Funny story. I'm not the world's biggest kickboxing fan but I do enjoy it. And, when I watch it I tend to like fighters who go to war rather than fighting in a more technical style to win on points. And, one fighter that goes to war a lot is Joe Schilling. Whom I was only moderately aware of & had only seen fight once or twice before he KO'd Melvin Manhoef in Bellator. Which put him on my radar & who I began following as a result.
So, he became my favorite active kickboxer.
Fast forward a couple of years & I meet my eventual fiance who used to work for the UFC & for Team Oyama's gym in Huntington Beach a few years ago as a PT/medical tech. And, while discussing her time there it came up that she used to date Schilling. Weird, huh?
I don't know how I feel about it.
On one hand, it's sort of cool. I mean, every adult has past relationships so it's no big deal. That time in her life could have been taken up by some random dude or it could have been taken up by Schilling. Right? So, it's no big deal.
On the other hand, though, it's just sort of strange. I mean I'm an Eskimo brother to an individual that was one of my favorite fighters. I don't dwell on that fact but it's there.
Plus, being a former pro fighter myself I've always had comfort in knowing that I could very likely beat up any of my girlfriend's previous significant others. Yeah, it's a lame male ego thing but I won't deny it. But, in this case, obviously, that's not the case. So that's weird. I've never had to deal with it before but while it's a bit humbling it's no big deal. I'm dealing with it just fine. And it's not as if she ever really brings him up.
But, I'm curious, if you were in my shoes how would you handle it? Would it bother you or not?
