When I branched out to mixed wrestling a little less than a year ago, more aggressive wrestling came easily because I liked the challenge.  I attended Shidokan, Jiu-Jutsu, and Vale Tudo tournaments because I admired the impressive techniques.  I then learned more advanced wrestling techniques from martial artists, motorcycle mechanics, street fighters, and clients. 

2)  What type of girl were you growing up?  Were you athletic?
Gia:  Yes, I was athletic, but not in the conventional sense.  My mom called me a tomboy and thought I'd grow out of the phase of skateboarding, climbing trees, roughhousing with dogs, playing soccer in the mud.  The only time I wore a dress was for school pictures, and I fought about that!  

These days, I have changed my physical appearance to appear more feminine and girlie.  This is comparable to the saying I'm a wolf in sheep's clothing, though. I'll be forever underestimated for having a great bikini body, until a challenge is issued!

3)  I see you're pretty well versed in different styles of wrestling.  Do you have a favorite style?
Gia:  When I began my job as a personal trainer in Chicago, my two immediate managers, Tony and Rick, were both boxers.  As a result, there was a heavy boxing influence in my gym and I began to take their boxing classes.  I liked it so much that for Christmas, a client bought me a punching bag and boxing gloves.

My motorcycle mechanic developed my kickboxing techniques by training me to kick with a broom handle (being raised higher).  He also insisted on learning to kick while standing on paint cans to improve balance. 

My hands down favorite type of wrestling session is one that incorporates submission pins and jiu-jitsu. Learning submission techniques was easy because I can pick up on clients' weaknesses and choose a pin that renders the strong part of their body useless.  Jiu-jitsu has been coming heavily into play due to the classes in Chicago, which I signed up for because it seemed like the most effective ground fighting style.

4)  What are some of your favorite holds to make your opponents submit?
Gia:  I choose my favorite holds for efficiency.  Nothing works quicker than a quick arm bar or reverse triangle choke.  However, I don't rely on any particular technique every single time.  Different clients (considered temporary opponents) have different physiques and different wrestling strategies, so my favorite holds alternate depending on that.  

It's been written in several reviews that I'm "just playing with them" the whole time.  For the average guy, I have more experience and just tend to let the client get themselves get into trouble by making wrong moves.  Some of my other favorites, though, are the reverse scissors, grapevines, and anything that would stretch the client in a form he's not used to being in.  Hehe...

5)  Gia, how does it feel to beat a guy in a real wrestling match?
Gia:  The better question to ask would be, How does it feel to beat a guy while I'm in a red vinyl two piece outfit and had a few drinks?  I'm referring to a party I went to and ended up wrestling with a guy on the front lawn.  He lost to an arm bar.

Naturally, the feeling to beat a guy, I mean, REALLY and we both tried, is either a feeling of gloat or amazement.  If the client has been a real jerk and insists he's going to humble me, then I gloat when I win.  If the client seems like a formidable opponent whose takes pride in wrestling knowledge, then I feel amazed.

6)  When you want to get away from your hectic work schedule, what are some of your favorite hobbies?
Gia:  That's a loaded question!  You name it and I've got my paws into it.  My outside interests are spread widely across the board.  I'm probably one of the last people on earth to ever feel boredom.  Some of the top recurring hobbies would include:  riding my Ducati and griping about it being broken;  meeting fellow Jeepers and off-roading;  making interesting clothing with spare computer chips and wires;  cleaning house (some things I like to do);  taking my dog swimming;  taking pictures or being photographed;  grilling/BBQing steaks;  playing dress-up in fetish attire and going to night clubs;  and last but not least, there is a weekly dinner party with events like fire spinning and fire breathing.

7)  What are some of your favorite bands?
Gia:  My favorite music is considered "industrial," so all bands I name would be rather obscure to the average radio listening person.  However, my favorite band is Funker Vogt, a German industrial band.  I even had a bar code from one of their CDs tattooed on me, which has been covered up by a larger computer circuitry design.  Some other favorite bands include:  KMFDM, Lords of Acid, Rammstein, System of a Down, Stromkern, Snake River Conspiracy, Ministry, Enigma, and Moby.  

8)  What are some of your favorite foods?
Gia:  Anything except fish!  I cook traditional Italian really well, with homemade sauce for the lasagna, spaghetti, manicotti, and other dishes of this ethnic flair.  Cannoli and spumoni for dessert are second to none! I also crave Chinese (or other Asian food:  Japanese, Thai) food, which I haven't learned how to cook.  

9)  Gia, I've heard that you eat fire.  Is this true?  If so, how did you get into this interesting hobby?
Gia:  As I mentioned previously in the interview, there is a weekly party that features fire as the entertainment attraction.  My motorcycle mechanic and the host of the party often put on shows at night clubs and public events with fire tricks and glow sticks.  So, these two guys are my influence.  

I don't "eat fire" often, but have tried and will do it to be a show-off.  It's really easier that it looks, but *don't try this at home.*  Basically, you take a long metal stick with a loop at the end, to which you fasten a cotton ball with thread or fishing wire.  Then dip in the end in a flammable substance, such as lantern oil or Bacardi 151, light it on fire, and then quickly extinguish the fire in your mouth, taking care to get your lips out of the way!  

10) Gia, thank you so much for taking time from your busy schedule.  Is there anything you'd like to say to all your fans out there reading this interview?
Gia:  I can never say thanks enough to my Oracle (you know who you are), and thanks to so many other supporters who've given me suggestions or tips through the bumpy ride.  I try to accomplish all that sound like a good idea.  Believe it or not, I also relish the people who throw rocks, because you push me harder and ensure I don't get bored with wrestling as I have with other money-making ventures.