Student Feature - Joshua Smith
When we put a callout for people for members to help with classes, Josh surprised us when he stepped up. Yes, he was always the most respfectul student in class, but also the most quiet - it was hard to imagine him leading a class of students. However, he stepped up and now has helmed some of our beginner classes as well as being a firm favourite with the kids classes.
Now, Josh is ready to take on an even bigger challenge: his first fight! for us!
Join us on Saturday, October 28, 2023, to cheer him on as he steps into the ring and shows us what he's made of!
Q: Josh, what motivates you to step into the ring and fight?
A: I'm turning 30 in December, and I have a daughter who is 3 and I'd like to show her that fighting in the ring is not about violence. Personally, I see it as a way to test myself, to push my limits, and to express my individuality. Fighting is a pure form of self-expression for me. I want to see how far I can take myself in the ring.
Q: What's the scariest thing about stepping into the ring?
A: I'm not scared of anything except getting my front teeth knocked out – I'm not a handsome guy to start with anyway! I don't want to get knocked out in the first minute either, but I understand that's what can happen in a fight. Overall, I'm excited and looking very much forward to it!
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you're not fighting?
A: I love spending time with my daughter. We pick flowers, play hide-and-seek, and she even paints my nails sometimes. I also enjoy playing video games, especially Ace Combat.
Q: What's the biggest sacrifice you've made during your training?
A: Giving up vaping. I've been vaping for two years, and I smoked for three years before that. It's been over four weeks since I quit, and I still struggle! But it's the right thing to do. I never had a reason to quit until now. I actually thought I was pretty fit, but one of my trainers, Richie Supa Nola, saw me hunched over and puffed after a round of pads and told me that vaping affected my recovery. Since I've quit I've noticed a big difference in my stamina and endurance since I quit. I've never had a reason to quit, but now it could be the difference between winning and losing.