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What’s new Braydbunch? You have been creating quite the buzz this week. I thought you were a high school history teacher? Our readers are wondering, how did you ever get involved in combat sports? More importantly, how do you find the time to train while teaching and making music?

Well, yes it’s certainly been quite the week. I still can’t believe that TMZ did a story on me. What a nice surprise that was to wake up to. Unfortunately, I am no longer teaching though. Not sure if you are aware of this, but I went through a lot of crap on the job. Due to chronic discrimination and retalaition simply for being transgender, we ended up in Federal Court. Just like many people are currently hating on me saying I could never become a competitive fighter, many said the same thing about me working in the public education system as a trangender educator and counselor. I proved a lot of people wrong and was always one of the favorites in any school I worked in. However, it seems the higher ups in NYC weren’t ready for a transgender teacher like myself. I won’t go into all the details, but I’ve had people grab my sexual organs at work, I’ve been denied access to a bathroom, denied promotions that the city was legally obligated to give to me and much more. I was even physically attacked on the job on multiple occasions. The city really came for me and tried to smear my name and reputation. Whistleblower laws don’t really work. I won in the end though as I always said I would. They settled. While I was in SXSW touring this March I got a call that it was ending. In the end, NYC seemed to want to pay me to walk away from the job that I loved rather than to hold the evil people who did unspeakable things to me accountable. This even reached the Mayor’s and Governor’s office too. I’ll stop there though. Wait until you all hear the music I wrote about it. People absolutely love my Andrew Cuomo diss track. I certainly have a story to tell. Truthfully, I wish I could get my old boss Luke Bauer in the ring because he got off way too easy for all that he did to me. I don’t think karma has caught up to him just yet. It will though. It always does. Everyone should know what that man did to me. What he got away with.

The positive thing from all the struggle is that without a job, my schedule cleared up. I dedicate every minute of my life to fighting or making music. I really haven’t been too busy with the music because I have these fights to get ready for. However, I definitely got to the studio and made some magic that was inspired by my upcoming fights. I also gotta release some of the songs I got with big name features on them soon. Some of my fans are mad at me because I haven’t released anything new for over a year now. I also started to take down a lot of my old music because the glow up is real. I’m planning on finishing a music video this month too. I think you all will love it, once it comes out.

In all honesty, martial arts were always a passion of mine. Sadly, I gave it all up years ago when I was transitioning. I feel blessed to be given an opportunity to start again. I’m currently training for my big Celebrity Boxing match in Atlantic City. It’s gonna be on October 15th against Mike Mazza. I plan on showing the world what I got that night and can guarantee I will be walking away with the win.

I am even more excited for two possible other fights I am lining up at the moment. A dream of mine is to one day take on Alanna McLaughlin in an MMA match. I know I gotta get myself ready first, but this is a real goal I have set for myself. I’d love to fight Fallon Fox too but like Caitlyn Jenner, I think she has aged out. I’ve seen both of these trans pioneers fight cisgender women. I wonder if they would be down to go into battle with another trans athlete? Maybe Lady Feral, aka Alanna will destroy me? Maybe I will get the best of her? No matter the outcome, it would be an honor and would help change the sport forever.

However, I found two other transgender fighters like myself who are down to fight if we can all meet at the right weight. One girl, Brittany Vaughn, is a kickboxer and a boxer. She is definitely a powerful striker and seems fearless. We might have a kickboxing match which would be the first of its kind between two transgender athletes this December. We would be making history together. If we actually end up doing it, it would be held through the Newline Cagefighting organization. The other girl, Gita Figueroa is a grappler. I’ve seen her make men tap with ease. My grappling is a bit rusty so I know I have a lot to prepare for. Either way both of these girls deserve respect and I hope we get to face off soon.

Wow, you really do have a story to tell? Sorry that you had to go through so much to get to where you are. Do you think your struggles made you into a stronger fighter?

