Get to know @robc4sinclair (Rob Sinclair)

Rob Sinclair is a mixed martial artist out of Manchester, England. Rob started off his early career by winning his first four fights before losing one, he went on to win his next three after that. A short time later Sinclair made his BAMMA debut at BAMMA 2 Roundhouses at the Roundhouse. Sinclair beat Nathan Beer in the first round by TKO making Rob the first BAMMA lightweight champion.
All questions were sent to Rob by Email here is what he had to say.

Q: What influenced your decision to start doing MMA?
A: "My brother Mick to be honest. I was doing thai boxing and he was a submission grappling, and he started going to a class in clitheoe so I went with him."

Q: What does your daily training regimen consist of?
A: "To be honest not a lot. I do have some sort of training every night if I wanted to do it. I rest when I'm tired and train at Predators MMA or Perform Centre in Haslingdon."

Q: Do you train hard all year round, or is it more of a laid back approach until you have a fight scheduled?
A: "I pretty much tick over until a contract is signed. Then I really knuckle down and get as much training in as I can when I can."

Q: What is the weirdest thing a fan has asked you to sign?
A: "Me, Paul Daley, and Jimmy Wellhead signed a pair of tits at bamma 10 last year. That was pretty....... weird."

Q:  How do you spend your downtime between fights?
A: "I love to hang out with my pals. They're the best bunch of guys and can really cheer me up if I'm down especially Mark P, Fat Mick Jonesy, Big Dan, and my brothers Mick and Lewis. I also love spending time with my daughter and girlfriend because its precious time, and before I know it I'm out working and training again."

Q: What goals are you currently working towards in your MMA career?
A: "I've achieved every goal I set out so far. I wanted to have a fight and win, then fight on a bigger show, then on tv, then be a British champion, then get ranked in the top 10 in the UK, then get to number 1, then win a world title,  then beat the other UK organizations champions, then get ranked in Europe. I've achieved all of these goals so far."

Q: Do you think MMA is more of a mental sport or physical?
A: "I think it's more mental. You ain't got the balls you ain't gonna do well."

Q: If you could fight against anyone (past or present) who would it be, why, and do you think you would win?
A: "I'd like to fight 3 people; David Cameron, Bobbie of Towie, and Ricky of Geordie Shore because they're all bell ends."

Q: If you could see any two fighters go toe to toe who would it be and who do you think would win?
A: "It would have to be Jones vs Silva for obvious reasons, and I think Silva would win."

Q: Take us through the emotions you felt when you won the BAMMA light weight title.
A: "When I first won it I was coming off of a split loss. I was pissed at my way below performance, so the title was a bonus but more about the win. I'm glad I won that belt though because my popularity has risen a little."

Q: When is your next fight scheduled for?
A: "It's scheduled for March. BAMMA 12"

Q: Your nickname is "C4" How did you get it?
A: "Me and Ian Dean (my previous manager) came up with it. I like Paul Daleys nickname (Semtex), and sort of wanted to copy something."

Thank you for your time Rob and good luck in your next fight at BAMMA 12. Is there anything else you would like to add?
"Yeah tune in to BAMMA 11 and 12, because I don't like decision wins so I am going double hard to get a highlight reel sub/ko imbrahimovic style ;)"

@TheRealJGuts (Jeremy Guthrie)

Jeremy Guthrie is a pitcher for the Kansas City Royals. He was picked 22nd overall in the 2002 draft by the Cleveland Indians Guthrie has also seen time with the Baltimore Orioles, and the Colorado Rockies. On November 20th 2012 Jeremy signed a 3 year $25mil deal.
All of these questions were sent to Jeremy via DM he responded pretty quickly for a guy who was in the middle of signing a new contract. It appears as a few of my normal questions were cut off when sending them to him so I will have to try and get those out to him as well.

Q: What is the best clubhouse prank you pulled/saw/had pulled on you?
A: "I saw pictures of Astros players parking Bud Norris' older car on the warning track during batting practice."

