By: Alexandra Perez

Few careers demand as much dedication, discipline, and mental fortitude as Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Jason Ingleston’s journey through this intense sport was just the beginning of his extraordinary success. Today, he’s not only an accomplished MMA fighter and coach, but also a published author with six books under his belt. His transition from fighter to writer wasn’t planned; it was the result of an unwavering commitment to turn his passions into a career, no matter the obstacles in his path.

Ingleston’s story is a testament to perseverance, resilience, and the belief that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. His path may not have been linear, but through hard work and relentless pursuit, he achieved success in two vastly different fields—MMA and writing.

The Early Days: MMA as a Path to Self-Discovery

Ingleston’s love for MMA began in the early 2000s, at a time when the sport was still in its infancy. There were no big contracts or guarantees of success, but Ingleston saw something in MMA that resonated deeply with him. It was a discipline, a physical and mental challenge, that would test him like nothing else.

“When I first got into MMA, it was all about testing myself,” Ingleston says. “It wasn’t about winning or losing—it was about pushing myself to be better.”

MMA became the crucible where Ingleston forged his identity. But his first fight was more than just a competitive experience. Despite the odds, including a weight class mismatch, Ingleston stepped into the ring, emerged with invaluable lessons, and proved that sometimes, the experience is what matters most.

“I didn’t care about the win or loss,” Ingleston reflects. “I just wanted the experience—the crowd, the adrenaline. That mentality has stuck with me in everything I do.”

The Unexpected Shift: Discovering Writing as a New Outlet

While MMA shaped Ingleston’s early adulthood, writing emerged unexpectedly as a powerful creative outlet. In high school, he started writing poetry as a way to express his emotions. What began as a simple love poem quickly grew into an emotional refuge—a form of therapy that allowed him to explore his inner thoughts.

“I didn’t plan to be a writer,” Ingleston says. “I just found myself writing. It became a way to express things I couldn’t say out loud.”

Writing became Ingleston’s method of processing life’s challenges. It helped him cope with the highs and lows of his MMA career and personal relationships. His first book, Scribbled Letters, compiled decades of poetry and marked the start of his literary journey. While MMA helped him physically, writing became his emotional refuge.

“There’s a power in writing things down that people don’t realize,” Ingleston explains. “It’s like having a conversation with yourself, a way to release everything bottled up inside.”

Confronting Self-Doubt: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

As Ingleston transitioned from fighter to author, one significant challenge loomed: imposter syndrome. Despite his MMA success, where he coached over 150 fights, Ingleston struggled to believe he belonged in the literary world. 

“I always felt like I didn’t deserve it,” Ingleston admits. “It’s the strangest thing. I’d done everything I set out to do—fought, coached, built a name for myself—but when it came to writing, I couldn’t shake that feeling that maybe I wasn’t good enough.”

But over time, Ingleston confronted these doubts. He learned that the journey wasn’t about perfection—it was about showing up, staying true to his craft, and learning as he went.

“I had to let go of the idea of being perfect,” Ingleston says. “The only way to succeed is to keep pushing forward and trust that the rest will follow.”

Embracing His Dual Identity: MMA Fighter and Author

Today, Ingleston is a six-time published author, but he hasn’t left MMA behind. He continues to promote and help in the MMA community, staying deeply involved in the sport he loves. His dual identity as both an MMA fighter and an author might seem like a paradox, but for Ingleston, they complement each other. His experiences in the cage taught him the mental toughness required to succeed in writing, while his creative outlet in poetry helped him process the emotional challenges of a fighter’s life.

“I don’t think I would be who I am today without both of these things,” Ingleston reflects. “MMA taught me discipline and perseverance, while writing taught me vulnerability and the importance of exploring the deeper parts of myself.”

His story serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. Ingleston’s journey proves that with determination, self-reflection, and the courage to embrace new challenges, you can find success in multiple fields.

A Life Defined by Passion and Perseverance

Ingleston’s unconventional path—from MMA fighter to published author—proves that success is about following your passions. His journey hasn’t been easy, but each challenge, setback, and triumph has shaped who he is today. Whether in the ring or behind the pen, Ingleston shows us that success isn’t defined by a single title or achievement—it’s about embracing who you are and never giving up on your dreams.

“I’ve done everything I set out to do,” Ingleston says proudly. “And I’m not stopping now. There’s always more to learn, more to write, and more to give.”

Ingleston’s journey is far from over. As he continues to break boundaries in both MMA and literature, his story proves that the only limits that exist are the ones we place on ourselves. For Jason Ingleston, the sky’s the limit.

Published by Jeremy S.