Episode 136 JASIAH KAMAKELE Hawaii MMA Fighter

Ever wondered what it takes to climb the ranks in the world of mixed martial arts? Meet Jasiah Kamakele, a promising fighter hailing from Hawaii, who shares his captivating journey from boxing in his uncle’s garage to the bright lights of the MMA scene. Siah opens up about his transition from traditional sports like baseball and soccer to finding his true calling in Jiu-Jitsu. We explore the intricacies of Hawaii's Jiu-Jitsu competitions and how they've shaped his career, highlighting the mental and physical challenges of taking on larger opponents and the relentless dedication needed to succeed.

Jasiah recounts his early career, including his unforgettable first MMA fight and kickboxing triumphs, offering insights into the preparation and strategy that underpin his successes. His story sheds light on the evolution of fighter intelligence and the relentless work ethic that fuels his journey. We also delve into the nuances of competing at different levels, from local arenas in Hawaii to the challenging circuits of King of the Cage in the mainland , where strategic thinking and composure become paramount. Through Jasiah's experiences, the episode unfolds the importance of maintaining balance—both in fighting and in life.

Beyond the cage, Jasiah shares his long-term vision as a martial artist, emphasizing the core values of humility and family. His future aspirations extend beyond becoming a UFC champion, focusing on holistic growth and the impact of his family values. As he navigates the spotlight, Jasiah grounded approach and dedication to expanding his brand while staying true to his roots offer a refreshing perspective. This episode provides an inspiring glimpse into the life of a rising star, underlining the importance of balancing ambition with authenticity and the dream of leaving a lasting legacy in the world of martial arts.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 2 (00:08):
okay, welcome to another edition of the above the
bridge podcast.
I'm your host, thaddeus park.
Happy new year.
It's our first episode backfrom our break.
We went to new york and had acool vacation, but just wanted
to wish everybody a happy newyear.
Hope your guys holidays wasgood.
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Thank you guys for beingpatient.
While we're on break, we shallbe dropping episodes pretty much
every week, unless somethingcomes up.
I have a.
My daughter has a bigvolleyball tournament in a week,
so we might skip that week, butother than that we'll be

(03:06):
dropping episodes every week.
Go tell your friends like,subscribe and leave a comment on
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appreciated.
All right, aloha.
Okay, this week I'm welcomingfor the first time on a podcast,

(03:40):
aloha coming out of Hawaii inthe mixed martial arts scene and
, uh, this kid impressed me fromthe moment I met him and I've
been a fan of him since meetinghim.
Josiah Kamakele, what's up, man?
Hi bro, I've watched you fight,I watched you train, like just

(04:01):
at the beach and stuff, and youare next level.
I am super impressed with yourwork ethic and, for one, your
fighter iq and the passion youhave for mma is.
It's uh refreshing to see.
It's a trip, man.
How long have you been um intothis martial arts thing?

Speaker 1 (04:24):
Like I think, like 10 years, like 10.

Speaker 2 (04:33):
Yeah, you've been doing it for a while, huh.

Speaker 1 (04:36):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (04:37):
Well, when you're growing up, what kind of sports
did you play before?

Speaker 1 (04:45):
I played like I did like baseball and like flag
football and stuff and I didlike soccer, but like I didn't
really like any of them, like Iwould kind of just be like
playing around yeah, likemessing like during the games
and stuff and what was the firstmartial arts you started?

Speaker 2 (05:04):
I would assume Jiu-Jitsu or boxing.

Speaker 1 (05:07):
The first thing I started training was boxing, but
it was like in my uncle'sgarage and we would like hit
mitts and stuff.
And then after that he told meI should start doing Jiu-Jitsu
at a place called Gracie JiuitsuKailua.
And then I went and then once Iwent, like after the first day

(05:30):
I was like addicted, like Iliked it a lot oh nice, so that
that's how you found yourpassion yeah and you?

Speaker 2 (05:39):
how old were you?
Around 10 years old yeah, like10 oh, I remember.

Speaker 1 (05:45):
I was on.
I was trying to think like if Ishould do wrestling or um or
jujitsu.
So I was watching likehighlights on youtube and I was
having a hard time because I waswatching like a bunch of cool
highlights and then I ended uppicking jujitsu.

Speaker 2 (06:02):
Oh, and you stuck with it ever since.

Speaker 1 (06:07):
Yeah, but there was a lot of times where I would
leave, like to get ready forlike boxing competitions or
kickboxing or wrestling, andthen I would come back and my
coaches would be like, oh, wherewere you?
You were gone for like a coupleof months.
And I was like, oh, where wereyou?
You were gone for like a coupleof months and I was like, oh, I
had a kickboxing fight orsomething.

Speaker 2 (06:31):
So you're kind of more well-rounded than people
know.
Your base is jiu-jitsu, but youkickbox and you do boxing
matches also.

Speaker 1 (06:52):
Yeah, you do boxing matches also, yeah, yeah, I
think, um, from my fights,people probably just think I'm
like a ground person.
But I don't know, I feel like Ijust chose to go to the ground
because, like, if I have achoice between the grapple and
the strike, I kind of alwayspick grappling because it's like
safer yeah, well, I've beenwatching, um, your two amateur
fights that were in hawaii andright, it was fun to watch.

Speaker 2 (07:14):
It's the demeanor you had just walking to the cage.
That stuff you can't be taught.
Like you just had that focus,calm, like you didn't look
excited, you wasn't trying toamp yourself up, you just like,
okay, I'm walking to here, I'mgonna do my job, and it's kind
of cool to see someone at yourage have that, um, demeanor or

(07:39):
mental strength that a lot ofveteran fighters have.
Like you're always like that.
When you got to compete Likeyou were in phase, it didn't
seem like you were phased.

Speaker 1 (07:49):
When I first started competing I would be like
tripping out, like when I firststarted, like I was like cold,
like I was breathing and myhands were sweating, and then
like, and then over like a lot,lot of competitions.
Then it got better and betterand then, but like I got to a

(08:11):
point where I was kind of madbecause I was like I've been
competing so long and I'm stillgetting nervous, and it made me
like irritated.
So I just decided like I'm justnot gonna be nervous and then
when I compete, I would just, Ijust wouldn't think like nothing
is even thinking in my brain,like I'm just like I don't know,
I'm just like present oh,that's a good way to describe it

(08:33):
.

Speaker 2 (08:34):
I know I would get nervous and um, it's that feel
the moment before the moment,and like when you're getting
your hands taped and stuff.
Like that like yeah, yeah,those feelings I I miss.
But, um, you competed injujitsu at young, at a young age
, like jujitsu tournaments, likewhen you're like 10 and stuff,

(08:56):
yeah, so you've been aroundthere for a long time.
How has the evolution of Hawaiibeen in the jiu-jitsu circuit?
Because I remember before likejiu-jitsu wasn't that popular
and then all of a sudden theyhave, like Naga, the triple
crown and all these bigtournaments and what a gyms are

(09:17):
packed and there's like a linedown the street just to weigh in
.
Like, have you, since you'vebeen there at such an early age,
have you seen the jujitsu umcommunity grow in hawaii?

