How did you get started in fighting?

I used to get into fights at school as a kid. I would fight my own fights, and get caught up in my older brother's fights as well. I did it because I liked to fight, not necessarily because I had to fight, but because I wanted to. It felt natural. As I got older I began to channel that energy into training to be a fighter and since then I only fight when I have to.

Do you have a day job or are you a fighter full time?

I would love to be able to just train and fight, but since fighting doesn't really pay the bills, I do have another job. I work full time as a deputy for the Wayne County (Detroit, Michigan) Sheriff's department.

What is your typical training regimen like?

A trip through hell…I typically train for 5-6 days a week. My trainers are awesome at keeping the workout fresh so I don't get bored, but it's pretty intense. I usually start with medium to light conditioning then I'll move to striking in the cage. From there I usually bang out some drills or work on my grappling. I also use weights, bag work, swimming, running, sprints, medicine ball, and fight training with my team to prepare for the fights.

You're the only woman on your fight team. Do you train with the guys?

OH yeah. I like getting into the ring with them. I'm only as good as my opponents challenge me to be, so I gain a lot from working out with the guys.

How would you describe your fighting style?

I used to say it was unorthodox, but now I think it's more of a hybrid. I’ve trained and completed in pretty much everything: Jiu-jitsu (Gi and No Gi), Boxing, Judo, Muay Thai, MMA & Wrestling but I'm best known for my ground game.

You've been training as a fighter since you were twelve years old. How much longer do you plan on fighting?

I'll keep fighting for as long as my body holds up. I don't want to place deadlines on myself that say I have to accomplish everything by a certain age. I think that puts a limit on my career length. I want to keep fighting as long as possible.

Why compete in “Ultimate Fighting”?

If I were to only concentrate on one style, I would get so bored. Mixed Martial Arts fighting lets me use all of my skills at once. MMA also brings more exposure and publicity that's good for getting my name out there. Training MMA also allows me to be a more diverse, well rounded fighter. It's very rewarding to be recognized for all of the hard work I do every day.

How do you stay motivated?

In addition to an inner drive to win, I love how fighting makes me feel, the natural high, the rush of a victory, and the satisfaction of seeing all my hard work pay off. There's so much support from my teammates and to win a fight I feel like I'm showing my respect to the club by representing them and their work the best I can.

What has been your biggest challenge so far?

There are two things I’ve faced in my career so far that have been pretty challenging. One of them is accepting a loss. I had a bad one a few years ago that hit me so deep I took some time off from fighting. I didn't know whether or not I would come back. Now I understand that was more of a personal vengeance fight. It was a completely emotional experience and I've learned a lot about myself since then, in and outside the ring. And even then, it’s not about someone else beating me, I can accept that. It’s hard dealing with a loss after you’ve put so much time and pain into the preparation. I always seem to take it as a personal failure.

The other challenge was when I was training my ass off for fights and for 5 years, I faced back out after back out. I think I might have the winning record of 11 out of 11 back outs in a row, lol. So yeah, that’s been pretty hard dealing with and trying to keep the drive inside me.

If you could pick your dream fight, who would you pick?

Honestly, I don’t care. I want to fight anyone who will give me the challenge to push myself.