MIRANDA MAVERICK
4-1

WHAT IS A TYPICAL DAY OF TRAINING LIKE?
I typically wake up at 6:30am to complete my strength and conditioning for my Drury wrestling practice. I then eat a breakfast from a menu of granola, egg whites, milk, yogurt, and fruit. Class, or work, depending on the day, comes next. I typically eat a light lunch like a sandwich or salad and drink tons of water through the day, along with making a fruit smoothie to sip on throughout the day. At 4 usually I head to my second round of wrestling practice for the day, where I drill with the team. I drive, bike, or run directly to the gym I call home after that to practice MMA. Usually the classes consist of jujitsu, kickboxing, and/or live sparring. That gets over around 8:30pm and I go home, where studying and schoolwork awaits. I pig out on my supper (my favorite being chicken, tuna, or some kind of lean meat, sweet potato, rice, and a cup of water and chocolate soy milk) and head to bed, awaiting another day of blessings from God!

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU AS A FIGHTER
Being a successful young woman in this sport is a big responsibility. With a high like the feeling of having my hand raised after an all-in physical battle, the low is equally as drastic. It is sickening, for it is a feeling of utter failure to lose in such an individual sport where it is only yourself to blame. I can never let anyone down and I feel that I must set a good example of sportsmanship, respect, humbleness, and humility. With children, women, and even men who I know look up to me watching me, I feel pressure to give it my all, to be their inspiration just as they are unknowingly my motivation. Even more so, being able to succeed as my favorite person watches is an amazing feeling, for I feel as though my dad can live his dreams that he never had a chance to achieve thru my own. Also, fighting and being successful in doing so is a point of pride for me, showing all of those who ever doubted my dreams that I CAN AND I HAVE achieved the goal that was thought to be a fantasy.