JULIA AVILA
“I am just the girl next door, I snort when I laugh and I have a crazy obsession with pandas… Just don’t put me in a ring.”
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5 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT JULIA AVILA
WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START IN MMA?
Started after college in the summer of 2011. I didn’t know what to do after college and walked into a gym that a friend recommended. Just wanted to see if I could take a punch. I had my first fight within six months vs the very awesome, Marion Reneau Jan 2012.
WHAT WAS YOUR CAREER BEFORE FIGHTING? DO YOU STILL MAINTAIN THAT JOB?
Currently a full time Geological Technician at Chesapeake Energy (oil industry); fully intending to maintain my career until I have the opportunity to pursue my dreams of being a gym owner. Always a student before an athlete.
DID YOU PLAY ANY SPORTS AS A CHILD?
Started throwing in middle school and continued to play sports in HS. Volleyball, soccer, track and field but I conditioned with cross country and lifted with football. I remember showing up at 6 am most mornings before the janitors and leaving around 9pm after practice just to help, lift, train. When I signed up for team sports I actually had no idea how to play any of them, I just kind of figured things out. I had very little experience as a child and just had to listen to people and pay attention. With this in mind, I played 11 out of 12 seasons on the varsity squad of each of my respective sports often being the team captain. I have always been coachable and hardworking, which has granted me the ability to ease into new sports and challenges.
My mother actually really disliked the fact that I played sports, so I was never put into things like tee ball or soccer. Being a first generation American, I understood a reveled in the American culture and spirit around sports; where as my mother always told me, “no man is going to want to marry you if you get too strong.” Now she understands that this is a part of who I am and she is one of my biggest fans… especially since I am married. LOL!
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON FIGHTING FOR INVICTA FC?
First off, I want to thank Shannon for spearheading this wonderful organization that really embraces the female athlete and lends us a platform to showcase WMMA. Any woman on this promotion should be grateful and humbled by the opportunity. As far as I go, I’m just a girl using the gifts that God has granted me to try to be a good role model for someone out there. If I can change one life then it’s all been worth it.
WHEN FIGHT FANS HEAR YOUR NAME, WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO THINK AND REMEMBER?
I want my fans to know that I don’t fight for the fame, I don’t fight for the money, I fight to represent them.
