We have many amazing people with interesting stories that walk into all our gyms! This member spotlight turns to Nick Baum, our blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who moved to Melbourne from England and regular face on the competition scene, having recently competed at Super BJJ, AJJC Nationals and VJJC this year. Always keen to improve himself, Nick rarely misses a seminar with us, and has even done a stint at Absolute MMA Thailand for a Craig Jones BJJ camp. Read on to find out more about Nick!
How did you get into the sport?
It was pretty roundabout, but the short story is, I was training with Paul Bai to get fit, saw a class and then decided to jump in. Two years (and a lot of getting tapped) later, here we are.
What are your immediate training goals?
Continuing to work the fundamentals, eventually learning how to pass guard.
What are your goals for the next five years?
Sounds cliché, but it’s all about the journey, as long as I’m happy, healthy and continuing to train regularly that’s fine by me. Tapping Sean to an ankle lock would probably be the only serious long-term goal I’m currently pursuing.
Why do you love training at Absolute MMA?
The spirit and generosity of training partners on the mat never falters, no matter how many times I try and ankle lock them in pursuit of my long-term goal (see above).
What is your favourite move?
A difficult choice, but if someone put a gun to my head and forced me to pick, I would probably say the straight ankle lock.
Favourite workout/walkout song?
Anything by England’s real queen, Sir Elton John.
What do you like to do to relax besides training?
My girlfriend and I recently got a Nintendo Switch, so we’ve been playing a lot of Super Smash Bros. Otherwise I like to keep my mind active and learn new skills/try new things, I recently enrolled on a furniture making course as we need a new coffee table and can’t face another argument in Ikea.
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?
We moved to Melbourne 3 years ago on a working holiday visa and loved it so much we decided to stick around, but I grew up in Leicestershire, in the English Midlands. When I was 9 my family moved to a dairy farm, which my parents operated until fairly recently. Amongst other animals, we had a goat called Prince who would often escape and just take himself off for a bit. One time he got into my dad’s home brewed beer, drank all 20 litres of it and passed out. They eventually sold him so I have no idea what he’s up to now, but I have a tattoo of a goat just under my ribs to remember him by.
Who are the kind of people that you look up to and why?
All of the people at the gym who have children or family commitments and still manage to train regularly. You must have tremendous self-discipline!
What’s your favourite place to eat in Melbourne and your #1 dish recommendation?
Carmelo’s Woodfired Pizza in Brunswick East does a low-key brilliant stone baked Napolitana. They also offer any two large pizzas for $20 every night of the week, so it’s a standard go-to.
If you could go back in time to your first martial art class, what would be the advice you give to your past self?
If you have to duck out of your first class early, don’t get showered, dressed, and then step back on to the mat for the end of class line up to shake everyone’s hand. Although you might think at the time it’s a good idea because you don’t want to be disrespectful, no-one cares and the memory of it will continue to make you cringe until your dying day. That and remember to relax/breathe.
“Too tall, too quick and too good looking😂”- Rio Iskandar
“Nick Baum, what a top bloke. He could have been a premier league player, but he chose foot breaking over footballing. He will forever be my friend.” – Sean Le Gourrierec
“Nick is smart, curious, humble and a keen student of all things. It was obvious from day 1 when just turning up wasn’t enough. He wanted to learn and understand not just how to do things but why. When things got tough he just smiled and cracked a joke. His great attitude will take him far in whatever he does.” – Paul Bai
