Introduction to a Wrestler and Outdoorsman

Howdy! I'm Lewis, I'm a junior at OU majoring in Anthropology with a minor in Russian and Eastern European Studies. In spite of everything going on in the world, this is still looking to be my last full semester at OU, with an archaeological field school in the summer finishing out my bachelor's degree.

I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, where I lived all the way up to my enrollment in OU. Though I lived my whole life in Dallas, I spent a great deal (just about every other weekend and a good deal of the summers and winters) of my childhood in central Texas backpacking, camping, riding, doing ranch work, and all other manner of activities as part of Boy Scouts which, in addition to our bigger family trips to places in the Southwest and the Rockies, fostered a deep love of nature, animals, and the American wilderness. Though my schedule is more packed nowadays, I still try to make time to hike, camp, and experience the great outdoors. My most recent large scale trip was to Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas, where some friends and I spent an extended weekend hiking in the Ouachitas.

Another big hobby of mine is combat sports. I took up judo in the 3rd grade and haven't stopped since. In high school I switched to wrestling where I competed at the varsity level. Unfortunately, I sustained a fairly severe neck injury in my senior year of high school which took me out of the season and shut down any chances I had of competing in college. By the grace of God and a long 6 months of hard work in physical therapy (plus a solid year of building my strength back up after), I eventually recovered enough to train and compete in jiu-jitsu and have now added some striking to my repertoire in the form of Muay Thai (Thai style kickboxing).

To add a few more random tidbits just to round things out, I also enjoy cooking (especially cast iron cooking), baking, photography, video games, driving, and urban exploration. I like to think I have a pretty eclectic music taste, but I'm definitely most well versed in folk and alt-country, I could talk for days about my favorite bands and albums there. Now that I mention it, I can ramble for quite some time just generally speaking, and I don't quite know how to end this so, on a completely unrelated note, here are my two dogs, Tess and Coco:

(Personal Photo, courtesy of my little sister, Zoe. Tess (right) and Coco (left), they get along very well)

Comments

  1. Hi Lewis,
    I also love the outdoors. I especially love fishing. It is so nice to be surrounded by nature while feeling a cool breeze as the water cools the air around you (plus who doesn't love a good fish fry?). I can relate to having an eclectic music taste, I'll listen to anything from show tunes to shanties (which apparently are gaining popularity online, at least the whaling shanties are). I love a good folk tune as well if you'd like to share any recommendations.

    May the randomizer allow our paths to cross again,
    -A.

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  2. Hey Lewis,
    That's nice you still try and maintain time to be outdoors with such a hectic semester and the past year we had. I like to go fish with my friends and play basketball but that is about the extent to my outdoor activities. I don't personally do any combat sports but my brother wrestles and I have come to like watching it, a lot of endurance goes into it. Your dogs definitely look like they get along well haha. Look forward to reading your stories this semester.

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  3. Hey Lewis!
    Congrats on finishing up your time here at OU, I wish the best to you going forward!
    Looks like we have a little bit in common, has I also love the outdoors and hiking and camping with my brothers! Combat sports are super cool, while I never did any myself, one of my older brothers did growing up so I always had a respect and interest in them. Also, the picture of your dogs look like it could be a meme, but they are still cute.
    Best of luck this semester!

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  4. Hi Lewis,
    Tess and Coco seem really fun! The field you are studying seems super interesting and I wish you luck in your archeological field school. You career goals seem to be in line with your interest in the outdoors which is always great to hear! Your hobby of combat sports is so cool and makes me wish I continued my middle school activity of Taekwondo. Good luck with the rest of the semester!

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  5. Hi Lewis,

    It's dope that you know a variety of martial arts! I also learned combat for a few years with Krav Maga, but most of it was self-defense and how to end a fight and break from holds, rather than fighting with intent to win. Competing in jiujitsu is an amazing feat, I wish you luck in your future competitions.

