We are thrilled to introduce Miranda Maverick as our newest #TeamYOLKED ambassador! Miranda is a professional MMA fighter in the UFC, currently ranked #14 in the world at flyweight. Training out of Easton Training Center Denver and Pound 4 Pound Muay Thai in Denver, Colorado, Miranda’s journey from learning Brazilian jiu-jitsu at home to competing on the world stage exemplifies the determination and hard work that #TeamYOLKED stands for. We are excited to support her on her incredible journey!
Hi, my name is Miranda Maverick. I am a professional MMA fighter in the UFC currently ranked #14 in the world at my weight class (flyweight). I currently train in Denver, Colorado out of Easton Training Center Denver and Pound 4 Pound Muay Thai under the tutelage of Eliot Marshall and Justin Houghton.
Give us a brief background of how you've evolved in your sport?
I started Martial Arts with Brazilian jiu-jitsu not even wanting to fight and then decided I would try it and if I liked it and one I would go be the best I could be. I started my interest in Brazilian jiu-jitsu due to training at home in the living room from a young age with my siblings and my dad. We would watch the UFC and even YouTube videos of how to do moves and learn them. When I got old enough to drive myself, I decided I would go to a gym and learn jiu-jitsu formally. Look how that turned out!
Who has been your main source of motivation over the years? Where do you find more motivation: doubters or supporters?
My main source of inspiration has been my dad who has been in my corner for pretty much all of my fights and been a great role model of who I’m trying to be in life, especially with all of his achievements and how far he has come from where he was raised.
I get the same amount of inspiration from my haters and supporters. I want to be a great role model for other kids and women and even men. But I also want to show haters that they can hate all they want and I’m still going to keep achieving.
What is the biggest mental challenge you've had to face in your sport and how have you conquered that?
The biggest mental challenge I’ve faced is not taking anything for granted. Two days before my UFC debut I found out that I had two torn retinas and had to get emergency surgery and was told that I would never fight again. I did in fact get eye surgeries on both eyes, but I was back within a few months fighting in the UFC octagon. God is the only reason for that; a miracle and I'm so grateful for the second opportunity at my dream. UFC is not the end for me, but it is a memes to the end for me to accomplish all the goals that I want in life through investments and setting up my family to be supported.
Ultimately, I want to make it to where I’m not working a 9 to 5 for the rest of my life when I get done fighting and instead of figured out business models that work.
What do you do to make sure you're physically and mentally prepared for competition? What’s your “secret”?
I did not have a secret just like there is no magic pill to weight loss, but I work very hard every day both on my mental physical and spiritual aspect of health.
I train on average about four hours a day with one rest day a week and I make sure I get in plenty of recovery throughout the week too. I find it great to keep my mind busy outside of fighting as well whether it be with my businesses, my job or simply reading or drawling. It is always nice to get rest too by going outside and taking a walk or doing some activity outdoors.
Describe your recovery strategies. How do you know if those recovery strategies are working?
I do everything I can to recover and stay healthy throughout Fight camp and off-season. Everything from chiropractor to massage work to physical therapy for preventative measures. I also make sure that I eat healthy and used to use a nutritionist to teach me how.
Now I work with various sponsors, such as YOLKED, eat clean bro, the chicken pound, and others to make sure I am eating healthy and staying on a regular regimen.
What's Your "Y"? What keeps you going and training as hard as you do?
My goal in life is to make a positive impact on as many people as I can, and hopefully bring some to Christ along the way. I try to live a lifestyle that promotes that by being a good role model for the next generation and being someone that others can look up to. This is not just in my athletic endeavors, but in every action I take in life which keeps me accountable.
Along with being a role model my family is also my Y. I want to set a good example for my future children and for my siblings and I also want to be able to help them by the investments and decisions that I make now.
Where do you see yourself as an athlete in 5 years?
I hope that I have made the right investments to where I can retire in five years, but still live on through my example of my career. I hope that I will have made it to the top five if not title contention by then and be able to raise a family.
Favorite motivational mentor?
John Wayne, Andy Griffith, and anyone else saying that values and having standards are important count as my mentors.
Why are you Team YOLKED?
I have been enjoying YOLKED now for about three months and want to continue working with them. It is absolutely awesome for a snack between trainings and just to have a healthy snack that quenches my hunger whether its throughout my regular days, on a hike, or even during fight camp. The sweet taste makes it almost seem like candy. Yet, it is healthy, packed with protein and keeps me at my highest potential throughout the day.