November 30, 2022 • 37 mins
Warriors, Fall In!
It’s Time for formation.
Ladies and gentlemen, standing across from your host today at 6’3” and 175 lbs is a military service member who represents our community through his Mixed Martial Arts endeavors.
Today, I am joined with an Air Force Service member who caught my attention on social media when I saw a short video where he had severely broken nose in 3 areas during one of his fights last August and this warrior opted to keep fighting. He even got it adjust shortly after the fight with no anesthetics.
Anyone who attempts to call him part of the “Chair Force,” will face off against a professional with a determined will to fight and the self-motivation rarely found in today’s society. I asked him to be a guest on The Morning Formation Podcast because I’m sincerely curious to learn more about this warrior.
Connect with Blake on IG: https://www.instagram.com/blakemma170/
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KP (00:00):
This episode is powered by act now education, go to
(00:03):
www.actnoweducation.com for freecomprehensive educational
resources and opportunities foractive duty, veterans, military
spouses and children.
Blake Perry (00:18):
Are both aspects fighting and military has taught
me leadership by example, speaksvolumes over the do's it just
chirps from the sidelines youknow.
KP (00:35):
Warriors fall in, it's time for formation. Ladies and
gentleman standing across fromyour host today, at six foot
three 175 pounds, is a militaryservice member who represents
our community through his mixedmartial art endeavors. Today,
I'm very fortunate to be joinedwith an Air Force Service member
who caught my attention onsocial media when I saw a short
(00:57):
video where he had severelybroken his nose in three
different areas during one ofhis fights last August. Now this
warrior opted to keep fightingduring that fight. Even got it
adjusted shortly after the fightwith no anesthetics at all.
Anyone who attempts to call himpart of the cheer force will
face off against theprofessional with with the
determined will to fight. Andthe self motivation really found
(01:20):
in today's society. I asked himto be a guest today on the
morning formation podcastbecause I'm sincerely curious to
learn more about this modern daywarrior who chose to join the
Air Force. So Blake, I want tothank you for joining us on the
morning information podcast.
Blake Perry (01:35):
I appreciate you have me man taking the time.
Yeah, like I said, I've seenseen some of the episodes and
stuff. And I really liked whatto do. So I appreciate you
having me on.
KP (01:47):
Man, The honor is all mine.
It's great to find folks likeyou, especially modern service
members, like yourself, I gotout in 2007. And I also have
been training Brazilian JiuJitsu for the last 11 years now
and I'm a purple belt. And overthe years I've I've created so
many great relationship,relationships, and I have such a
great respect for the martialarts community. So it's my honor
(02:10):
to have you on the show today,Blake. And just to start things
off, you know, I'm, I'mgenuinely curious to know more
about you. Would you mindtelling us about yourself where
you're from originally, and whyyou chose the Air Force? And
tell us about your militaryservice so far?
Blake Perry (02:28):
Um, yeah, of course. Yeah. Happy to be on.
And first off, that's awesome. Ididn't realize you did jujitsu.
And so that's awesome. You'resuper familiar with it been
rolling for 11 years. That's,that's dope. But yeah, so I
joined the Air Force in 2017,June of 2017, and six year
contract with the Air Force. SoI'm actually I'm in I got about
(02:52):
six, seven months left. But uh,yeah, my first term of the Air
Force joins, were originallyfrom Ohio, and a small town
called Jefferson. closest bigcity is Cleveland. So like my
maps, and all that stuff wasthrough Cleveland.
And yeah, shipped out in June of2017. Went through basic
(03:13):
training and everything in Texasfor the Air Force. And then
after that, my first dutystation was Hawaii. I was out
there for about three years anda little over three years, from
2018. Until about midway through2021. Out there at Hickam Air
Force Base. On Oahu in Hawaii,it's joint base with Pearl
(03:38):
Harbor. And then from there, Igot sent to Travis Air Force
Base in Fairfield, California,in April of 2021. And then there
since and that is where I willfinish my contract out. I'm a
crew chief for C17s. So just alot of mechanic stuff for cargo
(03:59):
planes. And yeah, it's beensuper, super, super great
experience so far. And I can'tcomplain. Honestly, with
anything. I've gotten to do alot of cool things and have had
two pretty pretty awesome dutystations, you know, Hawaii and
California, so I can't Can'tcomplain.
KP (04:17):
Now, I want to ask you right off the bat, because I did
scroll through some of your chaton your Instagram. And a lot of
people automatically assume thatyou were a marine or you're in
the army. Do you get that a lot?
Blake Perry (04:31):
Yes, it's funny.
I'm sure you experienced thisbeing you know, from being in
the military yourself that a lotof times, especially people
aren't the people that aren't inthe military. Just call everyone
the army. And for some reason, Idon't know. I don't know if
you've encountered thatyourself, but a lot of people
what's the word I'm looking for?
(04:53):
They almost use the wordmilitary and army
interchangeably if they're notfamiliar with the branches
stuff. So a lot of the timepeople will say army meaning the
military.
That just you know that, and Idon't want to be a jerk and
correct them. So I usually do,I'll say, Well, yeah, I'm in the
Air Force, you know, and then Idescribe it. But ya know, I get
(05:15):
that a lot army Marines, youknow that the tough branches,
you know, people are surprised alot when they hear your air
force, you know, because youthink the smarter guys but what
can I say, Man I can do both,you know, smart answer. Yeah,
KP (05:29):
no. I think it's badass man.
I really do. So a little bitabout me like I served four
years in the Ohio National Guardenlisted then I went active duty
as an officer. So I kind of gotto see both sides of the of the
coin when it comes to the rankstructure anyway. Yeah. And
yeah, people's and while I wasbecoming a an officer, my
(05:50):
university which is right state,in Dayton, Ohio, which I'm sure
you've heard of it before.
We had the ROTC, the art, theAir Army, and the Air Force
ROTC. And there was a very starkdifference in the physical
training department anyways, asfar as the expectation, so I
(06:11):
could see why the Air Force kindof comes with a stigma or
stereotype anyways of the typeof person and I think it's
awesome, man. And when I sawthat, I was like, This guy is a
character, I gotta get this guyon my show,
Blake Perry (06:23):
I guess a lot, a lot of the stigma is or, you
know, they're there for areason. Because, you know, being
in really good shape and stuffto be what like brutally honest
with you, it's stuff I do on myown, you know, I'm not gonna sit
here and act like the Air ForcePT standards are insane, or
because they're not, you know,each branch has their, their
(06:44):
purpose.
And, you know, obviously, theAir Force has a very, you know,
technical, a lot of mechanicjobs, a lot of tech jobs, a lot
of, like, Intel type jobs, youknow, it's just, that's what
they're there for, you know, so,a lot of the times, you know,
the, you know, the physicalstandards aren't insane to be in
the Air Force. But, um, but, youknow, I guess every branch has
(07:08):
this, its purpose to make tomake the whole machine work, you
know,
KP (07:13):
right. Yeah, most definitely know, at what point in your life
did you decide to start trainingand mixed martial arts and
actually start fighting?
Blake Perry (07:23):
So I've always had an interest. You know, since I
was a little kid, I grew upwrestling in Ohio. I wrestled
from junior high all the way upthrough high school and college,
even out in Berea, Ohio, and theCleveland area had Baldwin
Wallace, but uh, yeah, man. SoI've always wrestled and love
that. And then, you know, Ireally I remember watching UFC
(07:46):
fights and stuff with my dad,when I was probably like, 11, or
12, you know, so the interest isdefinitely always been there.
But I started to really take itserious.
After after I was donewrestling, and after I joined
the military, I started takingjujitsu and stuff. And at first,
it's kind of funny, because Iwas like, ah, you know, I'll
(08:06):
just be something good to getthat competitive edge out
training and stuff. And then Istarted, you know, training jiu
jitsu for a few months. Andthen, you know, it's that that
competitive drive and stuffnever really goes away if it's
in the, uh, you know, so I knewthat I definitely wanted to do
MMA. And then in 2017, I startedtraining out in the Cleveland
(08:32):
area, and then once I got sentto Hawaii is where I really,
really kicked it into gear, justtraining out at a spot called
United MMA on Oahu. And justreally, really started to make
it my lifestyle and training andjust kept pursuing it to the
point that I ended up getting myfirst fight that year.
