Posts by x3sports
Nathan Williams: MMA Amateur Fighter Turns Pro
Exclusive One-on-One Interview with Nathan Williams
If you’ve seen him fight in the ring, you’ve seen the burning passion in Nathan “Nasty Nate” Williams. Nate is a local mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from Stone Mountain, Georgia, who started wrestling in high school. Loving the challenges of MMA, Nate sees himself going against other intelligent and strategic fighters such as Connor McGregor, currently ranked the #1 in the UFC Featherweight division, someday.
Nate is about see one of his dreams turn into a reality. This weekend, “Nasty Nate” will take the stage for the first time as a Pro Fighter.
With a background in sports, Nate is a natural in the ring and trains at the X3 Sports West Midtown location. Learn how he got his nickname “Nasty Nate” and why he will be the next big MMA fighter!
Congratulations, Nate! What does going Pro in MMA mean to you?
“Turning pro is a dream come true! It is really a stepping stone into a longer journey ahead. A lot of people do not make it to the pro ranks, so I thank God for letting me get this far.”
Your MMA nickname is “Nasty Nate”. Where did that come from?
“My nickname came from my second amateur fight. I was fighting for Conflict MMA and the announcer came to the back to ask me if I had a nickname. I said no, but my boy Demarques Jackson told the announcer that it was “nasty”. And ever since then, it just stuck with me.”
How long have you been training as an MMA fighter?
“I have been training in MMA for three years now. My first class was Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, at the X3 Sports Inman Park location with Helio Soneca.”
What about MMA do you love? How does it challenge you?
“I love that MMA has a wrestling aspect to it, as well as all the other aspects it contains. Being a 13-year wrestler, I wanted to be able to use my strong suits, as compared to boxing, which I felt I would be selling myself short.”
“Mixed martial arts challenges me because I want to be the best in the world! And there are so many fighters in the world, that it is a constant struggle to be the best.”
What are your favorite moves in the Octagon?
“As a wrestler, my favorite moves are takedowns and chokes. I tend to take people’s backs pretty easily, so essentially choking them comes next.”
What is your walk out song and why?
“My fight songs vary. Right now it’s “Ambition” by Meek Mills and Wale because I feel fighting is my ambition, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
How did you discover X3 Sports? And what has X3 done for you?
“I discovered X3 Sports just off of an internet browser searching for “mma gyms”, and it was one of the first results that came up and was relatively close to my house. I went for a free class and signed up the same day!”
“X3 has changed my life completely! Besides giving me two cauliflower ears, LOL, it has made me become the martial artist I am today! I’ve earned a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as well as red belt in Muay Thai! I’ve also won several Jiu Jitsu competitions, as well as amateur fights and it would not be possible without X3 Sports.”
What is your daily routine at X3?
“My daily routine at X3 begins with an hour of Muay Thai, then an hour of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, followed by an hour of fight team training.”
What are 3 words you would use to describe X3 Sports for other fighters who ask you about where you train?
“Best gym in Georgia! 4 words… I know!”
I read that your MMA idols are Connor McGregor and Jon Jones. Why these two?
“Connor McGregor is my temporary idol because he has a dynamic striking style and has taken the MMA world by storm. He will be a future opponent soon enough, so that’s why he is temporary. But in my opinion, Jon Jones is the best fighter of all time. I try to emulate his style as much as possible. Plus, we are only three days apart in age.”
You won your last two fights at NFC 75 and 76 and have a big fight coming up at NFC 80 against Jason Everhart – how are you preparing and what is your strategy against him?
“I don’t really focus on my opponent as long as I am on my game. My game plan is to come into the cage, take control, win the battle on my feet, then take him down and submit him.”
You started fighting at Featherweight 145, and moved into Lightweight 155 – what is your reasoning behind that?
“Lightweight is a very easy weight class for me to make! I’m a little on the smaller side in the lightweight division, but my grappling and movement are strong enough to compete. 145 is the weight class that I used to fight in because I am considered a large featherweight and I can impose my will in that weight class.”
