An Interview with the Longtime Houston Trainer Kimo Show

HOUSTON, October 5, 2011 – This morning we’re taking a brief hiatus from all the UFC Houston coverage to bring an interview with an individual that have been active in the Houston scene in the early days in Kimo Rigmaiden, better known to those in the fight community as simply as Kimo Show.

As a boxing, kickboxing, and karate enthusiast, Kimo first began training in the early 2000’s under noted San Shou / San Da expert Mike Altman at Houston’s Kickboxing Gym alongside fighters like Lee King and KJ Noons. After a brief 2-0 career as a boxer training there and out of the Savannah Boxing Gym, Kimo found synergy in combining his profession as a personal trainer with his own martial arts experience to being training fighters within mixed martial arts.

Most notably, Kimo has worked with former Strikeforce champion KJ Noons and continues to work with young fighters out of the Paradigm gym such as recent HDNet Fights / Legacy veteran Rashon “Sho-Nuff” Lewis.

Here’s more on Kimo’s background with the Houston MMA scene and his history as a trainer through this conversation with TXMMA.com.

Kimo, what is it like growing up for you and when did you first get involved with martial arts?

Growing up for me was a lot of fun. My grandfather was a big sports enthusiast so he involved me in all types of sports year round. I lived in a country town in West Texas where I grew up hunting, fishing, break dancing and playing sports.

As a kid, I was introduced to a style called Kajukenbo Karate (The Perfected Art of Dirty Streetfighting). All of my friends were taking the style so I wanted to be part of the gang.

What about later in life – when did you get involved with the combat sports scene as it now stands in Texas?

It was in early 2000. I was driving by one day and saw a sign for a kickboxing gym, the old Houston Kickboxing Gym over there on Chimney Rock and 59. Being curious and thinking I was a badass, I went inside to sign up and met Mike Altman. I learned a little technique and quickly found myself fighting in the US Open in Baltimore and also on a Strikeforce show in San Jose on Alex Gong’s undercard in a matter of about 3 or 4 months. It was training there where I learned the discipline of San Shou kickboxing and later received my pro-card as a boxer.

Who do you give credit with helping you shape your background and philosophies with training and martial arts?

As far as my background, I have so many mentors and people i know that share fight knowledge with me. My very first professional coach was Mike Altman. He was the one who taught me how to kickbox. As far as my boxing skills go, I learned at a lot gyms in Houston but I give a lot of credit to the coaches and fighters of the Savannah Boxing Club. I definitely picked up a lot schooling there, no doubt!

How did you get involved with becoming a trainer, both with fitness and MMA?

I started training probably almost a decade ago by now. I first started teaching clients how to kickbox at Houston Kickboxing Gym back in the day. In pursuit to better my craft, I got a fitness degree from the Academy of Health Care Professions. From there, I’ve learned how the human body actually works from the inside out and applied boxing/kickboxing principles to my training regimens. I love love love to build and produce ass kicking athletes!

I know you’ve worked a lot with KJ Noons ever since your days at the old gym and continue to work with him now. What’s it been like? What’s the difference between then and now in terms of how you (and him as the athlete) continue to evolve?

Me and KJ are like brothers.  I literally watched the kid grow. When I first met KJ, he was just a young kid in the gym whopping grown men’s butts and I was one of them. <laughs> Since then KJ  is still involved fighting and me as a trainer, we both have the same goal. That’s to be the very best. As far as evolving for both of us… I think if you’re not getting better every day, it’s because you’ve stopped doing your homework. “If you ain’t growing, it’s time to get going…” That’s the philosophy.

What do you enjoy about helping athletes?

I love to bring the very best out of my athletes. As a trainer, my goal is to help a client maximize their potential so they can find their star player on the inside.

How did you get involved with Paradigm Training Center?

I got a job there teaching kickboxing and just built a rapport with some of the fighters. Paradigm has a lot of great trainers when it comes to wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing , strength training etc..As far as a gym goes, the place and the instructors are pretty solid!

Who are some of the athletes you enjoy coaching most there?

I’ve worked with fighters like Rashon lewis and Yaun Diglov lately. I think these guys are upcoming fighters working hard at the bottom climbing their way to the top.

What’s the future hold for you and the fighters you train?

That’s a good question…..well I’ll just say we (coaches and fighters ) will have to just keep on keepin’ on. There is no substitution for hard work and usually success is on the other side of the door…You just having to keep F’n Knockin!

What else would you like to accomplish? Any other goals?

My goal is to one day open my own training facility that i can help kids and find a way to give back to the community.

How can interested athletes who want to work with you contact you best?

They can email me at kimoshow@hotmail.com or call me at 832-814-5659.

Any last words Kimo?

I would like to thank all of my mentors, coaches, clients , and people I’ve had fighting or fitness relationships with, You guys are the reason for the ass kicking season. Thank you and best regards.

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