Man, this stomach thing has been a real pain in my side, literally. It all started back in 2020. I was feeling off, and it just kept getting worse. Turns out, I had this nasty staph infection that wouldn’t quit. I mean, I was trying to train, trying to stay on top of my game, but this thing was just dragging me down.
I remember one time I even tried to ignore it, like, “I’m tough, I can handle it.” But no, that was a big mistake. It got to the point where I was diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori in 2019. That was a wake-up call, I tell ya. I had to make some big changes, and it wasn’t easy.
My girl, Nathalia, she’s been a rock through all this. She’s not just my partner, she’s a training partner too, a brown belt under John Danaher. She’s seen me at my worst and has always been there, pushing me to get better. I guess, I’m not sure what I do without her.
But then, on top of the stomach issues, there was that whole drama with my brother, Nicky. We had this big falling out after our team split up. There was a time when we didn’t even talk to each other until last year. It was rough, man. We both said some things, did some things… But things have started to calm down now. We’re family, you know? Gotta stick together at the end of the day.
Getting Fixed Up
- Tonsillectomy time: So, I finally decided to get my tonsils out. They were always giving me trouble, and I figured it was time.
- Deviated septum: While I was at it, I got my deviated septum fixed too. Breathing’s a lot easier now, which is a huge plus for training.
Talking about training, you know that loss to Felipe Pena? Yeah, the rear-naked choke. That one stung. It’s been eight years, but it still fuels me. I’m not gonna lie, it created some bad blood between us. But hey, that’s part of the game, right? It just makes me want to come back stronger, and I will.
So, yeah, that’s my story. It’s been a rollercoaster, but I’m still here, still fighting. This stomach thing, the family drama, the losses – they’ve all shaped me. And you know what? I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It’s made me who I am today.
I’m just trying to stay positive, keep training, and take care of myself. That’s all I can do. And hopefully, I can inspire some of you guys along the way. Remember, it’s not about how hard you fall, it’s about how you get back up. Stay tough, folks.
