Sam Sheridan's Rise to Fighting
A Fighter's Heart is a Must Read for Mixed Martial Arts Enthusiasts
Sheridan is a highly educated Harvard graduate.
Before writing this book Sheridan lived a Nomad’s life. He changed jobs and location frequently each time searching for more. Sheridan worked across the spectrum of jobs from construction in the South Pole to sailing around the world and joining the Merchant Marines.
He eventually saved a decent amount of cash and found himself in Australia training at a gym where he began to envision training and fighting for a living.
Fairtex Gym
In the first part of the book, after realizing his dream, Sheridan reaches Thailand and the legendary Fairtex gym on Valentines day in 2000. There, he learns the meaning of hard work and dedication. Training several times a day for hours a day while spending the rest of his time in a small room infested with aunts where he slept on a mat. This is a great look into the fighting culture of Thailand and the foreigners who embrace their concepts.
Team Miletich
After Thailand, through a series of contacts, Sheridan winds up at Pat Miletich’s gym in Iowa. Miletich is considered one of the best trainers and his team is one of the most highly respected boosting fighters such as Tim Sylvia and Jens Pulver. Through Sheridan’s eyes, fight enthusiasts can understand the inner workings of US MMA and the reasons for Miletich’s successes as a fighter and trainer.
AABB Gym
In Brazil, Sheridan begins to unfold the secrets of dog fighting, while simultaneously understanding BJJ. In other parts of the world dog fighting is part of the culture and is not executed the same way it is executed in the US. There are many heartfelt lessons learned in this section and a few funny stories to boot.
Tai Chi
In New York City Sheridan understands the extent of a few injuries he has suffered and reluctantly agrees to rest up. In doing so he ponders the inner workings of fighter. What makes a fighter tick? He finds the legendary Tai Chi trainer William C. C. Chen who teaches him about the importance of balancing your inner chi and the benefits for fighters in doing so.
Virgil Hunter, Andre Ward, and Kings Gym Oakland, California
Sheridan explores the art of stand-up in this section and learns from one of the best. He journeys with Andre Ward to fights and buries himself in the world of boxing. Sheridan makes lasting revelations about his fight career through many personal conversations with Hunter and Ward.
Dog Fighting
In the end of the book Sheridan explores the world of fighting from two other perspectives: the world of the dog fighter and the world of the movie scene fighter.
Sheridan offers correlations between fighting dogs and fighting people and explains what “gameness” means to him as a fighter.
Sheridan also spends time with Hollywood heartthrob Paul Walker on the set of a movie full of fight scenes.
Sheridan offers a journey to his readers that many may never be able to take. Any fighter, trainer, fight fan or enthusiast would appreciate Sheridan’s account of the life of a fighter.
Sam Sheridan's Book Jacket
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