Speaker 1 (09:31):
um, I think, like I don't think I was training like
long enough for like to likenotice anything, like it still
kind of seems the same like um,even when I go to jujitsu, like
when I show up early, sometimesthere's like kids classes that I
used to be in and when I watchlike oh what the heck, like like

(09:55):
that felt like it was like noteven that long ago, like they're
all like little kids.
Then I remember I used to be inthe classes oh, that's super
cool.

Speaker 2 (10:03):
Yeah, it's.
It's a good base to start as a,as a young competitor, the um
competition wise.
Has it grown like you fightlike choke kids back in the day,
or would be just like couplekids and then you're in the
middle rounds already?

Speaker 1 (10:20):
um, I think I think there might be more people now,
because maybe it's just becauseI'm in the adult divisions now,
but like before I would havelike two or three matches in
like each division.
But now I feel like there'slike maybe a little bit more,

(10:41):
but I don't know if it's justbecause I'm an adult now.
Well, I've seen some videos ofyour recent jujitsu tournaments
and, brah, you've been, uh, kindof thinking outside the box
with with these tournaments youfighting, like guys feeling like

(11:07):
like that scary feeling of like, oh, like you're supposed to
lose, like because the guy'sginormous, like I kind of like
it because everyone thinksyou're gonna lose, and like if
you come out on top then it'sreally cool.
But I had like two matches likethat.
The guys were big but, I feltlike I did good yeah yeah, your

(11:30):
dad was explaining to me.

Speaker 2 (11:32):
He sent me the videos and explained to me.
He's like oh yeah, he likefight these guys that are super
big, because it tests you morethan just fighting guys like
your own weight class and stuff,which is cool, but it's kind of
dangerous too, right?

Speaker 1 (11:46):
these guys could just , yeah, fling you around yeah,
like it makes me really um, likecautious of the way I move and
the way I land because, like, ifI laugh a certain way, I could
probably like break something orlike they're just, they're
really big.
But it's good because it makesum, when I go against people my

(12:08):
size, it makes it a lot easieroh yeah, that's, that's
definitely for sure.

Speaker 2 (12:14):
Um so these tournaments you fight in
multiple weight classes or likethere's like what gi, no gi, and
all that kind of stuff yeahthere's, I enter in like gi no
gi and then the absolute for theabsolute, like the open weight.

Speaker 1 (12:31):
Um, I had a tournament I entered in, gi no
gi and then no, gi, absolute andgi absolute.
But like I don't know, maybeI'll do that again.
But like, oh, I was reallytired, like after two divisions,
like I was like laying on themat and like my eyes were like
burning, like you know, whenyou're really tired and your

(12:53):
eyes are like watery and burning, like, yeah, I was like that
and I was like laying down and Iwas going to go to sleep and
then, like they were calling myname and then I had to go on the
mat straight from like lyingdown.
Then I was like, oh, I don'tknow, maybe maybe I entered too
much division that's nuts.

Speaker 2 (13:13):
That's a long day, but what weight do you normally
compete at, at least for jujitsu?

Speaker 1 (13:19):
um, I think the weight class is 137 to 147.
I do that one.

Speaker 2 (13:26):
And what you got a cut for that or just that's kind
of your natural.

Speaker 1 (13:30):
No, I just show up and weigh in.

Speaker 2 (13:33):
Oh nice when you fight MMA.
What would be your ideal weightclass to fight in?

Speaker 1 (13:41):
Like 35 or 25, but like my first fight was at 35
and then my fight after that wasa week later, so that one was
at 45 and I did that one at 45too, because the first fight I
had, the guy that I fought theweek after fought too, and he

(14:03):
was supposed to fight at 35 andhe weighed in right before me
and he stepped on the scale andhe weighed in that one 45.
And I was like I swear he'ssupposed to be fighting 35.
And the doctor would say, oh,um, we have a sauna.
Do you want to try cut theweight?
And he was like, oh, no, no,it's okay.
And then the other guysaccepted the fight.

(14:28):
So then after I won, um, theseguys were talking to me and they
were like, oh, you want tofight him next week?
And I was like yeah, and theysaid 35 and I was like, oh, no,
just make it 45, because if Icut to 35 the guy's just gonna
do the same thing yeah, yep,exactly that's smart.

Speaker 2 (14:46):
That way you didn't have to cut.
But it's like in Hawaii.
It's like some of these guys,they don't take it serious.
It's like, what are you goingto do?
You don't Say you're matched upagainst somebody, they don't
make weight because they're nottaking it serious.
And then you either got toaccept the fight or not accept
the fight.

(15:07):
If you don't accept it, likethere's not enough fights in
Hawaii to be able to like, oh,I'll just fight one in a couple
of weeks it's like oh, you gotto wait a couple of months, so
it's, it's hard to not accept it.
And if it's amateur, likenobody's gonna look at, oh the

(15:27):
guy never weighed in correctly,or what it's gonna be, just win,
loss, you know, I mean, so it'skind of hard.
But you you want to compete,you know I mean.
So that was smart that you justsaid at 45, because I know he
gonna make it, I don't gotta cut, yeah yeah, did he make, did
that guy?

Speaker 1 (15:40):
make 45 um, yeah, yeah, he made 45, but um, so,
like a lot of people theyespecially an amateur they were
like I think they sign up for aweight class and they know
they're gonna miss weight andthey just show up and miss
weight because they know likethe guy's not gonna go.

(16:00):
Oh okay, no fight, so they justfight anyways.
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (16:04):
So like I think that's kind of like messed up
because the other guy's cuttingweight and you know like they're
not gonna cancel it, becauselike yeah, you train so long to
get ready, yeah, especially, uhlike, like I said there's, you
don't know when your next one'sgonna be because you had like
two back-to-back and you don'tknow when your next one's going
to be because you had like twoback to back and you haven't

(16:25):
fought in Hawaii since, huh,since the X1.

Speaker 1 (16:28):
Yeah, so after that, my next one was in Idaho.

Speaker 2 (16:33):
Oh yeah, that's right .
I remember we were trying tofigure out how we could get
there, but it was on a Thursday.
Oh yeah, the first fight youhad was Destiny was at Blaisdell
.

Speaker 1 (16:48):
Right, yeah, that was your first mma fight, like full
mma yeah, so I wanted to mewhen I turned 18, but I don't
think there was any um eventslike coming up, so I had to wait
, yeah so if you're amateurfighting mma, what would be the

(17:09):
difference between that and thenfighting pro other than the pay
?

Speaker 2 (17:13):
are there certain rules you can or cannot do?

Speaker 1 (17:17):
um, I think in pro you can elbow and you can knee.
Oh no, in amateur you can needto.
There's different um rules,like in in.
When I went to idaho for kingof the cage they told me I could
elbow, but when I fought here Ithink they said you can.

