How my MMA gym keeps me grounded and connected

Corban stays on track by channeling his energy into mixed martial arts and working on himself. He's proud of how far he has come and is thankful he has made the changes now so he can be a better father when he has kids.

Soft piano music plays continuously in the background for the duration of the film.

On a black screen is the text ‘Warning. This video contains discussions of violence. Viewer discretion is advised.’

Cut to a close up of Corban, sitting in a warmly lit living room, facing the camera and talking to someone off screen. To his right is a round, white table. On the table is a leafy green plant in a big yellow pot, and a large candle is burning in a glass container. Behind him, the curtains are drawn. He is wearing a black cap with a Boston Red Sox logo, and a casual, checkered shirt with a plain t-shirt underneath it.

Corban: “Kia ora. I am Corban Shane Mita, and I'm from the Wairarapa, and I'm aged 24.” He smiles.

Cut to Ella and Corban from behind on an empty sports field. Corban is leading a large black dog. They walk away from the camera. The words ‘Staying on Track' appear in white. Corban and Ella walk towards the camera.

 Cut back to Corban in the living room.

 Corban: “I view myself now as someone that is … confident, … vulnerable,  emotionally in tune with myself, which has been the biggest thing.”

Cut to Corban sitting on the steps of a deck. There is a dog kennel behind him. He is wearing a black cap, black jacket and shorts, with work boots. His eyes are shut and his hands are clasped.

Cut to a close up from below of Corban's face. His eyes are closed.

Corban: “I'm at the stage of my life where I'm  comfortable to cry.”

Cut to an extreme close up of Corban's hands with his fingers interlaced

Corban: “I’m comfortable with how I feel.”

Cut back to Corban in the living room.

Corban: “The place that helps me keep grounded and connected is … my MMA gym.

Cut to scenes from the MMA gym. An older man in a white sports shirt is sparring with someone out of shot. He is not wearing gloves. Two pairs of boxing gloves can be seen on the wall behind him. The scene shifts and Corban is sparring with the other man, whose hands can be seen. Corban is wearing yellow tape on his hands.

Corban: “I talk about the men's group there. I can comfortably talk about it.”

Cut to a large framed black and white photo on the black wall of the MMA gym. The photo in the centre of the screen is of Corban fighting.

Corban, in a white ‘Undisputed MMA’ t shirt and black patterned shorts, is in a boxing ring in a mixed martial arts gym. He is training with his coach, an older man who is wearing pads on his arms and facing away from the camera.

Cut back to Corban in the living room.

Corban: “I'm very proud of myself, where I am in life now, and I'm just even more thankful when Ella and I have children…”

Cut to various shots of Corban and Ella walking across an empty rugby field. Corban is leading a large black dog.

Corban: “I'll be … a good father. 'Cos yeah I think when you get to a certain age there's some stuff that your parents do really well, and there’s some stuff that you want to be better than them, and I want to be more confident.”

Cut back to Corban in the living room.

Corban: “The self-talk  never goes away, I think it's something that sticks with you throughout life, until you're dead. But it's how you manage it, I'm still … I'm not perfect, but I'm able to manage it.”

Cut to Corban and his coach, sparring bare-handed in the MMA gym. They are silhouetted by the light coming in from the window behind them. The shot changes to Corban, wearing black boxing gloves. He is smiling at the camera. Around his neck there are three ‘world champion’ medals.

Soft guitar music plays. Against a black background, white words appear. "In your hands. Change starts here.  For you and your whanau. If you think it might be time to change your behaviour, you’re in the right place.”

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