Mathew Hansen: to another episode of the empty field podcast. My name is Matthew Hansen and today I have a fighter out of American top team Sandy Springs in Atlanta, Georgia. It is Cassandra. ⁓
Cassandra Eng: I'm doing well, how are you?
Mathew Hansen: I'm doing great, doing great. First off, tell us about yourself.
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ yeah, so I am a new fighter. ⁓ I started my fight journey about two years ago, ⁓ with Muay Thai and I've started competing about a year now. ⁓ and then I've also, ⁓ competed a few times in Jiu-Jitsu. ⁓ and so I'm new to the game, but definitely excited to be here.
Mathew Hansen: What got you started into learning both Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu?
Cassandra Eng: Yeah, so I originally started martial arts in general with Chinese kung fu, and then I got introduced to Chinese kickboxing, also known as sanda. And then I just fell in love with the violence of it and punching things and people. So ⁓ I decided to start doing Muay Thai because there's more fight opportunities. And so I switched gyms. ⁓ And then I started jujitsu ⁓ about a year after I started. ⁓ Just because I learned so much about the benefits of self-defense for women and it was something that I was not naturally talented at all. So was like, I need to get better at this. So I started doing jujitsu as well.
Mathew Hansen: Cool. ⁓ When did it stop going from just training to actually like competing?
Cassandra Eng: Yeah, so I would say about a few months after I started training, I have some amazing coaches and I think all of them started to encourage me to consider the actual competitive side of it. And I got in a few smokers ⁓ and I just loved it. And so it was really, you know, my teammates and my coaches who pushed me to have those as goals. And then, yeah, I just started doing that about a year ago.
Mathew Hansen: Cool. What was life like before fighting?
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ I would say that I definitely had a lot more free time. ⁓ I would definitely, you know, get in a lot of trouble. I would just be doing shenanigans and, you know, just being, ⁓ having fun, honestly. But now I feel like now that I have these really intentional goals, ⁓ I'm still having fun on the mats and it's just a different type of, ⁓ like where my energy is going. ⁓ yeah.
Mathew Hansen: Walk us back to your first fight. What was going through your head?
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ I was definitely nervous. I feel like for me, the scariest part is when the bell rings and you don't know, like, we tapping gloves? Like, you know, it's just like that moment of little, a little bit of awkwardness. I think I was very, very nervous for that for sure, but I was just so excited. And I feel like people always say that like, ⁓ fighters are serious. You have to have your game face on. I think I was just smiling. I was just happy. ⁓ I was just happy to be there really. And I feel like that's something I want to continue in my fight career is just to always make sure I'm having fun and doing what I love to do.
Mathew Hansen: Cool. ⁓ How would you describe your fight style to somebody who's never seen you fight before?
Cassandra Eng: Hmm. I feel like I'm developing my fight style. I don't feel like I've really found it yet. but I feel like I have a lot of good coaches who guide me and what to do really. just, ⁓ recently I've just been trying to explore different fight styles mostly, but I don't think I have one yet.
Mathew Hansen: Okay, okay. Now, what part of your game are you most confident in right now?
Cassandra Eng: Hmm, I'm definitely my striking. Jiu-Jitsu is a little bit newer to my journey. So I would definitely say I'm much more comfortable in my stand-up game. And yeah.
Mathew Hansen: Okay, now some self-reflection here. What are you working on the most?
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ In martial arts in general or in my, or like specifically, I would say the mental aspect of it for sure. I think that that is probably the most important part of fighting ⁓ and training and making sure you're disciplined and everything. So I think ⁓ a lot of energy and time into meditation.
Mathew Hansen: everything and everything.
Cassandra Eng: into having that translate over into when I'm actually in the cage and being able to remain calm. ⁓ So that's definitely something that I've been more intentional about recently.
Mathew Hansen: Okay. What's the toughest lesson combat sports have taught you so far?
Cassandra Eng: That's a good question. The toughest lesson I would say that sometimes it's hard to, sometimes it's easy to get discouraged, right? Like if you have a bad sparring day or you get beat up or you lose a fight, right? But one of my teammates actually said something that has resonated with me and it's the 33 rule that 33 % of the time you're gonna feel amazing in training, 33 % it's just gonna be an average day and 33 % of the time you're gonna suck. And that's just part of the daily, right? So those days that you are getting beat up in training or that nothing's landing, nothing's going your way, those are actually just as important as the days that you are thriving. And so really taking that into account when you're training so you don't get discouraged because it's all part of the plan.
