A Portion Of Team Munoz
First of all I would like to say congratulations on the win last Saturday and your amazing comeback.
MMABeats: You said something at the press conference that made a big impression on me and it was "Adversity is the dust that polishes diamonds." Can you give me the back story of that quote and how it applied to your comeback on Saturday?
Mark: Because of the tumultuous year I had last year with pulling out against Chael Sonnen and watching him go for a world title, then rushing into a fight with Chris Weidman and getting knocked out the way I did, finding out later that I actually fought on a broken foot. The doctor says, "you will possibly be sitting out for about a year because of this injury." Upon hearing this, which was the straw that broke the camel's back, I spiraled into depression. I'm not a guy that drinks or does drugs, or parties but I love food. I began to eat all my comfort foods and got up to 261 pounds. Being at my lowest of lows and highest in weight I reached out to my strength and conditioning trainer. And from there I was able to turn it around. The structure of diet and exercise dug me out of the pit and I was able to rise out of the pit and become successful! It was this whole year that gave me perspective and made me realize that I had to fix things in my life and make sure everything was handled before I was able to train. So when I say, adversity is the dust that polishes a diamond." - One will go through adversity but because of that adversity at the end you will be able to shine even brighter!
MMABeats: You said something at the press conference that made a big impression on me and it was "Adversity is the dust that polishes diamonds." Can you give me the back story of that quote and how it applied to your comeback on Saturday?
Mark: Because of the tumultuous year I had last year with pulling out against Chael Sonnen and watching him go for a world title, then rushing into a fight with Chris Weidman and getting knocked out the way I did, finding out later that I actually fought on a broken foot. The doctor says, "you will possibly be sitting out for about a year because of this injury." Upon hearing this, which was the straw that broke the camel's back, I spiraled into depression. I'm not a guy that drinks or does drugs, or parties but I love food. I began to eat all my comfort foods and got up to 261 pounds. Being at my lowest of lows and highest in weight I reached out to my strength and conditioning trainer. And from there I was able to turn it around. The structure of diet and exercise dug me out of the pit and I was able to rise out of the pit and become successful! It was this whole year that gave me perspective and made me realize that I had to fix things in my life and make sure everything was handled before I was able to train. So when I say, adversity is the dust that polishes a diamond." - One will go through adversity but because of that adversity at the end you will be able to shine even brighter!
MMABeats: What was the process of getting out of the cycle of eating because you were sad and being said because you were eating? I am an emotional eater and i know this would help me as well as others.
Mark: I called up my trainer Todd Norman, scheduled a meeting, met him, and we devised a plan of action to get me black in shape. I also spoke to my very good friends in Sam Calavitta and Riley Ross that are very knowledgeable in this as well. They were very instrumental in helping me out of my funk. With a consistent work ethic and diet I was able to chip away at my weight everyday.
MMABeats: If you could have only one Bible verse committed to memory what would it be and why?
Mark: Proverbs 3:5-6 It says, "Trust in The Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He'll make your paths straight."- This verse is the verse that has been the verse I live by! All it's saying in its profound simplicity is all you have to do is trust in The Lord with everything, step out on faith and do what He has called you to do and when doing that He will make your paths straight! I love how this verse just gives you comfort and direction to overcome by trusting in The Lord!
MMABeats: What keeps you motivated to train even through all the adversity you have been dealing with in the last year ?
Mark: My motivation is summed up in two things: faith and family. I believe God has called me to become a warrior for Him to fight for souls and the platform He's given me is the UFC. When I look back upon his sovereignty over my life, God has been preparing me to become a fighter all along. So I step out in faith knowing that this is what He wants me to do. Also my family, with a wife and 4 children I need to provide and with the UFC I'm able to provide and still do what I love to do while glorifying Him at the same time.
MMABeats: How is the hand? I noticed it was swelled a bit during the press conference and was concerned about you.
Mark: Just got an X-ray yesterday (Tuesday July, 9) and its only a sprain. Thank goodness!!!! So as soon as the swelling and pain subsides I will continue my training.
MMABeats: Who was your biggest encourager during this camp?
Mark: My biggest encourager was Todd Norman. He's my strength and conditioning trainer. He believes in me and truly wants what's best for me. I love him like a brother!!
MMABeats: With your training have you ever reached a point where you felt like you werent progressing? How did you overcome that feeling and start making forward progress again?
Mark: Yes there were times when my weight was stagnant and I got a bit frustrated. I was training hard and doing everything right but my weight was staying still. So Todd and Sam gave me some of their insight to switch the training up a bit get rest in the middle of the day and when I started resting in the middle of the day the weight started to fall off again. We came down the conclusion that my cortisol levels were high and I had to get them down by training smarter, not harder and get rest in the middle of the day.
MMABeats: During your long layoff did you take time to learn new skills and new tactics for your return?
Oh yes! New skills were definitely incorporated into my weaponry. I honed my skills as far as striking and also my transitions from striking to takedowns.
MMABeats: What is your favorite post fight food ?
Mark: My favorite post fight food is sushi! I love eating sushi afterwards!
Mark: I called up my trainer Todd Norman, scheduled a meeting, met him, and we devised a plan of action to get me black in shape. I also spoke to my very good friends in Sam Calavitta and Riley Ross that are very knowledgeable in this as well. They were very instrumental in helping me out of my funk. With a consistent work ethic and diet I was able to chip away at my weight everyday.
MMABeats: If you could have only one Bible verse committed to memory what would it be and why?
Mark: Proverbs 3:5-6 It says, "Trust in The Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He'll make your paths straight."- This verse is the verse that has been the verse I live by! All it's saying in its profound simplicity is all you have to do is trust in The Lord with everything, step out on faith and do what He has called you to do and when doing that He will make your paths straight! I love how this verse just gives you comfort and direction to overcome by trusting in The Lord!
MMABeats: What keeps you motivated to train even through all the adversity you have been dealing with in the last year ?
Mark: My motivation is summed up in two things: faith and family. I believe God has called me to become a warrior for Him to fight for souls and the platform He's given me is the UFC. When I look back upon his sovereignty over my life, God has been preparing me to become a fighter all along. So I step out in faith knowing that this is what He wants me to do. Also my family, with a wife and 4 children I need to provide and with the UFC I'm able to provide and still do what I love to do while glorifying Him at the same time.
MMABeats: How is the hand? I noticed it was swelled a bit during the press conference and was concerned about you.
Mark: Just got an X-ray yesterday (Tuesday July, 9) and its only a sprain. Thank goodness!!!! So as soon as the swelling and pain subsides I will continue my training.
MMABeats: Who was your biggest encourager during this camp?
Mark: My biggest encourager was Todd Norman. He's my strength and conditioning trainer. He believes in me and truly wants what's best for me. I love him like a brother!!
MMABeats: With your training have you ever reached a point where you felt like you werent progressing? How did you overcome that feeling and start making forward progress again?
Mark: Yes there were times when my weight was stagnant and I got a bit frustrated. I was training hard and doing everything right but my weight was staying still. So Todd and Sam gave me some of their insight to switch the training up a bit get rest in the middle of the day and when I started resting in the middle of the day the weight started to fall off again. We came down the conclusion that my cortisol levels were high and I had to get them down by training smarter, not harder and get rest in the middle of the day.
MMABeats: During your long layoff did you take time to learn new skills and new tactics for your return?
Oh yes! New skills were definitely incorporated into my weaponry. I honed my skills as far as striking and also my transitions from striking to takedowns.
MMABeats: What is your favorite post fight food ?
Mark: My favorite post fight food is sushi! I love eating sushi afterwards!
RSS Feed