Issue 127
April 2015
Bellator’s new Muay Thai KO artist Joe Schilling on the best bits of his fighting life
Q&A
What is the best thing nobody knows about you?
“I have an uncanny ability to accomplish anything I set my mind to. I really feel like it’s a super power and I have proved it to myself over and over again. Now at this point it’s just undeniable. I would say it’s my best quality.”
Best advice you could give to a younger you?
“To stay consistent in training and between fights and to stay more focused. I would tell myself those types of things. I’ve been on the right track for a long time now. I would tell my younger self to just keep pushing forward.”
Best inspiration to fight?
“Even as a kid I had a strong belief in myself. I really loved challenges. Now, as I get older and I have kids I’m really motivated and inspired by taking care of my family and showing my kids what it’s like to be a man and how great they can be in life. My kids are my number one motivation and inspiration now.”
Best job before becoming a fighter?
“I was a personal trainer. It’s great to help other people meet their goals and change their lives by teaching kickboxing and seeing the difference that makes in people’s lives is amazing. For example, you have a guy that comes in who’s never been into sports, he’s not very coordinated, some might say he’s dorky, he’s overweight; and I teach him how to fight and show him what he’s capable of.
“To see that transformation is special. To see that guy transform into someone who’s in shape and confident, has a beautiful girlfriend and is really happy, that’s very rewarding to see.”
Best moment in your career so far?
“When I fought Kaoklai Kaennorsing in LA and won the WBC (Muay Thai) world title. I knocked him out in the first round. That was pretty awesome. Winning the Glory 10 four-man tournament and being the first American to ever win a global combat sports tournament. Also, being the highest paid American kickboxer of all time. That night was pretty awesome too. Walking out with a $50,000 check was pretty great. The Melvin Manhoef win in Bellator was huge as well.”
Best way to get pumped before a fight?
“I’ve been working with a mind coach for the last three years and he has given me some amazing techniques on how to focus and how to control my emotions and my body to bring out the best in myself. Moments before the fight I am in my own head. I am zoned out from everything else that’s going on. I am just getting focused within myself.”
Best dinner guests? Three people, past or present, who would they be?
“That’s a totally awesome question... I guess Bruce Lee would be the first one. Mike Tyson would be one. Jim Carrey would be the third. “
Best guilty pleasure?
“I really like going out and having a few drinks with my friends. I probably shouldn’t do it as much as I do but I really enjoy being out and around my friends.”
?Best lesson life has handed you?
“I would say forgiveness. I had a rough relationship with my dad. We didn’t speak for about 10 years. I really truly believed that I hated his guts. I thought that if he was to pass I wouldn’t feel any way about it. My own hatred of him, desire to shove it up my dad’s ass, so to speak, really fueled my desire to accomplish what I have in my career.
“After I won Glory 10 my dad came back around and I was able to forgive him. He developed stage four cancer and forgiving him and allowing him to have a relationship with myself and my kids, his grandkids, before he died was by far the most rewarding and most difficult challenge I have ever had in my entire life.”
