Drink and Thinks are a virtual event we have every Friday afternoon internally at ZayZoon. We like to bring on cool and inspiring guests for a fireside chat and hear about their wins, losses and learnings from their journey. This gives an opportunity for the team to step back from the day to day work, unwind and think differently with a new perspective.
Ryan Janes is a mixed martial artist and former UFC fighter with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Oh, and he’s a web-developer.
It didn’t come easy though.
Ryan actually got into martial arts because he was overweight, had body issues, and faced anxiety when it came to “working out” with others. Even after fighting took on a major role in his life, he had to keep pressing forward with tenacity as not one but two “UFC debut” fights got canceled at the last minute. The thought of working so hard towards something and the loss of opportunity in front of you, not once, but twice really exemplifies Ryan’s hard work, hustle, dedication, and mastery.
In this episode of Drink and Think, Ryan touches on his dedication to his fighting career, encompassing aspects like rigorous training, disciplined dieting and the significant time commitment it required.
“I didn't think I could start a sport at 25, considering that I played no sports before. And so I went home, thought about it. Literally the next day I came in and I went, yes, yes I will.” - Ryan Janes
Following a decade of training, Ryan secured a spot in the UFC for his debut fight. Though after months of intense training, strict diet and weight cutting during his training camp, Ryan encountered the unfortunate circumstance of having not just one, but two fights canceled at the last minute.
How do you deal with losing out on such a big opportunity -- not just once, but twice? And how do you stay motivated in spite of it?
“You just had to deal with it. I mean, there's nothing or anything to do really. I got paid like half that purse when It got canceled. I mean, I was really disappointed that I didn't fight in Vancouver 'cause, I'm from Victoria, BC.
Though, I was lucky 'cause I enjoyed the process. I like training and dieting. I didn't love dieting, but I really liked training hard and the dieting kind of came with that more than the fighting itself. So I really enjoyed that process.”
When faced with missed opportunities, setbacks, or unfavourable outcomes, Ryan exemplifies remarkable strength through his ability to embrace acceptance and maintain a positive outlook.
Ryan's story portrays unwavering commitment, dedication, and persistence in the face of challenges. He acknowledges immutable outcomes, embraces them, and maintains momentum without dwelling on losses, thanks to his focused mindset and wholehearted effort.
So if you see something that I don't see, you gotta do it. And that was late in my career to find that out. So it's just this weird combination of building your skills, trusting the people around you and not being afraid to kind of put yourself in uncomfortable positions and then just in the moment, do what you do and also trust.”
I was excited for the opportunity of sharing Ryan’s story as I knew it would resonate strongly with our team. Everyone was so engaged and interactive throughout the entire conversation. Ryan's perspective and approach to his fighting career is inspiring, with his embodiment of qualities like hustle, dedication, wholehearted effort, and a willingness to learn and accept. It was truly a pleasure having him join on an episode of Drink and Think.