I’ve been hearing a lot about this Tom Leary guy and his MMA stuff, so I figured, why not give it a shot? I mean, I’m not getting any younger, and sitting at a desk all day isn’t exactly helping my fitness levels.
So, I started digging around. Turns out, there’s a bunch of material online about him. Watched some videos, read a few articles, you know, the usual. It looked pretty intense, but also kinda cool. I’ve always been a bit of a scrapper, even if it’s just verbal sparring with the customer support.
First thing I did was try to find a gym that actually knew who this Tom Leary was. Most places around here are all about that UFC stuff, which is fine, but not exactly what I was looking for. After a few calls, I found a place a bit out of the way, but the guy on the phone seemed to know what he was talking about. He even mentioned something about a “grappling dummy”, which sounded intriguing, or maybe painful.
Getting Started
- Went to the gym. It was…intense. Lots of sweaty people throwing each other around.
- Met the instructor. Seemed like a decent guy, a little rough around the edges, but definitely knew his stuff.
- He showed me some basic moves. Lots of grappling, takedowns, that kind of thing. My body was definitely not used to this.
The first few sessions were rough. I was sore in places I didn’t even know I had muscles. But I kept at it. I started to get the hang of some of the moves, and I even managed to take down the instructor once or twice. Beginner’s luck, probably.
It wasn’t just about the physical stuff, though. There’s a whole mental game to it too. You have to be able to think on your feet, anticipate your opponent’s moves, and react quickly. It’s like a physical chess match, but way more exhausting. I found myself thinking about MMA even when I wasn’t at the gym, strategizing, replaying moves in my head.
After a few weeks, I felt a real difference. I was stronger, more agile, and my reflexes were definitely sharper. Plus, I was sleeping better, had more energy, and even my mood improved. Who knew getting punched in the face could be so therapeutic?

Actually Doing It
- Continued training. The intensity ramped up.
- Started sparring with other people in the class. Got my butt kicked, but learned a lot.
- Even entered a small, local competition. Didn’t win, but didn’t embarrass myself either.
Now, I’m not saying I’m going to be the next big MMA star or anything. But I’m definitely hooked. It’s a great workout, a fun challenge, and a good way to blow off steam. I recommend anyone looking for a new way to get in shape and challenge themselves, to give it a try.
This whole Tom Leary MMA thing, it’s not just about fighting. It’s about pushing your limits, both physically and mentally. And honestly, it’s been a pretty awesome experience. I’m still learning, still getting my butt kicked sometimes, but I’m enjoying the journey. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll actually be good at this!