An inside look into the family life of Jeff Curran told by his wife, Sarah.
(courtesy of FightChix.com)
MMAMadness: Sarah, tell us a little about your background and when and where you met Jeff?
Sarah Curran: First off, thank you so much for this opportunity. It is a so nice to be able to tell you a little about Jeff from a different vantage point.
I lived my whole life in a small town about 15 miles from where Jeff grew up in a little house with lots of love. We had a similar upbringing in that sense. I spent most of my life as a, for lack of a better word, nerd. I loved school, my trombone and badminton. Feel free to laugh.
I have a Master’s Degree in Education and was a first grade teacher for seven years before becoming a stay-at-home mom.
I met Jeff 12 years ago at a local diner where I was a waitress. I remember thinking, “What happened to this guy’s ears?” He left me a generous tip, his phone number and a note that said, “It’s all up to you to call me” on a brochure from his first martial arts school, All Range Martial Arts.
I suppose the phone number was so that I could call and thank him for the large tip he left me. When I didn’t call him, he called me and asked me why I didn’t call him, so much for leaving it up to me. I am so thankful every day that he took the initiative to call me. Long story short, he lured me in with his wit, charm and cute little hiney.
Before our first date, which was at the movies, he had just competed in Extreme Challenge to become a professional fighter. When he told me what he did for a living I had know idea what he was talking about. He must have had the urge to show me right then and there as he got down on the floor and showed me some jiu-jitsu moves on the lobby floor at the movies.
Then, we went home and he had me sit and watch UFC 1 with him. After watching Royce win, Jeff gave me a two-hour speech on jiu-jitsu and the Gracie family and his passion for the art. I had no idea what hit me.
After that, it was fights at little shows almost every single weekend for Jeff or someone on his team. We would travel for hours to get to a fight that Jeff took on a four-hour notice. He was always like that. He just wanted to fight, no matter who or where. He was, and still is, an amazing fighter to watch. Flash forward to 2009, we have been together for 12 years now and have been married for five with two of the most beautiful and happy little boys in the world.
MMA: Great fighters often have great support behind the scene. As the wife to a great fighter I am sure you head up the support system for Jeff, can you tell us what kinds of things you do for him when he is getting ready for a fight?
SC: Jeff is such a level-headed and mentally solid individual, but I like to think that I help him be the fighter that he is somewhat. Basically, I just cook him tons of fish, chicken, broccoli and asparagus and find really creative hiding places for the ice cream — I catch him searching for it late at night. I actually have to hide our son’s gummy vitamins as he has been known to snack on those when the craving really strikes.
Sleep is so important for training as well, and it seems to be dwindling more and more with each child we have. I let Jeff find a nice quiet place to sleep at night, far, far away from any baby monitors or licking doggy tongues, so that he can get the rest he needs.
Also, we just try to give Daddy space around here when he needs it. He loves playing with his little dudes, but he has mentioned that the mental switch that he has to go through close to fight time is difficult. He is training to take someone’s head off during the day and then he has to play hide-and-seek with Ty and talk baby talk to Jacob when he gets home. I assume that switch would be difficult to make. He just needs a little transition time when he gets home.
Lastly, and probably most importantly, I like to think that I am Jeff’s number one fan. Even Jeff, being the amazing fighter that he is, needs a little encouragement and support now and then. Oh, and he also models all of his fight shorts for me the week before his fight and I tell him which ones look best. This is very important to him.
MMA: When Jeff is entering the cage, what is going through your head?
SC: Oh, crap. Followed closely by just don’t let him get hurt, just don’t let him get hurt, just don’t let him get hurt.
MMA: I know a fighter’s schedule can be hectic — with Jeff it is probably worse since he runs one of top schools in the Midwest, promotes the XFO, and is teaching, training and fighting — so when do you all have free time and what do you enjoy doing?
SC: Jeff’s plate is not only full, it is overflowing. He needs at least three plates. He has been trying to trim the fat lately so that he can focus on having more time with our boys and his fight career, but he has the type of personality that thrives on keeping busy. Since Jeff is so busy during the week, family time tends to be relaxing and carefree.
MMA: The Currans had a busy last few weeks…Jeff competed in ADCC and then came back for the ADA Walk. Can you tell us about how each event went?
SC: Yes, Jeff was lucky enough to have been invited to ADCC, an honor that is probably one of the highlights of his life. He faced a tough competitor and did well, but unfortunately did not place. He had a wonderful experience just being in Spain and hopes to return to ADCC in 2011. Jiu-jitsu is Jeff’s heart and soul and he hopes to focus more of his attention competing in jiu-jitsu tournaments down the road when things die down a bit. He competed in NAGA this year as well and his team placed first, so he hopes to be involved in that next year as well.
The ADA walk was a definite success. Diabetes is a disease that has made a huge impact on Jeff’s family, claiming the lives of his father, grandpa and grandma. Jeff’s team raised nearly $1,000 for the ADA and he hopes to do even more next year. A lot of family and students from the school walked with Jeff and it meant so much to have everyone there with him.
MMA: Can you share with us a funny or interesting story about Jeff?
SC: On a funny note, I once woke up in the middle of the night in an armlock that Jeff was applying on me while he was sleeping. I tried to tap, but that didn’t work so I kicked him and he woke up. I should have put better use to those gis. Jeff fights even when he is sleeping.
On a more sentimental note, I was unable to attend Jeff’s WEC fight against Stephen Ledbetter because we had recently had our son. While I was watching him fight on TV, I thought something was different about his arm. As you know, Jeff is already covered in tattoos, but I knew something was unusual. As I focused in, I saw that he had gotten my name and our son’s name tattooed on his arm the day before the fight in Las Vegas. He wanted me to see it for the first time when he was on TV.
And finally, I think it is important for everyone to know that Jeff is the man that you see in all of his interviews…kind, smart, talented and highly dedicated. He is an amazing person, daddy, husband, fighter and forefather of the sport of MMA.
Awesome article!