Fighting FIT!

Tweak caught up with boss babe and MMA fighter Jamie Edenden as she preps for her biggest fight yet!

How long have you been doing MMA/and how did you get into it?

I have been doing MMA for just over two years but I have been doing martial arts on and off for 10 years.  I had just gotten out of a toxic and abusive relationship and I was at McDonalds one day, saw a flyer for a gym that teaches self-defense, went to check it out and within 6 months I had my first fight.

What do you love about it?

The challenge, the discipline… This sport gives my life purpose. It gives me drive. I love the friends and lessons I have learnt along the way. Without this I would be so lost.

Tell us about your previous fights and of course, your upcoming fight:

I have a pro fight with Eternal on March 19 against the top female fighter in Australia which is exciting and what I am currently training for.
Previously, I have competed in 14 Muay Thai Fights, 1 Pro Boxing Fight (Qld Super Welterweight Champion), 5x MMA fights with 3 Kos, and I won the first ever Female Featherweight Title Belt.

Thoughts on training for strength and purpose vs purely looks?

The industry is WHACK at the moment. People are training for all the wrong reasons! To be skinny or to "look" a certain way. I believe you can never truly have all three things at once:
- Looking good,
- Feeling good
- Performing good
You’re lucky if you manage to achieve two at the same time. I train for a purpose and my sport is all about how I perform.  Yes, I have to reach a certain weight for the fight so I have to watch my diet and track everything I do, but how I 'look' has no impact on how I fight. And when my body fat % is slightly higher, I perform better, I am happier, I am stronger.

This is why this industry is backwards. Because in order for a woman to be "lean" you have to sacrifice how you feel, your energy, libido and normal hormonal function and that’s not healthy.

What does it mean to be an empowered woman?
The quote "be the woman who fixes another women’s crown without telling the world it was crooked" comes to mind. We need to support each other, have each other’s backs and most importantly empower each other. Not compete.

“You can’t compete with me because I want you to win too...”

Best piece of advice you've ever been given?

I have 2 that have stuck with me...
1. Quality over Quantity. That’s goes for training, relationships, friends, food, pretty much anything in life.
2. You won’t always be motivated, that’s why you have to be disciplined.

Why do you love TWEAK undies?

They are so comfortable, you cant see them through the pants and they don’t get drenched when you sweat!

Any other info to add?

Get down to the Gold Coast March 19thv to watch me and many other top Aussie fighters! Tickets on sale now.

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/eternal-mma-64-tickets-235082958457