On Feb 10, 2007 I fought and won against Julie Kedzie on Showtime making it a ground breaking moment for women in the mixed martial arts. This is a fight I believe will go down in history as the fight that changed the game for female mma fighters, yes the Cyborg fight was groundbreaking as well but that wouldn’t have happened without this fight.
There are women who paved the path to making this fight happen who I am grateful for, where people will never even know their names.
Ground breakers are a tough breed. You start something you love and then everyone else comes up behind and it becomes trendy and those people reap the rewards the ground breakers wouldn’t have even dreamed possible because they were just doing it for the love of the sport or art or passion of what they began.
Here’s to the groundbreakers, those are the stories I want to hear more about.
Don’t let people squash your spirit just because they can’t see or feel your dream. Let them laugh and mock while you stay dedicated to what is in your heart. It’ll all work itself out in the end. Have faith.
With love and respect. Keep fighting for what you believe. 🤍
Hearing the news of Carl Weathers passing today is shocking, I’m going to struggle through these words…
I was so looking forward to giving Carl the biggest hug at one of these fan expos I heard we were both going to be at this year. I looked forward to that reunion.
Carl called me directly after I was fired. I wasn’t in an emotional state where I could pick up the phone because of how upset I was, but we did end up speaking later on. He was gentle and encouraging and didn’t want me to give up, he was letting me know that he wasn’t throwing me away, he was trying to keep my hope alive in what seemed like quite hopeless scenario, he showed me he cared. That is who he was.
I bonded with him very closely on Mando season 1&2. Jon Favreau felt he would be a good mentor for me because we shared the athlete turned actor bond, so Jon had him direct my first episode in season 2 of Mando. I believe had we gotten to Rangers of the New Republic, Carl would’ve directed me in much more. Jon F was right, we were a great fit.
Carl was a mentor to me on set, he would put both his arms on my shoulders and look me directly in the eyes to calm my spirit. He had a wonderful perspective of telling a story that can only come through his experience and wisdom that he shared with me to help make me shine. I cherish those moments.
I adored making him laugh, I always wanted to figure out how to make him smile, where the corner of his mouth would start to crack and I knew I had him, then out came his bellowing laugh. His laugh I can hear clearly now. His laugh that I will miss dearly.
His big booming voice echoed throughout the stage and you just knew, this is what a movie star truly is.
He obviously shined on screen but man did he light up with such passion in that directors chair.
I’m going to miss my friend and mentor and that mischievous little sparkle in his eye. He was one of the greats and quite a ground breaker. I am flooded by all the precious memories we had together.
My condolences to his family and loved ones. He was a great man. Rest in peace my dear friend. As he would say #Bepeace my friend Be peace. ❤️💔 #CarlWeathers
Today is an important day for me—I filed a lawsuit against @lucasfilm & @Disney head over to my twitter to see the full statement. Thank you all for standing with me and standing for me. It really is because you made your voices heard that I get the opportunity to defend my self and clear my name. 🙏❤️
Just pointing out the hypocrisy, double standards & discrimination Hollywood says they stand against.
Also I want to make sure it is clear, I adored working with all my co-stars, crew and directors. This is not a lawsuit against them.
Per my statement:
“Artists do not sign away our rights as American citizens when we enter into employment. I have spoken to all my co-stars since I was fired & there is nothing but care and kind words between us. I respect their right to free speech & do not have to think the same on every issue to be their friends & work with them & I know they feel the same towards me.“
GC
@eviemagazine
🌹 warm-blood•ed
“It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.” Humphrey
Since we do not have children @dasoulassassin and I felt it placed on our hearts to speak up in 2020.
I felt physically sickened for the parents who were afraid to lose their jobs and not be able to provide for their families for questioning the covid mask mandates, lockdowns and eventually what we knew was coming, vaccine mandates. They had families to support so I thought if people like us shook the cage free it would help more people to encourage conversations.
