A lot of military kids make a lot of moves but I only made the one, so it wasn't really an issue for me.

I got a little bit of the Marine mentality from my dad, I guess. You can't but help absorb the culture you're around.

I lived in Iowa for pretty much the rest of my life, but I just moved to St. Louis and opened up a gym and MMA training center.

I did a lot of smoker fights and fought pretty much every week since Pat wouldn't let me fight until he was sure I was ready. I was also boxing and so I had 30 unofficial fights or more of those.

I did start wrestling after I moved to Iowa, I think in the seventh grade. It's really a part of the Iowa culture so it's hard not to do it if you like sports.

I kept doing my own thing, working out with weights, wrestling, and doing other spots until I graduated from high school. Then I made a conscious decision to pursue MMA seriously and full time.

I also watched boxing all the time and Tuesday Night Fights on USA and just kept hitting my heavy back in the garage.