Words With A MAD Coach

WrestleMania 41 Night 1 Review

Giving my perspective on how the show was presented overall

Mindset Mix

Trey "The War Train" Rhodes

Trey "The War Train" Rhodes has rapidly emerged as a formidable force in the amateur welterweight division, boasting a 6 and 1 record. Training out of Carolina Combat Sports and Fitness in Charlotte, North Carolina--home to UFC athlete Bryan Battle--Rhodes has carved out a name for himself with relentless grappling pressure, fight IQ, and dominant positional control. He’s shown his well-roundedness by securing wins through knockouts, submissions, and gritty decisions, building momentum even after a setback against Anthony Collins in August 2023. That third-round TKO loss proved to be a turning point: since then, Rhodes has rattled off six straight victories, each more decisive than the last.
 
Rhodes’ performances have only grown more clinical with time. Most recently, in back-to-back showings, he steamrolled through respected opposition with top-tier grappling and suffocating ground control. His March 15, 2025 victory earned him the Ultimate Battle Grounds 170-pound amateur championship, followed closely by a title win at Conflict MMA on April 5, 2025. Both bouts displayed his patience under pressure, calculated control, and a refusal to sacrifice position for flashy finishes--hallmarks of high-level MMA awareness. Whether it was hammerfists from mount, textbook transitions, or the surgical application of a rear naked choke, Rhodes made each moment count.
 
With a high fight IQ, championship-level poise, and guidance from one of the most respected gyms in the state, Rhodes is poised for a breakout at the pro level. As he sharpens his game under the Carolina Combat banner, fans and promoters alike are starting to recognize what insiders have known for some time: "The War Train" isn't just passing through--he's building steam.

The Love Of Intelligence

The Love of Intelligence is the deep, abiding passion for understanding, questioning, and uncovering truth—not for pride, but for progress. It is a discipline of curiosity, where thinking becomes an act of love, not superiority. To love intelligence is to value clarity over confusion, insight over impulse, and wisdom over noise. It respects reason, honors doubt, and pursues knowledge as a means of both personal growth and communal elevation. Whether applied to combat, art, relationships, or science, the love of intelligence is a devotion to evolving with awareness, not just reacting with instinct. It's not about being the smartest in the room—it's about being the most aware, the most precise, and the most open to growth.

Back To Business

It's time to refocus and recharge. Shows, Fights, and Events are coming up. Someone has to talk about them; it might as well be me.

I Won't Die Easily

Another Near-Death Experience, and I am mostly afraid of the fact that I was not afraid!

New Adventures

You walk in your purpose every day.

Purpose

Your House Is On Fire

Need to understand emotional context? Then, imagine if your house were on fire, how would you respond?

What is on the inside?

In today’s episode, we explore how starting a business—or any committed venture—can act as a pressure test for character and a revelation tool for self-awareness. Whether it’s martial arts or lemon pies, profit or passion, the act of trying itself teaches you who you really are. Success is secondary. Growth is the goal.