The Fighter Within - by Olech (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Enter the minds of some of the martial arts world's most respected fighters and trainers.

The Fighter Within is an inspirational book for Mixed Martial Arts fans which brings insider stories, heartfelt moments and the human element to what's perceived as a savage sport. It reveals thoughtful, encouraging and even lighthearted insights into the minds and souls of true champions. It describes the attributes that lead to success in a sport that demands dedication, forethought and intellect--traits which are applicable to all of life's challenges.

A foreword by Bas Rutten--UFC Heavyweight Champion and three-time King of Pancrase World Champion--sets the tone for this book, which features an impressive array of interviews with a veritable who's-who of elite MMA fighters and martial artists:

• Fedor Emelianenko (Former MMA Heavyweight Champion and FIAS World Combat Sambo Heavyweight Champion)
• Rashad Evans (Heavyweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter 2/Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion)
• Rich Franklin (Former UFC Middleweight Champion)
• Rory MacDonald (Former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion)
• Sean Sherk (Former UFC Lightweight Champion)
• Tomasz Adamek (Boxing Champion)
• Firas Zahabi (Tri-Star Elite Coach)
• Bruno Fernandes (Founder of Gracie Barra Montreal BJJ school/President of GB Wear)
• John Danaher (BJJ Black Belt Elite Coach)
• Ajarn Phil Nurse (Muay Thai Champion/Elite Coach)
• Alain Moussi (Actor/Stuntman)
• Rafal Chwalek (Polish Kickboxing and Savate Champion)
• Scott Ramsdell (API Head Instructor)
• Matthew Olson (API Head Instructor)

**Winner of the Canada Book Award**
**Winner of the Readers' Favorite Gold Award for Non-Fiction Sports**

Review Quotes

"A wonderful ride that encompasses the true essence of martial arts. Olech beautifully relates the common man with the teachings and spirit of many of the sport's masters." --Joe Ferraro, host of UFC Central radio

"Chris has gone all over, trained with so many different fighters and he's documented all of his experiences...he has a great perspective." --The MMA Report podcast

"Chris has had a chance to talk to the most brilliant minds in combat sports." --John Ramdeen, The Fight Network

"I really enjoyed reading it because he goes everywhere; trainers, fighters, boxing, he does it all. He interviews the guys and he gets really deep." --Bas Rutten, Inside MMA

"If you are fascinated by the MMA lifestyle and want to find out what makes good fighters tick, then read this book!" --Donovan Craig, Founding editor of Fight! magazine

"Start reading it...don't wait!" --Jason Kelly, Rear Naked Choke Radio

"There have been a lot of books written about combat sports by journalists and just as many written by fighters. Christopher Olech's The Fighter Within is the rare book by an author who is both, and you will gain more insight on the fight game and those in it from this book than anything I've read in a long time. I recommend this book to anyone wishing to learn what it truly takes to fight--in the ring, Octagon, or life." --Thomas Gerbasi, Editorial Director for the UFC

"To make this 189-page book, author Chris Olech trained, traveled the world and interacted with loads of top-notch MMA fighters, including Rashad Evans, Fedor Emelianenko, Rick Franklin, and tons of others. This is an account of his journey -- with a foreword by Bas Rutten." --Black Belt Magazine

About the Author

Born in Toronto, Canada to immigrant parents, Christopher Olech's immersion into the world of martial arts began after the UFC Welterweight Champion, Matt Hughes, came to town for a seminar. Christopher began training in the Mixed Martial Arts, eventually putting his skills to the test in the ring, where he won a Grapplers Quest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tournament Gold Finish, and was the IBBA Hall of Fame Competitor of the Year in 2010. He helped organize one of the biggest MMA seminars to come to Toronto Canada, The Paradise Warrior Retreat, which featured eight internationally-known competitors. Olech is a certified Athletic Performance Inc. Caveman Training Instructor. As a freelance journalist, he covers fighting events in all fields of martial arts and boxing, and he's contributed to various MMA and boxing websites as well as print media.