Q: What is your favorite off season activity?
A: "My favorite off season activity is to travel the world!"

Q: What is your favorite sport other than baseball?
A: "Football, played QB in high school."

Q: Who was your childhood role model?
A: "My childhood role model was Michael Jordan."

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the road?
A: "Favorite thing to do on the road is explore the city, and enjoy what it has to offer."

Q: What was it like to get your first strike out?
A: "1st k was a RELIEF"

Q: What is the weirdest thing a fan has asked you to sign?
A: "Signing a cell phone is a weird one for me."

Q: If you could play with or against a player, who would it be and what sport would you play?
A: "Micheal Jordan in anything, basketball, golf, baseball, etc."

Q: What are your feelings on fan mail?
A: "Fan mail is fun to sign when not taken advantage of."

Q: Do you collect sports cards/memorabilia? If so anyone in particular?
A: "I collect signed shoes and SI magazines."

A new thing I am trying is letting some of the followers on Facebook submit questions they would like to ask. I will try to pick two for each interview I send out. For this one we had a question from Morgan Fox

Q: "Ask him about his shoe collection!" I rephrased it this was "I heard you have a pretty extensive shoe collection, care to tell us about it?
A: "Shoe collection is extensive indeed."

Bryan Timmers was chosen as the other person to submit a question he asked
Q: What is the strangest commercial offer you have received?
A: "Never had a commercial offer."

@numberninefo (Sen'Derrick Marks)

Sen'Derrick marks is a defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans,  he went to Auburn University for three years before announcing he would forego his senior season to enter the 2009 NFL draft where he was the 62nd overall pick. During his time with Auburn Sen'Derrick made twenty six consecutive starts tying him with  Rodgerigus Smith for the longest active streak on the team.
 The interview questions were all emailed to Sen'Derrick he replied quickly sending his answers back later that night. If you are looking for an athlete to interact with pay attention to the question regarding fan mail.

Q: What influenced your decision to play football?

A. I was always a fan of sports. I grew up with the love for basketball. Once I got into high school, i focused heavily on basketball until our

    basketball coach bribed me to play football. He told me that I wouldn't be able to participate in basketball unless I played football. Once I

    started playing football, it became interesting but my love was still for basketball. My defensive coach at the time, Derek Scott, asked me

    why my heart wasn't in it and explained to me why I wouldn't make it in the NBA. He asked my height at the time, which was 6'1, and explained

    that I was a power forward at 6'1 and NBA point guards were 6'7 and taller. I listened and focused more on football and it paid off for me today.

Q: Who was your childhood role model?

A. Now as I think back, I had a lot of role models growing up in the projects in Mobile, Al. My mom was and will always be a huge role model of mines.

    She had me at a young age and went on to make me the oldest of eight kids. She always steered me and my younger siblings in the right direction.

    My step father was also a big role model for me. After taking me in as his own, he taught and provided me all the manly responsibilities that was

    needed. He grew me and I will always be thankful for his role in my life. My coaches and teachers were also role models of mine. I listened closely

    to there rules and guidelines. Most of all, the friends and people of my community played a huge role in my upbringing. With all the negative activities

    in my neighborhood, people always guided me in the right direction to stay focus and succeed.

Q: What is your best football memory?

A. My best football memory was my freshman year in college. I had the opportunity to earn a scholarship to Auburn University to play football. I was doing

    really good as a freshman and earned my opportunity to play. The first time I knew I was going to play gave me chills. We took the bus to LaGrange, GA

    the night before the game. On game day, we traveled back to start the famous Tiger Walk. That walk down the street, between many fans, was always be

    a memory of mines. After entering the locker room and getting dressed, I started to get butterflies. We came out the tunnel onto the field, thru the smoke

    and greeted by 88,000 fans. That moment was amazing and I'll never forget it.

Q: What was it like when you were drafted?

