A Journey to Strength: Becoming a Plant-Fueled Fighter

First of all, hello everyone! My name is Jam, and I'm an 18-year-old writer. Obviously, like many of us, I'm much more than just a lover of wordsmithing -- but that's probably the best way to describe myself at the moment.

After a few years of tedious copywriting, my career is looking at turning into a rather dreary daily slog of endless content production for low pay. Deciding that, at my young ripe age I should take advantage of my free lodgings and daily meals, I've kicked what little entrepreneurship I have within me into high gear and decided to combine my two favorite things -- typing away furiously and enthusiastically at the keyboard, and training my ass off on a daily basis.

For years now, it's been a personal ambition of mine -- nay, a fantasy even -- to become a fighter. I didn't care if I was going to be an amateur or an elite athlete -- I want to get on the mat, and learn as much as possible about grappling, striking, moving. I'm enamored with Wing Chun and Baguazhang alike, and half a dozen other arts from Krav Maga for disarming, to BJJ for submission holds and grappling. I've had Aikido, Taekwondo, and even fencing for a little while.

Thing is, my circumstances make things a little difficult at the moment with regards to my martial arts prospects. There's possibly one dojo in my immediate area, and several trainers commanding prices I cannot begin to afford. I don't make much, and parts of it go towards making it through the month, month after month -- like everyone else, life is hard, and we can't all get what we want.

But that's not deterring me. I've started my blog to chronicle my journey to becoming a fighter -- not to antagonize others, be the biggest guy on the mat or win medals, but because I'm passionate about learning to become a force of nature. To gain strength, to master techniques, and hopefully one day, instruct others and tweak my knowledge to create a new style. Martial arts to me is like dancing -- but as a rather terrible dancer, I much prefer doing drills and lifting weights.

I'd say that as a vegan, my journey is made a little bit more difficult, but that isn't true. I have no problem getting stronger or improving in endurance and speed despite living several years without animal products, and I don't mention it often. But it is a point of pride in that an increasing number of athletes today are disproving that veganism altogether builds inferior athletes. My diet does matter to me, but it won't matter to my training. Protein is protein, fat is fat, carbs are carbs -- and reps are reps.

I don't want your money -- not until I have more to offer -- I just want your readership. If you're interested, then I'd love for you to check out what I've got to tell and show (right here at http://jamalpollok.com), and if you've got experience being a fighter or training them, then more than anything I'd wholeheartedly love your advice.