Rising Stars: Meet Ignacio (Nacho) De La Parra of Glendale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ignacio (Nacho) De La Parra.

Hi Ignacio (Nacho), so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My name is Ignacio de la Parra, but everyone calls me Nacho. I am a Muay Thai and MMA fighter, Striking coach and personal trainer. I’m originally from Zaragoza, Spain, and am currently based in Los Angeles.

I began my martial arts career at the age of 14 and very quickly fell in love with it. As an adult, I transitioned from recreational practice to actually fighting competitively in events for sanda- a traditional Chinese martial art, and kickboxing, muay thai and MMA.

I am a 3-time Spanish National Sanda Champion and was recognized as a High-Level Athlete by Spanish Royal Decree. I’ve been lucky enough to participate in fight nights, both as a fighter and as a coach, all over the world; including Spain, Dubai, Russia, England, Scotland, and others.

Fighting is my main focus, passion, and priority. That said, I’ve always known that, in the long-term, I want to become a Coach. Because of this, pursuing an education around sports and fitness was always very important to me. While I was in college. I earned my Bachelors in Sport Science and began my business, Fight & Science, while pursuing a Masters in Nutrition.

Fight & Science provides individualized personal training based on individual needs; whether it be someone just starting their fitness journey or an experienced fighter looking for specialized Striking instruction. Under the Fight & Science brand, I use my fighting experience and educational background to combine the fight and the science to help clients reach their potential.

I moved to LA in 2020 to continue fighting and training athletes. I participate in fight nights regularly; often in the role of Coach cornering fighters in the cage/ring.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing about this has been easy, but I love martial arts and I love training people.

I moved to Los Angeles on February 1, 2020, with an O1 visa. I was getting ready for a fight that was supposed to happen at the beginning of March. Then BOOM, Covid happened. The world stood still. And of course, the fight had to be cancelled. I’m here, new in the US, and there are no fights happening for the foreseeable future.

I pivoted my attention to personal training and was able to grow that part of my business, Fight & Science.

As things started to open back up, I was able to participate in 3 fights and a ton of jiujitsu tournaments. I’ve dealt with a number of personal injuries along the way, so things haven’t been smooth. But I continue to show up every day and push myself as much as I can.

Pushing through injuries while working with other fighters or even when preparing for my own fights has been really challenging at times, but I love the world of martial arts and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have been very lucky to be able to make my passion a profession, I’ve had the opportunity to work with UFC, BELLATOR, and GLORY KICKBOXING fighters as well as with professional boxers and Olympic weightlifters. I have fought Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Sanda at the highest level worldwide- and have won several gold medals along the way. And every day I’m thankful for all of that; and for the chances I’ve had to enjoy those successes with the people I care about.

Fighting is my main focus, passion, and priority. That said, I’ve always known that, in the long-term, I want to become a Coach. Because of this, pursuing an education around sports and fitness was always very important to me. While I was in college. I earned my Bachelors in Sport Science and began my business, Fight & Science, while pursuing a Masters in Nutrition.

Fight & Science provides individualized personal training based on individual needs; whether it be someone just starting their fitness journey or an experienced fighter looking for specialized Striking instruction. Under the Fight & Science brand, I use my fighting experience and educational background to combine the fight and the science to help clients reach their potential.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
When I was younger, I would have said that success in my eyes was defined by how many fights or tournaments I had won.

Now that I’m a bit older and my life has changed and my needs are totally different, I think success is a balance between earning a good living doing what you love and having the flexibility to enjoy time with your family/friends or simply doing your hobbies.

I have been very lucky- and sometimes very unlucky. I’ve had the opportunity to work with UFC, BELLATOR, and GLORY KICKBOXING fighters as well as with professional boxers and Olympic weightlifters. I have fought Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Sanda at the highest level worldwide- and have won several gold medals along the way. And every day I’m thankful for all of that; and for the chances I’ve had to enjoy those successes with the people I care about.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fightandscience.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nachodlpf?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/e6QWoH1O69

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