Maca and MMA – An Interview with Championship Fighter Mike “The Misfit” Koelzer

Since we began The Maca Team, we have been continuously inspired by the countless individuals who have taken Maca to literally change their lives. We have shared many of their stories on our testimonials page, but we knew we could do more for you our readers.

Mike “The Misfit” Koelzer is a championship Mixed Martial Arts and Muay Thai fighter based in Southern California, and he has been taking Maca from The Maca Team for quite some time. We recently interviewed Mike for a new series of conversations with those who are taking Maca to the next level. (Mike's comments are in blue)

"Mike, it’s great to talk with you and we’re excited to learn more about your journey. Please give us a little background into your goals and how you got where you are today.

After I concluded my Wrestling Career at Poway High School outside San Diego, I joined a band and turned my focus to music. I spent 10 years performing in bands and DJing which landed me in Brazil for a year where I found Jiu Jitsu.

Once I returned to the States I almost died from a ruptured appendix and after 10 days in the ICU I decided, “When I get out of the hospital I am getting back into shape.”

I walked out of the hospital and right into Rey Diogo Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in Los Angeles, and I never looked back. I re-discovered the love for grappling that I had in High School, and I started training intensely.

Then the Ultimate Fighter Show started, and once I saw the Forrest Griffin vs. Stefano Bonnar fight at the end of the 1st season in 2005, I decided I wanted to fight MMA. I began working on my striking first with boxing and then Kenpo Karate, though it was not until I found Boxing Works in Hermosa Beach that I really began to understand stand up fighting.

Six months after I joined Boxing Works I won my first Muay Thai fight at the Thai New Years festival in LA, and the following year I won the championship belt. The best part is, when I won the belt I fought alongside my future wife who is also an accomplished Muay Thai fighter. She holds 3 championship belts and she is undefeated."

"Maca has helped me have the chance to pursue my dream of becoming a Professional MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and Muay Thai fighter by helping me to keep up with all these 20 year olds. I am no spring chicken"

That’s incredible! Now I can appreciate your dedication and drive. I want to ask you more about your wife’s experience in a moment, but first, how has Maca helped you in your athletic career?

"While on this journey I began having trouble keeping up with the 2-a-day workouts since I am an older fighter. Many athletes talk about using HGH* or Steroids or TRT**. I didn't want to get into using these potentially dangerous and life altering methods. I then found Maca while doing research after recovering from broken ribs, since I really had a hard time getting back into shape. About one week after I started using Maca I had so much more endurance and drive."

That’s pretty impressive that you felt the effects after only one week. What does more endurance and drive look like on a day-to-day basis?

I’ll give you an example… I’ve only owned a bicycle for about a year and a half here in LA, and I was biking 20 to 60 miles a day on it before my injury. After I began taking Maca, I realized I was powering up and over hills that were previously a struggle."

Awesome! Now, I realize a lot of our readers are probably wondering about your wife’s experience with Maca. Was she taking it before you met her?

"Actually, I introduced Maca to my wife-to-be when we began training together. Her biggest question was if Maca was ok for women to take. This was before I found the Maca Team. Your site provides much more details about Maca than any other source I have found, and it has been an incredible guide for the two of us. Just for starters, I didn't know back then that there were different types of Maca. The research I did at the time showed us that Maca was not just ok, it is beneficial for women. Now that we have found the Maca Team we can actually get specialized Maca ie Red or Black to increase those benefits even more." (Editor’s Note: Please refer to our Maca Comparison page for more details )

I’m sure our readers would like to know how long you have been using Maca, and which kinds you prefer.

"I have been using Maca for 6 years now. I started with the Raw powder and then after some research switched to Gelatinized. Like I said, it was not until I found The Maca Team that I discovered that there were actually different types of Maca ie Black, Red and Cream."

Glad to hear it, and I’m sure you’re not alone in learning about the different varieties of Maca from The Maca Team. How do you like to take Maca?

"I typically take the Maca in a glass of water in the morning and then after my training I mix a heaping teaspoon of Maca with 2 scoops of vanilla protein powder and about a tablespoon of Cacao Nibs. It's amazing... no matter how tired I am after an intense practice that Maca Protein Cacao combo revives me every time. I found so many improvements in how I felt I became an advocate for Maca. Now many of my friends clients, and teammates use it on a regular basis."

(Editor’s Note - Please see our complete overview on our Maca Dosage and Recipes page for more on ways to use Maca). What kinds of questions about Maca do you hear from your friends, clients, and teammates? 

"Most questions I get from friends are about dosage and where to get it since they know I am such a proponent. The friends and fellow athletes I have introduced to Maca have confirmed the benefits of more energy, endurance, stamina and drive."

Mike, we’re grateful you have experienced such incredible benefits from Maca. Do you have any closing thoughts for our readers?

"When you asked me to interview I was very excited about the opportunity to help spread the word about Maca. It is truly Nature's solution to Steroids! Maca has given me the chance to live my dream and continues to drive me. I am excited to get back in the ring next year. Look out for big things from The Misfit and The Maca Team!"

It sure sounds like you’re well on your way! Thank you for taking the time to share your story with us. We wish you the best of success as you continue to train.

* HGH: Human Growth Hormone *TRT: Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Enjoy the Day!