like to try to lift people's spirits, because really we never know what someone is dealing with on a daily basis.

Do you prefer to train with men or women, or does it even matter?

It doesn't matter really, well as long as the men can leave their egos outside the gym doors. I have been injured in training by a couple of men training partners with ego issues.  Ones not wanting a woman to get the best of them or tap them out. But I do have several men training partners that are awesome and know just how to push me but not overdo it. Heck most of the time I am the only "chick" in the gym lol.

What's your take on making weight?

The whole weight thing is awful. There needs to be more weight classes. everyone is built different. I work out so much that it makes me carry more muscle. and I'm sure everyone is aware that it weighs more than fat. so I always end up starving and doing the sauna suit in the gym-training and in the sauna.  It's so hard on the body both physically and mentally

What does Tim think of your fighting?

He supports me 110% he always finds the time to make it to the gym to watch me train, and he is even one of my training partners throughout my training camps.  He says he loves to watch me fight win or lose.

What fighters, male or female, do you admire and why?

Meisha Tate. she is the reason for women's MMA being where it is today.  She is and always will be the people's champ. She has an amazing heart and she is always humble win or lose. I'm not sure why, but I just always stay in shape and in training and wait for what's offered next.

What’s next for you in your fighting/martial arts career?

Personal Trainer. I have gotten so hooked on the healthy lifestyle that I would love to make everyone healthy (and I said healthy not skinny).  I do have a few people that I work with but if I had the time I would love to have my license and do it all the time.


In speaking to a friend or someone at home now who doesn't work out yet, what's the one thing you would tell them to do to get started without having to make any purchases or get a gym membership?

To get started one doesn't need a gym really.  Diet and portion control is a huge part of it all. Start tracking calories, cut out carbs. increase vegetables and fruits, and foods high in protein chicken, fish, etc. Start with walking or jogging 30 minutes a day and build from there. Set small goals for yourself so you don't get frustrated. And there are so many workouts you can do by just using your own body push-ups, sit-ups, leg lifts, stretching, and the list goes on.

Thank you so much for your time, it's been an honor!