Speaker 2 (17:40):
I think just different promotions has like
different rules so fighting inhawaii for the first mma, that's
kind of big time.
You had to fight in blaisdelland it was pretty.
You had a lot of people and bro.
You seem like super calm andrelaxed.
That was your first mma fight.
How was that experience for youin your opinion?

(18:04):
Because in your, in my head, itlooked like you've done it a
million times before it was.

Speaker 1 (18:10):
I was like I was thinking like holy smokes, like
like um, from when I firststarted training, I would always
like think like I would like.
I was always thinking like Ican't wait till I turn 18,
because I always wanted to playmma but I couldn't.
And I tried to get pancreas andfight sue, which is like mma,

(18:32):
but we never could find any.
So, like when I turned 18, Iwas like, oh, like it seems like
it took long, but like the timealso flew by and, yeah, I was
just like excited.
I felt really ready.
Like I felt like this, there'sno ways.

(18:54):
Like maybe there is, but evenif there is, I don't care,
there's no ways.
This guy was training from likeas long as I was and cared as
much as I did to fight mma andlike, even if he did, I still
wouldn't.
I still feel like my, the way Icare and train is like probably
way more than him I think it'sa lot way more than most people

(19:20):
that are in the sport.

Speaker 2 (19:21):
And that fight was pretty evident.
You were the better guy.
Like you double-legged, tookhim down and choked him out.
It was like a textbook clinicwatching that fight and for your
first time it was pretty coolto see.
But what did you see?
Going into that fight Like youjust knew like I'm going to take

(19:42):
this guy down and that was it.
It seemed pretty easy um, Ididn't really.

Speaker 1 (19:50):
I couldn't find any tape of the guy because we're
both oh and oh, but I just I wasjust thinking well, like, oh,
my grappling is probably betterthan his, so I don't know, I
just, I kind of I was justreally present, like my plan was

(20:10):
to just like not have a planand to just be really moment,
and I don't know I just shot andthen the match was over, like
it was all really fast, and thenwhen it was done I was like, oh
, I was like all happy because Iwas like, oh, like I didn't get
like hurt or anything yeah, youdidn't even get touched.

Speaker 2 (20:30):
I don't think the?
Um, what was the feeling after,like, were you like, oh shoot,
I really did, I really fought,mma and won, or was it like
super gratifying, or was it ah,it's not not that big a deal it
was like it felt like.

Speaker 1 (20:48):
It felt like like I walked backstage and I was like,
oh, what the heck?
Like, like I was like for weeksor like like pretty much like
for years, like I was justthinking about it so much, and
then the match was like a minutelong, like all of those years,
and then a minute and I was like, oh, and then I walked

(21:10):
backstage and me and everybodywas like shaking hands and I was
like, oh, that was cool yeah,that was super cool.

Speaker 2 (21:18):
Um, yeah, you came out in your shorts and sat on
the floor and watch your friendsfight.
It was.
It was like you didn't evenlike do anything.
I'm like, bro, you realize youjust went and fought and won and
it was like, ah, it's justanother day in the office seemed
like the um second fight youhad.

(21:39):
What is that go?

Speaker 1 (21:41):
ahead.
Even though that was my firstMMA fight, I feel like I was
training MMA for really long,yeah.
So I kind of felt like, oh,whoever I go against, even
though it's O and O, it's notreally like O and O, because
I've been training MMA for long.

Speaker 2 (22:00):
Yeah, and you got to compete kickboxing.
So if that competition, whenyou make that walk, regardless
of if what it is, it does dosomething for your experience
and you fought kickboxing in themainland too right.

Speaker 1 (22:16):
Yeah, one time in Tennessee.
Yeah, how was that it was good.
Um, I had one fight.
It's it's like a nationalchampionship and, like
everyone's brackets that I wentwith was like full and my
bracket had like I.

(22:36):
So I was like, oh, perfect, ifI win once, then they'll be like
oh, national champ.
So, I just had one fight and itwent good.
I won by knockout and that wasmy first time ever dropping
somebody like with a headshot,like ever.
Like I didn't even feel it Ithrew an uppercut or I was

(22:59):
throwing left hooks to the bodyand I knew it was hurting him
because he was making noises.
So I faked it and I uppercercutand I didn't even know it
landed, like I thought it missed, like I didn't even feel it,
but I think it just nipped hischin and then he fell and I was
like, and then I was like, holysmokes, I just dropped him.

Speaker 2 (23:18):
oh, so you're national champion?

Speaker 1 (23:21):
then yeah, I guess, but like it was only one fight.

Speaker 2 (23:26):
Hey, still on the record books it says national
champion, so you gotta own it.
It's good for your resume.
You know what I mean.

Speaker 1 (23:37):
Yeah, I put it on my resume for when I apply to jobs.

Speaker 2 (23:42):
Yup Bruh, watching your second mma fight and that
was at the bro.
That was at a school field, didyou know it?
I was like the first time I'veever been on base, just like
over there.
It was kind of weird.
And it was on base, it was at604, inside of a.

(24:03):
It looked like a ballroom andit was pretty cool.
The X1 had put on a goodproduction.
But that fight too, it wasbetter, in my opinion, for you
because you got ring time orcage time.
How was that for you being in alonger fight?
Because that one was secondround, you won.
Huh yeah, that one was secondround, you won.

Speaker 1 (24:24):
Yeah, that one.
That one was good.
I never experienced, or inpractice I did a lot Like
experience striking In MMAgloves, but I never Really, only
like in practice.
There's times where you go hardand if you get caught you can

(24:44):
get knocked out.
Like that was the first time Iever fought someone in mma
gloves where they're giving likefull intention, yeah, and like
the punches like they don't even, they just look like blurs
because like it's so fast andthe gloves are so small.

(25:05):
And when I was blocking eventhough like I felt like I
blocked everything, but eventhough when I was blocking it, I
was like, oh, this is like,this is dangerous, like if one
lands, I feel like you can getknocked out oh yeah that's why,
like, my heart was like, becauseit's just like inches oh yeah,

(25:27):
you putting yourself in the uh,the fire zone man, but it didn't
seem like you were.

Speaker 2 (25:34):
You were rattled, I mean, and you got hit.
I seen you get hit a coupletimes and you, that's the,
that's the test.
When you get hit, when you'repounding out somebody or like
everything's going your way,that's all gravy.
But when you gotta fightthrough adversity, that's when
you kind of really test yourskills.
And you got hit a couple times.

(25:55):
You didn't get shook, like youstayed focused, it didn't bother
you, you didn't like wince oryou just kind of went with it,
return your own shots back anddid your thing, took him down
and, bro, like, like you said,once you take him down, it's
kind of game over from from, atleast from what I've seen, you

(26:16):
know?
I mean, is that how it playedout when in your head when you
were fighting this dude?

