Motocross Performance Magazine Canadian Motocross news leader
In many athletes’ lives, it’s often difficult to make time to get away. Professional athletes are dedicated to their sport and when it comes to training they usually don’t take a break. For Miesha Tate and Bryan Caraway, it’s about having a balance. Both are extremely dedicated to mixed martial arts and are both ranked within the top three in the world as bantamweight fighters for the UFC. As professional fighters, their schedules usually don’t lineup to get away, but when it does they like to go to places that they can get out and enjoy another passion of theirs…Powersports! Years ago, one of Bryan’s friends from Ontario invited them to come up to enjoy the backcountry and wilderness of Ontario. Bryan could not pass up the invite, but was struggling to take some time away from the gym to head north. In the Spring of 2016, coming off one of the biggest wins of his career, Bryan could finally spare a few days off before having to return to training in the summer of 2016. Miesha, who was also rebounding from a huge fight, was in much need of a break as well to recharge the batteries before hopping back into the octagon. Well, just before Labour Day, the stars aligned and these two athletes were able to head to Ontario for the time of their lives. Yamaha Motor Canada was able to help equip these guys throughout their journey.
Their trip started in the region of Grey Bruce Simcoe where the Horseshoe Valley Resort was their host. After a little bit of training with Clinton Smout, the athletes were on their way to check out the trails of the Barrie area. These two fighters had a blast trying the trail bikes as well as the dirt bikes. What an adventure. They even had time for a quick run down the zip line before continuing on to Haliburton County. They were met by Cal and Dudley of Backcountry Tours and Cottages. Most people don’t realize that this incredible, remote wilderness is just a couple of hours from the world’s busiest airport. Backcountry Cottages is so remote and quaint that it only had enough room for the athletes. Our crew stayed just out from the beautiful village of Haliburton at the Pinestone Resort overlooking the golf course. “Riding the quads was the best of both worlds,” Tate mentioned in reference to the fact that she rides a dirt bike and a side by side at home. The guides at Backcountry made our athletes feel at home, in fact, they didn’t want to leave, but their vacation had a lot more in store. The pair set off for North Bay where they stayed at yet another Northern ‘green’ at the Clarion Pinewood Park. It was in there that they were able to catch up with a little gym time and go ‘punk’ the students of Grounded Studio. To see this, just search for the clip of Bryan and Miesha in North Bay, and you’ll see the full video on YouTube.
Their final day was spent visiting the Mattawa-Bonfield area of Northeastern Ontario to ride the notoriously known VMUTS trail system. Bryan really loved the neat little spot they stay at called Cedar Gables, and the two of them got a chance to ride some unspoiled terrain with nobody on the trails. The experience was surreal for both Miesha and Bryan who vowed to come back to ride the trails by snowmobile in the winter.
You can clearly see from the full video that has been posted on northernontario.travel that this was a much needed vacation for both Miesha and Bryan. At the time that I’m writing this, Miesha is now in Thailand, training for her upcoming fight at UFC 205 to be held at Madison Square Gardens on November 12th where she is making her return for another run at the world title, and Bryan is waiting for his shot at top Bantamweight in the world, after a well-deserved break in the province of Ontario.
For all of us at MXP, good luck guys!
Catching Up With Miesha Tate:
MXP: First off, tell our readers what it’s like being a UFC fighter?
MT: Fighting is a number of different things. It’s beautiful, it’s incredibly intense, and it’s obviously very competitive. I don’t think you’ll find a more competitive sport out there, and for some reason I’m really drawn to it.
MXP: Most people out there see all forms of fighting as being entertainment, and it has become very popular. What is it like doing this as a job?
MT: Well, I guess being a UFC fighter is a lot like any other tough 9-5 job, except it doesn’t really include a desk or an office. When I’m training I show up for work in the morning at the gym, I get thrown around, punched in the face and pretty beat up some days. I have my good days and my bad days like everyone else. I love it, though, and I really feel like it’s made me a better person, and it’s made me really grow. Because of this, it’s a really addictive lifestyle for me.
MXP: Being a professional athlete really involves a lot of learning. Do you find the constant learning very motivating?
MT: Most definitely, I think that is the most exciting part of my job. Every day I learn new things about how to perform and I learn things about myself. I think that the day we stop learning is the day that life becomes boring.
MXP: Like motocross, your sport can be very glamorous to the public eye. However, I don’t think a lot of people understand the effort that goes into it behind the scenes.
MT: You’re right, people see us in the octagon under the lights and it looks very cool. Don’t get me wrong, it is very cool but there is so much that goes on to prepare for our 15 minutes in front of the cameras. They don’t see the amount of blood, sweat and tears we put in at the gym, the diet we have to follow, the sleep regiment we go through, and the weight cuts we have go through right before our fights. Being a UFC fighter is a real “get out of it what you put in to it” sport, for sure.
MXP: So having described all of that, coming to Ontario to relax and recharge your batteries must be exactly what you need after a fight.
MT: Coming to Ontario is just such a change of pace for us and it provides a perfect place to reflect on what we’ve done and what to look forward to in the future. For instance, when I was out on Turtle Bay on that Waverunner, the water was calm and glassy, there was no one out there, and it was just so peaceful. You know, I’ve always heard stories about how beautiful it is up here, but once I saw it for myself, it’s really better than I could’ve imagined. Our trip to Ontario has accomplished exactly what we wanted it to.
MXP: Over the course of your time here, you’ve been recognized numerous times. How does it make you feel to be able to affect people in such positive ways that you can actually improve a person’s day?
MT: Without a doubt that is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. I take great pride that I’m able
to meet someone for the first time and connect with them. As I said before, yes my job is a difficult one with many ups and downs, but I feel really blessed to be able to do what I do every day. There are a lot of people out there who live very tough lives, and if meeting me, talking and maybe getting an autograph makes their day better then I’ve done my job.
MXP: Who have been you’re big influences on your journey to the UFC?
MT: Throughout my life I’ve had a number of good people in my life to help guide me. Surprisingly, not a lot have been female, most have been male. I’m lucky enough to be part of a great organization like the UFC that has so many talented individuals in it. All of the UFC greats have influenced me over the years either knowingly or unknowingly, their toughness, their resiliency, their technique, just everything. I’ve prided myself on being open to learning from them and I think that is why I am where I am right now.
MXP: Overall, how would you say your trip to beautiful Ontario was?
MT: It was incredible, it really was. The people, the scenery, and all of the activities were great. There was even one day when we rode for half the day in the trails and then headed to a gym to meet some fans. That day was really long and lasted almost 12 hours, but it was still fun and that was a compliment to the people I’ve met.
MXP: Final question Miesha. You obviously had fun riding; are we going to see you on two wheels again soon?
MT: For sure, I have to travel overseas to train for my next fight. Once I get that over with then I will definitely try to ride again.