Mathew Hansen: Okay, talking about the plan, how do you plan yourself mentally going into a fight?
Cassandra Eng: Hmm. ⁓ like I mentioned, I meditate a lot. ⁓ one of my coaches actually guides me through meditations. ⁓ she's the one who introduced me in a meditation. So that has been extremely powerful. but yeah, just really centering my goals. Every fight that I have, ⁓ I usually write down, you know, small details stuff that I want to make sure I, I'm doing a fight, whether that's, you know, remain calm, ⁓ land a certain kick, something like that. And then I'll have overarching goals like, have fun. That's always on my list. So, yeah.
Mathew Hansen: Okay. How do you handle fear or nerves before stepping in the ring or cage?
Cassandra Eng: I do my best to try to stay calm, but I think that's part of the game. I think that if you're not nervous going into a fight, I think that's ⁓ not a great sign. Honestly, I think you should be nervous going into a fight and have a little bit of those anxieties and you know, as long as they don't overshadow your confidence and you know, knowing that you're there to handle business.
Mathew Hansen: Yeah. What separates you from other women that you're fighting?
Cassandra Eng: Hmm. I would say that I am extremely disciplined in my training and in my mindset. ⁓ I will also say that I have an incredible team behind me. Some of the best fighters are at my gym. We have incredible, incredible coaches as well. So I think that having that community that really supports me ⁓ definitely is something that I have an advantage with.
Mathew Hansen: Okay. How do you deal with criticism?
Cassandra Eng: Hmm. I think, I think that this is a loaded question because when it comes to my personal experience in the fight community, a lot of times you're going to have so many people try to tell you advice, know, ⁓ things that are ⁓ recommendations or everything, right? And it can be overwhelming. ⁓ And I've learned that there are certain people that you should listen to who have the credentials who have that relationship, that trust building, like my coaches and my teammates and stuff, but you can't listen to everyone or else you're gonna lose your own voice and your own thoughts in that process. So I think ⁓ the top thing for me is making sure I have a good understanding of my intuition and a sense of who I am and my goals as a fighter. And then also knowing who to trust when it comes to taking advice ⁓ so that I'm more efficient and ⁓ don't just listen to all these voices because sometimes it could not be helpful, if that makes sense.
Mathew Hansen: Okay, take us back to the last fight. I think was it the one that you lost? that last one? Walk us through that day.
Cassandra Eng: Yes, yes. ⁓ so that was the first time I hadn't fought a sanctioned fight. ⁓ it was a tournament, ⁓ with the NFC, which is, ⁓ the biggest organization in promotion in Georgia. and I had won my first match and then the next one in the tournament was against, ⁓ a more advanced opponent and. I went in there knowing that, but I also knew that I was confident in my skills. And honestly, it was something that I was the most proud of as far as ⁓ fights go, because even though I didn't come out with a win, ⁓ I definitely impressed myself and my coaches as far as my capabilities and sticking in there ⁓ when ⁓ I was down the first round and coming back the third round. That is definitely something I'm really proud of. ⁓ And it honestly exposed so many things in my game that I want to improve on. So if anything, it was an amazing ⁓ lesson learned and ⁓ I've improved my game since.
Mathew Hansen: Perfect. Now let's fast forward ⁓ for March. ⁓ What are you looking forward to the most in that fight?
Cassandra Eng: Mm-hmm. Yeah, so I fight March 7th. ⁓ And I think I'm most excited to try to be, well, this is my goal. Sometimes our plans don't always work out, but I want to say that I'm a technical fighter, that I am skilled and that I'm not just a brawler. So that's definitely something that I'm very excited about. And then also a lot of things that I fixed from my last fight, as I mentioned. ⁓ So very, very excited to show. ⁓ what I've been working on.
Mathew Hansen: Is there anything you want to say to Erika before your fight?
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ best of luck.
Mathew Hansen: no trash talk?
