I caught Tara online after she had returned home from winning a Toughwoman competition in Wilson, NC just a few hours earlier. I expected the typical fight related interview, but I was surely surprised! What started out as a step by step interview ended up turning into a very interesting conversation with one of the most promising up and coming women mixed martial artists out there. It just goes to show you that you should always expect the unexpected. Everyone has his or her own unique story and Tara is no exception. There is more to Tara LaRosa than just the steely determination and the heart of a fighter. Read on and decide for yourself…
Neo-Gen: Congrats on your victory at Hook N Shoot. I know you were pretty excited about that.
Tara LaRosa: Thanks.
NG: Were you satisfied with your performance?
TL: For the most part yes. I did exactly what I had been training for.
NG: Looking back, would you change anything about it?
TL: I would have taken a Thai clinch and thrown knees to the head.... but I am satisfied with how everything went.
NG: What was your overall impression of the event as a whole?
TL: It was absolutely awesome, everything that I was involved in ran smoothly... I thought the show, as a whole was very organized, the Hook N Shoot crew was great.
NG: Going into the event, how was it knowing that you were making your pro debut on a show that was broadcast on Japanese PPV?
TL: Nerve wrecking! I was concerned that I might be going pro too early, having only had one prior fight. I think it was a wise choice to be in the show though, it was groundbreaking for women in MMA, and I am happy to be in on the ground floor of that.
NG: Do you feel like that will open doors for you in the future?
TL: Yes, very much so.
NG: What were your thoughts about fighting Shelby Walker?
TL: Well, I knew what she was training in and for how long, I also had access to both of her previous fights on tape, so that helped. Plus I had talked to several people that had trained with her. I was prepared for her
NG: A lot of people unfamiliar with you had you pegged as an underdog since Shelby already had a few pro fights. What did you think about that?
TL: Good. I like being the underdog. It doesn't bother me at all.
NG: Do you feel like you get the credit you deserve as a competitor?
TL: It's still too early in my career for people to even know who I am and what I am all about. Not many people have actually seen me fight.
NG: When can we expect to see you compete again?
TL: Well I have a few things in the works for possibly May and June... but I am definitely looking at fighting in July.
NG: Do you have an opponent lined up already?
TL: Actually yes, for the July date an opponent has already been determined, and I am pretty sure who I will be fighting against in May or June, if negotiations go well.
NG: Can you give us a hint as to who it is?
TL: No hints for May or June, because those fights are not set yet. Actually I'm not going to throw out the July name because I am not sure if I am supposed to release that yet. (Laughs) Sorry about that.
NG: How does your training effect your confidence in the ring?
TL: Tough to say really. On one hand I train 5 days a week 3-5 hours a day, everything is covered... standing, ground work, transitions. I do cardio and technique drilling, and a lot of rollin'. So I know I am ready when I get in there. On the other hand, I am constantly telling myself, even if I am in top shape or my game is the best it has ever been, that I'm terrible. I am my own harshest critic.
NG: What is your favorite aspect of training? Do you like the standup? The ground work?
TL: I like it all. It depends on how I am feeling on a particular day. I like putting it all together. I like working pads first because it focuses me. It sets the tone for the rest of training.
NG: How have the people you have worked with help to improve your overall game?
TL: They have given me everything. I had no standup training before I came to Team ROC, so they have really helped me there. Everyone has been great. My trainers Aitor "Spencer" Canup and Jason Culbreth have spent countless hours drilling moves and situations. They are VERY patient. I have also picked up some things here and there from Eddy Rolon and John Doran when I was at home in NJ... and of course Casey Oxendine and Ian Boxhorn in TN.
NG: Who or what is the biggest influence on your training?
TL: In MMA... people like Jens Pulver who is 100% all heart and the constant underdog who keeps coming out on top, and Wanderlei Silva who just goes out there and destroys whoever is in front of him, and Royce Gracie who shocked the world with this art called BJJ. On a more personal level I am most inspired by my father. He is a man who has persevered through some of the most tragic times in a person's life and through some of the economically hardest times in the past 30 years... and has built his dreams when everyone tried to tear him down. I hope someday I can make my dreams a reality and take a page out of his book and be as successful as he has been.
NG: Wow...that is great. It seems that you have a close relationship with your dad.
TL: Not really... (laughs)... I just admire and respect everything he has accomplished. Actually I am very close with my whole family... but, dad and I have never been buddy buddy, ya know? Mom was always the one I ran to.
NG: (laughs)... Girls gotta stick together huh?
TL: (laughs)... nah... we just never had a real "Leave it to Beaver" kind of family. We are kinda stiff, we don't joke around that much.
NG: (laughs)….How have your family members dealt with your involvement in combat sports? Are they supportive or hesitant about it?
