The single most exciting part of writing is the journey one takes to get to the story. I write because I enjoy transferring my thoughts from pen to paper, or in many cases, fingers to keyboard. Recently, I published an article on MMA fighter James Krause, and his passion for fighting, training, team and charity. I had never met James Krause prior to our sit down interview at the Grind House training facility. Our paths may have never crossed had it not been for a chance meeting at the local YMCA. Those chance instances are what make real life stories available for others to read and for yours truly to report.
While training at the YMCA, I ran in to a familiar face and acquaintance Joe Cairns. Joe knew nothing about me save for the fact that I frequent the gym four to five times a week. Joe and I always shared small talk and assisted one another on the occasional spot. On one particular day, I remember wanting to try a different workout, or find a workout partner to push me through my lackadaisical funk. Joe came trotting out of the locker room and as usual we shared our patent "brother how you doing" finger point at each other. Cheesy as it may seem we did this every time we saw each other at the gym. After some small talk, we decided to partner up for a chest routine and a solid workout did ensued if I do say so myself.
Nearly finished with our first routine I shared with Joe that I was a former pro wrestler turned writer. I could tell after that moment of confession, that our casual talks would grow in to a new friendship. I confided in Joe some of my personal up and downs as an entertainer, as well as my current standing as a writer. It was after our workout that Joe approached me about an idea for a story. The story that many of you read about, "Profiling James Krause" would have never come to be had it not been for a former acquaintance, turned training partner, turned friend.
So after exchanging text messages with Joe to attain contact information for James Krause, I contacted the MMA standout. We set a date and time to meet at his Grind House training center, and I brought reinforcements in my two sons Alejandro (14) and Jordan (12). The three of us arrived at quarter past one on a Sunday afternoon to a training center fully equip with cage, wrestling mats, fight gear and four Mixed Martial Artist going at it in an Octagon ring. After a few subtle moments of photo opportunities, we were greeted by the man himself, James "The" Krause.
Jandro and Jordan took hold of my camera and took action shot after action shot of several fighters training in the cage, while I headed off to interview James Krause. Krause led me to a small office just across from the Octagon cage, and I could still see my two elated and jubilant sons having a blast watching the fighters train. Krause and I sat across from each other, I placed my hand held voice recorder on a spare chair that stood between us, and fired the questions that would help me complete my journey. After our session was over Krause and his teammates were kind enough to pose for photos, and treated the three of us extremely well and were all very polite and welcoming.
Krause and I shook hands and exchanged appreciative farewells, as Jandro and Jordan did the same with the rest of the team. I remember later that day thinking to myself how well that afternoon interview session went, and how much fun my sons and I had visiting the world of MMA. As I began to put together the finishing touches on the James Krause's piece, I knew that I was on to something. I knew that something would be worth the journey, and that journey would lead to a finished product. I published that finished product, and hope that those who have read it enjoy its worth. These articles are why I write, and now you know what it’s like for me to get my story.
For more information on Grind House visit www.grindhousekc.com
For information on James Krause's charities and sponsorships visit www.posterboyclothing.com
By Ephraim Vega
Blog or Bust News
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