KP (08:52):
Wow. And you know, what's funny, Blake, when I first
started looking into you, andlooking at your background, it's
it's quite amazing how much wehave in common geographically,
because I was born in Hawaii. Iwas born in Wahiawa, actually
grew up in Waipahu. And then Iwent to my father retired out of
the army and went back to hishome state of Ohio. And that's
(09:13):
how I ended up in Ohio.
graduated high school in Ohio.
I wrestled in Ohio, too. And Inow live in California. So Oh,
geographically, we've Yeah,geographically. We've been in
all the same places. Yeah, I'mcurrently just outside of Los
Angeles. But um, I can tell you,I want to underline and
highlight this that sports inOhio is a big deal. And I played
(09:35):
football, wrestled ran a coupleyears of track and it was
seriously like Friday NightLights for football and
wrestling was super competitiveman, especially going into like
a big city like Cleveland orColumbus and having to compete
against those kids. So I couldtotally see how growing up where
you did sort of set yourtrajectory into where you're at
(09:56):
right now and what you're doingprofessionally. It makes more
Short spin.
Blake Perry (10:01):
Yeah, that's that's crazy. First off the like how
that worked out that's I guess Ididn't realize that that those
three areas that's actuallysuper super crazy um speaking of
walkie Well I was just there forlike almost a full month for my
buddy's training camp out I flewout there and stay this spot and
train there all month for my mybuddy has a fight coming up. But
(10:27):
anyway, yeah, growing up in OhioYeah, you said it perfect. And
it's funny because I think it'skind of a product of a lot of
times places where there's not alot to do elsewise.
I feel like sports really,really takes over, you know,
because there's a lot of a lotof parts of Ohio where it's it's
nothing but cornfields and justnothing for miles and miles, you
(10:51):
know, so what else is there todo besides being a wrestling
room as a kid or be out on thefootball field? You know? So
yeah, definitely. It'sdefinitely a hammer house for
sure. When it comes to I wouldsay those two specifically
football and wrestling are superbig. You know, football in that
whole area of the country. Andsame with wrestling, you know,
(11:12):
is you know, Ohio, Pennsylvania,New Jersey, New York. That whole
it's crazy out there. But yeah,it's cool each area to has its
own things, you know, becausethen fighting in Hawaii is
crazy. You know, I mean, like, Iswear every every little kid out
their tick boxes or is doingsome type of boxing or some type
(11:35):
of did do a striking or so. No,it's definitely I was pretty
fortunate to kind of thetrajectory of where I lived. It
just was like a perfect lineup,you know, because I grew up in
Ohio. And then, you know, sothat's where I got my bass for
athletics. And then my fightingbass, I got all out in Hawaii.
(11:56):
And then now I'm out inCalifornia, so it worked out
perfect.
KP (12:00):
Oh, I totally know, like, I grew up in Hawaii. So, you know,
the, the pidgin English of, youknow, oh, he likes crap. Like
beef. The guy? Yeah, it's justlike, I went from that to the
cornfields of Ohio, like,literally, out in rural Madison
County, Ohio, out in the middleof nowhere. So people out there
(12:22):
were great man I actually havepart of my heart is in Ohio, I
always say and I go back tovisit, you know, my old man and
see a lot of my old teachers andsome of my friends that still
live out there. So I justthought it was kind of wild man
that we're kind ofgeographically following each
other. So this interview wasmeant to be man. So yes, I can
tell you that.
Over the years since I've beentraining Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
(12:45):
I've learned quite a bit justabout myself. And I've got
lifelong friends that I've, youknow, traveled around trained
with, who lived halfway acrossthe map. And it's, it's
certainly a different feeling.
When you train with someone in acombative sport, such as
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thaiboxing, you sort of develop this
closer relationship with them,you know, whether they end up
(13:06):
putting you on your can, or youput them on their can, and you
have a good day, you have a badday, you always find a way to
pick pick each other up andoutside of the octagon, and
outside of training, you know,with mixed martial arts, what,
what has what has all of thistaught you about yourself, your
life in your career?
Blake Perry (13:27):
Um, I would say, to be completely honest, it's
definitely taught me that thisis, like what I'm meant to do,
if that makes sense, you know,because I don't know, man, this,
like, nowhere else in my life,that I truly feel like, I've
100% fit in. And this is whereI'm supposed to be at this very
(13:50):
moment. You know, I feel likeeverything else in my life, I
kind of do. Like for otherpeople, almost, if that makes
sense, which isn't necessarily abad thing.
You know, it's not it's not acomplaint. However, I feel like
most everything else I do is forother people, or because I have
to, in a way, and fightingsomething that I do want 100%
(14:12):
For me, and I truly, truly feellike I was like, put on the
earth to fight you know, just insome facet. You know, I was just
meant to, to endure and getthrough tough scenarios and come
out on top.
And so, but I would say it's onebig takeaway just on like, a
personal level, like aside fromcompetition and aside from even
(14:34):
the training itself in thesport, you know, because
everything else, you know,everything else I've done in my
life, professionally, or it hasbeen a job to me, you know, I
show up, do what I have to doget paid so I can pay my rent,
you know, but fighting issomething that I would do for
free 100% of the time easily.
And it's just I don't know IWhen I'm there is like the only
(14:59):
time in my life where I feel100% I'm doing something for me
that I'm meant to be in thatexact spot at that exact moment.
And but yeah, I'm just I trulythink that I'm just made for it.
And I'm there for a reason.
KP (15:18):
Yeah, man. So do you do you plan on continuing this even
after the Air Force and takingit up a notch? Yeah,
Blake Perry (15:25):
100% I think for sure. Definitely want to
continue. And to be honest, Idon't ever want to fully leave
it behind. You know, even whenI'm too old to compete and fight
myself, I always kind of want tobe in the world, you know, of
fighting, whether it's coachingor something, you know, I mean,
(15:46):
something working with apromotion, doing something or
coaching or training or friggincommentating, I don't know,
something, you know, um, but Idon't ever fully want to leave
it behind just because it's beensuch a big part of my life.
Since I was little to be honest,you know, combat sports in
general, like wrestling,fighting, whatever it be. But
(16:09):
yeah, so definitely after theAir Force, I plan on even
cranking it up, you know, anddefinitely burning the candle at
both ends and going as hard as Ican as smart as I can. While I
still can, you know, yeah. Andthen down the road, when my time
of fighting is up. I don't everwant to really leave it behind
(16:30):
fully, you know?
KP (16:32):
Yeah, I don't think you ever will, man, like I found myself
over the years, training others.
And I definitely think that's anoption for you forever, for
always to give that gift tosomeone else. And I truly think
that is it is a training giftthat you can give other people
to help them find that fireinside of them and help them
push themselves to new levels ofI mean, because the the reason I
(16:54):
love grappling, and I love JiuJitsu, is because if I go in for
a workout, I don't control thatworkout, my partner controls the
workout.
Now, if I go in and I decide tolift weights, I could pick up a
15 pound dumbbell and curl it.
Now, when I when I go in Mondaymorning, and I go to train, the
guys that are there that show upand the gals that show up,
(17:16):
they're going to be the onesthat dictate, pushing me to that
next level. Like I don't have achoice. I got to, like once I
get on the mat, I got it, I gotto hold myself, right. And
that's what I love about it,man. Like it pushes me and I
love the way I feel afterwards.
So yeah, I definitely. I'mreally looking forward to seeing
like, where you go after the AirForce, man, are you plan on
(17:37):
going back to Ohio and trainingthere?