Speaker 1 (26:22):
yeah, I was watching tape on him and, um, when I was
watching tape, like the onething I noticed was like, okay,
like this guy, like he literallylike he just doesn't care.
Like I watch all his fights andhe just comes out swinging and
like, even when he gets like Idon't know, I guess he just

(26:42):
doesn't care if he gets knockedout, because, like he was
swinging and the guys catch him,drop him and he'd get up and
he'd just be swinging again.
So I was thinking like there'snot part of my plan, wouldn't be
to try like, um, like you know,some people they throw crazy,
but if you catch them with agood one, then they'll kind of

(27:04):
like respect it and they stop.
I know with this guy, catch himwhen like a head kick, and he
would just, he just I don't knowhe's like crazy or something.

Speaker 2 (27:13):
He just keeps going yeah, but to be in that moment,
and for one that's, that's atrip, that you even know that
and you can break down a fighterjust from watching tape,
because usually that takes yearsto kind of understand, and and
being a veteran to understandyou're, you're a real student of

(27:35):
the game in all aspects.
What do you think brought yourmindset to that?
Like, how have you I mean,granted, it's your passion, but
what?
How did you develop that kindof fighter IQ?

Speaker 1 (27:49):
I think it's just because.
I think part of it is because Istarted with jiu-jitsu and I
feel like jiu-jitsu is more oflike a lifestyle than a lot of
other sports.
Like a lot of other sports are,but jiu-jitsu you can do it all
your life, so they treat itmore as like a lot of other
sports are, but jiu-jitsu youcan do it all your life, so they
treat it more as like alifestyle.

(28:10):
I feel like with a lot of likereally physical sports, they
treat it as like you're onlydoing it for a certain amount of
time, because when you getolder like wrestling or judo,
like you don't really see likereally old people doing it,
because you can get hurt.
Yeah, so it's just like alifestyle and and like I feel

(28:34):
like I just approach it likeslow and steady, like I don't
really I don't even really thinkabout um, like like when I'm
gonna fight, like I just trainand like the time just flies by
and next thing, you know, I'mfighting because I just learn

(28:54):
every day, and like I just like,I just like fall into it, like
I don't know, I just really, Ilike all the details and stuff
it.

Speaker 2 (29:05):
It seems like it.
I mean, we're at your birthdaybarbecue and you're training on
the side and your dad explainsto me like hold this kid, he
don't, that's, all he wants todo is train.
What do you think Develop yourwork ethic like that?
Cause most kids like bra,especially at your age.
They ain't trying to trying totrain all day, Like the work is

(29:29):
like what they say.
Everybody wants to be achampion until it's time to do
champion shit.
And you've been training like achampion for years with that
mindset and work ethic that isat a such a professional elite
level.
But you're young and startingout like how did you develop
that mindset and work ethic?

Speaker 1 (29:54):
I think it just built momentum over time, like when I
first started training the kidsclasses at the jujitsu place.
I trained, I think it was likethree days a week, so I'd only
be training like three days aweek and like some days I would
have to like miss for likefamily stuff and then like over

(30:16):
time it would be like four days,five days, and then it just
grew and grew and then now it'skind of like ridiculous, like
now I just like I train and thenlike I sleep and like like I'm
just like I'm training, likelike a lot, like now it's like
I'm training more than doinganything else.

Speaker 2 (30:36):
Yeah, but it's.
I guess that's like is what youlove to do.
And, um, yeah, it's, it's hardto find your passion at a young
age.
And then it's like, okay, okay,this is what I'm gonna do.
Um, you got to fight in themainland, like you said, for
king of the cage.
How was that experience?

(30:57):
Because now you're going into,like I mean, your first couple
fights.
You had fans, right, you hadyour whole family, all your
uncles, and everybody was there.
I, I was there.
Then you had to go to themainland where you didn't know
nobody.
Your dad was in your corner.
Yeah, how was that?
Brian, how did you even getpicked to fight King of the Cage

(31:18):
?

Speaker 1 (31:20):
My dad was talking with Kai Kamaka because they're
friends and they hang hang outand stuff.
So, yeah, hi, and then my dadtold me and I think that was
right after my like, right aftermy x1 fight, like not too long
after my dad called me and thenhe told me about it and I was

(31:45):
was like, oh yeah, I want to doit.
And then he told me the guy'sname and I started watching tape
immediately.
And then, oh, idol is reallynice, I like it, and the people
are super nice too.
Like they kind of seem likeHawaii people, but it's like
different, like it's like Hawaiipeople, but like with like like

(32:12):
a different culture, like Idon't know, yeah, but people are
really nice.

Speaker 2 (32:15):
Well, that's, that's cool, man.
And how was competing overthere when not being around like
your fans or family?
Or how was like walking intothe cage in a foreign
environment fighting one dudewho's probably from there or
whatever, and it's like, okay,this is the me against the world
, kind of thing um, I felt, Ifelt good, like I kind of like

(32:41):
the feeling of like when youlike go in and like he's like
the hometown guy and like Idon't know, I like that.

Speaker 1 (32:51):
I, I like that feeling in like different things
, like even in jujitsu, when Igo against bigger people, like I
always like that feeling whereit's like you're supposed to
lose yeah like I don't know it'sgood, like it feels better than
if you're supposed to win andthen you win.
Yeah, so how did you beat thisguy in the King of the Cage In

(33:15):
the first round?
We were moving around strikinga little bit and then I took him
down and then, oh, the firsttime I took him down.
I took him down and once he hitthe ground he grabbed the cage
and he pulled himself up, andthen the rest of the thing and I
was like, oh, and then I tookhim down again and I was just

(33:38):
controlling him punching.
I didn't really posture upbecause I didn't want him to
like explode and stand up, and Idid that the first round and
then the second round and thenthe third round, so you pretty
much khabib them yeah, but withless, with less damage.

(33:58):
I wish I still have to work on alot of stuff and I want to like
be able to like punch peopleand pound people a lot without
them getting up.
Yeah, it's like with this guy.
I could feel it Like if I wasto let go and try punch, you
would explode and get up.

Speaker 2 (34:16):
Oh, so you're just posturing to make sure he
wouldn't get up and just landyour shots.

Speaker 1 (34:22):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (34:23):
Um, one thing I did notice about your fight is
you're smart enough to know whatyou got to do to win.
Like it's like you don't havethat.
Oh, I was going to stand andbang, and you know what I mean.
The local mentality is like oh,this is how I'm going to win,
this is what I got to do, I'mgoing to do it right now and
boom, done.
And that's the best way.

(34:43):
You don't let pride or emotionget into it, Because that second
fight, when he caught you, youcould have just decided like you
said oh, I'm just going totrade in, bang with this guy and
go all out.
It's like, nope, I'll take himdown and do what I do, and that
takes a lot of discipline.

Speaker 1 (34:59):
Yeah, something I learned was like right now I'm
19, and I want to be fightingfor a long time and I was
thinking like if I was to fightand always like trade or like
even just trade a little bitlike, say, if I only got, say if

(35:20):
I only got punched like fivetimes in one fight, which is
like really little, but I fight20 times in my career, even
though I'm probably gonna fightmore than that if I don't get
like injured or something, thenthat's like 100 punches at least
or like like 50 or whatever.
Like that's just that's a lotof damage, like it's little bit.

