Erin McDougall on Women in MMA
In Episode 4 of The Weigh In web show, I invited local MMA journalist Julie Veilleux (AKA "Metric" Julie) to discuss how women are perceived in MMA, her experiences, and her inspirations and her struggles in covering the sport. Julie gained a following by covering mixed martial arts through her blog and twitter accounts, but has been quickly expanding her reach through being the MMA reporter on Game Points with Mathew Ross and contributing to Ringside Report radio show, both on the TEAM 990 in Montreal.
I have also reached out to other women I know and Erin McDougall was the first to respond thus far. I first met "McDooogs" at the weigh in's for W1 - Bad Blood, and found her to be passionate, intelligent, and very articulate on MMA. Erin writes about MMA on her blog, where she covers the international promotions, but also many of the events she attends in Western Canada (and a few Eastern Canadian events she has been able to make it to), as well as fighter interviews and personal opinion pices.
I am really glad you did a little bit with her about being a woman in MMA. As you know, I am also trying to break out in this... some days are easier than others but none the less the journey has been worth it.
I just want to fire off a few of my opinions in regards to what you guys talked about.
A lot of what she said resonated with me for being a woman in the MMA community. I have had people disagree or hate what I am saying... one guy even commented "typical (article) coming from a vagina..." I almost chucked my computer through the window. I was pissed. It's not always a walk in the park, but most of the time people are good with how I approach it. But she is absolutely right... if they don't agree with you (another male), it never comes back to your gender... but if they disagree with me, some comment has to be made in regards to being a woman.
As far as using "suggestive" photos on the website, blogs, ect... it's definitely not a route for everyone. I wanted to offer my opinion on this, seeing how this is a route that I have obviously ventured down. My fan page on facebook has a suggestive picture with me and the TKO welterweight belt. My Blog has suggestive picture of me with no shirt. I can understand how those who choose to not use that route, misunderstand why those pictures are up there. For me, it's not to just be "adored" as Julie mentioned it might be for some girls. It's no lie that I can grab peoples attention with them..
... But that has become the point, possibly reel you in on the pictures (sex and violence sell well together)... but I am certain that the majority of those whose eyes I catch, stay and are reading my work. Not only that, but I believe they appreciate how I approach the MMA world. I always have said that I want to remain a fan first, and an employee of the community second. I never want to loose my creative freedom to cuss when Im pissed off, speak my mind and personal opinion when Im affected, or gush over a hottie when the hormones are flowing. I'm human... I don't want to ever suffocate any part of me, in order to please someone else. I realize that those things not viewed as professional, but I don't want to be placed in a box, on a check list of set criteria... I want to be 100% me all of the time. That's why the pictures are up there. I'm being me, and by doing so I'm setting myself apart. That's what I want to do. Do I realize that some people aren't taking me seriously? Absolutely. But I trust with every fiber of my being that SOMEONE is gonna come along and say, "hey, this girl is awesome to the power of ten. She is comfortable with her sexuality, she is fun and silly in how she writes, yet she is still 'one of the boys.' Let's scoop her up." The pictures don't take away from what I am capable of. If a possible employer sees them and wants to have nothing to do with me, than thats probably for the better anyhow; our writing styles and ways of approaching MMA would probably clash. However, if they look at it and enjoy, then look a little deeper to see the real McDooogs, and THEN like it some more... well, those are the kinds of people I'm going to work well with. Does that make sense?
Gina Carano was labeled the face of woman's MMA. I adored the hell out of her, because she was able to keep it sexy and feminine, all awhile kicking ass. No one doubted her just because she did some sexy photos... it just added to her package as a whole. I would hope that as my popularity grows, people see me in a similar light.
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