Blake Perry (17:40):
Um, that's a good question. Um, I got to kind of
figure out my plan to be honest,but I don't think so. At least
not. Not for right now. I'malways gonna visit and see
friends and family and that'salways where my my my roots are,
you know, but I don't think so.
I don't think I want to livethere full time.
(18:01):
Now right now I kind of still Ilike the Nomad life a little
bit. You know, I like I likebouncing around seeing places I
haven't seen going places Ihaven't went yet. And I kind of
liked that lifestyle. And Ithink I'm gonna keep it up for
at least while I'm while I'myoung. You know? Keep keep my
options open keep exploring newareas, I think.
KP (18:25):
No, Blake, the the clip that I saw you on where you broke
your nose in three places. Andabsolutely amazing man that you
still I mean, you almost didn'teven flinch. After the clinch in
the knee. You were so in thezone, man. And I love it like i
i love that fighting spirit thatyou have.
(18:46):
And if you don't mind, I'm gonnago ahead and play the clip. And
if you would mind just talkingto us sort of about it and kind
of walk us through like what washappening or what were you
thinking at the time. Is thatgood with you? Yeah, of course.
Alright, so can you see that?
Yeah. All right. Cool. I'll turnit down. And I'll just go ahead
and play it. So this is this iswhere you're getting, you're
getting your nose fixed, right?
(19:08):
Yeah. Now, there's noanesthetics for this is there?
Blake Perry (19:13):
No, unfortunately not. No, it was at a emergency
room in Stockton, Stockton,California, that me and my
opponent both went to MarcelMcCain. So directly after our
fight in Stockton, they made usboth get in a ambulance vehicle
(19:34):
and we had to we had to rideover there. Together and yeah,
no, they. He just had to do hehad to do right there with his
hands. I forget the doctor'sname, but he was super cool.
But yeah, so you gave me creditfor not flinching during the
fight. But I'll I'll give thecredit to adrenaline for that
(19:55):
because that shit sucksafterwards because I was the one
I got a bit realigned. That wasa few hours later by that point,
probably like close to likethree. So I was I was relaxed
and back in my normal restingstate by that point. But yeah,
it's I really didn't feel thatmuch during the fight. But I
(20:18):
definitely felt it when theywere lining it back up.
KP (20:23):
Oh, boy, I mean, you were pretty strong when they when
they lined it back up. You. Thedoctor even apologized to you.
And you were just like, Nah,man, don't worry about it's not
your fault. Thank you. Like,you're very polite about it. And
so in this clip here, I mean,you can see that you're in your
corner right now. And they'regoing to let this fight
continue, right? Yeah,
Blake Perry (20:42):
I thought I thought they were gonna man because so
yeah, it was right, I ate apretty good knee, man, I broke
my posture, which is like MuayThai 101 You know not to do. You
know, if I'm like helping outkids, when they're Muay thai,
it's like, the number one thingthat I tell little kids when
they're in a clench is not toduck their head and get broken
(21:04):
down like that. So, you know, Iguess that's a good training
tool for little kids for thefuture to you know, keep their
posture strong and keep yourhead up. But uh, ya know, it's I
got kneed. And then, like Isaid, to be 100% honest, it's
just there's like, so much chaosand stuff in a fight. It really
it doesn't hurt like you wouldthink, you know, because the
(21:27):
pain and all that kind of stuffcame came later.
But during it just felt like Igot hit in the face pretty good,
you know? Yeah. And, but betweenrounds, you know, I honest to
god, I felt okay. You know, Iwas, I even felt like the fight
was going pretty solid, to behonest, outside of that last
flurry at the end, but I was, Iwas hopped up, I was ready to go
(21:50):
for the second round. Butunfortunately, the doctor
wouldn't let it continue.
Watching, I can't, can't argue Iwas pretty amped up at the time.
You know, I was like, trying toget him to let me continue, you
know, because I felt good man.
Like, my body felt good. And Itruly felt that had to continue
to could have went my way.
However, I also get he's adoctor, you know, so it wouldn't
(22:13):
look great on him if, you know,he looks at my face. And he's
like, Yeah, you're good, realgood. Like, I get it, man. Live
to fight another day. But yeah,it was. It was a good day.
KP (22:28):
Yeah, man. You know, I'm just a hobbyist. I'm not
training to be a fighter. Andeven me in the last 11 years or
so having trained all the hoursand hours and weeks and weeks of
work that I've done and thedifferent tournaments that I've
been in jujitsu tournaments,I've been pretty beat up to
like, I've actually tore my pecmuscle, I tore my Achilles
(22:52):
tendon. And so I know whatyou're saying like about, and
I'm now 42 years old.
So now my concern is making surethat I stay limber, and I stay
flexible, you know, for into thelater years, so I can get out of
bed. But a lot of people arevery concerned about training,
any kind of martial art becausethey don't, they don't want to
get hurt. And I'll tell youthis, like, I've trained, like I
(23:15):
said, for 11 years, and I've hadthose two big injuries. But some
of these injuries are related tomy job as well, my my full time
job. You know, for anyone outthere that's thinking about
training or has thought abouttraining before, but they might
be reserved or fearful to takethat first step. What would you
(23:35):
say to them?
Blake Perry (23:37):
I would say, I think a lot of the times like
people probably have this likenotion in their head that an MMA
gym or a jujitsu gym or any typeof combat sports gym, they
probably have this idea in theirhead that it's like, a bunch of
like macho douchebags, you know,that are like gonna assert their
(24:01):
dominance. And you know what Imean? Like, which if someone had
never done it, you think MMA orJiu Jitsu, and you think, Oh,
I'm gonna go in there and justget murdered and everyone's
gonna, like, borderline fullymeet, you know what I mean?
Whereas, from my experience, atleast, and I would imagine from
yours, you know, doing jujitsuas long as you have that. It
(24:22):
couldn't be further from that,like the most humble people I've
met easily in my life are peoplethat train some form of combat
sports, because anyone whotrains combat sports, has gotten
their ass kicked a milliontimes. You know what I mean? No
matter how, no matter how goodyou are, you weren't always that
(24:43):
good.
You know, or I just think Itruly think it makes better
people if that makes sense. Likemore approachable, more people
willing to teach, willing tolearn. I think, like I would
definitely want my kids to myfuture kids to do some type of
comp even if they never, evercompete. I just think it's a
(25:04):
good tool to learn not onlyphysically for, you know,
defending yourself and all that,but just from like a, like,
humbleness aspect and from like,the just the way you treat
people, you know, it's
KP (25:18):
confidence.
Blake Perry (25:19):
Yes, exactly, exactly. Confidence.
And, you know, I just I trulythink it makes good people. So I
guess that's what I would tellsomeone that if they were
hesitant to try it, I guess fromthat aspect, because a lot of
times people probably have, Iknow, a lot of times people have
a wrong idea, because all theysee is a competition, right? And
(25:41):
you see some MMA fighter wholooks like a psycho in there,
and you're like, oh, man, thatguy's probably a jerk, you know?
Or you see some dude in agrappling competition, you know,
choking some dude out, youprobably think he's, oh, man,
that guy's gotta be mean, youknow, but for my experience, and
I would imagine most people inthe combat sports community, it
(26:03):
couldn't be further from that.
And people should absolutely doit, if they if they have the
desire to at all, even if it's alittle bit, I think I think
everyone should, at least, to atleast try it.
KP (26:16):
I agree with you 100%. Some of the most humble, confident,
intelligent, friendly peoplethat I've ever known, have been
some of my friends that actuallydo actively fight in mixed
martial art. And I think thatsometimes when you train, and
you understand how to respectothers, and never judge a book
(26:40):
by its cover, because I can tellyou countless times, I've rolled
with people, and I thought, oh,yeah, okay, well, this is just a
little skinny kid, or this girl,I'm gonna, I'm gonna Molly, you
know, like, somebody that'sskilled, and you hear her
laughing because you probablyhad these moments too.
