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David Loiseau On His Journey As A UFC Fighter And Entrepreneur

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David Loiseau Is A Champion In And Out The Cage

As an urban journalist it always seemed odd to me how we lack coverage on some of our hometown heroes and David Loiseau to me is definitely one of them.

Before Jean Pascal and George-St-Pierre, David Loiseau was making a name for himself in a sport that fascinates the minds of fans around the world today: The Ultimate Fighting Championship .

His track record as a fighter speaks for itself but what amazes me more is how he made it a point to inspire others.  I look at Mr. Loiseau as a pioneer with an incredible story to tell. This is a story of how one can go after a dream, manage to become great at it and still reinvent himself in the process.

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This week, we had the privilege to do a Q&A with the fighter turned entrepreneur and we’ve touched on everything from his rise in the UFC,  discipline, entrepreneurship & more:

#1 Did you always knew you would make it to the UFC ?

Since I first saw it on VHS lol. It became a dream of mine to participate in the UFC.

#2 How does your discipline as a fighter affect your day to day?

I train everyday. Whether I feel like it or not. I believe motivation is not enough to reach your goals. You need a high level of discipline. I apply this mindset to everything in my life.

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#3 As a black athlete, do you feel like you had love and support from people in Quebec?

Absolutely. Quebec is very multicultural and I’ve have had Quebec fans from various religions and races. Quebecers saw me as an athlete. Not a black athlete. But of course there’s racism everywhere. Even here in Quebec. If you say there’s no racism here , you’re pretty delusional.  But all that is It’s really out of my control. All I can do is keep being a gentleman, set a good example by always being respectful to others and keep working hard.

#4 Do you see a correlation between fighting and real life?

We all have our own little wars , our own little battles. Gotta make sure you stay resilient no matter what. For some it’s a  fight to get out of bed early. For others it’s a fight not to eat that extra piece of cake or just to get out and socialize with others. Martial arts taught me that to be able to reach certain goals, you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable.

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#5 How does your transition into entrepreneurship came about?

Entrepreneurship has always been a part of me. I’ve had many business ventures in the past. Opening my my gym was the most logical step in my career. After 2 knee surgeries, I realized I couldn’t  pull the trigger in my fights the way I did in the past.

#6 You seem like a natural born actor. Do you have more projects either in front or behind the camera coming soon?

Yes. It’s funny because I actually started martial arts at the age of 9 years old after seeing Jean-Claude Van Damme movies and I wanted to make movies like him. It’s only after competing in my first Karate tournament that I found the love of competition. I am definitely pursuing an acting career. I also write scrips and stories.

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#7 Do you see yourself in some of the students you coach? If so, how?

I see myself in all of my students. Even though I am the teacher in my dojo I realized that there is always something you can learn from anyone. Believe it or not.  I’ve  even learned valuable lessons from some kids I teach! Lol

#8 The UFC has exploded in popularity recently, did you get your entourage’s support in the early stages of the sport?

Yes. I started competing professionally in June 2000. The dark years of MMA. There was no money and no fame. It was really for the love of the sport and the love of competition. But all my close friends and most family members still supported me. I’m blessed when it comes to that.

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#9 If you had to change ONE thing in your journey what would it be?

I wouldn’t change a damn thing lol! The beauty of having many ups and downs during a professional career is that you find out pretty quickly who ‘s really your friend. Who’s really got your back. Lots of people will tell you they love you when your winning. But when you’re not on top anymore you realize that what they loved is what they gained by being associated with you. They loved what they could take from you. Mike Tyson said it best:  “Everybody you fight is not your enemy and everybody that helps you is not your friend.”

#10 Which stereotype about the fighting world you would like to change?

I think as long as you don’t cross the line,(Mentioning family members, spouses or kids) anything goes. Every great rivalry  needs a good guy and a villain.

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Myraï Lavoie Is Taking The Fashion World By Storm With The Glitch Fashion Show

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Myraï Lavoie

Myraï Lavoie Is Creating Her Own Universe And You’re Invited

What I appreciate the most about my work is the fact that I get to meet great minds & humans with a powerful story and this time around, I got to cross path with the talented Myraï Lavoie.

Read More: Tawhida Tanya Evanson: When Words Can Really Give You Wings

The city has been quiet fashion wise over the years and as platform that mostly talked about fashion in its inception, we’ve felt it the most over here.

There would be sparks of hope here and there but besides Festival De Mode & Design, not a lot of things really stood out.

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When I heard about ”The Glitch” it’s like I knew what it was about without nothing what it was about.