A. Draft day was a very special day for me and my family. After a great college career, I knew I would have the opportunity to play in the NFL. My family all

    gathered together at our house and watched the draft on tv. After my name was called, we all got excited, cheered and pray together. It was an important

    and exciting day for all of us.

Q: What is the weirdest thing a fan has asked you to sign?

A. The weirdest thing I had a fan ask me to sign was his/her hand. I didn't understand it lol. I asked what would happen to my signature later when they got home

    and they said they would keep it forever. I didn't sign his/her hand that day. I borrowed a piece of paper and gave them an autograph.

Q: How did it feel to get your first sack?

A. Getting my first official sack was pretty exciting. We was playing the Seattle Seahawks and I made a great move on their offensive lineman. Matt Hasslebeck

    was the quarterback at the time and he held the ball a little to long which allowed me to get to him.

Q: What is your favorite city to play in?

A. I actually enjoy playing in Nashville, Tn at LP field. Its a great family and hostile environment. The fans are very into the game and love their home team

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the road?

A. The thing i enjoy doing on the road is going out to eat with the fellas the night before the game. Usually its the defensive lineman that goes out together and

    sometimes a couple other guys that hang out with us. Its fun, relaxing, and help us calm down and chill before going back to meetings to get our mindset back

    onto football.

Q: Have you ever waken up and said "I don't want to go to work today."?

A. I haven't had that mindset of not wanting to go into work. I enjoy going in and focusing on whatever the task is for that day. During the season u may not feel

    so into getting out of bed, but it's that calling of getting better and getting your body back into order to do it all over again.

Q: What is your favorite sport other than football?

A. My favorite sport other than football now is golf. I enjoy trying to play and tying to get better at it. It's a competitive and challenging sport that seems so hard

    to master.

Q: What are your feelings on fan mail?

A. I enjoy getting fan mail. I look at this game on this level as a job for myself and entertainment for others. I enjoy what I do and hope others enjoy watching

    what i do. I try to sign and respond to all fan mail I receive from letters and social media.

Q: What is the strangest thing you have seen in the locker room?

A. The strangest thing I've seen in the locker room has to be whatever guys do to get ready to play. Some guys to push-ups and some slap themselves or get

    others to slap them. I never been into that but whatever it takes, go ahead and do it.

Q: What is the best locker room prank you have seen or been part of?

A. I don't get to much into the locker room pranks. Most guys play pranks on each others and majority of them are retaliations of what somebody did to them

@arnoldbfa (Arnold Billy Allen)

Arnold Billy Allen is a 18 year old MMA fighter from Felixstowe, UK. Arnold recently made his pro debut at UCMMA back in April. Arnold fought Nathan Greyson and won by way of a vicious left hook in the 2nd round. Here us a video of that fight

I found Arnold on Twitter after looking around for upcoming MMA fighters. After seeing the video above you will understand why I was interested in doing an interview with him. All of the questions were emailed to Arnold, and he responded very quickly. Here is what Arnold had to say

Q: What influenced your decision to start doing MMA?
A: "I grew up watching the old martial arts movies and cartoons like Dragon ball Z, me and my brother did a bit of kickboxing together before moving on to boxing. My dad was competing in MMA at this time and I joined a few of his MMA sessions and I fell in love with it from there."

Q: You started MMA at just 14 years old, was it hard to persuade your parents to let you participate in that type of sport?
A: "Not at all, as my Dad fights himself he was more than happy for me to do it too. And my mum is happy as long as I'm out of the house."

Q: What does your daily training regimen consist of?
A: "During fight camp I will train up to four times a day. In the morning me and Sean Carter will focus on a specific discipline, and drill/spar. Then mid day is strength and conditioning with my coach Ben Chow who had helped me improve massively. At night I usually fit in a back to back session down at BKK Fighters on on Mondays its Sub wrestling followed by Muay Thai."