I understand where you're comingfrom, when you talk about what
(27:00):
you're just talking about justnow and understand why you would
want your own kids to train aswell. Now, would you mind
talking to us specifically, likebetween your military service
and your your mixed martial artstraining and competing? Has,
what specifically has all thistaught you as far as leadership?
Blake Perry (27:22):
So I would say, from from, I guess, I'll start
with the fighting. In terms ofleadership, it's really, I
think, I guess, actually worsefor both, you know, both the
military and fighting, but just,you know, people say a lot, but
leave lead by example, you know,because I know from, you know,
(27:45):
being on a fight team, right,it's, it's one thing to, you
know, be the especially I thinktoday, in there's so many like
Instagram fighters, you know,you know what I'm saying, like,
a lot of a lot of people dostuff for social media and want
to put off this persona. Butwhen it comes down to actually
(28:06):
doing it, they're a differentperson.
So I think leading by example,is huge man, you know, because
it's one thing to be the guythat types out, sometimes
Instagram about being thehardest worker in the room, you
know, and then, you know, thereyou hear stories about, they're
just out partying all the time,and never train. And so I think
(28:28):
in terms of leadership, youknow, be be the dude who's
lifting after practice, or doingsprints after practice, you
know, like, be that guy, lead byexample. And people respect
And same goes for the military,you know, it's, everyone's had
that.
that NCO, every person in themilitary has had that NCO, who,
you know, will gripe at you forthis and this, and then there's
a laziest worker in the shop,you know, and everybody knows
(28:50):
that, you know, and then noteven just the military, I'm sure
anyone who has a job anywhere,you know, has had that boss,
that's the first bitched atsomeone for this or that or not
doing something. And then whenit comes down to the nitty
gritty, and, you know, hoppingin the trenches with your guys,
(29:13):
they're nowhere to be found, youknow. So I think just both
assets are both aspects fightingand military has taught me
leadership, by example, speaksvolumes over the dude that just
chirps from the sidelines, youknow?
KP (29:29):
Yeah, yeah. I'm glad that you say that, because that one
of the reasons why I want tocover that today is because I've
been having a lot of folks whoare executives, who've never
been in the military before havementioned to me things along the
lines of leadership and how rankhas its privilege and all these
different things.
And I'm like, No, notnecessarily because even when I
(29:49):
was a lieutenant, or when I wasa captain in the army, if if my
soldiers were outside doingsomething in the rain, then I
would be outside doing somethingin the rain as well. So I love
what you say out that man is,uh, you know, talk to talk walk
the walk. Right. And that's,that's, uh, you know, that's an
excellent point that you bringup. So your future plans you do
(30:11):
plan on getting out of themilitary, right? I do. Okay, and
then from there, you haven'treally mapped out where you're
going to go or what what's yourgonna seek the seek text?
Blake Perry (30:21):
Yeah, I was going to ask you, man, I was hoping
you'd have something for me. Yougot? You got like employment in
your office over there? I'mgonna need a job here pretty
soon. No, man,
KP (30:31):
actually. No, seriously, I'm a board member for academic
education and military not?
Yeah, it's a military nonprofit,where we help with the
transition process. But yeah,we'll talk offline because I do.
I do know, some potentialopportunities for you.
Blake Perry (30:49):
Oh, there we go.
But, ya know, I plan on gettingout. Like I said, I got about
six, seven months left on mycontract, if not, right, at the
end of my contract, I might doextension, for up to about a
year, just to give myself alittle more time to kind of
really get my feet underneathme.
But first and foremost, youknow, I definitely, I'm
(31:13):
definitely going to run with runwith fighting and take that as
far as I can, you know, myultimate goal is to get paid to
the point that that can be myfull time job, you know, between
training and fighting, thatthat'd be what I what I do, you
know, because I get paidcurrently, however, to be
(31:33):
brutally honest, it's nowherenear sustainable living. You
know, I right now, where I'm atin my career, I could never just
do that and make it in theworld, you know, so I have to
have a job to a normal job, youknow. But yeah, so I got about,
like I said, probably, I do havesix months left on my contract,
(31:55):
I might extend for about a year.
But other than that, I plan ongetting out, maybe using my GI
bill going to school. And thenjust but first and foremost,
definitely fighting full time.
And continuing that is a top topon my list. For sure. That's,
(32:16):
that's happening no matter whatmy day job is, you know,
KP (32:20):
my hat's off to you, man and having those dreams and those
goals. And we'll definitely haveto talk offline because I do
have some resources for you totake a look at. Before we end
this episode. Blake, would youlike to share any final pieces
of advice or words to live by?
Maybe something that we didn'tcover during this episode?
Blake Perry (32:41):
Yeah, sure. So I guess, in terms of advice, you
know, at the risk of soundingcorny and preachy, I just said,
do something that makes youhappy, you know, because I feel
like, there's so many peoplethat just go to work and go
home, which is totally cool. Ifyou're passionate about your
(33:04):
job, if that makes sense.
So there's got to be some outletin your life, you have Passion,
KP (33:05):
dude, I listen, I've already talked to my buddies, and we're
I guess, you know, so whetherit's your job, something you do
after your job, your kids, yourfamily, whatever is something
training Monday morning. Hey,listen, I'm already thinking
that gets you going, you know,because there's so many people
in my life, I know even that I'mclose with that. Just wake up,
(33:25):
go to their job that theycomplain about. Come home, watch
TV, repeat, you know. And it'slike, Damn, man, no wonder no
wonder you're depressed. Youknow, that's, that's a rough way
to live for anybody, you know,so? Yeah, I guess like, it's
nothing groundbreaking or new tohear. But I say just, you know,
(33:46):
do that thing that gets youfucking pumped up, go do it. And
about it. And I'm alreadyexcited about it. And I'm not
trying to wish my life away. Ihave a lot of stuff going on
this weekend. You know, the UCLAUSC game that I'm going to is
(34:06):
exciting.
But I'm thinking about Mondaymorning when I go in there and I
train with my buddies. I love itbecause one of the things I
didn't mention there in thisshow, man is over the years. I
you know, we all go throughrough times, and I've been
through some rough times likeeverybody else, you have two
choices. Either you can go tothe bars and deal with it
through alcohol and doing allthe things you're not supposed
(34:28):
to be doing.
Or you can put yourself at agym. And anytime that I've ever
had those rough patches in mylife, I have been very fortunate
to have the the will and to havethat I guess that instinctual
first step out of the wayalready because of my my history
to just find the gym and gotrain. And things like Brazilian
(34:52):
Jiu Jitsu have really kept me inthe kept me in the right but
then kept my mind clear andfocused on what I need to do,
and I guess, this isn't theMixed Martial Art Podcast, but I
talk about Brazilian Jiu Jitsuand grappling and things like
that.
Because it has meant so much tome over the years, it really
(35:13):
has. And I have some of the bestfriends that I've ever had that
live all the way across the map.
But I know that if I ever neededsomething, they'd be right here.
And these are my previoustraining partners. And so, you
know, it's it's a, it's a verydeep, meaningful thing for me to
have someone like you on whokind of serves both purposes.
You're, you're a militaryservice member. And you're also
(35:34):
doing this great thing in mixedmartial arts and your
perseverance through that fight,man and how tough you were. It's
an absolute honor for me to haveyou on right now on this show,
and just to highlight you sothank you so much, Blake. I
really appreciate it.
Blake Perry (35:51):
I appreciate you, man. For everything, you know.
Yeah, having me on and it wasjust good to talk to you.
Learned a lot about YouTube thatI didn't know before this. So
it's pretty cool. I appreciateit.
KP (36:03):
Yeah. I haven't done a very good job of talking about myself
all that much according to somepeople, but if anyone out there
is interested in following upwith you, Blake, what social
media platforms can they findyou on?
Blake Perry (36:13):
Um, so all I really have is Instagram. And my handle
is Blake MMA one, seven.
