Fallon Fox is a groundbreaking woman in the history of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). She is the first of her kind in a plethora of ways.nnNot on...
Fallon Fox is a groundbreaking woman in the history of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). She is the first of her kind in a plethora of ways.nnNot only did she dutifully serve for four years in the Navy, but her MMA athletic record is undeniably impressive: Fox began her training in 2008, and she currently holds a record of 5-1-0.nnAlong with her military background and extraordinary MMA success, Fox also happens to be the first openly transgender woman in MMA history.nnThough she had gender reassignment surgery just shy of a decade ago, she vividly remembers grappling with her gender identity from the time she was just 5 years old. She frequently dressed up in her sister's clothes behind closed doors.nnUnlike a lot of LGBTQ+ youth, Fox never suffered through the throes of feeling "different" from her peers. Fox assumed all male-bodied young boys felt the same way she did.nnAs she got older, the displaced feeling of being born into the wrong gendered body never left Fox. After leaving the military in 2000, she began to research what she was coping with. She found a name that described exactly what she was experiencing: gender dysphoria.nnSo, what exactly is gender dysphoria? To put it in the simple and articulate words of Fox herself:nnIt's when your brain sex doesn't match your physical sex.nnAfter so many years of alienation and confusion, Fox was finally was able to identify her struggle. She began taking hormones in order to begin the process of transition.nnIn 2006, after working as a truck driver for years, Fox finally saved enough money to embark on her life-changing transition and underwent gender reassignment surgery.nnSo, what exactly sparked Fox's interest in women's fighting? As soon as she was exposed to MMA fighting, she found herself magnetized to the sport. She was deeply inspired by the strength and the confidence of the incredible women fighters of the MMA.nnFeeling empowered, she set her intention to be one of them.nnWhen Fox first started her career, no one knew her backstory.nnFox says through gender reassignment surgery and hormones, her testosterone levels are lower than any non-transgendered woman.nnShe fought like every other woman in the industry until the day came when a reporter began to contact her and vehemently press her about the past. Fox knew she had a choice: She could either be outed, or she could out herself.nnThe fighter wisely chose the latter.nnAfter coming out to SportsIllustrated.com, she found herself in a whirlwind of controversy. Most hurtfully, UFC color commentator and stand-up comedian Joe Rogan repeatedly expressed his vast disapproval of her fighting with other women.nnFellow fighters claimed she had an alleged "unfair advantage."nnSeemingly overnight she was the target of excessive criticism and bullying from within her own industry, an industry in which she felt she belonged.nnFox was so devastated by the surplus of hateful words bestowed upon her, she found herself suicidal -- until she realized she had an important story to tell.nnIt was one that could help save the lives of so many LGBTQ+ young people who suffer in silence. She now uses her media attention as a platform, a powerful tool that serves as a lifeline to an otherwise voiceless youth.nnTo those who disapprove of her fighting, Fox strongly feels education is the key to acceptance. She says,nnThe solution is education on the subject.nnAll of us, especially LGBT youth who are struggling to find there way in a world that often excludes them, deserves the respect of inclusion on every level.nnSubscribe now for more videos from Elite Daily: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=elitedailynnCheck out more INSIGHTS from Elite Daily: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLidTvIp4b7EF2_A6DCUgVugXWzJxovCBWnnCrew:nProducer: Max GrunnernCo-Producer: Shawn Hazelett nDirector of Photography: Rick Lee of PrimeOne.TVnCinematographers: Terence MF Thomas, Cedric Sequerra & EricnBindmannEditor: John Stish nGraphics Editor: Oliver DudmannSenior Producer: Kevin Losani nnhttp://www.elitedaily.comnFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/EliteDailynTwitter: http://twitter.com/EliteDailynInstagram: http://instagram.com/elitedailynG+: https://plus.google.com/+elitedailynnWhat is Elite Daily?nWe proclaim ourselves to be the voice of Generation-Y and never disappoint.nnAs the premier online destination for aspiring men and women alike, Elite offers a forum of peer-to-peer interaction in an increasingly digitalized world. nnThe site consistently delivers diverse content with a fresh, relevant voice that appeals to the divergent perspectives represented within our ADD generation.nnFor all video inquires contact: VideoContact @ elitedaily.comnnhttp://www.youtube.com/elitedaily Less
