I just never found the thing. When I found the thing, I thought, oh, this is beautiful. So why wouldn’t I want other people to have that in their life?
Derrick Garza: I wanted a clan of my own
It’s an homage to the samurai culture. The logo is a samurai crest that I modified and made my own. The Dark Clan exists because I wanted a clan of my own.
Season 3, Episode 3-7: Derrick Garza
Derrick Garza talks about community, from when he first found BJJ to when he opened Dark Clan Fight Lab. He’s a killer on the mats, and he’s also a leader, building other people up. As he says in the interview: I go out of my way to make sure that people feel welcome and included, even down to our slogan: We are the Dark Clan.
Maria Lopez: There are days that you celebrate
There are rough days, but there are days when you celebrate.
Maria Lopez: It’s his dream
It’s his dream. I’m willing to do anything I can to support that dream.
Maria Lopez: Taking it with me
All the good that has come out of the losses, I am taking it with me.
Maria Lopez: The moment you decide
The moment when you’re pretty much broken down, that’s the moment you decide.
Season 3, Episode 3-6: Maria Lopez
Maria Lopez found MMA when she was in her 30s, and a few years later, she was starting a pro career. I’ve had the good luck to know her for most of that time. Maria talks about hard stuff in this interview–including successes and not-such-successes. She’s reflective about her fighting career and grateful for who she is as a result of it.
Janeé Cox: Dig really deep
There are days that it is shitty. And on those days you have to dig really deep. You have to love it on all days.
Janeé Cox: Nighty night
Sometimes it works. Other times, you’re nighty night.