Monday, August 11, 2014

Too Many Critics With No Credentials.




I've never addressed the one and only negative post any one has ever written about me; but I thought I would write a brief note about it now based on the curiosity of others.  I have never taken it too seriously, and didn't want to feed it before. As much as there is 3 sides to every story (Their side, my side and the real side), I've learned that action speaks louder than words and I'm not interested in fuelling something that has zero basis; there are much more important this in life to move on to that I have.  Now. I'm sure if you have found this post, you have searched the internet to find out "who" I am or what I'm about... As it usually goes, the internet is full of people complaining or commenting on bad experiences; never usually the good; it's either 'I am sick, what do I do' or ' so and so ripped me off'. It's so easy to focus on the negatives about people and completely disregard the positives. I mean how can you complain about ANYTHING when there are babies born with cancer...?  The internet is great for finding out so much information on people and pretty much anything; but it is also a place where anyone can write anything; people can hid behind fake personas and be just about anyone and that's the scary part.  That being said though; if anyone has anything to ask me or speak to me about; just shoot me an email; it's easy to find on the internet. Other than that, shoot me an email if you want advise about anything I did do right haha; I would be happy to help as I do with a lot of other people and organizations in life. There's always going to be people trying to put you down, always haters. But really, if you don't have haters you're doing something wrong and better step it up! In the end whether it makes sense or not, try and make your own decisions and not be swayed by others; that is purely freedom.



Now for the note to the post I mentioned:

This post reminds me of something I had to deal with when I was 23 and had purchased and managed a convenience store franchise inside a city mall; I was new to business in a sense, yet did quite well with the store achieving awards for sales from the franchise and producing record numbers. Anyway, I had an employee then working for me that I had caught stealing and when confronting about it was bombarded quite a rude and aggressive reaction of denial and them walking out in the middle of a shift resigning from the position; this was of course before I told them how I had caught them(hidden camera over the till); this had obviously produced some tension between us at the time. By law because of the situation I was entitled to withhold their last pay check for a week past the original pay period due to lack of notice and other factors; which I DEFINITELY DID DO. I could have written a cheque and had her happily walk out of the store getting her way; but what kind of example would this have set for my other employees and the future of my store? Not a very good one. So when telling her I would be following that regime with in my rights and she would have to return in a week to collect her cheque; her reaction again was not the greatest.

SO... for the next week I had this ex employee have her husband come to try and threaten me(which ended up him leaving with his tail between his legs) as well as her parading in front of my store(in side the mall) for 5 days with a sign that said "I have a mice infestation in the store" as well as her telling everyone so. The security had asked her to leave so many times they should have been paid over time.  This like I said lasted 5 days, until she gave up when I didn't budge. She showed up a week later and I produced the cheque and never heard from her again.

Now this post from over 5 years ago to me is a similar situation indeed and something you go through and learn when doing business; although a little more personal from the write up, the same malicious intent is there. "Too many critics with no credentials" indeed; not only did no one that has ever met me reply to this post, but it has absolutely no credibility from any "real" person that has worked with me other than the poster.  Be your own judge; but just remember I could care less what you think based on this and I'm out here doing a lot more good than this guy.

No matter what the consequences or opinions of others I will always fight for what I believe in and believe is right. This is being real; and boy does it come with its cost; but it also allows me to sleep well at night knowing I made my own decisions and stuck to my guns.  I've made mistakes, bad decisions and the lot; but I choose to learn and grow from them. Adversity is the best teacher and from it you build integrity and character; that's something no one can take from you!


Thanks for stalking. Have a nice day :)






Monday, June 7, 2010

Fighters Nation, the television show...

There’s no denying the impact that Mixed Martial Arts is having on the world of sports and sports entertainment. What was once an obscure and esoteric fighting style with a small fan base has gone on to become a major multi-billion dollar industry, filling basements, pubs and barrooms with devoted followers. Detractors call it brutal, governments treat it with hostility, but there is no denying the draw of Mixed Martial Arts; it is a fight that is pure, a fight that is completely unhinged, a perfect display of two athletes willing to push the limits of the body; shedding blood, sweat and tears in order to carve out one more victory… or fall at the feet of the others shadow.

After a long run with events, clothing, models, gyms, special parties, and some... FN has taken "Fight" to the television industry, with some pretty amazing talent to make it all happen...



Stay up to date with this topic or any other Fighters Nation news, events and updates, subscribe to the Fighters Nation: Making the Brand [RRS feed]...

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

FN's Jaymie Mcfarlan, you will be dearly missed...


FN Model, Ring girl and friend Jaymie Mcfarlan has passed away due to a tragic car accident last night, it is very hard to believe someone so young is gone, but as I realized over the last few years with the lose of many close friends is that it can happen at any time, any place and for any reason. As much as we cannot predict something, we can be sure that "life goes on", it does not wait, memories are the only thing we leave on earth after our bones turn to ashes; those memories died with the people we trust to carry them. As much as it would be nice to say "you are in a better place" or "go with god"... I think I would still like her here. Over the last year or so I saw Jaymie pick herself up and start moving forward with her life, I was proud of her, and though I can't shed tears over death anymore, I know this will break even some of the strongest of people close to her.

