Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Jeremiah Jensen sits down with DaMarques Johnson.
DaMarques Johnson: I am Damarques Johnson 26 year old dad, and generally happy person, that's me. I'm just kind of fun to watch. You don't really know what I'm gonna do, I don't even know what I'm gonna do half the time, it just kinda comes. I'm not Damarques Johnson the cage fighter, it's not me.
Jeremiah Jensen: Where did this all start?
D.J.: It all started back in 2001 when I was in the Army. The unit I was in, we had a grappling tournament and I wasn't gonna do it. I was just kinda like 'whatever, you guys are just rolling around with each other'. I didn't even know I was signed up, they entered me in it and I won it. I was like 'huh, all I know is the stuff off T.V. and I won this tournament. Hmm, maybe I should try to learn something for real.' Once I got out of the military, I ran into Jeremy Horn, signed up at the gym and started fighting. Jeremy Horn and everyone at Elite Performance has had a huge impact on me. I wouldn't be the fighter I am without the camp that I'm from.
J.J.: Tell me about the show, what's that experience been like? Reality T.V. star?
D.J.: I don't think I'm a reality star yet. The show was a lot like going to a rehab clinic or jail. It was a good experience for friends but would I want to do it again? If you asked me right now, probably not.
J.J.: What do you hope to get from this show, this experience?
D.J.: Money! I hope to get paid to do what I love to do. That's what I want from the show. I just want to be able to pay bills like everybody else. If I can pay bills like everybody else and love doing it and get paid, it's a hat trick.
J.J.: What message do you wanna give kids?
D.J.: HaHa
J.J.: Is that kind of a weird role for you?
D.J.: That is so weird to me. The message I would give to kids, find something and be passionate about it and go after it. Expect some obstacles, expect some road blocks but stick to your guns. If it feels acheivable in your heart then odds are you can do it. That's pretty much what I would tell them. And go to school, go to class. Haha, that's why it's so weird for me because I wasn't in class very much.
J.J.: Do as I say, not as I do?
D.J.: Exactly, don't talk to my teachers.