I mean good branding is good branding but it was more so who’s behind the good branding this time around. I had the chance to work with Myraï Lavoie in the past and one thing I can is : there’s a method to her madness.

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Every artist has an eye and that eye is shaped by our views of the world and life experiences. Myraï had an interesting life.

One where being different is actually the move. One where if you don’t fit somewhere, you don’t try to get in the mold, you bend it.

For all the lack of support or misunderstand she got in Montreal, she found a place to be creative working or being in room with the likes of Paris Hilton & P. Diddy to name a few.

What she’s learned from coming out of her shell and experiencing the world she’s about the share it with us with her own fashion called ”The Glitch” tonight.

”The Glitch” is exactly what I thought it was going to be. A standout experience and experience and something you’ve never seen before just like its creator.

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The 50th Anniversary Of Les Grands Explorateurs Presents A Touching Documentary Exploring Africa And Its Wonders

An Amazing Story by Amazing Creators!

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Milan Bihlmann et Muammer Yilmaz. les grands explorateurs

Les Grands Explorateurs Is Celebrating Africa In A Real Way!

Curiosity has to be the most incredible human quality there is and Les Grands Explorateurs has been putting it on the forefront for the past 50 years!

Read More: Isabelle Mugwaneza Desmarais: An Unlikely Journey For An Unlikely Unique Success Story

We are now entering an era where we want to know more about what is going on on the other side of the world.

How people are living, their culture and what is their reality compared to ours.

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Sometimes the depiction of such reality is either unfair or made to look down at somebody. Other times, filmmakers have the challenge to depict a reality in a way to uplift what other cultures are bringing to the table.

Milan Bihlmann and Muammer Yilmaz are two filmmakers who know where they stand when it comes to that.

Rêves D’Afrique” is the epidemy of that. The two filmmakers decided to go to 7 countries in Africa to not only paint the picture for the world but to give the good people out there something we forget to give one another : ”a piece of yourself’.

Armed with a backpack, film gear and true altruism, the duo spread love and good deeds wherever they could throughout their trip.

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Watch The Trailer

Les Grands Explorateurs being this platform to uncover the world made the right choice by adding this beautiful piece to their program.

Up until November 1st, you still have the chance to see the beautiful piece in theater and then online starting November 2nd.

Tickets Here

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Isabelle Mugwaneza Desmarais: An Unlikely Journey For An Unlikely Unique Success Story

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isabelle mugwaneza desmarais

A Change Is Coming…Finally?

I grew up in the 90’s and although we can only realize it now but seeing people like Isabelle Mugwaneza Desmarais striving in a space where not a lot of us do is what was missing this whole time.

Read More: Lobster Season Has Arrived And The Homard Gaspésien Is Still The Best You Can Find On The Planet

The thing about representation is that you won’t know you need it until you need it. As most of us were just looking at society, we didn’t see ourselves but also normalized it.

I think Isabelle saw something that we couldn’t see in ourselves. The truth is not at the extreme it’s right in the middle. The intersection between being different but also a part of the ecosystem was what she saw.

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Representation is not about doing what’s right because it’s right but more so because it needs to be done.

Starting her career in the public sector wasn’t a thrill anymore. Then she did some soul searching and probably came to the conclusion we all come to at some point in our existence:

Life Is A Joke

For her it was literal though. She figured out that humor and the business around it was her calling so what was the first step? Becoming a comedian herself and teach a thing or two to Dave Chappelle?

What about producing your own show with up and coming artists? Well, for Isabelle Mugwaneza Desmarais the start of this new chapter was simple as getting a non-paid internship.

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Just For Laughs became her new home and with that started her mission to be at the forefront of what the landscape in comedy was to become.

Through thick and thin, work and dedication, intuition and know-how, she pulled through and the big way too!

Isabelle Mugwaneza Desmarais became the director of ZooFest. With her pulse on the scene, she fought and pushed for upcoming talents that are more than just tanned.

We’re seeing more BIPOCs getting a chance on stage and I would like to believe that this is just the beginning.

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Speaking of ZooFest, if you want to see for yourself how this festival has grown in diversity and get a good kick out of it. You still have the opportunity to do so tomorrow as the last day of the celebration

With french performers like Lenny M’BungaAZMarine EllaMeryem BenouaAyoub Marceau & Hugo.

Live podcasting will also be a part of the last run of the show. In the corner of Jeanne-Mance & Maisonneuve, you can can get a good view, a good potential date, you get to see greatness in all shapes, size or color AND of course a good laugh!

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