By Felix Rodriguez, Staff Writer
Sarah Michelle Boyd Discusses Yoga, Motherhood and Amateur MMA Debut
ALEDO, TX, September 4, 2013 – Sarah Michelle Boyd (Amateur, 0-0) is 25 years old from Abilene, Texas. Sarah has been training in various martial arts for 4 years now and the proud mother of two specializes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. TXMMA caught up with the Genesis Fight Sport product while she was in preparations for her MMA debut on September 7th. Sarah sped up her preferred time schedule to begin fighting and is stepping in for an injured fighter and will matchup against Julia Ottolino for Nael Chavez’s Enlightened Warriors MMA promotion. It is apparent from TXMMA’s conversation with Boyd that she has been mentally ready to fight for quite some time and the opportunity to face Ottolino, even if ahead of her self-imposed timetable, made perfect sense. Here is everything she told us during her interview. Please enjoy!
TXMMA Interview – Sarah Michelle Boyd (EW MMA – Austin Championship 2013)
SB: My BJJ coaches are Dustin Snow, Albert Hughes and Tony Tipton. My Boxing coach is Paul Barrientes, My Muay Thai coach is Marc Ayub and My Judo coach is Matt Jackson. I train out of Genesis Jiu Jitsu-Aledo and I cross train quite frequently with Fitness Fight Factory.
TXMMA: What made you want to become a mixed martial artist?
SB: I have always been a competitive and athletic person. I love the lifestyle and the challenges that come with mma. I always tell people fighting found me making me realize that it was something I was meant to do.
TXMMA: What weight class do you fight in and what can you say about your next opponent?
SB: I have fought in over 50 BJJ matches at some of the most elite BJJ tournaments across the country! I fight as low as 119lbs and up to 130lbs. My next opponent is Julia Otttolino. Julia is a very athletic women who has been a competitive athlete her whole life. Although she is new to mixed martial arts I believe she will be fierce.
TXMMA: What are you doing to prepare for this fight?
SB: I am going through an intensive fight camp working multiple training sessions daily with some of the most talented coaches and black belts in their respected disciplines. I am doing everything possible to prepare myself for an all-out war.
TXMMA: Stepping into the cage is a pretty brave act on its own, but you’re taking it even further by stepping in for an injured fighter on your first try, why did you decide to take your first fight on short notice?
SB: I have the competitive experience, I have made the weight cuts, I have been put through the World’s training camps and I have stepped on the mats with many top female competitors experiencing victory and loss, the mat is my home. Win or lose I come out with the experience under my belt!
TXMMA: Can you tell us a little about your game plan?
SB: I plan to come out with laser sharp focus and remain cool-headed working my techniques.
TXMMA: Aside from training in martial arts what other activities/work do you do?
SB: I am a Yoga/Pilates instructor at Fit For Life. I am the general manager and I assist with instructing the kids’ BJJ class at Genesis Jiu Jitsu- Aledo, and most recently I have picked up ring coordinating for AGF.
TXMMA: Can you explain how Yoga can compliment mixed martial arts training?
SB: Yoga is really great for the mixed martial artist to cross train with. It provides flexibility, prevents injury and prepares the mind with meditation. It has helped take my game to the next level for sure!!
TXMMA: You are an aspiring mixed martial artist, a gym manager, yoga instructor and the mother of two kids. Can you give our readers some tips on how to balance such a complete life?
SB: One huge tip is to remember sometimes you have to let the small things go. Put your family first and chase what makes you and your family the happiest. It’s not an easy everyday task juggling everything but I manage to keep balance and organization in my house hold.
TXMMA: If people want to purchase tickets for the fight to see you, how do they do this?
SB: The fight is almost SOLD OUT!! If your fast you can purchase tickets at www.cagetix.com, make sure to pick me as your fighter at the Austin 7th Championships!!
TXMMA: Do you have any sponsors you would like to thank or anything else you would like to say to our readers?
SB: I want to thank Garden of life for keeping my body healthy throughout my training with all of their amazing 100% organic non- GMO supplements, Cat Tattoo and Rusty’s billiards for the support and having faith in me, Jerry Browne LMT for being my masseuse and keeping my body in the condition to train and fight, David Woosley for keeping me in the highest quality gear and Thanks to Txmma.com for all the high quality coverage!! I also want to thank my superstar team of coaches, Tony Tipton, Albert Hughes and Dustin Snow. Paul Barrientes exclusively at No Quitters gym in west side Fort Worth TX. Mark Ayub and Matt Jackson. My Fit for Life gym family and last but not least everyone at Fitness Fight Factory Colleyville and Azle locations and all of my wonderful training Partners, I honestly would not be where I am without you guys!