(35:44):
Every time I just I rather winand like I'm all like healthy
and I can like hang out with myfamily and stuff.

Speaker 2 (35:52):
Yeah that's the best way, that's the.
That was the best way.
I would always feel the same,like I ain't trying to bang and
like a couple of my teammates,that was their mentality I'm
gonna bang and trade and oh I, Iget hit and I'm gonna go all
out.
I was like, fuck that I'm gonna.
I'm gonna get not hit and hitthe guys many times I can

(36:13):
without getting hit and lookpretty in the after party yeah,
plus I feel, like I'm fightingyeah, are you trying to piss
blood?
and can I shampoo your hairbecause your head is all lumped?
Yeah, that's not the business,bro.

Speaker 1 (36:28):
Yeah I feel like fighting like that it's like
it's kind of it's like a waste,because you train so much to
like develop skill and stuff andthen if you, when you go to
fight you just do that, it'slike a waste of all that
training because, like someonewho never trained before can

(36:49):
just throw yeah, exactly.

Speaker 2 (36:52):
Um, you got to train and I seen pictures and videos
of you being able to train in uhvegas with some of the some big
time pro athletes that are atuh, what was it?

Speaker 1 (37:05):
couture's gym yeah, I actually.
I actually went to Couture.

Speaker 2 (37:10):
Yeah, how was that, how was that experience?
And then how did you kind offeel you did against top-level
competitors?

Speaker 1 (37:23):
It was good.
Kaika Maka.
I want to thank him because,like he was just like taking me
along the whole time andbringing me to like pro classes
and then when I'd go to theclasses, I would be like looking
around and I was like holysmokes, like I see all these
people on TV and I'm like in thesame class as them, and like it

(37:48):
was super cool.
And when I sparred, we, um, wehad to partner up for drills and
I looked around and I everybodyhad partners.
I think I don't.
I think nobody wanted topartner with me because, like
they're all like pros and likehigh level and I probably like
just looked like a kid and I wasan amateur.

(38:10):
And then there was this otherguy there named uh kobe he's,
he's really good.
And he partnered with me and oh, it was good, he's a really
good wrestler.
And after I went with him hetold me he was like, oh, you're
gonna be great, like just keepit up, you're gonna be amazing.

Speaker 2 (38:32):
And I was like, oh, like that felt good yeah, I mean
like you're going going upagainst guys that do it all the
time, but it's like they'redoing it, like you said, with
each other, like you're in aclassroom with pros.
That's only going to help you.
So for you to be in that classand to kind of feel it out, you

(38:53):
felt like you belonged.

Speaker 1 (38:54):
It was like, okay, like I'm on, I'm on a path on
this level yeah, I felt likeafter training I was like, oh, I
think I'm like, I think I'mgood because, like, because like
I was like thinking, oh, Ithink I'm good, because I was
thinking, oh, these guys are UFCfighters and stuff.

(39:14):
And then after training I waslike oh, I think I'm pretty good
, because I felt like I didpretty good.
I asked Sean this far and he waslike oh no, get know, get away,
you're too small.
I knock you out and I said okayat least you asked bro yeah

(39:36):
there's a lot of Hawaii fightersthat come out of that gym.

Speaker 2 (39:40):
I actually had a couple on.
I had Puna, I had Puni on andPuna on my show and they fight
out of that gym and it's itseems like that's a good local
base for Hawaii fighters to goto because it's so close I mean,
vegas is what the ninth Island.
So you ever thought aboutmoving up there and being like,

(40:03):
oh, I'm going to like train forreal with these guys full time.
Yeah I.
My plan was like, oh, I'm goingto train for real with these
guys full time.

Speaker 1 (40:09):
Yeah, my plan was like when I turn I don't know I
wasn't planning on tellingpeople, but I don't know, maybe
it doesn't matter, but I wasplanning when I turn once I turn
21, on my birthday I'll turnpro.

(40:30):
And from now until then Iwanted to like work and just
like save money and like rightnow I'm doing personal training.
So I was thinking, maybe beforeI move there I can like collect
clients in Vegas, so when Imove I can train there and I can

(40:53):
do personal training.
And I just set things upbecause, like I, I want to go
there and train and get to thenext level.
I feel like when I show up tothe practices, like like when I
train here, like a lot of peopleare focused, but some people is
just like they just finish workand like they just want to

(41:15):
train, like they don't want tobe like fighters.
But when I went to Vegas, likeuh, when I trained with Kai, he
already had like things in hishead that he had that he wanted
to work on and I think he hadnotes on his phone and I was
like, oh, what the heck, that'swhat I do.
And like there's literally likeno one, no one that always like

(41:39):
matches, like like my, like,like I'm like focused and I want
to do this and that and he didthat.
And like everyone comes totraining with like something in
their mind that they want to do,and like intention and purpose,
like they're not just likegoing to the motions, yeah, and
I was like, oh, I want to movehere because everyone here is

(42:00):
like like me.

Speaker 2 (42:02):
Yeah, a room full of lions.
And, like you said, like Hawaii, a lot of people train like
just to stay in shape or just tomove around and just to spar or
whatever, but they're notfull-time fighters, they're not.
Yeah, like you're.
Where do you train at hybrid?

Speaker 1 (42:20):
um, I trained at hybrid for a couple years and
then we I always train that brJiu Jitsu Kailua For like Like a
long time, like since I waslike 10.
And then I trained with Harris.
I trained with him at Hybrid,but he moved over to Gracie's

(42:42):
now To teach the MMA.
Now I just do both at one place,but I also cross trained too,
like at um, hawaii for sparringand stuff oh nice with Charles
there yeah, I still even um myhigh school at um Kailua when
it's wrestling season then I goto train with them because, like

(43:04):
I feel like a lot of peopleprobably think like, oh, like
high schoolers like adults islike better, but a lot of high
schoolers are way better thanadults at wrestling oh, that's
smart.

Speaker 2 (43:17):
Plus, you can teach the um up and comer some stuff
too.

Speaker 1 (43:20):
You know, I mean yeah , I go to um, to wrestling a
nice bar and stuff and then fromthere I'll go to jujitsu and
then after that I'll do mma.
Oh, before I used to go towrestling and do like the whole
practice and then go to jujitsuand do the whole practice and
then mma.
But after a while like Ilearned like, oh, like I would

(43:44):
be like so burnt out like by thetime I'm at mma I'm just
getting like beat up.
So I changed it to where, likeI go wrestling and I only go
towards the end, that's sparringand then I go to jitsu and I go
really light but then I spar,like that's something I learned
was like managing my trainingload, because I used to always

(44:06):
think like you just train more,train hard, like it was like a
movie or something, but thatthat, that's not the way it
works yeah, it isn't, bro, yougotta, you gotta respect your
body.

Speaker 2 (44:20):
Plus, too, that's when you get injured, you know?
I mean, that's how you can getinjured, do you?
Do you take time off at alllike?
Do you rest?