Rest in Peace Jaymie, you will be dearly missed but long forgotten.

- Ryan

If anyone needs information about the funeral please contact info@fightersnation.ca

Monday, April 26, 2010

MMA Economy



Most people don't understand, that in helping out and sponsoring your local fighters, events, promotions, etc... You are actually really contributing not only to the sport itself, but actually creating jobs for these fighters; because lets face it, before Mixed Martial Arts, when the "No Holds Bared" UFC and those alike changed their safety rules to become sanctioned across the nation, it definitely opened a world of opportunity and jobs in a new and vastly growing industry. Basically without Mixed Martial Arts, there wouldn't be many jobs for fighters. I know and believe it's much more than the reward of the fight, because those of you that know only a fraction of fighters actually make the big bucks, and it takes a special kind of person to be able to have the self discipline, strength, and attitude to shed the needed blood, sweat and tears to just reach the next level. You need to learn from losing, before you know how to win, and that takes a lot of heart.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Today marks 2 years since the FN: Urban Conflcit debut

So today is April 26th, 2010... It's been exactly 2 years since we held our 1st Fighters Nation Sanctioned MMA event. It was held in Calgary, AB, Canada at the Stampede Coral(Also the 1st location WEC "World Extreme Cage-fighting" planned to use this June). The event was definitely a lot of work putting together, and even more work putting it on; but we made it happen, and things turned out much better than expected.
We had a huge after party set at the 'Road House' bar; which also hosted our pre-fight media weigh ins for the fighters; for those of you not familiar with what "weigh ins" are, they take place less than 24 hours before the first fight on the event card, where all participating fighters have to make the exact weight in their fighting class e.g.(Middle Weight = 84kg/185lbs). Now to be honest,I think this is definitely one of the most amazing things a fighter can do; being able to know, control and understand their own body so well, they can literally lose or gain a substantial amount of weight(10lbs-30lbs)in such a short period of time(apx24-72hrs), then are able go back to their consistent weight by bed time. If your not familiar with the fight lifestyle you may not really understand "WHY" they do this? Though I'm not get into it much more on here, I will however tell you it something that you can watch for as part of many similar topics on our TV show this season, so be sure to watch.(www.fightersnation.tv/fntv).
So Back to the event night, wow what a night, the fights, fans, models, ring girls, DJ's and UFC's Claude Patrick, Max Maren and import model Steph Ly's live commentating, and oh let us not forget the "feds" and all their hard($100/hour)work...lol But of all that was accomplished that night, I will never forget the moment the event was over, and I went outside through the back to find myself alone; I looked up at the dark but star filled sky, took deep breath and said to myself "what's next". I remember that moment so well because it came with such a strong emotion or feeling, not one of accomplishment, or happiness; but one filled with pure hunger, the type of hunger that drives someone crazy, but for me it was something else... Similar to the feeling you would get finally learning how to ride a bicycle; instead of learning how to ride it, your now thinking "where can it take me, and how far can I go".
2 Years later, I'm still learning, I'm still hungry; but I've traveled very far, and been involved with so many different aspects of this business. I feel this way I can understand not only what I want to do, but whatever it is, I make sure that I do it well and go to sleep content.
I don't let anything hold me down; if I'm not dead, I'm only getting faster, smarter and stronger with every rise and fall. This I believe is how people learn, this I except, because to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become, I believe is the only way to reach your true potential. So many people, including me at times allow the things around us have way too much influence on our decisions; making your own decisions while accepting change is a start to achieving your goals. My goals right now in terms of Fighters Nation lay behind the scenes, inside the cage and in front of a camera lens; I want to take what I have learned and experienced being engaged into most major aspects of the 'Fight' industry, and show the world a different, in depth look... Which hopefully helps strengthen the sports image, recognition, and create more outlets of opportunity for fighters.


- | April 2010

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Fighters Nation: Making the Brand

Well I can start by saying "It's not just a fight...It's a lifestyle"; growing up involved in martial arts and now building this brand has taken me though quite a journey thus far. Being so diversely involved in the 'Fight' industry has opened my eyes to so many different things and aspects about this lifestyle; whether your that fighter trying to make it, true fight fan that never misses a PPV, or are the man behind promoting events; we all know it's more then a fight, we all live it, as it consumes our thoughts and drives our ambition...It's not a lifestyle we choose to live; but one that chooses us.



Wednesday, November 26, 2008

The birth of 'URBAN SOLDIER'

Seeing all the new clothing and apparel so many "NEW" companies are producing everywhere, bringing in ton's of revenue piggy backing on the phenomenon of the MMA Industry blow up, and thought, if they can do it, whats stopping me?