We have many amazing people with interesting stories that walk into all our gyms! The member spotlight turns to Tina Trinh, our Iron-fisted Chef and Banh Mi Brawler! She punches, kicks, grapples and cooks (check out her Instagram – @food_by_tina ) for not only herself, but everyone else (most notably, husband Tim Baker). Read on to find out more about this absolute super woman!
Occupation: Compliance analyst for an Industry fund/ feeder of Tim Baker
Martial Arts/Sports: Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
How did you get into the sport?
My origin story is quite boring and tame. I used to go to my local suburban leisure center to workout- think body pump group workouts with suburban mums and middle aged ladies. I used to do laps up and down the pool trying to overtake the 80 year old Croatian grandmother who would walk up and down the lap lane to help with her arthritis. I was bored and wanted to change things up, so in 2012, I decided to try martial arts- I went to a gym that did Muay Thai, JKD, Kali Arnis and Boxing. Then in 2014 I decided I’d go to Thailand for a training holiday, and trained at a MMA gym where I got my first taste doing BJJ. The rest, as they say, is history.
What are your immediate training goals?
After my last MMA fight which saw me receive a fractured orbital- shout out to my very supportive husband who flew interstate to Queensland and drove me back to Melbourne (18 hrs over 2 days!) while getting dirty looks for my bunged up face, my immediate training goals are…to get back into the cage (haha). I’ve had some time off since then and I feel ready to get back into it, yeah it sucked at the time, but the lifespan of a cage fighter can be so short. I want to make the most of it while I’m still young and capable.
What are your goals for the next five years?
To be still training and cartwheel passing my haters. More comps, be it BJJ or MMA. I also want to try Schwingen! Look it up! It’s the Swiss version of wrestling- its essentially a national sport over there, and they do it up in the Swiss Alps. Definitely a bucket list item for me is to one day travel there, and try my hand at one of their competitions!
Why do you love training at Absolute MMA?
The thing I love about Absolute MMA is that I get to train with the best coaches and teammates, people who aren’t just workout proximity associates- but people who I’d be okay with being seen out on the streets with (haha)! You guys are good friends, cliches of cliches, you’re a second family to me. Perhaps there’s something about choking each other out or punching one another in the face that engenders some sort of camaraderie, but it’s totally there.
Absolute MMA also has great facilities, a packed timetable and three different locations within Melbourne, so you’re never short of new or different training partners, and now are even located in Shanghai and Phuket. I’ve even had the privilege to train at the Phuket location! Hold back the tears readers, but yes, I’m proud to be a part of such an amazing gym. (I’ll take my payment for writing this article in Absolute reward points, thanks!)
What is your favorite move?
For those that have rolled with me (in BJJ), they’d say the cartwheel pass, but because I’ve been given so much shit about it by *ahem*…a few people (clearly the haters are just jealous and wish they could do a cartwheel as well as me), I’ve tried to change my game up a bit (and also so people can feel less inadequate about their cartwheels). Right now though, I suppose my favorite move is either the low single take down- it helps that I’m so short and so low to the ground already (haha), and I also like a double leg take down with an outside trip.
Can you tell us about where you’re from and any interesting stories growing up? If you’re not originally from Melbourne, how’d you end up living in Melbourne, Australia?
I’m from Melbourne, I was born here and I have lived here all my life. My parents are from Vietnam though and came here as refugees in the 1980s. I grew up with two older brothers and always rough housed with them, and was sometimes forced to watch WWE…and have the moves re-enacted on me. All I wanted to do was watch the Powerpuff Girls!
Who are the kind of people that you look up to and why?
Tall people, because I’m short and I need to look up to them to talk them.
What’s your favorite place to eat in Melbourne and your #1 dish recommendation?
B’churrasco (an all you can eat Brazilian BBQ joint in the city) or Gorilla Grill (East meets West kind of vibe Burger joint). The picanha rump is bomb at B’churrasco (and steer clear of their carbs, the real deal is in the meat!), and Gorilla Grill’s King Kong burger (Double beef patty, fried chicken, special sauce and pork belly) and Kimchi Loaded Fries. Perfect places for the weight cutting athlete or a post comp feed.
If you could go back in time to your first martial art class, what would be the advice you give to your past self?
You’re awkward as f**k, god you’re embarrassing. Don’t spaz. Relax.
…Oh wait, I still need to tell myself that everyday.
“Tina is a beast trapped in a tiny body. She’s strong and fast and cooks bloody drool worthy meals. There are times when I thought I took Tina down successfully with a takedown but nekminit I’m tapping to an arm bar. Too fast for the naked eye!” – Yvonne Chow
“Tina is a cartwheeling, pressure passing, super energetic woman! She may have a resting b*tch face, but she is actually pretty friendly for the most part. Tina loves to mess about and have fun, talk smack, and (most importantly) cook up a storm for her friends!” – Tim Baker, husband
“One of the toughest girls I know who has fighting skills that matches her culinary skills.” – Kevin Lau
“”Tina is a powerhouse! I remember the first time I rolled her I thought I better go easy cause I was so much bigger…only to find that I immediately had to start defending myself. Not only is she a beast on the mats, she hosts the best get togethers and is an amazing cook. She taught me to make breakfast burritos!” – Maryanne Mullahy