We know you are cutting weight right now, but after making weight and winning Saturday, what is a big meal you’d love to eat?
“A big meal I would love to eat is Chinese! I am a Chinese food fanatic, so anything Chinese I am satisfied with!”
I see you hanging out with a lot of the other MMA fighters who train at X3 Sports, how important is that support system and training together?
“Us training together is the key to all our success! We are able to help push and motivate each other. We also help each other cut weight. Even when we aren’t fighting, we are still there each other in the saunas and definitely at the fights. It’s a brotherhood we have now, and I wouldn’t change my team for the world!”
Congratulations on your engagement! What does your fiancé think of MMA? Have you taught her any moves?
“Thank you very much! Yes, my fiancé is actually a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu herself. We help each other out on moves, but me more so then her.”
The holidays are coming up, what will you be doing?
“I will be training! I’m trying to be in a major fight organization by the end of 2016, so that means I will be grinding my butt off in the gym!”
Lastly, tell us and your fans out there, something cool about you that we don’t know!
“Something cool about me is that I am a very outgoing and sociable person. I am probably the nicest laid-back person one can meet. I love to smile! Back in high schoo, I had braces and glasses, so my smile has already been paid for.”
After speaking with “Nasty Nate”, I’m even a bigger fan of his. His persona really shines. I’m almost inclined to call him “Nice Nate”… 🙂 Remember to say “hello” when you see him training at West Midtown!
ADDENDUM: “Nasty Nate” wins his first Pro MMA fight with a triangle choke in Round One at 1:31.
You can watch Nate fight this Saturday, December 5th at CenterStage Atlanta 8pm/EST. Tickets available online!
Follow Nasty Nate on Instagram and Facebook
Brandy Nichole – Legion Of Boom
Worked out in my Leigon of Boom shirt today. Being a part of a group of people with the same goal is what changes the world…. you should try it. #girlswholift #girlpower #1stphorm #leigonofboom #fitchick #fitnessaddict #nextlevel #fighter #muythai #x3sports #girlfight #roundhouse #motivation #atlanta #quads
2015 Fitness Motivation Tips
Author: Cynthia Purcell, Personal Trainer at X3 Sports West Midtown 
In this post, I will share some of the most valuable fitness tips I have encountered from the competitive fitness arena with you. It is my hope to motivate and inspire you to get started on your fitness goals during this New Year. Don’t dream your life, live your dreams! This is your year to be fit and on fire! Challenge yourself to do things this year that you did not think were possible.
Here are my top ten motivational tips to help you accomplish your fitness goals in 2015:
1. Create a vision. Your destiny is at your fingertips. Once you have planted the seed of a fitness lifestyle in your mind, water it and believe. Never stop believing in your dreams.
2. Set goals. Why is this goal important to you? What would you give to accomplish this goal? What will excite you so much about this goal that will keep you coming back? How will things be different or better for you once this goal is achieved? Imagine what you will look like when this goal is achieved, and go for it!
3. Eat clean. Treat food as fuel, or energy for your body. If you consume more fuel than your body needs, it will be stored for later use as fat. Personal trainers can help you understand how much energy in the form of food your body needs to function, as well as give you enough fuel for your workouts. Eating clean can begin as soon as your next meal!
4. Exercise consistently. Success is a journey. You may be surprised to know that you already have what it takes to accomplish your fitness goals. We are all given one hundred and sixty-eight hours in a week. Our choices about what we do with our time affects whether we accomplish our goals or delay our success. Be sure to include working on your fitness goals in your lifestyle as a regular habit. Inconsistent effort leads to inconsistent results. Things will not always happen when you want them to happen. Nevertheless, you can always control the amount of effort you put toward your goals. Hard work and consistency will get you where you want to go. Stay on your program, follow it through, and finish what you start