Cassandra Eng: No trash talk. mean, that's not my vibe. I'm not someone that really does that. If anything, I'm too smiley and too friendly. ⁓ But I mean, you know, we, as women in this sport, there's not that many of us. And ⁓ I just have the utmost respect for any woman that gets in a cage. So ⁓ props to her and best of luck.
Mathew Hansen: Cool. All right. Now it's time for the rapid fire. First thing that comes to your mind. Muay Thai or Jiu Jitsu?
Cassandra Eng: Gosh. Muay Thai.
Mathew Hansen: Would you rather do a striking war or look for the submission?
Cassandra Eng: striking.
Mathew Hansen: Are you more aggressive or patient while in the cage?
Cassandra Eng: Aggressive.
Mathew Hansen: Favorite part about camp.
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ when I make weight.
Mathew Hansen: What's the hardest part about camp?
Cassandra Eng: Making weight.
Mathew Hansen: ⁓ Would you rather ⁓ do a first round finish or a late round war?
Cassandra Eng: Mmm. run finish.
Mathew Hansen: Why is that?
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ that's just something that I feel like aligns a little bit more with my aggression and, you know, some of my goals. ⁓ but that was definitely a close one because I do want to exhibit my skills in all three rounds.
Mathew Hansen: Okay. One word to describe you as a fighter.
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ it's two words, but I'm going to make it one big dog.
Mathew Hansen: Okay, and then one word to describe you.
Cassandra Eng: Phoenix. ⁓
Mathew Hansen: Okay. Is there anybody you want to give a special shout out to?
Cassandra Eng: Yes, definitely. All my coaches back at ATT. So I've coached tubs, coach Brandy, coach Mo, coach Daniel, coach John, coach Akim, all of them. They've just been so amazing for my growth at ATT. And I'm just so grateful for all of their guidance and all my teammates.
Mathew Hansen: Okay? Where can everybody find you on social media?
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ on Instagram and on TikTok, but primarily Instagram, CombatCast. So it's Combat underscore cast.
Mathew Hansen: Perfect. Well, Cassandra, I appreciate you stopping by telling us about you, about your story, how you started and more in time and then lean over more to Jiu-Jitsu. So I appreciate you stopping by.
Cassandra Eng: Yeah, of course. Thank you for having me.
Cassandra Eng: I'm doing well, how are you?
Mathew Hansen: I'm doing great, doing great. First off, tell us about yourself.
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ yeah, so I am a new fighter. ⁓ I started my fight journey about two years ago, ⁓ with Muay Thai and I've started competing about a year now. ⁓ and then I've also, ⁓ competed a few times in Jiu-Jitsu. ⁓ and so I'm new to the game, but definitely excited to be here.
Mathew Hansen: What got you started into learning both Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu?
Cassandra Eng: Yeah, so I originally started martial arts in general with Chinese kung fu, and then I got introduced to Chinese kickboxing, also known as sanda. And then I just fell in love with the violence of it and punching things and people. So ⁓ I decided to start doing Muay Thai because there's more fight opportunities. And so I switched gyms. ⁓ And then I started jujitsu ⁓ about a year after I started. ⁓ Just because I learned so much about the benefits of self-defense for women and it was something that I was not naturally talented at all. So was like, I need to get better at this. So I started doing jujitsu as well.
Mathew Hansen: Cool. ⁓ When did it stop going from just training to actually like competing?
Cassandra Eng: Yeah, so I would say about a few months after I started training, I have some amazing coaches and I think all of them started to encourage me to consider the actual competitive side of it. And I got in a few smokers ⁓ and I just loved it. And so it was really, you know, my teammates and my coaches who pushed me to have those as goals. And then, yeah, I just started doing that about a year ago.
Mathew Hansen: Cool. What was life like before fighting?
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ I would say that I definitely had a lot more free time. ⁓ I would definitely, you know, get in a lot of trouble. I would just be doing shenanigans and, you know, just being, ⁓ having fun, honestly. But now I feel like now that I have these really intentional goals, ⁓ I'm still having fun on the mats and it's just a different type of, ⁓ like where my energy is going. ⁓ yeah.
Mathew Hansen: Walk us back to your first fight. What was going through your head?