Without a doubt. It’s amazing how people switch up on you when you transition. Those who used to respect me suddenly acted as if they could bully me. I’ve been attacked on the streets, jumped by Albanian Mobsters, was homeless for a bit and slept out of a car… I have had to fight to survive in difficult situations more times than I’d like. It seems like once I transitioned people tried to always make me into a victim. I decided I never wanted to be a victim again. I flipped the script. It’s so funny to see men try to mess with me only to realize they messed with the wrong person. I’ve seen some men’s faces turn ghost white when they realize their mistake. I once had a comedian attack me online, a pretty popular one. In the end he bowed out because as he put it, “I’m not used to the queer people bullying straight people.” I turned the tables on him and he is actually now a fan. I often turn my haters into Stans. Another time a guy jumped me and he was laid out in a split second. He ran away faster than Usain Bolt out of embarrassment.

You know, I really love listening to Mike Tyson and his advice.It would be a dream to make it onto his Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson podcast one day. The dude is a philosopher these days and much of what he shares hits close to home. Much like Mike, I’ve hit rock bottom a few times now. Much like Mike, I’ve struggled with my mental health. But Much like Mike, I’ve learned important lessons from it all. Everyday I am working on myself, and that work doesn’t have to be in a gym.

That was deep. I appreciate you sharing that. So clearly, Mike Tyson has inspired you. Any other athletes you can give credit to for motivating you in training or just in life in general?

I am always being inspired by people. One of my earliest inspirations was actually Dennis Rodman. I loved that man as a kid and when I saw him rocking wedding dresses, he empowered me to just be myself. The dude also happens to be one of the greatest defensive players ever. So thank you Dennis Rodman for inspiring me as a kid. You kept me going when those moments of sadness crept in. I used to pray to GOD each night in Elementary School that I would wake up in a new body. That never happened though. People like Dennis Rodman helped comfort my dysphoria and gave me hope for my future.

I also need to bring up that Thai Fighter Nong Rose. She actually is considered a third gender in her culture, although you might hear her referred to as a Ladyboy. That term sort of makes me cringe, but whatever. Nong Rose was born a man, but transitioned like myself and has risen to superstardom in Thailand. If you don’t know her you should google some of her fights. When I saw her beating the crap out of men with stadiums cheering her on, I knew I wanted to do the same thing. I want to be the American Nong Rose. I’d love to meet her one day. I am planning to head to Thailand to train for a bit. Maybe she could show me a few things.

I also want to give credit to some of the amazing fighters who have come out of Long Island. From Matt Serra, to Chris Weidman, to Steamrolla Frevola and of course I can’t leave out Chris Algieri. All of these fighters are from the same place I came from. Two of them are actually from my hometown. There must be something in our drinking water. Watching them all rise to glory has inspired me to try to do the same, while creating my own lane for transgender athletes like myself.

I never knew that all those fighters came from Long Island. That’s pretty cool.  Any big news to share about your music for our readers?

Get ready for me to release lots and lots of music. I have been so focused on fighting, but it’s time to get my songs back out there. Hoping to have my new music video go live before the October fight.

I also might be heading back to Texas to perform at some shows, including two DaBaby concerts. Next year, I hope to tour if I have the time. If not, expect little shows in NYC and Long Island. I hope some of your readers will try make it to my shows. If they aren’t fans yet, they will be when they leave. My over the top high energy live performances are hard to match.

Exciting stuff, I know I can’t wait to hear it. Any last words before we wrap things up?

Honestly, thanks so much for the interview. Without people like you, no one would know my story. I truly appreciate it. Lastly, let me repeat that I hope some of you make it to my fights. Tickets are on sale for the Celebrity Boxing Match on October 15th. It’s going to be at the Showboat in Atlantic City. Fake Drake will be fighting too. Maybe the real Drake will show up? It should be a lot of fun. If you can’t make it, I hope some of you will order it on pay per view. Much love to everyone!

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