From its inception, SSB existed as a geek anomaly.  Refusing to be tied down to the constraints that held down normal geeks, SSB was a webcomic, then a geek website, and now, an all-encompassing site that covers not only geek shit, but other subjects as well.

And so I ask you, what defines a geek?  A obsession with certain types of fandom that borders on the insane?  I’d say so.  That doesn’t necessarily mean that a geek has to be physically weak (contrary to popular belief).

With that in mind, I present to you the newest segment of SSB, #otakuFIGHTER.  Every month, SSB will feature an #otakuFIGHTER in their element.  Be it Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kyokushin Karate, Krav Maga, Boxing, or even Taekwondo, #otakuFIGHTER will bring you the hardest hitting, the fastest punching, and the geekiest fighters we can find.  And who better to start this all off…than yours truly.

As some of you may already know, I’ve been practicing Muay Thai on and off for the past year or so.  This year…I’ve been taking it up a few notches.  What you’ll see in the gallery is a glimpse of how I spend my Friday afternoons.  I usually have a padwork session with Coach Caine Gayle of The Boxing Club, in La Jolla.  That’s followed by a Muay Thai class, and usually a run immediately afterwards.  The other days are spent in much the same fashion, afternoons training…until traffic dies down and I can go home.

I’m still very much a geek, and everyone can attest to that.  Like I said, being a geek/otaku doesn’t automatically mean you have to be fat.  Because fuck that.  I ain’t about that fat life.

Salam Alchi, our gym’s manager and the rest of the staff are also making sure I eat right and not get too crazy.  It’s working…I think.

So before I go any further, I’d like to thank my coaches Caine Gayle, Artem Sharoshkin, Shannon Gugerty, Jessica Lopez, Brian Blake, and Joshua Vongsvirates.  Salam, Tiffany, and Anthony all get special mentions for keeping The Boxing Club running smoothly :).  Also, a special shoutout to my #otakuFIGHTER crew, Brian Bacsal and Ivan Li for the pics and for watching me get my ass kicked.