A very warm welcome to Maria “Mez” Zampogna, one of our newest additions to the Absolute MMA family! One of our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belts, Maria has trained with us since 2018, has competed in BJJ and is also a regular crossfit competitor with Karate experience. Super bubbly with a great sense of humour, Maria is always smiling and we’re very happy to have her on desk with us. Be sure to say hello if you see her around! Read on to find out more about Mez.
What would you consider your greatest achievements in Martial Arts?
Competing for the first time and placing second. It was the National Championships in 2018 and I had been training for just under a year. I was absolutely terrified but I gave it a go and was so happy that I did.
What made you start Martial Arts?
I did karate at the age of 10 because my dad forced me to. I got to a green belt before quitting. Fast forward 12 years later, I was doing weightlifting at the time and my weightlifting coach was also a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor. He was hounding me for ages to come and try a class. So one day I finally did and I absolutely loved it.
How did you first get involved with Absolute MMA? (What industry were you in prior to Martial Arts? What made you change?)
I heard about Absolute for a while and competed against some of their girls (who were beasts!). My boyfriend, who also trains in BJJ, moved to absolute and I joined about a month later.
Favourite workout/walkout song?
At the moment its Chi Chi by Chris Brown and Trey Songz. It’ll probably change in a month or so.
Mantra/Quote to live by?
The only constant is change.
Tell us about your life growing up, what is your favourite memory from when you were younger?
I had a pretty normal life growing up. Nothing out of the ordinary ever happened. Life has its ups and downs every now and again to keep you on your toes but nothing too crazy. My favourite memory from when I was younger was when I was in grade 4 and I got my first ever dog! I had never been so happy in my life. It was the best day ever.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
This question always freaks me out, because I can’t even tell you what I’m doing tomorrow. In 5 years I hope to have moved out of home and be married. I’d love to be close to being a black belt in jiu-jitsu and to have a stable job in sports administration. I’d hope to have travelled the world and seen really exotic places.
Who is an inspiration to you, and why?
I don’t have one person who inspires me, I have quite a few and all for different reasons. I admire those who work hard and dedicate their life to achieve greatness and reach their ultimate goals. I also admire those who have been through the worst of the worst, made it out the other end and smile.
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pesto pasta!! It’s absolutely delicious!!
If you weren’t working in the Martial Arts industry, what would you be doing?
Working in hospitality as a Barista.
What do you like to do to relax besides training?
Walking my dog or watching a good TV series. I’m currently watching The Flash.
If you were going to be an animal, what would you be and why?
I’m not sure. I took a quiz online and it said I would be a dolphin, but I think I would be a bear. They’re chilled out, mind their own business, sleep during winter, but when they have to go out and hunt they’re on a mission. I think thats me.
What is your favourite travel destination? Why?
So far Japan. It was absolutely beautiful.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I used to be a crossfit coach and compete regularly in crossfit.
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 originally from Melbourne. I live in the western suburbs. Growing up my friends and I would pretend to play Harry Potter. I used to have this massive tree in my backyard and we would refer to it as ‘The Whomping Willow’. I was very quirky growing up and I think I still am.
What were some funny/interesting/weird hobbies you had when you were a teenager?
I used to collect butchy boys. Weird I know, and I can’t even tell you why I did it, I just did. I also had an irrational fear that someone would break into my house and steal all my things, so when I used to leave the house I would take everything I thought was really important to me in a bag.
Can you think of a common inspirational quote that you completely disagree with and why?
“Work hard today so you can enjoy it tomorrow.” Sometimes life is really unexpected. You can’t always keep living for the future, you have to live in the moment. Sometimes people neglect the little pleasures life has to offer for the now to focus on the later.
Besides martial arts, what else are you passionate about and why?
I really love making coffee, lifting weights and eating dark chocolate. They all make me very happy 🙂
Who are the kind of people that you look up to and why?
I look up to successful athletes. They have created a life around what they truly love and it’s not always easy to get there.
Do you have a “useless” talent that makes people smile every time you use it?
I can raise one eyebrow at a time and people freak out every time I do it.
When was the last time you did something new for the first time and what was it?
Doing an escape room.
Have you done other sports besides martial art and which teams/athletes are your favourite? Any funny stories?
I have played football, netball, soccer, karate, swimming, dancing and running. I don’t have a funny story but one time during a soccer match I went to slide tackle my opponent and my studs got caught in the mud and I fractured my knee…was not good.
Have you ever worked a job not in the fitness/martial arts industry? What were the highlights and lessons you learned?
Yes, I worked as a payroll officer for less than a month. It was the worst experience of my life. I hate the 9-5 lifestyle, I hated being quiet all day, it was just the worst.
What’s your favourite place to eat in Melbourne and your #1 dish recommendation?
Hunky Dory! I get the grilled salmon pack with sweet potato wedges and a crab stick.
What’s your favourite music genre and musicians? Why do you enjoy their music?
My ears can listen to pretty much anything. I however do have a very soft spot for Chris Brown.
If you could go back in time to your first martial art class, what would be the advice you give to your past self?
It doesn’t get any easier, but you will enjoy and hate every bit of it at the same time and even when you feel like giving up, that’s when you need to keep pushing.
During a Absolute MMA staff retreat a zombie apocalypse breaks out. You get separated with 3 AMMA team members. Who would be part your dream team and why?
Probably Richard, Apryl and Emilie. They’re the 3 that I work with the most and I’d like to think we wouldn’t kill each other (haha).
“Maria admitted to me once the main reason she took up bjj has been and still is to pass her boyfriends guard, I respect that. She has a goal and she wants to achieve it.”- Apryl Eppinger
“Like a chihuahua; small but deadly.”- Vincent Phan
“Maria is like a (quality) box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get when she rocks up for a shift. She’s perfected the “smile and nod” approach to any situation. I also can’t wait to meet the six month mark Maria. Note for training partners – when rolling with her she loves being put in the saddle position and practicing heelhook defence – especially in the gi.”- Richard Lattemagi
“My favourite person. Her charismatic personality makes training all the more enjoyable. Her willingness to continuously learn and strive to grow each day is inspiring.”- Susy Ferri
“Maria has only been working with us for a few weeks now but she made a strong first impression – she came in for her job interview wearing wrestling headgear which was kind of funny but it was a lot more funny when she started to panic a bit because she couldn’t get the headgear off. I’m not really sure if it was a “good” first impression but we ended up giving her the job so I guess her approach worked?” – Daniel Herbertson
“She hates no gi, and likes gi.”- Clay Lyne
“I knew Maria and I were going to be friends after bonding over some solid R&B tunes in the gym! And after she got super excited over a Pokemon toy. Adorable! She’s super lovely, genuine and a very welcome addition to the Absolute MMA staff.” – Emilie Yap
“Maria has such a bubbly personality and a great sense of humour. She’s always fun (and tough) to roll with and is an awesome drilling partner! Regardless of the day you’ve had, Maria is always there to have a laugh with you and brighten up your day.“- Sarah Sinclair
“Maria is an amazing training partner, always positive, smiling and ready to roll. She seems like a nice person… until she squeezes your neck.”- Juliette Brillet
“I love Maria! She’s fun, caring and has crazy fast jiujitsu! Drilling with her is great because she always aims to implement the correct techniques and I trust her to help me to get everything right too.” – Lenie Vamvesos