We have many amazing people with interesting stories that walk into all our gyms! The member spotlight turns to Tim “Cabeção/Big Head” Baker, one of our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu crew, husband to the “Banh Mi Brawler” Tina Trinh and expert eater. His love for desserts is only rivalled by his love for grappling (and Tina, obviously) – read on to find out more about Tim!
Occupation: BJJ Instructor/Forklift Operator
Martial Arts/Sports: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, formerly Mixed Martial Arts
How did you get into the sport?
I got into BJJ because I wanted to fight in MMA. I fell in love with BJJ, and it slowly became my sole focus.
What are your immediate training goals?
Currently just to get some momentum behind me and to train more consistently.
What are your goals for the next five years?
To keep improving, and to continue to love BJJ as much as I do now. Also to keep Tina Trinh from submitting me again as long as possible.
Why do you love training at Absolute MMA?
I love training at Absolute MMA because of all of the amazing people I get to train and hang out with. There’s a really diverse group of amazing people training across all locations and classes, and it’s easy to forge great friendships.
What is your favourite move?
Probably either a kimura or reverse triangle.
What do you like to do to relax besides training?
Eating, I also enjoy playing video games when I get time.
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 a small city in Essex called Chelmsford. I ended up living in Melbourne through introduction by my wife Tina Trinh. We met in Thailand where I was training for 6 months in 2013/2014, did long distance and I ended up moving to Melbourne.
Who are the kind of people that you look up to and why?
I would say that I look up to people that are extremely skilled at something, but are still grounded, humble and helpful. Luckily enough, we have lots of those people at Absolute MMA!
What’s your favorite place to eat in Melbourne and your #1 dish recommendation?
I have so many places I love to eat in Melbourne, but I would probably have to say our house, as Tina is a pretty mean cook… Not that you could tell from my waistline!!
If you could go back in time to your first martial art class, what would be the advice you give to your past self?
I would tell myself to look after my body and probably start doing weights sooner.
“He’s all strength, uses his weight and no technique! Hahahah that’s what he hates hearing and that’s what I tell him all the time when we roll, it gets him mad. The reality is, he IS all strength, uses his weight at the right times, and is ALL about technique, which if you ask anyone, is a very deadly combination- Tim is good at what he does and we have lots of fun (and sometimes too competitive) rolls. Although he doesn’t go easy on me (as if I would let him!), he can be, and is the complete gentleman to anyone else that he rolls with (just not to his own wife). He is also constantly teaching me stuff, even though according to him I never listen” – Tina Trinh, wife
“Tim has a massive head that disturbs the classes, likes doughnut rash guards and he gets angry when Tina puts apples in his bag instead of bananas…his jiu-jitsu is fine.” – Thiago Stefanutti, Head BJJ Coach
“One of the most nicest and most dangerous dudes I know. Always willing to help a brother out. His kimura trap will mess you up.” – Kevin Lau
Photos: Dogs of War Photography, Maryanne Mullahy