Q: You recently won your firs professional fight, take us through the emotion felt from the beginning of that night to after you won the fight.
A: "It was the best feeling. I was so happy to get my first pro win, but after I was exhausted and was sick, had a major adrenaline dump."

Q:  After that fight your team had told you it was a tradition to drink beer out of your groin guard. Did you ever find out if really is a tradition, or just a bad prank you fell for?
A: "unfortunately it isn't a tradition! haha"

Q: Do you train hard all year round, or is it more of a laid back approach until you have a fight scheduled?
A: "I train hard all year round. The only thing that slacks off is the diet, if I stopped training I'd definitely be fat!"

Q: What is  the weirdest thing a fan has asked you to sign?
A: "I've only signed a couple of things nothing weird  yet haha."

Q: How do you spend your downtime in between fights?
A: "Watching fights, and eating cake!"

Q: You train with some of the best fighters in the UK (Sean Carter, Ben Chow), do any of them train you in a specific specialty or are they more all around types of fighters?
A: "Most of them are all rounders, but I do have quality coaches for each discipline."

Q: Before MMA you were a boxer, do you prefer to be standing or to be grappling going for submissions?
A: "Either. I enjoy standing or grappling."

Q: What goals are you currently working towards in your MMA career?
A: "Just working on getting better in all areas, and working towards another win."

Q: You have said you don't spend much time out drinking or partying like most people your age, do you ever get any negative feedback from your friends because of that?
A: "Yeh I get a lot of abuse of my friends haha, but I made up for it a bit since my last fight."

Q: After you beat Nathan Greyson in your first pro fight there was a lot of buzz about your natural ability in the cage, is there still a lot of local hype around you?
A: " Fortunately alot of the hype has died."

Q: If you could see any two fighters go toe to toe who would they be, and who do you think would win and why?
A: "I'd like to see the Korean Zombie fight Jose Aldo! I think Aldo would win but not sure he'd be able to finish the Korean Zombie."

If there is anything else you would like to add please do so here.
" I'd just like to thank my sponsor for helping me out! i-Supp Ben Chow, Ross Knevett, Britishfighter, Almighty Fightwear, Funky Gums, Elite Fightwear."

Get to know me

 I thought it would be nice for me to answer my own questions so the readers can get to know me. If you have any questions you would like to ask me just post them below in the comments section and I will do my best to respond to all of you.
 I will start with my basics, My name is Chad Johnson I am 28 years old and have lived in Minnesota my whole life. I am married and have 3 children 2 boys and a girl. I started this blog back in August as a way to learn more about athletes, how they got where they are and what their perspective is on the respective sport they play.


Q: What influenced your decision to start this blog?
A: I thought it would be a neat way to interact with athletes, and to get to know them a little better. I figured I should share my answers with anyone else who wanted to get to know them a little better too.

Q: What is your favorite city?
A: I haven't really traveled to much short of my honeymoon and a couple of vacations. That being said I love Chicago, the history the architect etc. I think it is all very interesting my favorite place in Chicago was Wrigley Field. You hear people talk about how big of a dump that place is, but walking in there and taking a tour of the stadium was amazing it just felt like a place where baseball should be played.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you're not working?
A: I love spending time with my kids, but being out numbered makes family outings challenging. Over the last three months I have thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the several athletes I have interviewed I might enjoy reading their answers more than some of my regular readers.

Q: What is your best memory?
A: The birth of all my children. When my oldest was born I was so nervous and excited, I didn't know if I could be a good father, how I would handle the change of going from a married couple to a family. The instant I held him everything came so naturally it was incredible.

Q: Have you ever waken up and thought " I don't want to go to work today"?
A: Nearly everyday! I was recently put on night shifts at work which makes things harder at home. My wife is basically a single mother every other weekend because I work 12 hours per shift. The thought happens a lot more now that the facility I work at is closing at the end of the year, but it is also presenting me with a chance to go to school so I can get a job I actually enjoy doing.