KP (36:20):
Okay. And I'll make an I'll make sure I put that in the show
notes as well. So if you'relistening to this on a podcast
on audio, scroll down to theshow notes at the description
down there. You'll see him atthe bottom if you're watching
this on YouTube. Same deal.
Check out the description.
You'll see how to follow Blakeas well. So Blake, thanks again.
I really appreciate your timetoday. For everyone else out
(36:42):
there. I just as always want youto stay tuned. Stay focused, and
stay motivated. Warriors Fallout
This episode is powered by act now education, go to
(00:03):
www.actnoweducation.com for freecomprehensive educational
resources and opportunities foractive duty, veterans, military
spouses and children.
Blake Perry (00:18):
Are both aspects fighting and military has taught
me leadership by example, speaksvolumes over the do's it just
chirps from the sidelines youknow.
KP (00:35):
Warriors fall in, it's time for formation. Ladies and
gentleman standing across fromyour host today, at six foot
three 175 pounds, is a militaryservice member who represents
our community through his mixedmartial art endeavors. Today,
I'm very fortunate to be joinedwith an Air Force Service member
who caught my attention onsocial media when I saw a short
(00:57):
video where he had severelybroken his nose in three
different areas during one ofhis fights last August. Now this
warrior opted to keep fightingduring that fight. Even got it
adjusted shortly after the fightwith no anesthetics at all.
Anyone who attempts to call himpart of the cheer force will
face off against theprofessional with with the
determined will to fight. Andthe self motivation really found
(01:20):
in today's society. I asked himto be a guest today on the
morning formation podcastbecause I'm sincerely curious to
learn more about this modern daywarrior who chose to join the
Air Force. So Blake, I want tothank you for joining us on the
morning information podcast.
Blake Perry (01:35):
I appreciate you have me man taking the time.
Yeah, like I said, I've seenseen some of the episodes and
stuff. And I really liked whatto do. So I appreciate you
having me on.
KP (01:47):
Man, The honor is all mine.
It's great to find folks likeyou, especially modern service
members, like yourself, I gotout in 2007. And I also have
been training Brazilian JiuJitsu for the last 11 years now
and I'm a purple belt. And overthe years I've I've created so
many great relationship,relationships, and I have such a
great respect for the martialarts community. So it's my honor
(02:10):
to have you on the show today,Blake. And just to start things
off, you know, I'm, I'mgenuinely curious to know more
about you. Would you mindtelling us about yourself where
you're from originally, and whyyou chose the Air Force? And
tell us about your militaryservice so far?
Blake Perry (02:28):
Um, yeah, of course. Yeah. Happy to be on.
And first off, that's awesome. Ididn't realize you did jujitsu.
And so that's awesome. You'resuper familiar with it been
rolling for 11 years. That's,that's dope. But yeah, so I
joined the Air Force in 2017,June of 2017, and six year
contract with the Air Force. SoI'm actually I'm in I got about
(02:52):
six, seven months left. But uh,yeah, my first term of the Air
Force joins, were originallyfrom Ohio, and a small town
called Jefferson. closest bigcity is Cleveland. So like my
maps, and all that stuff wasthrough Cleveland.
And yeah, shipped out in June of2017. Went through basic
(03:13):
training and everything in Texasfor the Air Force. And then
after that, my first dutystation was Hawaii. I was out
there for about three years anda little over three years, from
2018. Until about midway through2021. Out there at Hickam Air
Force Base. On Oahu in Hawaii,it's joint base with Pearl
(03:38):
Harbor. And then from there, Igot sent to Travis Air Force
Base in Fairfield, California,in April of 2021. And then there
since and that is where I willfinish my contract out. I'm a
crew chief for C17s. So just alot of mechanic stuff for cargo
(03:59):
planes. And yeah, it's beensuper, super, super great
experience so far. And I can'tcomplain. Honestly, with
anything. I've gotten to do alot of cool things and have had
two pretty pretty awesome dutystations, you know, Hawaii and
California, so I can't Can'tcomplain.
KP (04:17):
Now, I want to ask you right off the bat, because I did
scroll through some of your chaton your Instagram. And a lot of
people automatically assume thatyou were a marine or you're in
the army. Do you get that a lot?
Blake Perry (04:31):
Yes, it's funny.
I'm sure you experienced thisbeing you know, from being in
the military yourself that a lotof times, especially people
aren't the people that aren't inthe military. Just call everyone
the army. And for some reason, Idon't know. I don't know if
you've encountered thatyourself, but a lot of people
what's the word I'm looking for?
(04:53):
They almost use the wordmilitary and army
interchangeably if they're notfamiliar with the branches
stuff. So a lot of the timepeople will say army meaning the
military.
That just you know that, and Idon't want to be a jerk and
correct them. So I usually do,I'll say, Well, yeah, I'm in the
Air Force, you know, and then Idescribe it. But ya know, I get
(05:15):
that a lot army Marines, youknow that the tough branches,
you know, people are surprised alot when they hear your air
force, you know, because youthink the smarter guys but what
can I say, Man I can do both,you know, smart answer. Yeah,
KP (05:29):
no. I think it's badass man.
I really do. So a little bitabout me like I served four
years in the Ohio National Guardenlisted then I went active duty
as an officer. So I kind of gotto see both sides of the of the
coin when it comes to the rankstructure anyway. Yeah. And
yeah, people's and while I wasbecoming a an officer, my
(05:50):
university which is right state,in Dayton, Ohio, which I'm sure
you've heard of it before.
We had the ROTC, the art, theAir Army, and the Air Force
ROTC. And there was a very starkdifference in the physical
training department anyways, asfar as the expectation, so I
(06:11):
could see why the Air Force kindof comes with a stigma or
stereotype anyways of the typeof person and I think it's
awesome, man. And when I sawthat, I was like, This guy is a
character, I gotta get this guyon my show,
Blake Perry (06:23):
I guess a lot, a lot of the stigma is or, you
know, they're there for areason. Because, you know, being
in really good shape and stuffto be what like brutally honest
with you, it's stuff I do on myown, you know, I'm not gonna sit
here and act like the Air ForcePT standards are insane, or
because they're not, you know,each branch has their, their
(06:44):
purpose.
And, you know, obviously, theAir Force has a very, you know,
technical, a lot of mechanicjobs, a lot of tech jobs, a lot
of, like, Intel type jobs, youknow, it's just, that's what
they're there for, you know, so,a lot of the times, you know,
the, you know, the physicalstandards aren't insane to be in
the Air Force. But, um, but, youknow, I guess every branch has
(07:08):
this, its purpose to make tomake the whole machine work, you
know,
KP (07:13):
right. Yeah, most definitely know, at what point in your life
did you decide to start trainingand mixed martial arts and
actually start fighting?
Blake Perry (07:23):
So I've always had an interest. You know, since I
was a little kid, I grew upwrestling in Ohio. I wrestled
from junior high all the way upthrough high school and college,
even out in Berea, Ohio, and theCleveland area had Baldwin
Wallace, but uh, yeah, man. SoI've always wrestled and love
that. And then, you know, Ireally I remember watching UFC
(07:46):
fights and stuff with my dad,when I was probably like, 11, or
12, you know, so the interest isdefinitely always been there.
But I started to really take itserious.
After after I was donewrestling, and after I joined
the military, I started takingjujitsu and stuff. And at first,
it's kind of funny, because Iwas like, ah, you know, I'll
(08:06):
just be something good to getthat competitive edge out
training and stuff. And then Istarted, you know, training jiu
jitsu for a few months. Andthen, you know, it's that that
competitive drive and stuffnever really goes away if it's
in the, uh, you know, so I knewthat I definitely wanted to do
MMA. And then in 2017, I startedtraining out in the Cleveland
(08:32):
area, and then once I got sentto Hawaii is where I really,
really kicked it into gear, justtraining out at a spot called
United MMA on Oahu. And justreally, really started to make
it my lifestyle and training andjust kept pursuing it to the
point that I ended up getting myfirst fight that year.
