Learning MMA/Getting a job

[Asphyxiate]

Not sure if this is the right forum (got stuck between here and HS) but I was wondering for those whom do a martial art (not necessarily MMA), is it worth it? I know I'm gonna get my ass totally kicked since my body's likely not gonna be prepared for the physical demand entailed but I'm cool with that. I also know that without dedication I'm just wasting cash. I'd like some opinions however, on martial arts in general. What are the first couple of months like? The first year?

I wanna do it not cos I wanna kick ass (well, I do actually :kick or show off but because I need something to do. I feel that learning to defend myself would be a worthy investment and if I begin now, I'll be quite adept by the time I'm 25. Never too late to learn. Also it'd give me a goal, something I can micromanage and track the progress of. Aside from that, I'm bound to meet new people. I'd like to join a gym as well but I figure MMA will give me enough of a work out. Besides, as it is, I'm fitter than the majority of my classmates. I'm content to rely on body weight exercises for now.

I'm cautious about jumping straight into MMA (or any other martial art) because I'm well aware that my family's anything but well off. I'm unwilling to do it if it's just gonna be a waste of time (AKA I'm being taught bull****). Right now my life's just done a total 180 and I feel intensely motivated. I am however, aware that I can't do anything I aspire to without cash. Unfortunately, to begin any of my ventures I need to get a job and I've got no experience in that area (okay, 1 week of work experience...) and my resume's nonexistent. I refuse to pile up even more bills on my mum.

I'm looking to get a casual/part time job, all I need is $50-$100 a week, nothing too fancy. I don't wanna get so burdened with work that my grades slip and my social life disappears. Assuming this plan goes into fruition, I'm gonna save half of it for a trip to France (on student exchange, accommodation probably with a friend, so it'll be *relatively* cheap) during this or next year's summer holidays. The other half I'll use to fuel my MMA aspirations/just stash away/spending cash. The problem is, like I said before, I've got no experience in working. I'm not even sure how I'd go about looking for a job. I've tried applying online but they pretty much never reply so that just leaves walking straight into a store and handing in a resume (nonexistent as of now) which I'm not quite sure how to do. Do I just go in and ask if they have vacant places and hand my resume in regardless of what they say? What about job positions? It seems kinda weird to go into a supermarket and hand a resume in without saying what I wanna do.

 

[CarlitosWay]

Look just dress nicely and walk into any places that are not too far from you. Ask to speak to a manager of a department you would be interested in e.g. produce or meat department. Let him know you're interested to see if there's any jobs available or any that will be soon, give him your number and you take a card or his number.

Keep in mind a lot of places have only seasonal workers or need a little extra help even if only a few days a week. At times people get fired for whatever reasons and even if a Manager you spoke with didn't have any spots open before, a week or two later he can!

Get a foot in the door, say you would be excited to work for "x" company and that you're a fast learner.

As for martial arts. I'd look into things like Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Brazilian jui jitsu, Judo/Sambo, boxing.

All great I'd start with some stand up fighting training first than move onto wrestling stuff.

 

[Asphyxiate]

MMA's the only thing being taught close to me. Just scouted the place out. This is their website: http://www.kempokarate.com.au/

It's $52 a fortnight for I think 2 lessons a week, each lesson being 1 hour or so. I didn't see much physical exertion occurring when I was watching cos they were doing technique. IMO two lessons a week doesn't seem like much esp at $26 a week. I'd like any thoughts on this and the website.

I'm rethinking my former perspectives on the gym. Recently whilst coming home at night with my friends, a fight came close to starting. I've come to the realization that even with MMA skills (or any fighting skills), I'd still get owned in a fight consisting of more than 1/2 people. On the other hand, I could avoid fights altogether through sheer physical intimidation. Assuming a fight did start, I'd still have some sort of advantage. I'd also be fitter/better looking in general. Would taking up gym membership rather than MMA lessons be better?

 

[CarlitosWay]

I'd also be fitter/better looking in general. Would taking up gym membership rather than MMA lessons be better?

Absolutely ....and tuck some money to the side for the MMA you would like to get into later..

Look two people fighting at the same skill level, most of the time you will have the bigger/stronger one always come out as the victor. I don't care what people say.

The BJJ training is the only thing that looks worthwhile though. That and Muay Thai/boxing is where it's at!!