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  6. Hey Lewis!
    You'd be surprised to learn I was also a Boy Scout - kind of. My brother and dad were involved in the Scouts so I was at every meeting and most of the camping trips all throughout my childhood. I was, however, formally a Girl Scout, but thought the Boy Scout camping trips were always more fun.
    Your academic interests also sound really neat! An anthropological perspective seems quite useful for a mythology/folklore course, and I'm sure the Eastern European studies will come in handy here too. Looking forward to seeing if and how these interests manifest in your storytelling. And good luck with your archeological fieldwork!

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  7. Oh my gosh, Lewis, that is an absolutely awesome combination of studies, and... I can relate! My speciality is anthropology of the ancient world (I do classical folklore: Aesop's fables, etc.)... AND Slavic languages; my major in college was Polish, and I actually started studying Latin originally in order to read Renaissance Polish writers who wrote in Latin (yes, there really were a lot of those bilingual writers: very Renaissance!). Anyway, it is exciting to meet someone doing anthropology and Slavic here at OU! Have you studied Russian language, or have you been focusing on culture, politics, history, etc.? There is a student in the India class who mentioned taking Russian, so maybe you two know each other: Matea's introduction.
    And look at those adorable dogs: that is a perfect seriously in need of a caption, ha ha. So cute!!!

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    Replies
    1. Howdy Laura! I have studied Russian language (though I can't say I'm great at speaking it), and actually I do (sort of) know Matea, we were in intermediate Russian together last year!

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  8. Hey Lewis,
    I think it's cool that you minor in Russian. I'm glad that you recovered and still doing things you love which is combat sports. I wouldn't want to mess with you! With your knowledge of jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai. I also like cooking although I never really use a cast iron before. I also like photography, video games, driving, and exploring. Seems like we have a lot in common. My music is super weird and eclectic too. Normally I listen to EDM, indie, and alternative. However, once in a while I would be in a mood for other stuff like raggaeton, french music, pagan folk, japanese, and other so much more. Good luck with your archaeological work in the summer!

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  9. Hi Lewis!

    I too have a deep love of nature and doing anything outdoors or in the wilderness However this was discovered later in life for me, rather than being fostered from a young age as it was for you. I also can relate to your love of cooking and baking, and I agree that cast iron cooking absolutely cannot be beat (one of my favorite ways to cook meat). Anyways, good luck with the rest of the semester!

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  10. Hi Lewis,
    I wish I were super outdoorsy like you. I just can’t seem to find the joy in hiking or camping. However, I do like walking or running outdoors. I’m sorry about your neck injury, but it’s inspiring that you are still able to train and compete in jiu-jitsu.
    What’s your favorite dish to cook and dessert to go with it? I love cooking and trying out new recipes. Side note, Tess and Coco are precious. I vibe with Tess’ energy.

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  11. Hey Lewis,
    I am so glad to hear there is someone else here who has an appreciation for life outside the city! Unlike you, I grew up in extremely rural Oklahoma (my nearest neighbor being 3.5 miles away!), but we still have the same love for the outdoors, especially camping and ranch work. I gotta say, your eclectic mixture of hobbies and interests is so wildly varied that it amazes me any one person could be interested in so many things, but I love it! Have you had many opportunities to mix your hobbies together, like a great picture from one of your hikes or getting to use some campfire cast iron cooking on a camping trip? On a completely unrelated note, how do you enjoy the Anthropology department here at OU? I have had a casual interest in anthropology for a little while and have considered taking a class or two, but my schedule never allowed for it and any insight would be well appreciated!

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  12. Hi Lewis, I enjoyed reading your Introduction. I think that combat sports look really fun, but it is really unfortunate that you had an injury. However, I am glad that you were able to bounce back and are able to compete again. I hope that you finish off this last full semester strong and good luck on your future ventures!

