I've always identified as an athlete, and even when I ended my lifelong soccer career, I was still an athlete. But my new sport isn't one that I can get a scholarship for, it isn't one that I can count on support from my parents when I do it, and it's a sport that's hard to continue doing while I'm at school. It's the loneliest sport in the world: Mixed Martial Arts. I usually never tell people when I first meet them because it can give them the wrong impression. Some people think I'm trying to act tough, some people think I'm crazy, and some don't even know what it is. In short, this is not a sport I would recommend to my worst enemy. No matter how much preparation and training you do, a fight can end in a split second. Not to mention, once the cage closes, you are all alone, with no teammates with you and your anxiety chipping away at you. At the end of the day, only you are responsible for your success or failure. Any fight could prove to be the best or worst moment of your life, and you're always filled with uncertainty. But I like that lifestyle. Not just the physical fitness aspect and adrenaline rush, but I like putting myself out of my comfort zone and proving my doubters wrong. I love the feeling of accomplishment and progress, and I'm always forced to apply myself in more creative ways. Right now, I'm hoping I can make it to the big stage, because I truly believe this is what I was born to do. The attached video shows the gritty aftermath of a tough fight, and includes my idol, the winner, Dustin Poirier. He is everything I hope to be in life.