KP (08:52):
Wow. And you know, what's funny, Blake, when I first
started looking into you, andlooking at your background, it's
it's quite amazing how much wehave in common geographically,
because I was born in Hawaii. Iwas born in Wahiawa, actually
grew up in Waipahu. And then Iwent to my father retired out of
the army and went back to hishome state of Ohio. And that's
(09:13):
how I ended up in Ohio.
graduated high school in Ohio.
I wrestled in Ohio, too. And Inow live in California. So Oh,
geographically, we've Yeah,geographically. We've been in
all the same places. Yeah, I'mcurrently just outside of Los
Angeles. But um, I can tell you,I want to underline and
highlight this that sports inOhio is a big deal. And I played
(09:35):
football, wrestled ran a coupleyears of track and it was
seriously like Friday NightLights for football and
wrestling was super competitiveman, especially going into like
a big city like Cleveland orColumbus and having to compete
against those kids. So I couldtotally see how growing up where
you did sort of set yourtrajectory into where you're at
(09:56):
right now and what you're doingprofessionally. It makes more
Short spin.
Blake Perry (10:01):
Yeah, that's that's crazy. First off the like how
that worked out that's I guess Ididn't realize that that those
three areas that's actuallysuper super crazy um speaking of
walkie Well I was just there forlike almost a full month for my
buddy's training camp out I flewout there and stay this spot and
train there all month for my mybuddy has a fight coming up. But
(10:27):
anyway, yeah, growing up in OhioYeah, you said it perfect. And
it's funny because I think it'skind of a product of a lot of
times places where there's not alot to do elsewise.
I feel like sports really,really takes over, you know,
because there's a lot of a lotof parts of Ohio where it's it's
nothing but cornfields and justnothing for miles and miles, you
(10:51):
know, so what else is there todo besides being a wrestling
room as a kid or be out on thefootball field? You know? So
yeah, definitely. It'sdefinitely a hammer house for
sure. When it comes to I wouldsay those two specifically
football and wrestling are superbig. You know, football in that
whole area of the country. Andsame with wrestling, you know,
(11:12):
is you know, Ohio, Pennsylvania,New Jersey, New York. That whole
it's crazy out there. But yeah,it's cool each area to has its
own things, you know, becausethen fighting in Hawaii is
crazy. You know, I mean, like, Iswear every every little kid out
their tick boxes or is doingsome type of boxing or some type
(11:35):
of did do a striking or so. No,it's definitely I was pretty
fortunate to kind of thetrajectory of where I lived. It
just was like a perfect lineup,you know, because I grew up in
Ohio. And then, you know, sothat's where I got my bass for
athletics. And then my fightingbass, I got all out in Hawaii.
(11:56):
And then now I'm out inCalifornia, so it worked out
perfect.
KP (12:00):
Oh, I totally know, like, I grew up in Hawaii. So, you know,
the, the pidgin English of, youknow, oh, he likes crap. Like
beef. The guy? Yeah, it's justlike, I went from that to the
cornfields of Ohio, like,literally, out in rural Madison
County, Ohio, out in the middleof nowhere. So people out there
(12:22):
were great man I actually havepart of my heart is in Ohio, I
always say and I go back tovisit, you know, my old man and
see a lot of my old teachers andsome of my friends that still
live out there. So I justthought it was kind of wild man
that we're kind ofgeographically following each
other. So this interview wasmeant to be man. So yes, I can
tell you that.
Over the years since I've beentraining Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
(12:45):
I've learned quite a bit justabout myself. And I've got
lifelong friends that I've, youknow, traveled around trained
with, who lived halfway acrossthe map. And it's, it's
certainly a different feeling.
When you train with someone in acombative sport, such as
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thaiboxing, you sort of develop this
closer relationship with them,you know, whether they end up
(13:06):
putting you on your can, or youput them on their can, and you
have a good day, you have a badday, you always find a way to
pick pick each other up andoutside of the octagon, and
outside of training, you know,with mixed martial arts, what,
what has what has all of thistaught you about yourself, your
life in your career?
Blake Perry (13:27):
Um, I would say, to be completely honest, it's
definitely taught me that thisis, like what I'm meant to do,
if that makes sense, you know,because I don't know, man, this,
like, nowhere else in my life,that I truly feel like, I've
100% fit in. And this is whereI'm supposed to be at this very
(13:50):
moment. You know, I feel likeeverything else in my life, I
kind of do. Like for otherpeople, almost, if that makes
sense, which isn't necessarily abad thing.
You know, it's not it's not acomplaint. However, I feel like
most everything else I do is forother people, or because I have
to, in a way, and fightingsomething that I do want 100%
(14:12):
For me, and I truly, truly feellike I was like, put on the
earth to fight you know, just insome facet. You know, I was just
meant to, to endure and getthrough tough scenarios and come
out on top.
And so, but I would say it's onebig takeaway just on like, a
personal level, like aside fromcompetition and aside from even
(14:34):
the training itself in thesport, you know, because
everything else, you know,everything else I've done in my
life, professionally, or it hasbeen a job to me, you know, I
show up, do what I have to doget paid so I can pay my rent,
you know, but fighting issomething that I would do for
free 100% of the time easily.
And it's just I don't know IWhen I'm there is like the only
(14:59):
time in my life where I feel100% I'm doing something for me
that I'm meant to be in thatexact spot at that exact moment.
And but yeah, I'm just I trulythink that I'm just made for it.
And I'm there for a reason.
KP (15:18):
Yeah, man. So do you do you plan on continuing this even
after the Air Force and takingit up a notch? Yeah,
Blake Perry (15:25):
100% I think for sure. Definitely want to
continue. And to be honest, Idon't ever want to fully leave
it behind. You know, even whenI'm too old to compete and fight
myself, I always kind of want tobe in the world, you know, of
fighting, whether it's coachingor something, you know, I mean,
(15:46):
something working with apromotion, doing something or
coaching or training or friggincommentating, I don't know,
something, you know, um, but Idon't ever fully want to leave
it behind just because it's beensuch a big part of my life.
Since I was little to be honest,you know, combat sports in
general, like wrestling,fighting, whatever it be. But
(16:09):
yeah, so definitely after theAir Force, I plan on even
cranking it up, you know, anddefinitely burning the candle at
both ends and going as hard as Ican as smart as I can. While I
still can, you know, yeah. Andthen down the road, when my time
of fighting is up. I don't everwant to really leave it behind
(16:30):
fully, you know?
KP (16:32):
Yeah, I don't think you ever will, man, like I found myself
over the years, training others.
And I definitely think that's anoption for you forever, for
always to give that gift tosomeone else. And I truly think
that is it is a training giftthat you can give other people
to help them find that fireinside of them and help them
push themselves to new levels ofI mean, because the the reason I
(16:54):
love grappling, and I love JiuJitsu, is because if I go in for
a workout, I don't control thatworkout, my partner controls the
workout.
Now, if I go in and I decide tolift weights, I could pick up a
15 pound dumbbell and curl it.
Now, when I when I go in Mondaymorning, and I go to train, the
guys that are there that show upand the gals that show up,
(17:16):
they're going to be the onesthat dictate, pushing me to that
next level. Like I don't have achoice. I got to, like once I
get on the mat, I got it, I gotto hold myself, right. And
that's what I love about it,man. Like it pushes me and I
love the way I feel afterwards.
So yeah, I definitely. I'mreally looking forward to seeing
like, where you go after the AirForce, man, are you plan on
(17:37):
going back to Ohio and trainingthere?
Blake Perry (17:40):
Um, that's a good question. Um, I got to kind of
figure out my plan to be honest,but I don't think so. At least
not. Not for right now. I'malways gonna visit and see
friends and family and that'salways where my my my roots are,
you know, but I don't think so.
I don't think I want to livethere full time.
(18:01):
Now right now I kind of still Ilike the Nomad life a little
bit. You know, I like I likebouncing around seeing places I
haven't seen going places Ihaven't went yet. And I kind of
liked that lifestyle. And Ithink I'm gonna keep it up for
at least while I'm while I'myoung. You know? Keep keep my
options open keep exploring newareas, I think.