 

[JustLurk]

I'd recommend actually going to (Read:Taking) a class or two.. Most dojos and the like let you do that, especially if you ask someone already training there for help getting a tour. One near me, for example, had a little card members could give to someone for a free week's worth of class. The price seems a bit high to me though, but not rip-off high. I agree with the above on going to the gym as well though, but I'd say don'y skip one for the other.

 

[Asphyxiate]

I'm gonna take a trial class tonight. I'm leaning more and more towards gym though. It seems like more bang for my buck. I know like nothing about gyms though. For exercises that require a spotter, do I just ask a random person to spot me or someone who works there?

 

[CarlitosWay]

I'm gonna take a trial class tonight. I'm leaning more and more towards gym though. It seems like more bang for my buck. I know like nothing about gyms though. For exercises that require a spotter, do I just ask a random person to spot me or someone who works there?

yeah ask anyone who cares unless they're a **** most will gladly help and even give pointers or ask them "How was my form?" I did today when I was getting spotted doing the decline barbell bench press.

great site to learn form on various exercises
http://www.exrx.net/Exercise.html

A lot of guys doing MMA are doing something like this. Good solid routine upper/lower body split. Have questions just ask. Yet everything is outlined in there by Defranco.

http://www.defrancostraining.com/articles.html

 

[Bible_Belt]

MMA's the only thing being taught close to me. Just scouted the place out. This is their website: http://www.kempokarate.com.au/

That web site comes off as being a little too commercialized. I know it's hard to keep a dojo profitable, but they seem more concerned about selling classes than fighting. The self-esteem classes are odd. That is not typical of traditional martial arts - a good instructor is more likely to be tearing down your self-esteem. Also the Asian medicine focus is odd; I'm guessing they are just pandering to whatever groups of weirdos will buy classes.

The web site says the place is run by two guys. I watched a video of the Fari guy, and he does know his stuff about a lot of the old-school Japanese moves. The other guy, Frank, looks like a fraud:

http://www.healthedinternational.com/index.cfm?page=13
In February 1999, Frank was diagnosed with a Pituitary Tumor and given 6 months to live. Having had many years of research and extensive knowledge in health and healing, Frank chose to seek the help of Dr John Whitman Ray. He would spend the next 2 months following a strict supplementation and nutrition program in order to prepare his body physically for the full Body Electronics Program. In April 1999 Frank went to New Zealand and spent 8 weeks undergoing Body Electronics. After 8 weeks he returned to Melbourne with a doctor’s certificate of good health.

Yeah, right. I call bvllsh!t on that one. If he learned how to cure cancer ten years ago, he would not be wasting his time teaching you. I bet that guy never gets on the mat and spars with anyone; he just talks.

If you want to fight, ask them how many fighters they have produced, and how many guys who train with them are currently fighting. That is really all that matters. That school seems too concerned with children, self-esteem, and Asian medicine to produce fighters.

And yes, get a job first. You will still have time to train.

 

[Asphyxiate]

I tried googling Frank before and came up with the same thing you found but I also found mention of him on http://www.richardnorton.org/news.asp
That lends a bit of credibility: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Norton_(actor)

Also the site has a lot of pictures of Frank w/some important martial artists.

Speaking of which, they also run a small gym at $34/fortnight. No contracts.

 

[Bible_Belt]

He's at a UFC convention in most of those pics. That's why the fighters are there, to take pics with strangers.

It might be a great place; I'm not going to bad mouth people I've never met. I can tell you, though, that there are two martial arts trainers that live near me. One of them has a happy feelgood philosophy. He bakes you a cake if you win a fight (I am not making that up). He is also a complete joke as a martial artist. I think most of the students where I train could beat him up. But he has a large kid's program, and he pays his bills; good for him.

The other trainer is the guy I train with. He's the opposite in personality and extremely difficult to impress. Typically, new guys will show up thinking they are good fighters, then I beat up on them without really trying and also showing obvious mercy. Then they think I'm good...until my trainer tells them that I am 0-3 and pretty awful. Then we never see them again, because few fighter's self-esteem can handle such a blow. They'd rather have a cake.

I went through the same thing, but I don't need self-esteem training; I was there to learn how to fight. My trainer is the best around; he teaches what works and his guys are the best fighters around. One of my buddies just fought for Strikeforce in front of 8,000 people. Producing talent is the sign of a good trainer, which is why I would look for whatever gym is doing the same near you. Try also attending an mma event and figuring out where the winning fighters train.

And remember that self-esteem bolstering and martial arts training are opposites. A fight is not like a children's TV show or the Special Olympics where everyone is a winner. Good luck with your training. And more so getting that first job.