For Theron Neisius, a normal day might mean only a few hours of sleep before getting up in the morning with his two-year-old daughter. There is playtime and then the babysitter, and eventually Neisius has to get to work, but in the middle he goes to the gym to train. Not to lift weights or run laps, but to train as a fighter in mixed martial arts. Neisius is like a lot of people who train for the next big fight, with a lot on his plate, but a lot of drive to do what he loves.
Theron Neisius (bottom) struggles for air as Dariusz Jastrzebski (top) tightens up on a rear naked choke. Jastrzebski holds on tight until Neisius taps out (submits), someone steps in, or Neisius loses consciousness. Its just another day of training in mixed martial arts.
Photo By: Mark Kauzlarich
Theron Neisius (top) gets the upper hand before raining down blows on training partner Jesus Flores (bottom) on the training mats at Fearless MMA in Janesville. The ability to control your opponent on the ground or protect yourself from being submitted is essential to fighting in mixed martial arts.
Photo By: Mark Kauzlarich
"I get emotional because I know I can do better," says 25-year-old Theron Neisius of Orfordville. Pushed to the point of exhaustion, beaten and bruised, Neisius takes off his gloves at the end of a training session at the gym.
Photo By: Mark Kauzlarich
After doing the job long enough, closing mattresses had been distilled down to a science for Neisius. He would grab one off the line behind him and zip through one side of the mattress before flipping it over and sliding it along, often causing a pileup ahead of him in line. He was faster than most everyone else, but the speed had to vary on occasion. Work is done by a capped quota, not by hours, so breaking speed records wasn't going to earn bonuses.
Photo By: Mark Kauzlarich
Just down the street from his new house, Theron Neisius pushes his daughter, Madison, in a swing at the neighborhood playground. "Sometimes we go to the park. Or we watch 'Barney' and play Barbies," says Neisius, who wakes up with Madison every day and cares for her before going off to train. Its a slick system for their family, while his girlfriend, Erika Bue, uses the day to attend college classes.
Photo By: Mark Kauzlarich
On a relaxing Saturday, Theron Neisius and his girlfriend of three years, Erika Bue, take time to finger-paint with their daughter Madison in the basement of their new home in Orfordville.
Photo By: Mark Kauzlarich
"Its not a big deal. I'm a bleeder," says Theron Neisius. He was on the losing end of a grappling battle on the ground. With his face jammed into the ground he struggled to breathe before he let out air, and blood from his nose. In a moment, the situation got worse as his coach, kneeling on his chest, grabbed one of his arms while punching him in the face eight times before he was able to escape.
Photo By: Mark Kauzlarich
While training for a fight, a number of sparring partners circulate through in sets to keep the opponents fresh while trying out the fighter with the upcoming bout. Coach Sean Nolan takes a break after dominating fighter Theron Neisius before Jesus Flores steps in and Neisius gets his second wind. Being a fighter means that no matter what other distractions you have in life, whatever tiredness you feel, to succeed, you have to push through all of it.