Speaker 1 (44:29):
yeah, like today, I barely like ever, like rarely
ever, rest during the week, buttoday I'm resting, or after this
I'm gonna do bag work and jog,but like that's pretty much
resting, because I usually dolike a lot more, but um, because

(44:51):
I usually do like a lot more,but um, something I'm learning
is to like listen to my body.
It's like I'm trying to likechange my mind.
For a long time I was likethinking like, um, like you just
train, train more and more, andlike the more is better, and
then, through like time andexperience, I learned that's not
how it works.
So now I'm like trying tochange the way my mind thinks.

(45:12):
But it's still hard, becausesometimes, yeah, I'm resting and
I'm like like it's like side ofme is like no, like you got to
train more, like well, you gotto be the best or whatever, and
then the other side is like likeyou can't be emotional, you
just have to actually be likelogical yep, and resting your

(45:34):
body is when your body heals andthat's when you'll be able to
push it more.

Speaker 2 (45:39):
But as, as you get older, you'll learn that right
now you're at 8, 19 andinvincible bro.
That's this the way I feel now.
It's like, oh, I gotta freakingstretch out before I go use the
bathroom in the middle of thenight.
But you gotta um right, yougotta like you, like you said,

(46:01):
like you want to be able to takeless damage.
So so, body, body, what is itcalled when you um recovery, you
gotta do recovery.
So what kind of stuff do you dofor recovery?

Speaker 1 (46:16):
I um, something I learned was like the pyramid,
which is like the bottom is themost important, and then it's
like a triangle and it getssmaller and smaller and the top
is like the least importantstuff yeah I think number one is
like training load and sleep,so like your training schedule

(46:40):
and sleeping the right amount,and then like nutrition and
hydration, like drinking waterand electrolytes and eating good
, and then after that it's alllike the fancy stuff, like ice,
ice baths and stuff.
But um, before I had it likeall messed up like I would I

(47:03):
would like do, like all thefancy stuff but not the
important stuff.
But now I just focus on thebasics.

Speaker 2 (47:11):
That's smart.
It's good to be doing that atyour age too.
Man, Sleep, honestly, is thebest thing for your body, no
matter what Sleep.
Like you said, water, Yep,that's the best thing for your
body.
I don't understand Lakeo.
You fight around 135, 125.
In my head, I don't understandhow you can make weight with the

(47:37):
way your mother cooks, Becauseyour mother is probably one of
the best cooks I have ever met.
I ate brah.
I've tasted things I didn'teven know existed Poi stew, Like
your mom, she owns Ono, Eats byCasey Right, that's what it is,
Ono.

Speaker 1 (47:57):
Yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2 (47:58):
Brah, her garlic shrimp.
The one I like is the spicylilikoi garlic shrimp and for me
that's the best on on earth.
They I I put that up againstgiovanni's or any of those north
shore ones to me that hershrimp is better than anything

(48:21):
any other garlic shrimp in onthe planet.
That being said, I also had herpoi stew, her beef stew, her
chili.
I had her patele stew.
What else?
Oh, porgy bean soup, everythingshe makes.

(48:42):
Oh, the squid luau Hawaiianfood too.
So anybody needs catering.
Go hit up Ono Eats by Casey,because by far her squid luau.
We had it at our daughter'svolleyball Christmas party and
even my dad thought that wasfire.

(49:02):
But how do you not getoverweight having accessibility
to your mom's cooking every day?

Speaker 1 (49:12):
Um, when I was younger I would eat a lot Like I
would just eat whatever my mommakes.
But then, um, over time I guessthey got more into like um.
I guess, as I learned more Iwould see the way they eat and
then I would say, oh, I don'teat like that.

(49:32):
So I had to change little bylittle.
But my mom would get frustratedbecause, like, she would make
dinner and she would like spenda long time making dinner, and
then everyone, she would bemaking everyone's food and then
I would be like cooking like Idon't know, like eggs or
something.
And she's like she would be likeall pissed, but over time, like

(49:56):
now, she's just like used to it, like I just, but I still eat
my mom's food.
It just depends what it is Like.

Speaker 2 (50:07):
Koisu is, butisu is, but like other stuff maybe not
yeah, well, honestly, that takesdiscipline because, bro, if I
lived at your house, I'dprobably weigh half grand
because I'd be mopping all thatevery day.
Yeah, she's good, bro, supergood.

(50:28):
Um, what I wanted to ask you is, like you said that you are
doing personal training andyou're working at ufc gym, but
now you're being able to trainpeople like one-on-one kind and
and like you, become theirpersonal trainer and you can
start getting your own clients.

Speaker 1 (50:51):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (50:52):
That's super good.

Speaker 1 (50:56):
What do you train them?
It depends what they want towork on.
Right now I have one client andthere's four people.
I still have to schedule timeand stuff.
But I started like two weeksago and like it's good, like I
already have a bunch of peoplethat want to set up stuff.

(51:16):
But right now I just have thislady and we're working on like
boxing and it's really it's justlike basics, like it's really
easy to teach, because it's notlike I'm teaching like really
advanced stuff, like it's justlike stands, it's like slowly
growing and growing that's cooland I think you'll be good at

(51:40):
that, because you're going to beteaching something that you're
passionate about.

Speaker 2 (51:45):
Also, I feel like not many personal trainers are
living that lifestyle.
Like you're walking it, likeyou talk it, you can train
people how to do these thingsbecause you're actually doing it
and you're fighting.
You're a fighter.
It's hard to um be able totrain or teach somebody

(52:07):
something that they never done.
You know, I mean, you'reactually.
You're actually doing it now,so I think that makes your brand
a little more valuable toclients that want to learn that
stuff, if that makes sense yeah,that's, that's how I feel too
with like um, because a lot ofpersonal training you can just
do like an online thing and youget like a certificate and then

(52:30):
you train people.

Speaker 1 (52:32):
But like, like, like, if I like all the things I need
to learn to train people, likeI do those things every day just
because, like I like fightingand stuff, so I feel like it
works out perfect and like Ienjoy doing it.
Like, um, when I train people,like I'm training them, and then

(52:55):
they're like, oh, it's the hour, and I was like, oh, that was
fast, and then it's done yeah,well, time flies when you're
doing something you're you'repassionate about.

Speaker 2 (53:05):
Um well, it's been, it's a new year and I'm sure you
got new goals, uh, long termand short term.
For short term, like for thisyear, what would some of your
goals be?

Speaker 1 (53:23):
I wrote it on my notes, I think on my phone.
But I want to like, obviously Iwant to keep competing a lot
Like in MMA, jiu-jitsu,everything, and there's a lot of
like small goals, like thingsthat are just like technical

(53:51):
with fighting, and I want tobuild my brand.
I might go to like somewhere inthe world for the world
championships, because when Ifought in Idaho Joe Stevenson

(54:12):
ended up cornering me because Ididn't really have a corner
corner and then me and him werelike talking story and he told
me oh, I'll put you on the onthe imap world championships
team.
So he told me we're gonna havetryouts for that like sometime
this year and if I win in thetournament then I get put on the

(54:32):
team and I'll fly to like wherethis is oh, that's a good goal
for the year um long term bigdreams.

