Since becoming involved with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Mixed Martial Arts I often found myself outside of the target demographic, and despite dedicating my life to training and competing I have a constant feeling of exclusion from the brands and figures who represent the sport. I often feel left out, and exploited by the companies and people involved. Far be it from me to cast judgement on anyone else, or put myself on a pedestal, but as far as the oversized muscles, undersized Affliction shirt, gel hair and puffed out chest uniform goes... I can't relate.
Let's face it. The state of MMA, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling are geared towards meat heads. I weigh 135 pounds, I keep my skateboard on my kitchen counter where most keep their whey protein shake powder. I eat tofu, not steak. And I grew up listening to Bad Brains, not "Let the bodies hit the floor! Let the bodies hit the floor!" So where do I fit in, or does the sport I love not love me back?
To me, fighting is a game of chess. Your technique and skill is your toolbox, and you use your head to employ them. These sports have so much more to offer than dick sword chest tattoos and hammer fists. Why do we limit ourselves to designing shirts with blood splatters and chain link fence patterns? Why is art, and creativity ignored in favor of appealing to a mass market?
I believe in artwork that is formed with paper and ink, not a computer and Photoshop brushes. I believe in in fair prices for product, not a $50 t shirt. I believe in DIY mentality and being real, and I believe there is not enough of that representing us as fighters.
CULT exists because I had a problem, and I didn't want to be the type of person to sit around and complain about the things other people (and companies for that matter) do. It is a way of expressing myself, doing things my own way, with my own ideas and opinions, and my own artwork. CULT is my outlet and active involvement within the community I love as well as a celebration of art, creativity and of course fighting.