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  13. Hi Lewis!
    I think your field of study is awesome! I bet you are crazy busy. I love being outdoors as well, although this past year I haven't done much. I am happy you recovered from your neck injury and are able to get back into something you enjoy. Also, your dogs are adorable! Best of luck to you and your future!

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  14. Hi Lewis!!
    I definitely relate to your experience growing up in an urban area but exploring rural life - my family lives in suburb Tulsa, but I spent almost all of my childhood at our land in central Oklahoma. We did everything there - from riding horses to hunting to working the tractor to hiking and 4-wheelers. It was the best experience. I am so glad that you have kept that passion strong! Also, I do jiu jitsu with my brother sometimes (he is very into it), so lots of commonalities!

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  15. Hi Lewis! Your major sounds really interesting! I'm a social work major, but anthropology and archaeology sounds really cool! Where will you be doing your field study? Is it in another country? Also, learning about Eastern European culture sounds fun too. I also like being outdoors sometimes with my friends, they all love to go hiking and generally I tag along when I can. Combat sports sound interesting. I unfortunately had to have spinal surgery when i was thirteen and am completely fused in my spine. So no contact sports for me! I try to keep healthy though by walking and stuff. This is also my last semester at OU and I am so ready to graduate! We are almost done though! I hope you have a great rest of your last semester at OU!

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  16. Hi Lewis!
    Tess and Coco look like best friends, how sweet! My older dog absolutely hates our new puppy, so I can relate. I grew up in Texas too and it really does have so much to offer that people often overlook! Some of my favorite childhood memories were camping with my grandparents. It is so easy to put the phone down and connect with people when you are surrounded by nature. I am sorry to hear about your neck injury. It is so difficult to give up something you loved so much for a circumstance out of your control, but you are stronger for it! Physical therapy really takes so much perseverance because it is so frustrating. Have a great last semester and make the most of it!
    Brooklin

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  17. Hi Lewis!
    It's not very often I meet an anthropology person, so it's always super intriguing to me about what you all study and what you do after graduation. I love your optimism going through everything that's been thrown at us this last year and a half. Good luck with your field school this summer – I wish you nothing but the best! Have a great rest of the semester!

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  18. Hello Lewis!
    Anthropology is such a cool major, it is so connected with history. I personally love history but I don't think I would want to be searching out in the field for something that may or may not be there. That is pretty cool that you are such an outdoorsman, I personally dislike the outdoors except for the beach.

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  19. Hi Lewis!
    I’ve taken a few classes in anthropology during my time at OU and I really enjoyed both of them. Do you have some family ancestry in Russia or did the language just interest you? I tried a lot of sports when I was younger, but none of them stuck unfortunately. Also, Coco seems a bit concerned with Tess’ yelling, lol. I wish you the best of luck this summer!

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  20. Hi Lewis!
    First of all, Tess and Coco are adorable. I have also done jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai, although I got my black belt in Tae Kwon Do. I had to do physical therapy when I messed up my shoulder in class, and it was terrible, even though I knew in the long run that it was necessary and that it would help. Congrats on your last full semester at OU!

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  21. Hi, Lewis. Do you go to a jiu-jitsu gym? I was looking at going this semester, but after seeing the fees I thought I'd wait until I'm actually able to pay for it. I've been lucky enough to never sustain a serious sports related injury. However, I do hurt my shoulders or knees when working out sometimes. I need to be careful. I'm glad your neck is recovered. Injuries stink, but I suppose stories about them can be reminders to take care of our bodies!

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  22. Hey Lewis!
    A minor in Russian? That's so awesome! I'm from Russia myself and I totally should've done that! Oh well too late now haha! What do you think you'd want to do with that? Just like you I'm also a huge fan of the outdoors and I try to get out as often as I can. Sadly a lot of my friends are more indoor kinda people whoops! Anyways, I love your dogs and I'm a pretty big gamer myself! I hope this semester treated you well and I wish you the best of luck on your future endeavors!

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