KP (18:25):
No, Blake, the the clip that I saw you on where you broke
your nose in three places. Andabsolutely amazing man that you
still I mean, you almost didn'teven flinch. After the clinch in
the knee. You were so in thezone, man. And I love it like i
i love that fighting spirit thatyou have.
(18:46):
And if you don't mind, I'm gonnago ahead and play the clip. And
if you would mind just talkingto us sort of about it and kind
of walk us through like what washappening or what were you
thinking at the time. Is thatgood with you? Yeah, of course.
Alright, so can you see that?
Yeah. All right. Cool. I'll turnit down. And I'll just go ahead
and play it. So this is this iswhere you're getting, you're
getting your nose fixed, right?
(19:08):
Yeah. Now, there's noanesthetics for this is there?
Blake Perry (19:13):
No, unfortunately not. No, it was at a emergency
room in Stockton, Stockton,California, that me and my
opponent both went to MarcelMcCain. So directly after our
fight in Stockton, they made usboth get in a ambulance vehicle
(19:34):
and we had to we had to rideover there. Together and yeah,
no, they. He just had to do hehad to do right there with his
hands. I forget the doctor'sname, but he was super cool.
But yeah, so you gave me creditfor not flinching during the
fight. But I'll I'll give thecredit to adrenaline for that
(19:55):
because that shit sucksafterwards because I was the one
I got a bit realigned. That wasa few hours later by that point,
probably like close to likethree. So I was I was relaxed
and back in my normal restingstate by that point. But yeah,
it's I really didn't feel thatmuch during the fight. But I
(20:18):
definitely felt it when theywere lining it back up.
KP (20:23):
Oh, boy, I mean, you were pretty strong when they when
they lined it back up. You. Thedoctor even apologized to you.
And you were just like, Nah,man, don't worry about it's not
your fault. Thank you. Like,you're very polite about it. And
so in this clip here, I mean,you can see that you're in your
corner right now. And they'regoing to let this fight
continue, right? Yeah,
Blake Perry (20:42):
I thought I thought they were gonna man because so
yeah, it was right, I ate apretty good knee, man, I broke
my posture, which is like MuayThai 101 You know not to do. You
know, if I'm like helping outkids, when they're Muay thai,
it's like, the number one thingthat I tell little kids when
they're in a clench is not toduck their head and get broken
(21:04):
down like that. So, you know, Iguess that's a good training
tool for little kids for thefuture to you know, keep their
posture strong and keep yourhead up. But uh, ya know, it's I
got kneed. And then, like Isaid, to be 100% honest, it's
just there's like, so much chaosand stuff in a fight. It really
it doesn't hurt like you wouldthink, you know, because the
(21:27):
pain and all that kind of stuffcame came later.
But during it just felt like Igot hit in the face pretty good,
you know? Yeah. And, but betweenrounds, you know, I honest to
god, I felt okay. You know, Iwas, I even felt like the fight
was going pretty solid, to behonest, outside of that last
flurry at the end, but I was, Iwas hopped up, I was ready to go
(21:50):
for the second round. Butunfortunately, the doctor
wouldn't let it continue.
Watching, I can't, can't argue Iwas pretty amped up at the time.
You know, I was like, trying toget him to let me continue, you
know, because I felt good man.
Like, my body felt good. And Itruly felt that had to continue
to could have went my way.
However, I also get he's adoctor, you know, so it wouldn't
(22:13):
look great on him if, you know,he looks at my face. And he's
like, Yeah, you're good, realgood. Like, I get it, man. Live
to fight another day. But yeah,it was. It was a good day.
KP (22:28):
Yeah, man. You know, I'm just a hobbyist. I'm not
training to be a fighter. Andeven me in the last 11 years or
so having trained all the hoursand hours and weeks and weeks of
work that I've done and thedifferent tournaments that I've
been in jujitsu tournaments,I've been pretty beat up to
like, I've actually tore my pecmuscle, I tore my Achilles
(22:52):
tendon. And so I know whatyou're saying like about, and
I'm now 42 years old.
So now my concern is making surethat I stay limber, and I stay
flexible, you know, for into thelater years, so I can get out of
bed. But a lot of people arevery concerned about training,
any kind of martial art becausethey don't, they don't want to
get hurt. And I'll tell youthis, like, I've trained, like I
(23:15):
said, for 11 years, and I've hadthose two big injuries. But some
of these injuries are related tomy job as well, my my full time
job. You know, for anyone outthere that's thinking about
training or has thought abouttraining before, but they might
be reserved or fearful to takethat first step. What would you
(23:35):
say to them?
Blake Perry (23:37):
I would say, I think a lot of the times like
people probably have this likenotion in their head that an MMA
gym or a jujitsu gym or any typeof combat sports gym, they
probably have this idea in theirhead that it's like, a bunch of
like macho douchebags, you know,that are like gonna assert their
(24:01):
dominance. And you know what Imean? Like, which if someone had
never done it, you think MMA orJiu Jitsu, and you think, Oh,
I'm gonna go in there and justget murdered and everyone's
gonna, like, borderline fullymeet, you know what I mean?
Whereas, from my experience, atleast, and I would imagine from
yours, you know, doing jujitsuas long as you have that. It
(24:22):
couldn't be further from that,like the most humble people I've
met easily in my life are peoplethat train some form of combat
sports, because anyone whotrains combat sports, has gotten
their ass kicked a milliontimes. You know what I mean? No
matter how, no matter how goodyou are, you weren't always that
(24:43):
good.
You know, or I just think Itruly think it makes better
people if that makes sense. Likemore approachable, more people
willing to teach, willing tolearn. I think, like I would
definitely want my kids to myfuture kids to do some type of
comp even if they never, evercompete. I just think it's a
(25:04):
good tool to learn not onlyphysically for, you know,
defending yourself and all that,but just from like a, like,
humbleness aspect and from like,the just the way you treat
people, you know, it's
KP (25:18):
confidence.
Blake Perry (25:19):
Yes, exactly, exactly. Confidence.
And, you know, I just I trulythink it makes good people. So I
guess that's what I would tellsomeone that if they were
hesitant to try it, I guess fromthat aspect, because a lot of
times people probably have, Iknow, a lot of times people have
a wrong idea, because all theysee is a competition, right? And
(25:41):
you see some MMA fighter wholooks like a psycho in there,
and you're like, oh, man, thatguy's probably a jerk, you know?
Or you see some dude in agrappling competition, you know,
choking some dude out, youprobably think he's, oh, man,
that guy's gotta be mean, youknow, but for my experience, and
I would imagine most people inthe combat sports community, it
(26:03):
couldn't be further from that.
And people should absolutely doit, if they if they have the
desire to at all, even if it's alittle bit, I think I think
everyone should, at least, to atleast try it.
KP (26:16):
I agree with you 100%. Some of the most humble, confident,
intelligent, friendly peoplethat I've ever known, have been
some of my friends that actuallydo actively fight in mixed
martial art. And I think thatsometimes when you train, and
you understand how to respectothers, and never judge a book
(26:40):
by its cover, because I can tellyou countless times, I've rolled
with people, and I thought, oh,yeah, okay, well, this is just a
little skinny kid, or this girl,I'm gonna, I'm gonna Molly, you
know, like, somebody that'sskilled, and you hear her
laughing because you probablyhad these moments too.
I understand where you're comingfrom, when you talk about what
(27:00):
you're just talking about justnow and understand why you would
want your own kids to train aswell. Now, would you mind
talking to us specifically, likebetween your military service
and your your mixed martial artstraining and competing? Has,
what specifically has all thistaught you as far as leadership?
