Fanshawe grad to release inspirational book

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: HECTOR QUINTERO
Fanshawe Alumni Chris Olech, shown here with MMA fighter Fedor Emelianenko, will release his first book on Feb 2 titled The Fighter Within: Everyone Has a Fight.

Fanshawe alumnus and London resident, Chris Olech, is about to release his first book.

Entitled The Fighter Within: Everyone Has a Fight, this work contains interviews and insights from some of the best champions in many areas of fighting including boxing, mixed martial arts (MMA), jiu jitsu, Muay Thai and Sambo.

“Famous coach of champions Firas Zahabi even penned a chapter titled ‘The Jiu Jitsu Principles' which are proven strategies and philosophies stemming from Japan from battle tested and business field tested concepts, which took hundreds of years of experience and refining,” Olech said.

Though some might think this book is geared towards a specific audience, Olech wants to make sure people understand there is something for everyone.

“This book is for everyone, the die hard fight fan, the interested reader and individuals who have no concept of the fight world, but want to learn a little about it and be inspired by the countless stories and experiences that will affect everyone positively regardless of what stage of their life they are in currently.”

The book is already for presale on Amazon and releasing worldwide on Feb 2.

An added bonus to purchasing the book is that the legendary fighter, UFC hall of famer, actor and television host Bas Rutten, wrote the foreword.

During the eight years that it took to write this book, Olech noted that there were many highlights and experiences that he will never forget.

“The travels around the world to gyms and fight venues as well as the opportunity to meet my idols, such as Bas Rutten, and learn life lessons from them is something that I will always cherish.”

Another highlight to writing this book was the chance to see legendary fighters in a different light.

“Getting an interview with Fedor Emelianenko's wife and gaining a different insight into the stoic Russian legend like never before seen is also a highlight.”

Olech began training in MMA after being inspired by a seminar hosted by Welterweight champion, Matt Hughes.

Olech is now a winner in the Grapplers Quest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tournament with a gold finish, as well as being a certified Athletic Performance Inc. Caveman Training Instructor.

Many of his fights are documented first hand in the book.

His advice for anyone interested in the sport of MMA is to search out reputable gyms and trainers, as well as taking a few classes.

“The biggest thing is to understand that first comes hard work and proper training, then everything will follow, eventually the strong student that always twists you into a pretzel will tap out to you.”

Being that he is a freelance journalist and now a published author, Olech has great advice for anyone interested in making a career out of writing.

“Aspiring journalists and writers need to be formed of water, to be able to transform and bend with whatever gets thrown at them and adapt quickly. There is a tremendous amount of work, sacrifices and time spent into perfecting our craft and building our readership.”

On top of perfecting your career, Olech also stated the importance of building a team of support around you.

“I learned to research and knock on as many doors as possible until someone opens and invites you in, and especially being a first time author, there are many doors to knock on before someone shows enough belief in you and your work to help you out. Patience is key.”

Fast readers of Olech's work however will not need too much patience as he is already half way through work on his second book.

Olech also eluded to having actors such as Alain Moussi, who plays the lead role in the upcoming kick boxer film and Robert Englund, who portrayed Freddy Krueger in Nightmare on Elm Street, in the book.

The biggest lesson that Olech learned while writing his first book is not what you might think.

After interviewing some great fighters and amazing athletes ultimately what he discovered is not how to throw a mean right hook, but rather that “the individuals we idolize on television are just like you and I, they followed their dreams, sometimes with many detours and carved out their own legacy in life, making them champions in their sport and life.”

Olech encourages those who would like updates on his work and access to exclusive giveaways such as signed Bas Rutten and Fedor Emelianenko gloves that will take place leading up to the release of “The Fighter Within: Everyone Has a Fight” they can like his Facebook page facebook.com/everyonehasafight.