Speaker 2 (54:41):
What is the big time goals and dreams that you have
in this sport?

Speaker 1 (54:47):
oh, um, I wanna, I wanna be known as like a martial
artist, like, not like afighter, like or still like a
fighter, but like a lot like amartial artist, like like just
the things that martial artistsdo.

(55:07):
Like I want to be likerespectful and like like nice to
people and not like talk, smackand like make dramas and stuff
and uh, like when people watchme fight.
Like I wanted to look like likeart, like it's just like.

(55:28):
Like it's just like like umfluid, like movements from
different martial arts all insequence, like jujitsu, boxing,
kickboxing, like I want it allto blend and like I want it to
look like nice well, likefighting doesn't always look
nice, but like nice and likebeautiful, not just like

(55:52):
brawling and stuff, becausethat's not really like yeah a
lot of people that, and then, um, a goal that I have is I want
to build my brand so I can makemoney, so I can get a farm, and
I want fruits, animals and cowsand stuff.

(56:14):
So when I wake up in the morningit would just be like the sun
rising and there's just likefruit trees and like cows and
like I could just hang out withmy girlfriend.

Speaker 2 (56:25):
that would be cool that's um awesome, brah, and
that's a very mature answer.
Most people ask is like oh, Ilike be ufc champion, I like be
the best in the world.
Is like, bruh, that is such aadult, humble, pretty mature
answer.
You just want to be known as anartist?

(56:46):
Uh, martial, a complete martialartist.
That was humble, and want tolive your dreams with your
girlfriend on a farm?
Like that's?
To me that's a lot moreambitious and, um, yeah, that's
very mature, bro.
That's, that's a cool.
That's a cool long-term goaland that's obtainable and

(57:10):
everybody can say it.
I'm sure you feel it like youwant to be a ufc champion or a
huge organization champion, butthat's not your end goal.
Your end goal is to to be afull, complete martial artist.
And, bruh, that's exactly whata real martial artist would say.

Speaker 1 (57:27):
That's props to you, man I feel like, um, like being
the like I, I want to be likelike the best, but like I don't
know if that's even like a thing, because you always see people
like they rise.
I think everyone just has theirtime.
Yeah, like they rise andeveryone's like, oh, this guy's

(57:48):
the best.
And like.
Even on instagram, like in thecomments, they're like, oh, this
guy's amazing.
And then he gets knocked out andthen all of a sudden,
everybody's saying man, they'relike, oh, this guy sucks, and
they make memes and like yeah,exactly yeah, and after watching
that it made me like, hey, likeI don't really care what people

(58:11):
like think and what they say,because, like, if you do good,
people will be like, oh, you'reamazing.
And then if you get knocked out,then a lot of people just
disappear yeah, and like recencybias yeah, so like I would just
want to stay close with thepeople that like I was always
with like my coaches, my familyand my friends and stuff and I

(58:37):
did notice that about you um,you're very humble, you don't
think you're the shit, you justdo your thing and have fun with
it.

Speaker 2 (58:46):
But when you finished your fight and this is a
testament to your parents andtheir good parenting but you
went and shook every singleperson's hand and told them
thank you for coming to watchyou fight and, bro, that to me
was super cool.

(59:07):
Like for you to go up to everysingle one and you had a little
team over there of people checkwatching you fight.
But you personally personallythanked every single one of them
, took pictures and, um, thatold aloha hawaiian um, family
values is is instilled in youand I I think that's always a

(59:28):
cool thing and it was cool tosee especially one kid doing it
and, yep, that's definitely atestament to good parenting.
But you have that in you, man.
It's something that um, not nota lot of kids nowadays have,
you know, I mean yeah yeah, I, Ikind of like.

Speaker 1 (59:49):
I I kind of like cringe, like I just like stop
listening or whatever.
I just walk away.
When, like, I see people winand then they're like, they're
like swearing and they're like,well, what the heck like like.
When I see them do that, I'mlike, oh, when they watch the
video later here they'reprobably gonna be like, bro,

(01:00:10):
what was I doing?

Speaker 2 (01:00:12):
yeah, exactly, um, growing up in in around this
sport, who were some of thefighters and kind and idols you
had, or people that inspired youto want to do this?
What were the fighters that youwere like?
Oh, yep, these are the guysthat got you into it and you

(01:00:33):
were fans of.

Speaker 1 (01:00:34):
And now, um, when I was younger, my uncle them.
When they would come over tolike drink with my dad and stuff
they would always talk aboutlike their fights and stuff and
then like, um, I would just, Iwould just be interested in one

(01:00:56):
of my uncles, um, uncle Keone.
I remember when I was littleI'd always watch all these
fights on YouTube and I wouldjust be like, oh, like just
watching, and I always wentthrough like phases of different
fighters and I remember mybrother.
I would always like go throughphases of like, oh, I want to be

(01:01:20):
this fighter, and then nextweek it would be this guy and
this guy.
And then after a while mybrother noticed and then I would
be like, oh, this move, khabibdoes this move.
And my brother would be like,oh, that's the fighter of the
week, he already.

Speaker 2 (01:01:38):
Next week it would be a different guy week you're
ready, like next week it wouldbe a different guy.
Oh so you're not necessarilyfans of a particular fighter,
you're fans of certain uhtechniques.

Speaker 1 (01:01:48):
They do then yeah, and like um, the way they think
and just like the energy theygive.
Like a lot of fighters theyhave different like mindsets and
like they come from differentplaces and like I just go
through different phases offighters and like every time I

(01:02:12):
leave a phase, like I collectthings from it.
And then I move on to another.
I just keep collecting but,like, even though I always cycle
through like two differentfighters, there's like one
fighter that I always like.
I always go through differentphases, but somehow I always end
up going back to his phase like, which is Khabib.

Speaker 2 (01:02:36):
Oh yeah.

Speaker 1 (01:02:36):
Like such different fighters and then, like I always
just end up going back to likewatching his stuff like a lot, I
don't know yeah, I'm a fan ofthat guy.

Speaker 2 (01:02:47):
I was so happy when he pounded out um Conor, when he
choked him out.
I, I really didn't like Conor,I really like Khabib.
So I was happy.
But I liked his mindset, hispassion and his devotion to his
dad as as well as his team, andhis philosophy is like that.

(01:03:09):
It is so strict and that guy'syeah, he.
I wish he kept fighting becauseI was such a fan, but that guy
was remarkable.
In my head he's probably atleast top 3 GOATs to ever do it.
I always said the worst placeon earth would be under Khabib.

Speaker 1 (01:03:35):
I like Khabib a lot too, even when I watch his
training.
A lot of fighters, if you watchtheir training, you see them
doing like like very likespecific things with like a like
a strength and conditioningcoach or something, and they're
like somewhere using likemachines, doing like very
specific stuff.

