A California girl born on March 20th 1989 in Torrance, California and grew up in Riverside, California. Growing up a kicker Tiffany also attended Cal State San Marcos to play soccer where she also received a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. Shortly after college she followed her heart and became a full-time fighter. Babes of MMA recently caught up with Muay Thai world champion Tiffany Van Soest right before her big fight this Friday for the interview below.
How did you get involved in martial arts and how long have you been training?
-I started karate when I was 8 years old simply because I liked Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I fell in love with punching and kicking and never looked back.
Where are you currently training, and what's a typical training week like for you?
-I train at Black House in LA and Team Nogueira in San Diego. A typical training week consists of 10-12 sessions (2 sessions per day, 5-6 days a week) including strength and conditioning, drills and technique, and sparring.
Tell us about your upcoming fight, who you're fighting and where?
-I'm fighting Natalie Yip at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas.
What is your best experience as a fighter? What is your worst?
-My best experience was definitely winning the WBC title back in October. My worst was probably the bad weight cut I had last summer before I fought Jemyma Betrian.
What advice would you give to other women who are reading this interview and want to get started in combat sports like Muay Thai and MMA?
- Don’t get discouraged. Combat sports are extremely challenging physically and mentally. But if you take your time to really learn and absorb the lifestyle, you will be able to overcome the challenges no matter what they are.
What or who are your inspirations in the martial arts and life?
-With my karate background, I’ve always been a huge fan of Bruce Lee. In life, I am inspired by the doubt, hardship, and struggle I have faced and will face. Overcoming adversity gives a sense of confidence and inner strength that drives me to be the best me I can possibly be.
Who are your favorite Muay Thai/MMA fighters?
-Oh there’s a big list! Rob Kaman, Andy Souwer, Kevin Ross, Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo, just to name a few.
When will we see your debut MMA fight?
-I don’t really have a set time period for when I will transition to MMA. I’m a go with the flow kind of person so when the time is right, I’ll make the transition.
How do you enjoy your free time when not training or fighting?
-I enjoy spending time at the beach surfing, skateboarding, and riding my bike. I also like to dance. I’m really into music so I enjoy going to concerts. I played soccer my whole life as well so I like to still play pickup games or indoor.
Of course we have a few questions for the male readership as well.
Are you single?
-Yes.
What do you look for in a guy?
-Someone who is completely supportive of what I do, but not intrusive. Also, someone who is not jealous or insecure. I work and train in a male dominated industry and have more guy friends than girls, so if a guy can’t handle that, then he’s not for me.
What are your turn-ons?
-A fit, lean body, nice smile, athleticism, goofy and witty sense of humor, and a good dancer.
What are your turnoffs?
-Immaturity, insecure, sloppy, jealous, and clingy.
What would you say is your best feature?
-My walk-out shirt is a dynamite stick with a big booty. I’ll let you figure it out from that haha. I’d like to think it’s my sparkling personality or at least my eyes or something haha.
Any future plans or dreams?
-Keep training, learning, and growing as a martial artist. I’d like to travel and fight in different countries. Maybe try my hand at MMA. I just want to love what I do and be the best at it.
Any shout outs you would like to make?
-Thank you to my family, friends, fans, and coaches and teammates at Team Nogueira and Black House. My strength and conditioning coach Krzysztof Soszynski, my nutritionist Eric Triliegi. Of course a big Thank you to my sponsors Trebla Sports, Black Belt Surfing, Guard Ya Grill, 858 Fight Shop, and Can’t Stop Crazy.
Thank you very much for your time and good luck on Friday Tiffany! Give Tiffany a follow and shout out on Facebook and Twitter.
Tiffany Van Soest def. Natalie Yip via unanimous decision.
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