Q: What is your favorite sport?
A: I think I enjoy watching them all equally especially now that I am getting to interact with athletes from all different areas. A year ago this answer would have been baseball no question. The weird part is that when I was younger I didn't care much for sports, and now I feel like I have to watch sports center every day.

Q: Who was your childhood role model?
A: Both of my parents, there was a healthy mix of nurturing, love, and toughness between my mom and dad. I wanted to be able to make sure I was able to let my children know how much I love them while still being able to discipline them when it was necessary.

Q:  If you could meet any athlete who would it be?
A: I don't know if I can really pick just one. There are so many great athletes past and present it would just be to hard. I have had the chance to meet some athletes who are really great to their fans. Those are the ones I like to meet the most.

 When I had this idea I posted a question on my Facebook fan page and on Twitter asking people what they would want to know about me, or any other questions they wanted to ask. The one question I really wanted to respond to was "How come you never ask any good questions? #justkidding" That made me think a little bit about what I am doing. Am I really asking questions that people want to know the answers to? I have decided that when I get an athlete to agree to an interview I will post it on my facebook fan page, and ask fans to leave a question that they would want to ask that person. Before I send the questions off I will pick two random questions to include with the rest of the questions I already have in place. I hope making this a little more interactive will make the interview more interesting for the people that read them.

Christopher, Me, and Brian Dozier

Christopher, Me, and Scott Diamond

 Hopefully this gives you a little insight to who I am, and why I am doing this. If you have any other questions please comment below and I will get back to you as soon as possible. As always please click the adds on the top of the page to help me fund more giveaways for the readers. I will leave you with some pictures I have of me and athletes I have had the chance to meet.

Kyle Rudolph, Me, and Christopher

Chris Kluwe, Me, and Lucas

Me, Christopher, and Danny Valencia

Me, and Christian Ponder

Mistral Raymond, Lucas, Me, and Jerome Simpson

Christopher, Kevin Love, and Me

Christopher, Joe Kapp, and Me

Jim Marshall, Christopher, and Me

Me, Christopher, and Tony Oliva

Me, John Randle, and Christoper

Chase Budinger, Christopher, and me

Me, Christopher, and Bud Grant

@dsmith25blujay (Dwight Smith)

Dwight Smith Jr. was drafted 53rd overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011. He was considered to be the best pure hitter in all of high school baseball ranks, and was projected to be selected in the first two rounds of the draft. Georgia Techs coach (Danny Hall) had this to say about Smith Jr. "He's an outstanding baseball player and he can really hit. He just plays the game the right way. You can tell his dad mentored him. He plays the right way and carries himself the right way." Dwight's dad is Dwight Smith Sr. he played 8 years in the major leagues including being a member of the World Series Champions 1995 Atlanta Braves team.

 All of the questions were sent to Smith Jr. via DM on twitter. Here is what Dwight had to say.


Q: What influenced your decision to play baseball?
A: "My dad influenced me highly to play baseball at a young age."

Q: What is your favorite city to play in?
A: "My favorite city is of course Atlanta, Ga. I have had so many memories here."

Q: What is your best baseball memory?
A: "My best memory would be when I was 3 years old being in the clubhouse with my dad while on the Brave in 95'."

Q: What was it like when you were drafted?
A: "Being drafted was an incredible feeling and words can't express because my dream was coming true."

Q: Have you ever waken up and said "I don't want to go to work today"?
A: "I never have woken up say I didn't want to go to work because I love it."

Q: What is your favorite off season activity?
A: "My favorite off season activity would be relaxing at home with my family and friends."

Q: What is your favorite sport other than baseball?
A: "My other favorite sport is definitely basketball."

Q: Who was your childhood role model?
A: "My childhood role model would be anybody who had such passion and ambition like Michael Jordan or Ken Griffey Jr."

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the road?
A: "My favorite thing to do on the road is to meet new people from different areas."

Q:What was it like to get your first hit?
A: "My first hit was a relief, and then after I got it out of the way I can play now."

