What would you do if faced with the ultimatum from a significant other: “It’s either me or jiujitsu.”
For Fight 2 Win 94 competitor Tracy Pham, the choice was easy. She chose to stand up for herself. The rest has been history. Tracy is currently living her best life instead of being married to a bully who doesn’t support her life choices. Looking to choke others versus feeling choked in a controlling relationship.
Quite the life change.
Past personal history aside, Tracy is every bit a beast on the mats, as strong as her choices would indicate. With past F2W wins against the likes of opponents like world champ Georgina Staley and Jenny Lofaro, she’s the real deal. And she’s looking to prove it again this Saturday as she takes on another high-level opponent in Nikki Sullivan.
We recently caught up with Tracy to talk about F2W94 and life. Read on and get to know her ahead of this Saturday.
Fight 2 Win 94 – Tracy Pham (Warrior)
Hi Tracy! Tell us a little bit of your life story if you don’t mind.
I started training Jiu Jitsu when I was 22 years old. I had been working a desk job for about a year and my younger sister tried convincing me to come train with her a few times, but rolling around with sweaty people just didn’t appeal to me. It wasn’t until I watched my sister compete at a tournament that it caught my attention. I tried a class a few days later and immediately got hooked. For the better part of a year my sister continually handed my ass to me, it sucks getting beat by a sibling but even more so because she is younger than me.
To put it lightly, training Jiu Jitsu put a strain on my relationship. My fiancé showed his disapproval of my new hobby by shaming my muscular arms, once going so far as to measure my biceps to prove mine were bigger than his. For two years he constantly asked me to quit and eventually forced me to choose either him or Jiu Jitsu. All my years of training were being put to the ultimate test; would I continue to let a horrible relationship strangle me, or would I fight like hell to get out? I made the decision to fight and stand up for myself. I can say with absolute certainty that I would now be married to a bully if it weren’t for Jiu Jitsu. After I ended the relationship, I felt not only liberated but also confident to pursue my dreams. I wasted no time in paving a unique path for myself, and used the money from selling our house to open my own Jiu Jitsu academy.
I used to hide my muscular arms from the world out of embarrassment, but now I am fiercely proud of them because of the accomplishments they represent. My arms were raised in victory when I won the Jiu Jitsu World Championship, when I stood up for myself and left my fiancé, and when I followed my dreams of opening a Jiu Jitsu academy.
How long have you been training now? What’s your typical routine like?
I’ve been training jiujitsu for a little over 7 years now. I work a full time job so I try and get lifting sessions in during lunch time or before work 3-4 times a week. After work I help teach kids jiujitsu for a few hours, then train in the evening. Most week nights we don’t leave the gym until 9:30 then we wake up and do it all over again! I pretty much train 5-7 days a week depending on how my body is feeling.
Who would you consider as some of your main influences in the sport?
My main influences in the sport are Alex, also goes by the name of Brown Suga who is my coach/boyfriend/business partner (quite the combination right?) and all my training partners at Warrior Jiu Jitsu.
What are some of your main competition goals?
My main competition goal is to win a major tournament at brown belt. What I’m struggling with a lot right now is being confident in my jiujitsu at this level, I feel a little intimidated more than I have at any other belt.
What about besides jiujitsu, what else do you want to accomplish?
My Dad started a fish sauce company in 2009 and both my sister and I quit our corporate jobs earlier this year and started working at the family business full time. My brother works there as well so it is truly a Pham-ily affair. I want to grow the family business and put Red Boat fish sauce in everyone’s kitchen!
How would you describe your jiujitsu to somebody that’s never seen you compete before?
Strong like bull, quick like cat.
Your opponent at F2W 94, Nikki Sullivan. Have you competed against her before?
I have not but I heard she’s tough! We usually fight in different weight classes so it’ll be fun and a challenge fighting someone that I typically wouldn’t see in tournaments. I definitely don’t want to get caught in her triangles, apparently she tends to fart when she gets people in there and that’s her secret finishing move.
What sub are you predicting for the finish? A counter-fart or nah?
Toe hold or choke from the back. Cardio tap is also a possibility.
Any last words for the fans or anything else? The floor is yours.
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