aura_adco

Yesterday I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing (and being interviewed by) my good friend Nakia "The Great" Brown.

I enjoy the conversations with all of my guests, but this one hit a little differently.

Nakia and both wrestled throughout highschool but we never met until about 4 years ago at Beat2Sleep boxing/mma. At the time he'd had about 5 amateur fights and was undefeated. Since then, he has had 22 more fights (plenty of wins and plenty of losses). Currently he is on his 3rd professional fight, ending his last opponent in 2.5 minutes by guillotine choke.

Everyone idolizes the undefeated fighter. Or the first time unicorn. founder. The one who never really endured the lowest of lows. I look to the ones who've crawled relentless through the abyss and back into to the light. That sentence might sound dramatic or heavy handed, but anyone who's been there knows it is not.

The last couple weeks have been tough for me personally for a variety of reasons. I've been frustrated by a perceived lack of progress on several fronts.

Discussing Nakia's journey reminded me of why I do what I do. It's not money or acclaim, although those things are nice. Its is because it is there to be done, and the ability to undertake a challenge, is also the duty to. And maybe we both have a touch of insanity.