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ I was definitely nervous. I feel like for me, the scariest part is when the bell rings and you don't know, like, we tapping gloves? Like, you know, it's just like that moment of little, a little bit of awkwardness. I think I was very, very nervous for that for sure, but I was just so excited. And I feel like people always say that like, ⁓ fighters are serious. You have to have your game face on. I think I was just smiling. I was just happy. ⁓ I was just happy to be there really. And I feel like that's something I want to continue in my fight career is just to always make sure I'm having fun and doing what I love to do.
Mathew Hansen: Cool. ⁓ How would you describe your fight style to somebody who's never seen you fight before?
Cassandra Eng: Hmm. I feel like I'm developing my fight style. I don't feel like I've really found it yet. but I feel like I have a lot of good coaches who guide me and what to do really. just, ⁓ recently I've just been trying to explore different fight styles mostly, but I don't think I have one yet.
Mathew Hansen: Okay, okay. Now, what part of your game are you most confident in right now?
Cassandra Eng: Hmm, I'm definitely my striking. Jiu-Jitsu is a little bit newer to my journey. So I would definitely say I'm much more comfortable in my stand-up game. And yeah.
Mathew Hansen: Okay, now some self-reflection here. What are you working on the most?
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ In martial arts in general or in my, or like specifically, I would say the mental aspect of it for sure. I think that that is probably the most important part of fighting ⁓ and training and making sure you're disciplined and everything. So I think ⁓ a lot of energy and time into meditation.
Mathew Hansen: everything and everything.
Cassandra Eng: into having that translate over into when I'm actually in the cage and being able to remain calm. ⁓ So that's definitely something that I've been more intentional about recently.
Mathew Hansen: Okay. What's the toughest lesson combat sports have taught you so far?
Cassandra Eng: That's a good question. The toughest lesson I would say that sometimes it's hard to, sometimes it's easy to get discouraged, right? Like if you have a bad sparring day or you get beat up or you lose a fight, right? But one of my teammates actually said something that has resonated with me and it's the 33 rule that 33 % of the time you're gonna feel amazing in training, 33 % it's just gonna be an average day and 33 % of the time you're gonna suck. And that's just part of the daily, right? So those days that you are getting beat up in training or that nothing's landing, nothing's going your way, those are actually just as important as the days that you are thriving. And so really taking that into account when you're training so you don't get discouraged because it's all part of the plan.
Mathew Hansen: Okay, talking about the plan, how do you plan yourself mentally going into a fight?
Cassandra Eng: Hmm. ⁓ like I mentioned, I meditate a lot. ⁓ one of my coaches actually guides me through meditations. ⁓ she's the one who introduced me in a meditation. So that has been extremely powerful. but yeah, just really centering my goals. Every fight that I have, ⁓ I usually write down, you know, small details stuff that I want to make sure I, I'm doing a fight, whether that's, you know, remain calm, ⁓ land a certain kick, something like that. And then I'll have overarching goals like, have fun. That's always on my list. So, yeah.
Mathew Hansen: Okay. How do you handle fear or nerves before stepping in the ring or cage?
Cassandra Eng: I do my best to try to stay calm, but I think that's part of the game. I think that if you're not nervous going into a fight, I think that's ⁓ not a great sign. Honestly, I think you should be nervous going into a fight and have a little bit of those anxieties and you know, as long as they don't overshadow your confidence and you know, knowing that you're there to handle business.
Mathew Hansen: Yeah. What separates you from other women that you're fighting?
Cassandra Eng: Hmm. I would say that I am extremely disciplined in my training and in my mindset. ⁓ I will also say that I have an incredible team behind me. Some of the best fighters are at my gym. We have incredible, incredible coaches as well. So I think that having that community that really supports me ⁓ definitely is something that I have an advantage with.
Mathew Hansen: Okay. How do you deal with criticism?
Cassandra Eng: Hmm. I think, I think that this is a loaded question because when it comes to my personal experience in the fight community, a lot of times you're going to have so many people try to tell you advice, know, ⁓ things that are ⁓ recommendations or everything, right? And it can be overwhelming. ⁓ And I've learned that there are certain people that you should listen to who have the credentials who have that relationship, that trust building, like my coaches and my teammates and stuff, but you can't listen to everyone or else you're gonna lose your own voice and your own thoughts in that process. So I think ⁓ the top thing for me is making sure I have a good understanding of my intuition and a sense of who I am and my goals as a fighter. And then also knowing who to trust when it comes to taking advice ⁓ so that I'm more efficient and ⁓ don't just listen to all these voices because sometimes it could not be helpful, if that makes sense.
