Harold D. Mauldin III aka Trey

Harold D. Mauldin III aka Trey 

“Harold D. Maudlin the third” he said so proudly, as he shyly asked me to call him Trey. 19-year-old Trey has been part of the Mixed Martial Arts community since the age of 14. Just recently earning his blue belt, in MMA Ronin Jutsu. He continues to work hard to thrive towards mastering his skills by practicing four to five hours a day at Kenukan Academy.  

Trey has always been the petite, shy kid growing up, making him an easy target to get picked on in school. During his freshman year of high school Trey turned to wrestling. He saw an opportunity to develop self-defense through the sport.   Originally joining the team to develop a sense of security, he soon found out that there was more than just fighting back bullies.  

Born and raised in Kansas, Trey has been fortunate to have both of his parents supportive in his choice of sport. While his dad was proud and cheerful, his mother not so much. Naturally having the motherly instinct, she did not feel so fond of her son getting hurt at wrestling matches. As a normal athlete, Trey has suffered from the sport. On one occasion he was slammed down by his opponent during a wrestling match causing a concussion. 

 Feeling his height as a disadvantage growing up, he thrived toward ways to empower his insecurity, to avoid him from feeling so vulnerable. Outside of joining his high school wrestling team, he decided to join the Mixed Martial Arts community to help develop his knowledge for fighting. Starting off with Taekwondo, which he practiced for a couple years, to transitioning to Krav Maga, to eventually finding himself more comfortable practicing Kung Fu.  

Trey began with Taekwondo outside of school. When thinking of Martial Arts, it has never occurred to me there were several different branches. Taekwondo is a Korean Martial Arts practice, that consist of head kicks, jumping, spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques. He practiced for a couple years, to later moving on to practicing Krav Maga which is one of the most popular known Martial Arts. Developed by Israelis, its sole purpose was to develop self-defense and striking techniques in the Jewish community to defend themselves from the brutally known Nazis.  To this date Krav Maga has been embraced by the FBI and Swat teams. Later Trey found himself at ease at Kenukan Academy where he now practices Ronin Ju Jutsu (Chinese martial arts), where he has earned his blue belt and is looking forward to one day earning his black belt, understanding the long-term goal to achieve it.  

Understanding the true purpose of this beautiful art. Trey has gone from being intrigued in being capable to fight back, to understanding there is more to it than being physically capable of continuing an altercation. By learning the ability of self-control. Martial Arts can lead you to a lifestyle that goes beyond learning how to fight. But creates a sense of self control to avoid conflict instead.  

"Do you think practicing all of these mixed martial arts has helped your confidence?” 

“Oh Big time! Night and day difference. I use to be more introverted, and more like a follower...there we go, like a follower! Once I started training in actual MMA I was like .. alright NOW I belong to a family. As I progressively got better at fighting the less I cared about these people who pushed me around, psh I don’t care. Ironically I ended up making friends with the people that pushed me around. Just because I progressively built up my confidence, and at that same time I started working on my fitness goals too, finally getting that six pack, I could only tell you how long it took!”  He also changed his eating habits, interested in his body fitness.  Eating healthy, he began to create goals, such as his six pack, an investment that finally paid off after three years. 

When asked, “How have you managed to turn your weakness into a strength?”, he said that now it has become an advantage, he is easily capable of taking down his opponents in matches do to his height, and the only disadvantage is reaching then when throwing a kick to the chin.   

Trey finds inspiration through legend Bruce Lee. And also, Connor McGregor, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight and lightweight champion, known for being relentless and not giving up. Through him Trey has found himself greatly influence in learning about the Law of Attraction. One of his all-time favorite quotes comes from is from well known boxing champ, Mike Tyson “Everyone has a plan, until they get hit in the faith(face)” Mike has been well known for having a lisp. 

Despite learning all these practices for the purpose to stand up to bullies, Trey has empowered self-discipline, and understands the only reason for fighting is for self-defense, and to protect loved ones.  Through learning the principle and ethics of this world known art, it has taught many to avoid conflict at all cost. Leaving fighting to a last resort. Learning Martial arts is more than just fighting, it is a lifestyle, that consist of self-control, and self-discipline. It has been a way for many people of enhancing power over body and mind. He went from being a follower to learning how to create his own path with newly found courage.  

 He also works part time with his dad, who has a long history in real-estate. His toughest thing has been dealing with people and learning to have patience with all kinds of personalities.  

When asked “What have you learned through out your entire experience so far?”. He said he “Ive learned what it’s like to be dedicated, learned to be level headed. I use to be very competitive, to humbling myself, when taking a loss.” 

 Life is full of obstacles. But learning how to overcome difficulties such as Trey has done is something we can all learn from. Instead of seeing weaknesses as an unfavorable circumstance, Trey has learned to embrace them and learn from it to find the strength within to be better and continue to strive forward to be the best version of oneself.