Don't mess with this Public Servant... Meet Zeljko

What do you do outside of training?  I work as a Project Manager, implementing mostly Government environmental policies and supporting business processes and capability. In my down time, I enjoy extra training at home, relaxing, watching documentaries and sports, coast trips and fishing.

Do you have a saying or motto that you live your life by?  I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for what I’m not.

What has been the greatest adventure of your life?  I’d have to say that this was travelling to Europe with my beautiful fiancé, exploring Rome on foot, then exploring all corners of Croatia in a rental car – Croatian being our heritage. Zadar, Split (including islands) and Dubrovnik were by far our favorite tourist destinations, the once war torn Vukovar was by far the most eye opening, time with family the most memorable, the culture and food unrivaled and the soccer riot we accidentally found ourselves in the middle of, surrounded by a hundred or so riot police, would have to be the most daunting, yet exciting.

What can’t you stand and why?  I usually can’t stand annoying people in general but the worst types are messy, unorganised people, slow drivers, arm chair experts, complainers, show offs etc. Some days I would love to Muay Thai all of them!

What is rewarding to you about training? And how does this affect your life and work?  The most rewarding part of training is the sense of fulfillment after a hard session and knowing that I am improving and taking steps to achieving my goals. The comradeship that comes with training with such a good group of people is equally rewarding. These positive feelings and influences help me to stay grounded, focused and generally happier in life and work. I sincerely thank the team at Chopper Muay Thai for making a recent tough period in my life that much easier to overcome.

Do you want to fight? Why or why not?  Yes, because I feel I have the height, the reach, the build and the potential to be a good fighter, so long as I keep focused on my goals, put in the consistent attendance and effort at training and continue to learn. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do but only recently become hungry for and committed to achieving, in spite of the voices in my head that would prefer me to be taking the easy route on the couch at home. I feel I owe it to not only myself, but also to Gaz for investing the time and effort to train and develop me into a fighter.

Favourite fighter and why?  Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic. Filipovic is the 2006 Pride Open-Weight Grand Prix Champion and the 2012 K-1 World Grand Prix Champion becoming the second fighter in the world to win mixed martial arts and kickboxing championships and tournaments. He is my favourite because he is Croatian and because of his devastating signature left head-kick, once famously described as "right leg, hospital; left leg, cemetery."

Fun loving Danielle...The New Slim Shady

What do you do outside of training?  I work and study at the University of Canberra, currently studying a Bachelor of Management with a major in Entrepreneurship. I also studied Forensic Science before that.

What is a surprising fact about you?  I am internationally published in a book of poetry. I have also done some acting, having performed in a few theatre productions.

What is one thing you are good at ?  Rapping, especially when drunk. Just call me the New Slim Shady - I’m already standing!

How could you describe yourself in 3 words?  Lazy... Just kidding! Energetic, Funny and Competitive.

What do you believe differentiates muay thai with other sports?  The need to be mentally strong and self-motivated. Muay thai is just as much mental as it is physical, in every aspect, and not just getting in the ring. You are constantly learning new things at training, if you aren’t there mentally you will have a hard time picking it up, or end up getting punched in the face. It also takes a lot of self-motivation to put in the hard work and push through even when you are having a bad day.

Which class do you like best, Techniques or Heavy Bags and why?  I like a combination of both, because one would not be effective without the other.

At training, what is your biggest challenge and what do you do to manage it?  Overthinking and getting frustrated. I just take a step back, compose myself and push forward.

Chopper Muay Thai's first winner... meet Tom

What do you do outside of training?  Outside of training, I work as a plumber. On the weekends I enjoy having friends over for BBQs or heading to the coast to go surfing and fishing.

If money and career were no object, where in the world would you choose to live?  Somewhere with amazing culture, sun, surf and good food. Brazil sounds promising.

If your life were a movie, what would be the title?  Pursuit of happiness.

In 10 years I’ll be...  I honestly have no idea, hopefully on the other side of the world.

