Marcus Hicks- Tribute to a REAL champion

Marcus Hicks fights for the 155 pound World Extreme Cagefighting(WEC) world championship on August 5, 2008. He has an undefeated 8-0 record, with an incredibly well rounded game consisting of slick submissions, dominating ground control and devastating striking. Marcus is an inspiring example of persistence, determination, work-ethic, and championship mindset. I am one of the lucky ones who has been able to see his MMA career from its beginning to the brink of his August 3rd championship destination.  I can remember rolling around on the mat with Marcus in the year 2000 when he weighed an admittedly “over his ideal weight” 245 pounds. I knew there was something different about Marcus at that time, something special, but I had no clue that he would become one of the best MMA fighters on the planet. Marcus probably knew the greatness he was destined for and began to relentlessly pursue his dream. Endless hours of boxing and jiu-jitsu were practiced with a burning desire to be his best. He worked 80 + hour work weeks to pay for his Jiu-Jitsu classes, working in the day as a Wal-Mart department manager and as an overnight manager at Toys R Us the rest of his waking hours.

Now he is almost 100 lbs lighter, has earned the ever elusive black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is a full time professional fighter while owning and running his own Mixed Martial Arts school. Marcus is admired and respected by all that know him, not only for his awe-inspiring MMA skills, but also for the humbleness he displays at all times and the kindness that he demonstrates to all he comes in contact with. In an age of athletes who are often self-centered, spoiled ego-maniacs, Marcus is a breath of fresh air. He is what you would you hope your kid grows up to be like. And he is an example of WHAT A REAL CHAMPION TRULY IS.

Marcus, good luck, God bless, and “go gettem”! I know I speak for many in saying how proud I am of you.

 
Joel is a Certified Self-Defense Trainer. Joel teaches the Self-Defense in 12 Lessons program as well as group, family, and corporate self-defense seminars. Visit his website at www.JoelLucky.com .

The Ultimate Underdog

(EXCERPT FROM JOEL’S UPCOMING BOOK!)

My story begins in the Fall of 1981 in my hometown of Luling, Louisiana. Luling was a great place to grow up; it was a quiet, friendly blue-collar community nestled in the heart of Cajun Country. While at a news stand in nearby New Orleans, I remember being awe-struck by this perfectly sculpted bodybuilder name Frank Zane on the cover of a bodybuilding magazine. WOW! How cool would it be to look like that! For me, that was the day that physical fitness became a big part of my life. I wanted to be a body builder and I wanted to compete. It was all I could think about; I went to bed with it on my mind and woke up with a passion in my gut.

Now, having a body like this may not be your dream. Having big muscles or winning a bodybuilding contest is not what this book is all about. Your desire may be climbing the corporate ladder or building a successful business. It may be losing weight or getting into top physical and mental shape. But, I can assure you that any goal or dream you have is achievable if you get the proper mindset.

I soon joined a local gym called Universal Health Spa to begin the quest towards the physique of my dreams. I was sophomore in high school at the time and being a part of the “popular crowd” was no problem. I was fairly strong with decent athleticism. However, I was on the thin side(145 pounds) and when it came to the bodybuilding crowd, I was definitely an underdog. So, it was my feeling, if I could build a physique half as good as Frank Zane’s I would be one happy young man.

I began to visualize myself looking like a Greek statue; I would imagine my name being called out as the winner of a bodybuilding contest. I would visualize the contest as if it were real and I saw myself taking my place atop the podium as I received my first place trophy.

This was a desire that I kept to myself until “Trey” entered the picture. Trey was a well built “stud-muffin” who was one grade ahead of me in school. He was a nice guy for the most part, but a bit cocky; he didn’t mind letting you know that he was “the stuff” and that you were not.

Our “old school” style gym had just a few machines and a lot of free weights. It looked like an indoor version of the outdoor Venice Beach gym that Arnold Schwarzenegger trained at during his reign as the world’s greatest body builder. At least, that is how I remember it. Every one there was very nice and supportive of each other, for the most part. There was a little competitive jealously among some of the guys, but the majority of people who worked out there were truly nice people who helped each other out and rooted each other on.