How fast we started slipping into an authoritarian state. How horrifically I was labeled online for being an alt right winger anti-mask, anti-vax, anti-lockdown which made it easier to slander me with other vile words..
What is alt right about questioning forcing masks on 2 year olds? What is alt right for saying the lockdowns were going to cause far more damage than good? What was alt right about refusing to support or comply with forcing an experimental drug into people in order to keep their jobs or go to school.
This is a human rights issue and it should’ve been treated as such and up for debate but instead it was demonized, censored and politicized.
And still the damages are not being addressed. Its like a sore tooth, where the people in charge got so many to comply and push this narrative and now very few are brushing the tooth to clean it up, they’re just waiting for it to rot which is causing more problems and decay. This is something we have to address for the next generations, they will have their own battles, which will be made much worse if we do not correct what was done.
Pictured here with my darling cousin who is an incredible power house of a woman now having her own children.
I don’t have the answers but we need to be having and encouraging these discussions like never before. When you know your WHY, life’s hard decisions become clear, not easier but clear. This is my WHY. ❤️
🍋
This is my Grandfather Jack (Papa) and I.
We always had such a close relationship, he only came to one of my earlier Muay Thai fights because his heart couldn’t take seeing it more than once. 🫀
I understood.
He was the best coach I’ve ever had, my mentor and friend, I miss him daily.
I’m wishing you the ability to be present with your loved ones this holiday season.
Hug the ones you love while they’re here. Cherish their words and stories, bring grace and mercy to the table and don’t miss the opportunity to let them know how much you love them. Life is precious, make it count. ✨
Braveheart ❤️
Erin Brockovich 🎥🎬
We used to fight in these things called “smokers” they were held at small mixed martial arts gyms that made it feel like some kind of underground fight club. 😂 sometimes you would have a pre determined opponent but other times you just show up and fight whoever was close to your weight, no matter the experience. Sometimes there was a 10 pound difference, sometimes more. My first smoker I fought a woman who was 12 pounds heavier. Another smoker I didn’t see any other females weighing in and was getting nervous that I wouldn’t get to fight. I saw this guy from the back weighing in, he was wearing a bandana and looked extremely intimidating, he was at least 6ft tall and definitely out weighed me, I thought, damn that guy looks tough… and then SHE turned around. 😂 that would be my opponent. It was fascinating because I thought this would be one of my toughest fights being smaller and inexperienced. I hit her twice and kicked her twice and without telling anyone in the middle of the first round, she got out of the ring and walked out of the building leaving the rest of the audience, her corner and my corner and myself confused. There was complete silence. She didn’t want to be in there anymore.
I share this story to let you know that whatever giant you are facing, that seems like it is going to beat the living piss out of you. Do not be afraid. Show up. Rise to the occasion. You might be pleasantly surprised that being brave enough to stand in front of Goliath you might just be able to bring it down. ❤️ you never know until you try. And hey if you get the piss beat out of you, there’s a lesson to be learned there as well. You only lose if you never learn.
Comin to a fan expo near you! 2024!
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
#Megacon2024
Last week hurt on so many different levels but seeing you all this weekend was a welcome distraction and put me on cloud nine! Thank you to every single person who made an effort to shake my hand, give me a hug and tell me your stories. I loved laughing and crying with you.. It helped beyond words. I adore you all. ❤️ keep fighting the good fight. You are not alone!
I bought this piece a long long time ago at a tattoo shop in Las Vegas. Her eyes struck my heart so deep because those were my eyes at that point in my life.
If you’re feeling like these are your eyes right now, please hear me, life comes in waves and even after this trial passes, another trial will come, but it will be sprinkled with wondrous moments of love, joy and a peace you could never imagine.
Life truly is about the journey so fill it with hope and love, you never know what’s right over this mountain your climbing. I’m climbing a mountain too right now and all I know is I have to keep climbing and keep my eyes pointed up.