(01:03:56):
But when you watch Khabib, likeall the things he does is like
things that like fighters havealways been doing, like hitting
bag, like strong and poundpush-ups, like just basic stuff.
But he's like the best, so thatlike how basic he is yeah, he's

(01:04:17):
like you, he's super humble.

Speaker 2 (01:04:24):
Yeah, he's like you, he's super humble, he's super um
.
Yeah, like he doesn't need allthe glitz and glamour and all
that trash talking and all thatstuff.
That's all.
That's what I was to ask you.
When you're fighting withanybody, ever try to talk shit
and like, try to like get underyour skin that way, or because I
know you probably don't do it,but has anybody done it to you?

Speaker 1 (01:04:46):
no, not really.
When I fought in kickboxinglike the, I think like the most
thing similar to that was likelike people just like got face
offs, like they just get in yourface and stuff, yeah, but like
anybody ever talk to me that'skind of cool and I think, um, a

(01:05:11):
lot, a lot of times you don'thave to do that.

Speaker 2 (01:05:14):
Like you're, like you said, your art can speak for
yourself.
You don't gotta, and I alwaysused to tell, like our students,
like you don't gotta tellpeople you're the baddest person
or you're the best or whatever.
If you are, if you're the man,they're gonna already know.
You don't need tell themthey're gonna already know and
like with you.
Your people are starting to takenotice and a lot of people are

(01:05:39):
starting to talk about you, andI'm glad you came on my show to
help bring more eyes to yourbrand, because I feel you take
this, because the passion youhave is next level and the work

(01:06:04):
ethic you put behind the passionis what's going to get you
there.
So, bro, I'm excited to seewhat you do with this man and
I'm excited to see your nextfights, because there's going to
be a time that you're not goingto fight in Hawaii anymore,
because you're going to be proor in some organization that
doesn't come here.

(01:06:24):
So we got to eat it up as muchas we can while you're still
amateur.

Speaker 1 (01:06:33):
I was surprised too.
I didn't know there was as muchpeople like watching me fight,
as like I don't know, I didn'tthink there was like as much
people as there is, because,like a lot of times, like just
when I go places, like peopleare like, oh, I watched your

(01:06:54):
fight and they're like, oh, goodjob.
And then, oh, I was trippingout because I went to um to
jiu-jitsu and it was a saturday,so it was like open mat and
open mat finished and then meand my coaches were like on the
mat just going over technique,and then this lady came in and

(01:07:14):
she was like, oh, I seen yourfight.
You're so like nice and humble.
And she was like, oh, um, canyou sign my shoes?
And my coaches were like, yeah,my coaches were laughing like I
saw lady shoes.
And then she left and mycoaches and my teammates were
all laughing.
They're like, oh wow, you'reall famous now.
And I was just like that'ssuper cool, man.

Speaker 2 (01:07:36):
I don't think any kind of fame is going to change
you, though.
You're level-minded anddown-to-earth.
I think that's going to be yourgreatest attribute in this
sport, because it's going to becrazy.
It's going to get crazy.
The more popular you are, thebigger organizations you fight
in.
I think your roots is going topull you through all that

(01:07:59):
nonsense, because there'smartial arts and there's
fighting, and then there's theshow.
I think your roots is going topull you through all that
nonsense, because there'smartial arts and there's
fighting, and then there's theshow, and between all three you
got to navigate it correctly andI mean, and it can go any kind
of direction, but I think it'sgoing to be.
It's going to be fun to watchyou man.
And, yeah, I'm excited.
You should be excited.
I know your dad's excited.

(01:08:23):
Yeah, shoot, we've been goingfor an hour already.
Where can people find you onsocial media and also, where can
people kind of hit you up sothat they can get personal
training from you?

Speaker 1 (01:08:39):
I have an Instagram.
It's just Josiah underscore,kama Kelly, and then if people
want to do personal training,they can just message me too on
Instagram.
I started a YouTube channelbecause I was thinking like, oh,
I got to build my brand.
I didn't post anything, but I'mgoing to start posting stuff.

Speaker 2 (01:08:58):
Oh, that's perfect.
And also for your mom who'sselling shrimp.
Um, she has a shrimp truckwhere can people find her at?
Because people gotta know thatgiovanni's ain't shit.
They gotta go check her out.

Speaker 1 (01:09:18):
On Sundays we sell shrimp at Bellows.
It's like a purple food truck,but we have an Instagram too.
It's ono eats by case and youcan message that Because, like
Most of the times we're therebut sometimes we have like Like
family stuff or something.

Speaker 2 (01:09:37):
Yeah and yeah, go check that out.
I promise you the lily, spicy,lily koi shrimp.
For me that's fire.
If you check them out, you'llnever go drive to giovanni's
again and trust me, I'm too.
I'm putting my word on itbecause I believe in it.
And rah, rah, catering too.

(01:09:58):
If you guys need catering forany kind of events, go hit up.
Um Ono Eats by Casey Cause yeah, it's next level.
Um and for us, as always, youcan find us on Instagram Above
the Bridge Podcast Above theBridge Podcast on YouTube, our
website's atbpodcom and mypersonal Instagram is

(01:10:22):
thaddydaddyhi.
Personally, I've got to knowyour parents through our
daughters playing volleyball andI've learned a lot from your
parents just on parentingbecause of how you guys are as a
family and I see how you guyssupport, like when you guys all
work the food truck or when yourwhole family comes to watch you

(01:10:44):
fight or watch Zaysha playvolleyball.
It's something that I try toimplement in my family and I
learned a lot by watching them.
They're great parents and andthey have good core family
values and they know how to havefun.
Your parents know how to havefun, so I learned a lot by

(01:11:07):
watching them and being friendswith them and, um, yeah, shout
out to them because, as a son, Ithink they should be very proud
of you and and how you are, andas a person.
So I think, um, yeah, they'vebeen doing good, so I gotta hang
out with them more and, uh, bebe a good parent like them.

(01:11:27):
So shout outs to your parents,jay and um, casey and your
brother's gonna be a cop too huh, like he's just finishing the
academy oh also didn't you justget promoted for jujitsu?

Speaker 1 (01:11:40):
Oh yeah, yeah, I got my purple belt.

Speaker 2 (01:11:42):
Yeah, congrats on that.
It's huge.
And jujitsu is a hard martialarts to get promoted, especially
to get to a black belt level.
It's decades of work.
So anytime you get promotedthat's a huge thing.
So congratulations to you, manthank you well, we've been going

(01:12:04):
for an hour.
I appreciate you taking time outof your training to come chat
with me.
I can honestly say when you'reUFC champion, you came on my
show first.
So when you're champion, yougotta come back on my show first
, before Ariel Hoani and ESPNand all that crap Right on.

(01:12:27):
We'll shock us for the cameras.
We're out.
Shout out to the Artist GrooveNetwork Aloha.

Speaker 1 (01:12:39):
Thank you.