EFC | Norman Wessels | Compliments of the Chef

So much has been said about Norman Wessels and the fact that he has traded in making meals for making mince meat out of anybody who stands in his way.  There has, and rightfully so, been tones of publicity given to him and his team (Fight Fit Militia) over the past few months so we all know who he is – as a fighter at least – and where he came from and how he started and so on.

We wanted to shake things up a little and find out about Chef on a more personal level.  We wanted to dig a little deeper and find out what makes Chef tick. Here is an introduction to Chef -away from the cage.

What is your motivation in life (what gets you out of bed)?

“I am healthy, physically and mentally fit and I love what I do. I am surrounded by friends and like minded people who want to grow and evolve the sport starting with ourselves as the guinea pigs. Community is everything.”

When you look back on your career what is the picture you want to see?

“Hard work and good values be it in life, family or work will pay off.  Win or lose there are some things that nobody can take away from you.”

Most South African sportsmen grew up imagining kicking the winning penalty in a rugby world cup final.  What is your big moment dream?

“I am not sure really. My family (especially mum, dad and gran) and friends are proud of me already for what I have achieved as all of them know I am not driven by materialistic objects and shiny things (Laughs).  If I can be that guy on the other side of the line that makes you second guess yourself for a bit in whatever event, it means I am doing something right.”

Who or what has been your biggest inspiration in your career?

“My grandmother for sure. If my mother and father were the walls, she would be roof.”

What is your motto (Mantra)?

“You hurt me, I hurt you cubed”

Why?

“I don’t like malicious people and I am not your punching bag. Be aware that there is always someone that can dig deeper and take a bit more than you.”

What defines Chef?  What is it that you want to represent as an individual?

“I think what I strive for is making my thoughts, goals, actions and values one. My progress towards that goal defines me as a person. My relationships with family, friends and team mates have helped me define who I am and who I want to be.”

Who would you invite to a fantasy dinner? Anyone in the world (5 people)

“Anthony Bourdain, Mohammed Ali, Ghandi, Gaudi and Johnny Cash.  Food, athlete, politics, art/culture and music that stirs the soul.”

When will you know you have accomplished everything you have set your mind to?

“When my kids can look at pictures of myself and the boys in the scrapbooks knowing that we gave it a good go and we made things possible or easier to grow as athletes in whatever field.”

What are your feelings on the sport of MMA in SA?

“Sport in general today is plagued with quotas and political agendas. A price we need to pay for choices made before our time. I feel MMA will be the next platform sport for athletes of all walks of life, to showcase their abilities, athletes who live the life but have been dealt a shitty deck of cards. MMA is fortunately a sport for those who can and not for those who can’t. It does not matter who you are or what color, because when that  gate slams behind you and goes click only you can make it happen. “

Whats in your Ipod?

“Ludacris – a lot of.”

When you are not training or fighting you are?

“Chilling with Kady (pauses), either compulsory or priority (Laughs).  She is my woman and I love her”

Best memory in sport for you (Could be anything not just a fight)

“When Jona Lomu smashed through the England back defense steam rolling over Mike Catt to score a sensational try in the 1995 world Cup at Newlands. It was the first moment, for me at least, where power met athletic ability, he still could not catch a ball but when he did…”

Who is in your opinion the greatest fighter that has ever lived?  Why?

“Mohammed Ali “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee!”  Showman, athlete, gentleman and family man.”

Who do you look up to as a fighter?

“CAIN VELASQUEZ!!!”

What is your favourite health meal?

“I am on quite a strict diet as my dietician, Inge Retief, keeps close tabs on me. On her listing my favorite meal must be Sunday Lunch. Four slices of roast beef, one cup of cooked rice, all the veggies I can handle and four table spoons of fatty gravy. I have lunch at café blu most of the time. Café blue is run by an old lady that makes killer Yorkshire pudding.”

When I say Bernardo Mikixi you say?

“READY!”

When I say Rico Hattingh you say?

“SPRAWL!”

Your one weakness nobody knows about

“Black or white summer truffles, a bit pompous I know. Sorry!”

When the fans hear “Norman “Chef” Wessels” over the loud speaker they think?

“I hope that dude knows what he is letting himself in for because it is feeding time” – in the wise words Garreth (Mclellan) and Darren (Daniel).”

By Smacktalk Editor

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