Describe the feeling you had when you watched your first fight show?  Pure excitement!

What inspired you to compete in muay thai?  I first began training to improve my fitness and was then inspired with how far Gaz Rees pursued this sport. After training with him for sometime, I felt confident enough in my skills to begin my next challenge of fighting competitively.

What were your thoughts when you first entered the ring and saw your opponent standing in front of you?  My first thought was "I have worked SO hard for this moment, do not leave anything behind..." My opponent didn't worry me, I knew if I executed everything I had been trained to do, I would be fine.

Chopper's first fighter, the Singapore Assassin...

What do you do outside of training?  I’m a security guard at the Belconnen Labour Club and I also work as a concierge at the Pavilion Hotel.

What is a surprising fact about you?  I may look Caucasian but my heart is Asian.

What would be your ultimate achievement?  In muay thai, I want to win an Australian title in my weight division. In life, I want to help make the world a better place to live in for future generations.

How could you describe yourself in 3 words?  Very, very, Asian.

What advice can you give to new students joining up who have never trained?  Have fun! Be yourself, don't be afraid to unleash your inner demon, unless you turn into the hulk. Then don't. You will destroy the place.

What is your favorite muay thai move or combo?  Faking the right-cross, follow up with a left hook to the head and then left body shot to the liver. Then a switch knee to the liver.

What is rewarding to you about training? And how does this affect your life and work?  While training, all the bad chi is released, then converts to good chi, which results to fun and intense training sessions. I've realised that training muay thai has helped my life and work because I have never been healthier and happier.

Ronda Rousey, the one bird Luke would like...

What do you do outside of training?  I work as a new car sales consultant. I love my job and the people I work with. When I am not training or working, I spend time with my daughter, family, friends, play Xbox, and watch Netflix. 

Who is your dream girl?  Delta Goodrem due to her amazing good looks. Ronda Rousey is my current crush, not only is she a good looking woman but she is also a badass fighter who destroys everyone she fights. For my dream girl, is it too much to ask, if I could have both?

What is one key event that changed your life in a positive or negative way?  Holding my baby girl in my arms for the first time, was the most wonderful and amazing feeling I have ever had. Being a father has changed my life forever and has made me a better person. 

What is a surprising fact about you?  I am very scared of birds. The birds that scare me the most is magpies. During spring you will not see me going outside for walks or runs. When I was a kid, there was this one magpie that would attack us no matter what season. I couldn’t even go to the toilet at night without my mum holding my hand because every time the light went on, this magpie would be at the window ready to attack.   

Favourite fighter?  Ronda Rousey. Watching her dominate in the octagon in every fight, just shows how amazingly talented she is.

What advice can you give to new students joining up who have never trained?  Have fun and keep showing up to classes because it’s the only way to learn. Don’t worry about how hard you can punch or kick, take your time and get the basics right first.

How has muay thai helped you with life?  Training has helped me with keeping fit, learning new skills, letting go of negative thoughts and releasing a lot of built up stress. I use the punching bags to help release my stress, I also have Gaz Rees by my side, to talk to when I need help. That’s why I go to Chopper Muay Thai, for me it’s more than just a gym.

Andrew means more than business...

What do you do outside of training?  Outside of training my life is a mixture of solving business related problems with IT solutions, checking out new restaurants and cafes, and just picking up other new hobbies here and there. 

TV show you secretly enjoy?  Hmm…I have to say ‘How to get away with murder’.

If you could choose one super power, what would it be and why?  Ability to fly because flights out of Canberra are expensive!

What would be your ultimate achievement?  To travel the world without a single doubt in mind.

What's your philosophy on discipline?  I believe self-discipline is fostered by mental resilience and the pursuit to achieve any goal, no matter how sky high.

What kept you going in the first months of training?  What has kept me going and currently keeps me going, is the challenge that has to be surpassed during every class. There is either a new skill to learn or the drive to mentally and physically do better.

Describe the people who train with you?  The people who train at Chopper are awesome! Such a fun, friendly and welcoming bunch.