TL: They hate it... and I have to hear how much they hate it all the time. "Tara get your life together, Tara get your priorities straight." They think it's just some hobby that I let occupy most of my time... they think it's awful and dangerous... they don't understand. I have tried so hard to explain to them, but they don't want to hear it. I showed my mom a 22 second clip off the net of one of my grappling matches a few months ago, and she broke down in tears, just sobbing and hugging me. That freaked me out. So I try hard not to discuss MMA or anything associated with it, with them. But when I am so close with my family, and MMA is such a huge part of my life... it's very stressful.
NG: I can imagine. They sound like they are really protective over you. Is that the case?
TL: Yes, they are and were very protective of me. I was supposed to be "daddy's little girl", and my mom was trying to raise Scarlet O'Hara. (laughs)... It seems that something has gone awry.
NG: (laughs)......Scarlet O'Hara? Is that why they named you Tara?
TL: (sighs)... yes... I was named after the (edit) plantation in Gone With the Wind.
NG: A lot of people are familiar with Tara the competitor, but few of us know Tara the person. It is obvious that there is more to you than grappling and MMA. Tell us a bit about your life outside of MMA. You are in college, right?
TL: (laughs) Uhhh, actually MMA and training and competing take up most of my time. As for college... is it getting hot in here, or is it just me? (laughs)I have completed 5 years of college and have 24 credits left, but I decided to take some time off because I was really burnt out on school. I find it a waste of time and money to continue doing something half-assed, and I was not focused on classes. Never fear... I will go back, once I start something I always finish it. Other than MMA, I don't really go out much; I am not a partier at all. I like photography, so I do a lot of that. I love paintball, but I have not had the chance to play in a while. I have been scuba diving, parasailing, skydiving, I'm an archery instructor, (laughs)I like plays... For 12 years my #1 thing was field hockey. So that took up much of my time.... but I really like traveling and competing.
NG: Wow, you seem to have a very diverse range of activities there. What would possess you to want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?
TL: To see what it was like. I was told it is the ultimate adrenaline rush... personally, it wasn't all that thrilling. Scuba diving was more of a rush.
NG: What did you like so much about scuba diving?
TL: Well, knowing that once you submerge and you are diving deeper and deeper, and you are surrounded but billions of tons of gallons of water, and that if that valve or that tank malfunctions... you're screwed. Tell me that isn't the ultimate rush. Plus it's like leaving the world you know, and going into another one... humans don't live in the sea or under water. Try doing that at night... that's a freakin' rush man!!!
NG: (laughs)I can imagine. Do you like music?
TL: I love music.
NG: What kind of music do you listen to?
TL: I like about everything except country and jazz. Right now POD and Linkin Park are my favorites.
NG: Not a big country fan? I wonder why.
TL: Blah! Country depresses me.
NG: (laughs)hats what they all say. Was it a big culture shock for you moving from New Jersey to come down here to North Carolina?
TL: (laughs)I can remember thinking..."does everyone in the South talk like this? Why do they talk and drive and walk so slow!?!" It took a little getting used to. People are much nicer down here.
NG: So have gotten used to the laid back ways of the South yet?
TL: For the most part, yeah... but when I am trying to get information from someone or I am trying to convey a message and people are just taking their good ol time, it drives me up the wall. and.. well... the Highway Patrol doesn't really like me in North Carolina.
NG: Uh oh....is this a story for the tabloids?
TL: (laughs) no comment.
NG: (laughs)....Do you watch many movies?
TL: Yes, when I get a chance.
NG: Do you have any favorites?
TL: Stigmata, Training Day, Full Metal Jacket, Platoon, Matrix.....all the UFCs... Prides... KOTCs... IFCs..(laughs)
NG: (laughs) You had to throw the fight vids in there, huh? An MMAer through and through.
TL: (laughs) I have a lot of them...(laughs) sorry... I can't help it... one track mind.
NG: It happens. What kinds of stuff do you like to do to just chill out and take your mind off things?
TL: Watch a movie, go visit my friends in Tennessee, music, Sleep.
NG: Sleep is very important. Have you set any long or short term goals for yourself?
TL: Well, so far I have accomplished a major goal, which was to earn a field hockey scholarship to college. A short term goal I am doing pretty well with is just to get out of bed every day.(laughs) I have always dreamed of competing in something and being recognized on a world wide level... not necessarily to be the best, but just to be on that level... I just want to be remembered for something I guess.
NG: Well, that about does it for the interview. Do you have any final words you'd like to say to all of your fans and supporters out there?
TL: Thank you for all your support and criticism, everything helps me. Honestly I do appreciate everything everyone has done for me especially Spencer and Jason. And I would like to again thank Jeff Osborne and the Hook N Shoot crew for a terrific job with the womens show, I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to show the world what I can do.
Interview conducted by Steve Loftin (20 April 02)
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