QnA w/ Adam Vega
Q: Talk about your background, give us a little history on your life and athletic and martial arts experience.
A: I grew up a very troubled and angry child. I got picked on and bullied a lot in school which caused me to be even more angry. I got in lots of fights resulting in educational and legal problems. As a kid I took bushidokan karate. Later in life I became friends with a group of kung fu enthusiasts and began training with them. I found some peace in the focusing of inner strength and using the power of the mind in conjunction with the power of the body to create a much stronger me as a whole.
Q: How does jiu-jitsu differ from Kung Fu? Give your thoughts on both.
A: There are actually a lot of similarities in my opinion. Both have great emphasis on using your opponents energy against them as well as emphasizing preciseness and accuracy with movements to increase effectiveness. There is also a gentile side to the practices that can be vicious in application. Very small movements with little effort can be devastating but huge, strong efforts that are misplaced are completely wasted energy.
Q: What has jiu-jitsu done for you, how has it changed your life?
A: I was introduced to bjj as a part of mma training 2.5 years ago. It was a once a week thing for me. Once I got over the mma kick I began to focus strongly on bjj. I have honestly become more focused at work and also more calm and less stressed. The release I get on a regular basis and the comfort of knowing that I am advancing in such an awesome art is fulfilling to me. I am far less egotistical now as I am constantly humbled by my peers, but that’s how we learn!
Q: Now you had two back surgeries, correct? Talk about those…
A: Yes, I ruptured my L5-S1 disc twice which was 10 and 9 years ago. I was told that I would never be able to lift heavy weights or work on cars (my profession) again. I did not let my body heal at the time and continued smoking cigarettes so it was a long and miserable recovery
Q: Recently winning a Championship at your first ever tournament, at the highest-level, IBJJF, did you think you would ever be where you are now?
A: I honestly did not, and at the time of the competition was still very in doubt. Since then I have also taken 2nd twice and 3rd once. I put my pending level of competition on the same pedestal as my training partners only to realize that I apparently train with some very very good guys, as I wasn’t threatened in the same way that I am on a nightly basis in training.
Q: How did you get started w/ Underground? What made you decide to do so?
A: I met Travis at KCBJJ and was very intrigued buy his strength and knowledge. I knew that I had to focus on proper technique in order to better myself properly and not re-injure my back. I saw something in him that I wanted for myself: Success.
Q: What was it like training w/ Travis at Underground? Physical changes, confidence, knowledge?
A: Travis is a beast. I admired that. He is a great example of effective strength and proper conditioning being far superior to the muscle bound tough guy. I learned to concentrate more on my form than how much I could max out on my benches. I find myself at the gym now mentally critiquing how people move and lift. It’s a wonder that they aren’t constantly injured the way they do stuff. I am not a big guy but I am very strong for my weight and I feel great about that as opposed to having bulging biceps.
Q: What recommendations do you have for others reading this out there, either competitors of any level or people looking to solve their fitness/health goals?
A: Do it right the first time. That is the biggest thing. Make your goal list, become educated on the proper method to get there and stick to it. It is much easier to avoid an injury than it is to recover from one. Learn when enough is enough. Tomorrow is always there to do better or push harder.
Q: Anybody you would like to thank, give a shout-out to? Anything else you would like to say?
A: My life has literally been transformed this last year by Michael Graeber who is the one that introduced me to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Without him I wouldn’t have met Jason Bircher at KCBJJ and all of this crazy cool stuff wouldn’t be in my life. Travis Conley has been a great teacher and motivator. This journey called bjj is a road that I plan to be on indefinitely and I hope that I can be one it with these guys. All of the crew at KCBJJ I wouldn’t be a fraction of the competitor I am without the constant whoopings that get put on me. Every person that I have the privilege of rolling with changes my life in some way. I must learn with every movement in order to make the next one even better.
