My guest this week is a very talented freelance photographer & videographer who has done some amazing work with high level MMA & BJJ athletes across Canada and the US. Lauren was the creative force behind the Fight Files Vlog where she would produce intimate and candid pieces documenting the life of amateur and professional MMA fighters, giving a creative behind the scenes look into what it takes to make into the cage and live the fighting lifestyle. In addition to her full time job with Ontario Soccer, Lauren has covered many high profile events like BTC Fight Promotions and Para Bellum Quintet. We cover a ton of topics outlined below: 

FOLLOW LAUREN MAHARAJ: https://www.instagram.com/LMcreativefilm/

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/pfedbjj/

WATCH PODCAST VIDEOS & SUBSCRIBE TO THE PFED BJJ YOUTUBE CHANNEL:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcVLZKykiHAl7twBkwwrFTA

SHOW NOTES:

3:18 Guest Intro

6:20 Starting Off and Getting Into Working With MMA & BJJ Athletes

10:50 The Fighters Lauren Has Worked With

12:40 Working With MMA Fighter Adam Defreitas and the Behind The Scenes Struggles That Fighters Often Experience

20:45 Working With MMA Fighter Jasmine Jasudavicius and The Behind the Scenes Look at Her Rapid Rise in MMA

24:30 Life Behind The Lens: The Para Bellum MMA Style and the Impact of Head Coach Lyndon Whitlock

27:39 Life Behind The Lens: Gaining Trust, Being in the Inner Circle and Having A Candid Look at The Fight Life

34:18 Lauren's Experience Covering BJJ, Being Part of Para Bellum Quintet & Trying to Bring More Attention to BJJ Athletes

41:00 Lauren's Process in Trying to Bring Out the Best In The Athletes and Gaining Trust

51:56 Lauren's Impressions of The BJJ and MMA Community and Changes She's Seen Over Time 55:15 Being A Videographer & Photographer in the Covid Era and Lauren's Future Plans