5. Be Positive. Being positive, learning and growing from your fitness experiences is essential to your success.
6. Overcome obstacles. There are times that will be difficult on your fitness journey and there will be setbacks. If you fall off your exercise plan, cheat on your diet, or fail to accomplish your fitness goals, keep trying again & again. It is not the end. Success is built on a succession of failures. Remember that nothing is impossible. Obstacles are only as big as you make them. No matter how hard diet and exercise is, never, never quit! You can always choose to start the day all over again
7. Deal with negativity. There is no such thing as negative energy. There are people with negative attitudes who may criticize you, tell you that you can’t do what you are going for, or try and sabotage your efforts at living a healthy lifestyle. Don’t listen to them! Negativity is best ignored while you focus on your fitness goals. If there is an idea that is helpful to your growth embedded in someone’s negative communication style, take the pearl of wisdom and leave the rest behind. The only limits you have are those created by your own mind.
8. Enlist social support. Surround yourself with positive people who are supportive and encouraging of your fitness goals. Exercising with friends is a wonderful motivator to make sure you actually exercise!
9. Take group fitness classes. Taking group fitness classes is an excellent way to get started on your fitness journey. There is a sense of comradery when you take group fitness classes and you get to know others in class. If you are not there, people notice! The social support from participating in group fitness classes can assist you in accomplishing fitness goals.
10. Try Personal Training. Personal training helped me lose 40 pounds after having two children, decrease my body fat by 10%, and firm up my target areas. I know that personal training can help you accomplish your fitness goals, too. A personal trainer introduces an element of motivation and accountability that is an excellent addition to group fitness classes and can help you accomplish your goals far more quickly than exercising alone.
I wish you great success on your fitness journey! This year is going to be your best year ever!
Cynthia’s Credentials:
Masters level Fitness Coach
National Association of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer
National Physique Committee Bikini Competitor
Certified Yoga instructor
Silvia – Personal training
Early morning workout with @siggoeshardscott . Yes it hurts. Yes it’s hard but you can ALWAYS do one more rep, one more squat, one more minute. You won’t die….you will just get stronger @x3sports #x3sports #xtreme #realtrainingrealresults
Liam Hemsworth Training
@x3sports #fitness #mma #personaltrainer #bjj #kickboxing #boxing #atlantabjj #atlantatrainer #atlanta #killerbees #americankillerbees #selfdefense #x3sports #liamhemsworth
Liam Hemsworth while filming hunger games!! Great left hook!
Yelp Review
Best gym!! The classes are awesome and there’s so many options every day it’s easy to fit in your schedule. All the instructors are friendly, fun, and have their own style. I like taking different instructors to switch up my routine. There’s a great community feel at X3, everyone is encouraging & supportive of weight loss and getting in shape. All levels of experience attend the gym.
Personal Training Success Story: Mary Rose
I’ve been training at X3 for about two and a half years. After a while X3 became my second home. The workouts are intense, but the atmosphere is super fun and supportive. I recently decided to push myself even further by taking advantage of the Personal Training program offered at X3. I have only been training with ACE a few months now and I can already see the difference in my body. I can say that ACE is always thinking up new workouts in order to constantly challenge different muscle groups. The strength training I have done really helps me with the kickboxing classes I do regularly at X3 and also with my dance. I’m in the dance company at Emory University. I can honestly say he pushes me to the next level. I can’t wait to see what the next few months will bring training with ACE.*
jeliface – 17lbs lost in 5 months
I was afraid to post this! Lol but forget fear! 5 months, 17 lbs later & still going at it. First pic was in January, second in March and the third was this morning. I still have a loooong way to go but it’s an amazing feeling to look back and see just a little progress.
Silvia – Homepage X3 is more than a gym
Love these ladies @jac_r and @ju_boo42 we just finished 5.4 miles. Training @x3sports is amazing. It’s not just a gym. It’s a community where you meet people who all have a similar goal. You bond, motivate, encourage and push each other. @x3sports is the best gym around come see for yourself.
Class Post 1 – Personal Training
Training at @x3sports this morning with @siggoeshardscott hate every minute of training but he is the best there is. He’s taught me to know my limits and push past them. You can always do one more rep, one more minute of running, you won’t die you will just get stronger.