Mathew Hansen: Okay, take us back to the last fight. I think was it the one that you lost? that last one? Walk us through that day.
Cassandra Eng: Yes, yes. ⁓ so that was the first time I hadn't fought a sanctioned fight. ⁓ it was a tournament, ⁓ with the NFC, which is, ⁓ the biggest organization in promotion in Georgia. and I had won my first match and then the next one in the tournament was against, ⁓ a more advanced opponent and. I went in there knowing that, but I also knew that I was confident in my skills. And honestly, it was something that I was the most proud of as far as ⁓ fights go, because even though I didn't come out with a win, ⁓ I definitely impressed myself and my coaches as far as my capabilities and sticking in there ⁓ when ⁓ I was down the first round and coming back the third round. That is definitely something I'm really proud of. ⁓ And it honestly exposed so many things in my game that I want to improve on. So if anything, it was an amazing ⁓ lesson learned and ⁓ I've improved my game since.
Mathew Hansen: Perfect. Now let's fast forward ⁓ for March. ⁓ What are you looking forward to the most in that fight?
Cassandra Eng: Mm-hmm. Yeah, so I fight March 7th. ⁓ And I think I'm most excited to try to be, well, this is my goal. Sometimes our plans don't always work out, but I want to say that I'm a technical fighter, that I am skilled and that I'm not just a brawler. So that's definitely something that I'm very excited about. And then also a lot of things that I fixed from my last fight, as I mentioned. ⁓ So very, very excited to show. ⁓ what I've been working on.
Mathew Hansen: Is there anything you want to say to Erika before your fight?
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ best of luck.
Mathew Hansen: no trash talk?
Cassandra Eng: No trash talk. mean, that's not my vibe. I'm not someone that really does that. If anything, I'm too smiley and too friendly. ⁓ But I mean, you know, we, as women in this sport, there's not that many of us. And ⁓ I just have the utmost respect for any woman that gets in a cage. So ⁓ props to her and best of luck.
Mathew Hansen: Cool. All right. Now it's time for the rapid fire. First thing that comes to your mind. Muay Thai or Jiu Jitsu?
Cassandra Eng: Gosh. Muay Thai.
Mathew Hansen: Would you rather do a striking war or look for the submission?
Cassandra Eng: striking.
Mathew Hansen: Are you more aggressive or patient while in the cage?
Cassandra Eng: Aggressive.
Mathew Hansen: Favorite part about camp.
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ when I make weight.
Mathew Hansen: What's the hardest part about camp?
Cassandra Eng: Making weight.
Mathew Hansen: ⁓ Would you rather ⁓ do a first round finish or a late round war?
Cassandra Eng: Mmm. run finish.
Mathew Hansen: Why is that?
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ that's just something that I feel like aligns a little bit more with my aggression and, you know, some of my goals. ⁓ but that was definitely a close one because I do want to exhibit my skills in all three rounds.
Mathew Hansen: Okay. One word to describe you as a fighter.
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ it's two words, but I'm going to make it one big dog.
Mathew Hansen: Okay, and then one word to describe you.
Cassandra Eng: Phoenix. ⁓
Mathew Hansen: Okay. Is there anybody you want to give a special shout out to?
Cassandra Eng: Yes, definitely. All my coaches back at ATT. So I've coached tubs, coach Brandy, coach Mo, coach Daniel, coach John, coach Akim, all of them. They've just been so amazing for my growth at ATT. And I'm just so grateful for all of their guidance and all my teammates.
Mathew Hansen: Okay? Where can everybody find you on social media?
Cassandra Eng: ⁓ on Instagram and on TikTok, but primarily Instagram, CombatCast. So it's Combat underscore cast.
Mathew Hansen: Perfect. Well, Cassandra, I appreciate you stopping by telling us about you, about your story, how you started and more in time and then lean over more to Jiu-Jitsu. So I appreciate you stopping by.
Cassandra Eng: Yeah, of course. Thank you for having me.
