'No star ever rose or set without influence somewhere.'
- Lord Edward Robert Bulwer Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton Lucile (pt. II, canto VI)
The media has affected several decisions in my life. These decisions were profound and will forever influence who I am. One strong example of this influence is the internet. I spend several hours a day on average on the internet, researching things that interest me. One of the topics I research thoroughly is mixed martial arts. The internet provides me with information on different styles of fighting, proven techniques and strategies. All of this information comes together when I train or compete. However, the majority of my training is influenced by my coaches, instructors, and teammates. When it comes down to practicality what works on paper and what works in real life, are very different. While the internet provides information I mostly rely on my instructors for their first hand information. They have proven methods through competition and training that I rely on. Just as my teammates provide me a means of testing my methods.