Q: What is the biggest person change you have had to make since becoming a pro athlete?
A: "The biggest personal change is being away from home for an extended period of time."

Q: If you could play with any athlete in any sport, who would it be and which sport would you play?
A: "If I could play with anybody it would be Ken Griffey Jr. Because I can learn even more from him about the game."

If there is anything else you would like to add please do so here.
" I would like to add that this game is great and it can teach you a lot about yourself as well as life."

Autographed photo give away! @cruikshank155

In this contest you have a chance to win an autographed Daron Cruikshank photo! These photos were sent to Daron after he agreed to help me do a give away for his fans. He signed them and is sending  them back to me, I will take care of contacting the winners and sending the photos out in a envelope that will prevent them from being damaged. All of your entries will be taken through Rafflecopter and the winners will be selected based on the amount of points earned through Rafflecopter. To get started simply click below! Please click the ads at the top of this page to help me fund more give aways!

 The contest starts on November 5th 2012 and continues until November 12th 2012 with the prizes being sent out that week.

This is the photo you will have a chance  to win!

I got the photos back from Daron yesterday. Get your numbers up in the two final remaining days to enter!

 I want to give a special thank you to Daron for agreeing to participate in the first give away Athlete Interviews Via Twitter was able to host. I will add a scan of the photos signed as soon as I recieve them back in the mail. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

@okiesouthpaw32 (Tyler Billen)

Tyler Billen was a relief pitcher for the Walla Walla Sweets last year and nearly made it to the all star game. In 2010 Tyler was named All Gulf South Conference 2010 GSC West Relief Pitcher of the Year. Tyler is a fellow board member on the Pat Neshek Pro Boards, so doing an interview with him was a no brainer. All questions were sent to Tyler via email.

                                     The video above is from Tylers' first collegiate appearance

Q: What influenced your decision to play baseball?
A: "I actually wasn't playing a sport when I got asked by a classmate to join a team because they needed players. I felt like it would be a fun opportunity to keep options open if I liked it.

Q: What is your favorite city to play in?
A: "Corvallis, OR."

Q: What is your best baseball memory?
A: "Pitching against our rival in Walla Walla before I had to go home for school. Threw almost eight innings against the #6 team in collegiate summer ball. It was a great way to end my summer and go home happy."

Q: What was it like when you were drafted?
A: "I was never drafted, but I am hoping to attend some try outs in the future."

Q: Have you ever waken up and said "I don't want to go to work today"?
A: "I don't think I ever have. God has given me the opportunity to play a game for this long and to enjoy it. I couldn't be more thankful for it."

Q: What is the funniest/strangest thing you have seen in the clubhouse?
A: "After a big win at my college, we started playing rap music in a very small clubhouse. I had got the win pitching right before, so I was told to start the dancing. All that was really in there was a table so I started dancing on the table and everyone danced around me."

Q: What is your favorite off season activity?
A: "Living in the south, I love watching SEC and Big 12 football. Other things are going to games, and collecting autographs. long boarding, or being around my fiance Mandie."

Q: What is your favorite sport other than baseball?
A: "Football for sure."

Q: Who was your childhood role model?
A: "My parents for pushing me for so long, and Scott Kazmir was also a big one."

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the road?
A: "Fav on the road to do is check different places to eat, sleep in, and play the game."

Q: What did it feel like to get your first strike out?
A: "Didn't really phase me, just knew I had to get the out after that guy."

Q: What is the weirdest thing a fan has asked you to sign?
A: "Either boobs or a kids face."

Q: If you could play with/against any other athlete in any sport, who would it be and what sport would it be?
A: "I'd love to play with Nolan Ryan. Every night he took the mound, you knew that something special was about to happen."

Q: What are your feelings towards fan mail?
A: "I'm okay with it, I have only had a few pieces come in but still cool that someone wants my autograph."

Q: What would your job be if you were not a professional baseball player?
A: "Coaching and teaching."