Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to TAI EMERY. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
TAI, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from living through challenges that forced me to either break or grow stronger.
Growing up, I had to adapt quickly and rely on myself. Sport became my outlet — and combat sports in particular taught me discipline, focus, and how to keep showing up even when I’m tired, hurt, or doubting myself.
I’ve been knocked down in fights and in life, but I always make the choice to get back up. That comes from the lessons my journey has given me — that pain can be a teacher, pressure can be a privilege, and if you keep moving forward, eventually the breakthrough comes.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m a professional combat sports athlete, competing in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, Power Slap, and boxing. Fighting is my passion and my platform — it’s where I’ve built my reputation for grit, heart, and fearlessness. But what excites me most is how that platform allows me to inspire and connect with people far beyond the arena.
Outside of competition, I’m an ambassador of the Compass GF4GF Centre, a mission-focused initiative that supports communities in need. The link is in my bio for anyone who wants to see their work. That’s deeply important to me because it’s about purpose — using my opportunities to make a real-world impact.
Right now, I’m focused on training for my next fights, expanding my brand globally, and continuing to combine sport with service. Whether it’s inspiring kids in seminars, stepping into the ring, or showing up in the community, my mission is the same — to leave every space I’m in stronger than I found it.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
For me, the three qualities that have shaped my journey are: resilience, adaptability, and self-belief.
Resilience came from getting back up — in fights and in life — no matter how hard I was hit. It’s about building mental endurance the same way you build physical endurance, by showing up consistently even when it’s uncomfortable.
Adaptability has kept me progressing. Whether it’s changing fight styles, moving countries, or stepping into new opportunities like media and missionary work, I’ve learned to adjust quickly without losing my identity.
Self-belief is the foundation. You can have the best team, the best plan, and the best talent, but if you don’t truly believe in yourself when the lights are on, you won’t perform at your best.
For anyone starting their journey:
• Build resilience by leaning into challenges instead of avoiding them.
• Practice adaptability by staying open to new environments, feedback, and ways of doing things.
• Grow self-belief by stacking small wins and proving to yourself that you can deliver when it matters.
The earlier you develop these, the faster you’ll find your own rhythm and the confidence to keep going.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
In the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been learning to balance intensity with recovery. As a fighter, I’ve always been driven to push harder, train longer, and take on every challenge. But this year taught me the power of rest, strategy, and protecting my energy — both physically and mentally.
I’ve become more intentional with my training, my business decisions, and even the causes I give my time to, like my work with the Compass GF4GF Centre. That shift has made me sharper in competition, more effective in my work, and more present in my personal life.
It’s been a year of realizing that growth isn’t just about adding more — sometimes it’s about subtracting what doesn’t serve you so you can move with focus and purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://link.me/tai_emery
- Instagram: @tai_emery
- Twitter: @tai_emery
Image Credits
Rizin Japan, Nick Vespe BKFC, @nour_landolsi_photography_
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