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What do you think about mixed martial arts style, Pride, UFC, etc.?
I don't really watch the MMA stuff although we train it here at INOKI DOJO. I'm just not as interested in it as I am pro wrestling.
Tell us about your views on INOKI DOJO, your training methods, and briefly about your lifestyle.
INOKI DOJO is a good place to come and learn. It's tough and you're going to get roughed up, but you'll be stronger because of it. There are a ton of American guys who say they want to wrestle for NJPW, but they don't want to put in the hard work. Coming to INOKI DOJO, there are certainly no guarantees, but it is an opportunity to learn, and there aren't many places like that. We train hard in Jui Jitsu and work on our grappling, and then we do cardio. Then we clean up and head home. Coming here five days a week puts you on a schedule, so my days are very regimented. I wake up at seven, drink a protein shake, and then about an hour later go to the gym to lift weights. I come back and drink another protein shake and eat every two hours after all high protein meals. I'm trying to get bigger, but its hard because we burn so many calories at INOKI DOJO, so I have to eat all the time. I eat seven or eight times a day and always try to sleep in between eight and ten hours a day.
What do you do on weekends when you are away from INOKI DOJO?
Usually, I'm wrestling. I usually train Monday through Thursday or Friday at INOKI DOJO, fly out to whereever I'm going to wrestle that weekend, and come back Sunday night. Its nice because not only do I get to do what I love but I get to see the country as well.
What do you think about the Japanese audience? Compared with American audience, Japanese audience are very quite at events unless the fight gets extremely exciting. Does the audience affect your fight in anyway?
I actually find the Japanese audience more responsive than typical American audiences. In America, if they don't know you, they rarely cheer during your match even if you're wrestling your guts out. In Japan, its different. Sure, they'll respond more to people they know, but if they see that you're doing your best and fighting hard, they appreciate it. Sometimes the audience gives you energy when you are down. But even if the crowd is quiet, I still give everything I have. You have to, or else you'll get hurt.
What is your goal as a wrestler and in life?
I actually find the Japanese audience more responsive than typical My goal as a wrestler is to be the very best that I can be. What I want out of wrestling is the same thing I want out of life. I want to live the best life I can live, and that doesn't mean having the most money or being the most popular. I want to do what is right, and while doing it, really experience everything life has to offer.
Any messages to fans and potential fighters who want to join INOKI DOJO?
"Don't be afraid, just believe,"- some guy named Jesus.
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