Do you have any regrets ?
Ask that question of a million people, the range of responses would be like snowflakes, no two ever the same.
I find it interesting from an athletic standpoint when the question gets asked of someone whose final sporting destination was less than perfect, that sometimes, they’ll insist they wouldn’t change a thing.
Among the interesting conversations I’ve had of late was one with Gary ” Big Daddy ” Goodridge, a now retired mixed martial artist who resides in Barrie.
Goodridge has written a book about his fighting life titled ” Gatekeeper “, a reference to his days in the Pride organization when up & comers and contenders alike would be matched against Goodridge as a measuring stick to see if the opponent was actually worthy of bypassing the ” Gatekeeper ” and moving up the organizational ladder.
Goodridge’s fighting days include the U.F.C. where he made his debut in UFC 8, scoring a victory, ironically in 8 seconds.
Over the next 14 years, Goodridge won, Goodridge lost and most of all experienced incredible ups and downs in both his personal and private life.
When we spoke last week, Goodridge related his fighting career had left him with an injured brain, and as such, some basic day to day activities we take for granted, now pose challenges for him.
Knowing this, having dealt with bizarre scenarios for a decade and a half, Goodridge was asked if he regretted the path he took from the Honda Plant in Alliston to Mixed Martial Arts at the highest level.
‘ Not at all ‘, was the answer.
” Gatekeeper ” by Gary ” Big Daddy ” Goodridge.
I’m Fred Wallace