As I poured out blood, sweat, and tears towards the attainment of my dream. Trey enjoyed trying to burst my bubble. I remember one day specifically when he walked up and said, “Lucky, you are just wasting your time, bro.” You work out hard, but you just don’t have the right kind of body to build any muscle. You’re never going to get big.

No longer could I keep my dream a secret. I replied, “Trey, not only am I going to get big, one day I will enter a bodybuilding contest and win.” I thought to myself, “I’m going to make him eat his words.” I made a commitment to myself and to the world; in my mind I left myself no outs. I felt empowered and ready to kick some butt!

Trey started laughing and called some of his buddies over and shared my declaration with them. They thought it was just as funny, and they all had a good time at my expense. I thought, “That’s Ok, I know that I will succeed despite what these guys think.” That day I made a decision; that if I really wanted something, I was going to find a way to make it happen. Anything negative that was said to me from this day forward would only drive me more. I was never going to let anyone STEAL MY DREAM!

Fast forward to Savannah, Georgia, 1991. I had been working out hard for over ten years. During this time I had entered numerous bodybuilding competitions, but I had never placed first. I would probably have given up if it weren’t for the fact that each time I entered a contest, I placed a little higher that the time before. I also remembered those words that Trey said, “Lucky, you’re never going to get big.”

With each contest my confidence grew as did my commitment, until I barely missed winning and wound up with a controversial 2^nd place. I was 25 years old and I had other dreams I wanted to accomplish. I started to wonder if I was ever going to win a bodybuilding contest. I began to feel a sense of urgency to win because I knew I was close to my “genetic ceiling” as far as bodybuilding was concerned. After yet another near miss, I gathered myself, utilized some positive “self-talk”, and made some slight changes in my routine. I also made a couple of nutritional adjustments that I felt would take me to the next level when I got on stage again.

Two weeks later on a cool March night in the Old South I walked out onto the stage confident and with a deep belief that I would win. That night I realized my dream and I actually won two bodybuilding titles in the same night; the Mr. Savannah and the Mr. Adonis. I didn’t care that these weren’t large, national competitions. What it represented to me was the culmination of a dream. I achieved the physical goals that I had been visualizing every day since I was 16 years old!

From that experience, I learned that with the right mindset and a relentless focus on achieving your goal, anything is possible. I also learned that just because something isn’t working for you today, doesn’t mean it is not achievable in the future. You just have to try harder and make slight adjustments to your approach until you get it right. Your past never has to equal your future unless you let it. The choice is yours. And, just in case you were wondering, Trey was notified! When told about my recent bodybuilding success, he did not believe it. A friend of mine had to show him the newspaper clipping and pictures of me at the top of the victory platform to prove he wasn’t lying. Trey was said to be speechless and simply walked away stunned.

How to deal with setbacks

Let’s face it, we have all had setbacks and problems from time to time. What sets people apart is how they deal with that bump in the road. Do you spin out of control in despair when things don’t go your way? Or do you stay calm and work through the situation until you get back on the straight path? No matter what the project or goal, we all experience setbacks that knock us off of our feet. Just always keep in mind that a setback is a setup for a comeback.

It is very easy to quit and ignore the hard work you have put into something. So what if something bad happens? Always keep moving forward whether you feel like it or not. If you have your goals written down, then you will be reminded of where you want to go with your life. You’ve already built a solid foundation, hard work cannot be overlooked!

So how can you react when you hit that bump in the road? First, step back and look at the situation and take responsibility where it is due. Don’t blame others! Is your setback really that significant, or will it just require a little extra hard work? Be okay with where you are at and plan your next move. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. People who have been successful have always had the help of others. Most people will be more than willing to give you a hand.

Revaluate your goals that you set at the beginning and find new resources to approach your goal if necessary. Make sure your goals are specific and realistic. Always view your project or effort as a success instead of looking at it as a disaster. Focus on the end result and how you will feel once you reach the finish line. Reward yourself for all that you have accomplished instead of focusing on the unsatisfactory performance.

Don’t live life with regrets. If it were easy, everybody would do it! It remains up to you whether you will persevere and fight the tough battles to earn whatever it is you want.

Keep moving forward and you will achieve the life you have always wanted. One minor setback is nothing if you really want to do something and are willing to roll up your sleeves and go to work.