Romans 8:28
❤️ always from my heart to yours, don’t you give up. Keep climbing.🕊️
Artist is @alex_garcia_art he found this after I posted this, see pinned comment below. The internet can be so cool like that sometimes. Even though this piece has found a new home I treasured it while I had it.
I bought this piece a long long time ago at a tattoo shop in Las Vegas. Her eyes struck my heart so deep because those were my eyes at that point in my life.
If you’re feeling like these are your eyes right now, please hear me, life comes in waves and even after this trial passes, another trial will come, but it will be sprinkled with wondrous moments of love, joy and a peace you could never imagine.
Life truly is about the journey so fill it with hope and love, you never know what’s right over this mountain your climbing. I’m climbing a mountain too right now and all I know is I have to keep climbing and keep my eyes pointed up.
Romans 8:28
❤️ always from my heart to yours, don’t you give up. Keep climbing.🕊️
Artist is @alex_garcia_art he found this after I posted this, see pinned comment below. The internet can be so cool like that sometimes. Even though this piece has found a new home I treasured it while I had it.
Had something sad happen this past Saturday. One of our pregnant mares had a miscarriage, I know this is all a part of the ranch life we are new to and I know I am currently growing some much needed tougher skin but it was still very intensely sad. Adrenaline took over to save the mare, it wasn’t until the next morning I allowed myself to cry it all out. She was pretty far along in her pregnancy so you could see just how adorable this little filly would’ve been almost fully grown. They think her umbilical cord got twisted too tight and cut off all the circulation but we are waiting on more of the test results we ran to come back. As of now our mare is in stable condition and the other one is still pregnant. 🙏 I pray deeply that my other mare goes to full term and has a healthy baby. Before my cousin Alyssa passed away I promised her she could name one of the babies 🩵 she picked the most adorable name, I can’t wait and hope to be able share. Now we only have one baby left, so I pray God keeps this one healthy and blessed if it is His will.
I know anything can happen to us at any moment. Horses have a special way of reminding me of that daily. How precious this life is, how fragile, how we will get in rockets ships and travel to other planets desperately searching for signs of life but back home on earth we destroy life so easily and take it for granted like it isn’t the most precious miraculous occurrence in our whole universe.
You are alive for a reason at this moment, that in itself should make us all feel like little miracles. So no matter your circumstance, be grateful that you are given the chance to be alive, if only for this short glimpse we are here.
Wake up and live.🕯️#thankyouJesus
I love love love going through old pictures of my family and getting a glimpse of the life they’ve lived. For instance, what was it like taking this picture back then, you don’t get many tries I’d imagine, so she decided to look strongly and content with a little smirk right into the camera. There’s fire in that. Her Mona Lisa moment. I love it.
One thing I know is she was tough as nails. She was my Mama Suzie who I found out recently wasn’t her real name.. Her real name was Dallas. Why did she change her name? I don’t know. She went pre mature full all white hair by the time she was 22 years old. What causes that, I don’t know, but it’s fascinating.
I remember her small tough body and sharp sassy comments that seemed more like she was saying them to herself to make herself laugh more than anything. She was born in Oklahoma and she gave birth to one of the greatest man who ever lived, my Papa (grandfather).
I love her eyes, they carry a strength you rarely see anymore. What a tough but beautiful and mysterious life Dallas lived yet I feel like I know her so well in my heart. Life is miraculous, I adore it.❤️
Someone feelin her best self. 🤭 bb girls 🖤
When you can touch an animal and instantly feel the weight of the world lift from your heart.. best kind of therapy. Find your peace.. 🖤🕊️ #fresian
Niece charmer, professional at getting every vehicle we drive stuck in the snow (ok I do too), stunning social media influencer @dasoulassassin I❤️U Valentine ☺️ “These are FIRE.” 🤣
Happy New Year 🪽 2024 believe there is hope.
These pups don’t know how dark it goes. 😽🖤 #OllieG