Blake Perry (27:22):
So I would say, from from, I guess, I'll start
with the fighting. In terms ofleadership, it's really, I
think, I guess, actually worsefor both, you know, both the
military and fighting, but just,you know, people say a lot, but
leave lead by example, you know,because I know from, you know,
(27:45):
being on a fight team, right,it's, it's one thing to, you
know, be the especially I thinktoday, in there's so many like
Instagram fighters, you know,you know what I'm saying, like,
a lot of a lot of people dostuff for social media and want
to put off this persona. Butwhen it comes down to actually
(28:06):
doing it, they're a differentperson.
So I think leading by example,is huge man, you know, because
it's one thing to be the guythat types out, sometimes
Instagram about being thehardest worker in the room, you
know, and then, you know, thereyou hear stories about, they're
just out partying all the time,and never train. And so I think
(28:28):
in terms of leadership, youknow, be be the dude who's
lifting after practice, or doingsprints after practice, you
know, like, be that guy, lead byexample. And people respect
And same goes for the military,you know, it's, everyone's had
that.
that NCO, every person in themilitary has had that NCO, who,
you know, will gripe at you forthis and this, and then there's
a laziest worker in the shop,you know, and everybody knows
(28:50):
that, you know, and then noteven just the military, I'm sure
anyone who has a job anywhere,you know, has had that boss,
that's the first bitched atsomeone for this or that or not
doing something. And then whenit comes down to the nitty
gritty, and, you know, hoppingin the trenches with your guys,
(29:13):
they're nowhere to be found, youknow. So I think just both
assets are both aspects fightingand military has taught me
leadership, by example, speaksvolumes over the dude that just
chirps from the sidelines, youknow?
KP (29:29):
Yeah, yeah. I'm glad that you say that, because that one
of the reasons why I want tocover that today is because I've
been having a lot of folks whoare executives, who've never
been in the military before havementioned to me things along the
lines of leadership and how rankhas its privilege and all these
different things.
And I'm like, No, notnecessarily because even when I
(29:49):
was a lieutenant, or when I wasa captain in the army, if if my
soldiers were outside doingsomething in the rain, then I
would be outside doing somethingin the rain as well. So I love
what you say out that man is,uh, you know, talk to talk walk
the walk. Right. And that's,that's, uh, you know, that's an
excellent point that you bringup. So your future plans you do
(30:11):
plan on getting out of themilitary, right? I do. Okay, and
then from there, you haven'treally mapped out where you're
going to go or what what's yourgonna seek the seek text?
Blake Perry (30:21):
Yeah, I was going to ask you, man, I was hoping
you'd have something for me. Yougot? You got like employment in
your office over there? I'mgonna need a job here pretty
soon. No, man,
KP (30:31):
actually. No, seriously, I'm a board member for academic
education and military not?
Yeah, it's a military nonprofit,where we help with the
transition process. But yeah,we'll talk offline because I do.
I do know, some potentialopportunities for you.
Blake Perry (30:49):
Oh, there we go.
But, ya know, I plan on gettingout. Like I said, I got about
six, seven months left on mycontract, if not, right, at the
end of my contract, I might doextension, for up to about a
year, just to give myself alittle more time to kind of
really get my feet underneathme.
But first and foremost, youknow, I definitely, I'm
(31:13):
definitely going to run with runwith fighting and take that as
far as I can, you know, myultimate goal is to get paid to
the point that that can be myfull time job, you know, between
training and fighting, thatthat'd be what I what I do, you
know, because I get paidcurrently, however, to be
(31:33):
brutally honest, it's nowherenear sustainable living. You
know, I right now, where I'm atin my career, I could never just
do that and make it in theworld, you know, so I have to
have a job to a normal job, youknow. But yeah, so I got about,
like I said, probably, I do havesix months left on my contract,
(31:55):
I might extend for about a year.
But other than that, I plan ongetting out, maybe using my GI
bill going to school. And thenjust but first and foremost,
definitely fighting full time.
And continuing that is a top topon my list. For sure. That's,
(32:16):
that's happening no matter whatmy day job is, you know,
KP (32:20):
my hat's off to you, man and having those dreams and those
goals. And we'll definitely haveto talk offline because I do
have some resources for you totake a look at. Before we end
this episode. Blake, would youlike to share any final pieces
of advice or words to live by?
Maybe something that we didn'tcover during this episode?
Blake Perry (32:41):
Yeah, sure. So I guess, in terms of advice, you
know, at the risk of soundingcorny and preachy, I just said,
do something that makes youhappy, you know, because I feel
like, there's so many peoplethat just go to work and go
home, which is totally cool. Ifyou're passionate about your
(33:04):
job, if that makes sense.
So there's got to be some outletin your life, you have Passion,
KP (33:05):
dude, I listen, I've already talked to my buddies, and we're
I guess, you know, so whetherit's your job, something you do
after your job, your kids, yourfamily, whatever is something
training Monday morning. Hey,listen, I'm already thinking
that gets you going, you know,because there's so many people
in my life, I know even that I'mclose with that. Just wake up,
(33:25):
go to their job that theycomplain about. Come home, watch
TV, repeat, you know. And it'slike, Damn, man, no wonder no
wonder you're depressed. Youknow, that's, that's a rough way
to live for anybody, you know,so? Yeah, I guess like, it's
nothing groundbreaking or new tohear. But I say just, you know,
(33:46):
do that thing that gets youfucking pumped up, go do it. And
about it. And I'm alreadyexcited about it. And I'm not
trying to wish my life away. Ihave a lot of stuff going on
this weekend. You know, the UCLAUSC game that I'm going to is
(34:06):
exciting.
But I'm thinking about Mondaymorning when I go in there and I
train with my buddies. I love itbecause one of the things I
didn't mention there in thisshow, man is over the years. I
you know, we all go throughrough times, and I've been
through some rough times likeeverybody else, you have two
choices. Either you can go tothe bars and deal with it
through alcohol and doing allthe things you're not supposed
(34:28):
to be doing.
Or you can put yourself at agym. And anytime that I've ever
had those rough patches in mylife, I have been very fortunate
to have the the will and to havethat I guess that instinctual
first step out of the wayalready because of my my history
to just find the gym and gotrain. And things like Brazilian
(34:52):
Jiu Jitsu have really kept me inthe kept me in the right but
then kept my mind clear andfocused on what I need to do,
and I guess, this isn't theMixed Martial Art Podcast, but I
talk about Brazilian Jiu Jitsuand grappling and things like
that.
Because it has meant so much tome over the years, it really
(35:13):
has. And I have some of the bestfriends that I've ever had that
live all the way across the map.
But I know that if I ever neededsomething, they'd be right here.
And these are my previoustraining partners. And so, you
know, it's it's a, it's a verydeep, meaningful thing for me to
have someone like you on whokind of serves both purposes.
You're, you're a militaryservice member. And you're also
(35:34):
doing this great thing in mixedmartial arts and your
perseverance through that fight,man and how tough you were. It's
an absolute honor for me to haveyou on right now on this show,
and just to highlight you sothank you so much, Blake. I
really appreciate it.
Blake Perry (35:51):
I appreciate you, man. For everything, you know.
Yeah, having me on and it wasjust good to talk to you.
Learned a lot about YouTube thatI didn't know before this. So
it's pretty cool. I appreciateit.
KP (36:03):
Yeah. I haven't done a very good job of talking about myself
all that much according to somepeople, but if anyone out there
is interested in following upwith you, Blake, what social
media platforms can they findyou on?
Blake Perry (36:13):
Um, so all I really have is Instagram. And my handle
is Blake MMA one, seven.
KP (36:20):
Okay. And I'll make an I'll make sure I put that in the show
notes as well. So if you'relistening to this on a podcast
on audio, scroll down to theshow notes at the description
down there. You'll see him atthe bottom if you're watching
this on YouTube. Same deal.
Check out the description.
You'll see how to follow Blakeas well. So Blake, thanks again.
I really appreciate your timetoday. For everyone else out
(36:42):
there. I just as always want youto stay tuned. Stay focused, and
stay motivated. Warriors Fallout
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