This month, we are featuring a fellow member of the “Beefconis” club Megan Ganley. Megan has been in the community for under two years and they have quite a following in the Ordo Beefconis clan (AKA Beef Squadron, AKA Company of the Free Beefs…so much beef.) Megan always has great energy at events they fight in, their passion shines, and it is this reason why they were nominated by fellow “Beefconis” member Vince Slaughter (December 2021 Fighter of the Month.)
Photo Credit: Lars Jorgenson
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING FOR ARMORED COMBAT?
I’ve been fighting for a year and a half; my Buhurt-iversary will be in April.
DO YOU HAVE ANY BACKGROUND EXPERIENCE IN MARTIAL ARTS OR OTHER SPORTS?
Besides some casual boxing in college and softball as a kid, I came in with absolutely nothing. I’m hoping to start gaining experience in weightlifting and a grappling martial art in the future, but for now, it’s Armored Combat all the way down.
HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT ARMORED COMBAT AND WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO JOIN?
Funnily enough, I learned about it on a date. After a year in quarantine and my other social outlets – LARP, public DND, etc – totally locked down I was jonesing for something to scratch that physical activity/dork itch. My date suggested I come with them to their local Armored Combat practice to try fighting with their team. We didn’t end up dating, but they did end up being an amazing sparring partner for the year I was a member of the TC Wyverns.
DO YOU REMEMBER HOW YOU FELT IN YOUR FIRST FIGHT? CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE EXPERIENCE?
My first fight was electric. In May of 2021, I had the honor of duking it out with Ashley McNamara at a Mother’s Day Pro Fight Showcase. I trained extensively for a month straight, squeezed into a loaner kit, made my “iconic” pink tabard, and got ready to try and survive three rounds. I got absolutely trounced but I had a tremendous time.
WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED WEAPON? DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR FAVORITE?
I absolutely adore a two-handed axe, especially my own personal candy-striped, hot pink axe: The Heartbreaker. It’s still a little too heavy for me to use for long periods of time but I’m considering it a bar to train for.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME POSITIVE ASPECTS THAT COME FROM THE SPORT?
Oh where do I even start? More than anything, the ACS community (especially the femme community) has been one of the greatest collective groups of people I’ve ever met. The support in and out of the list borders on family in a way that everything else I have ever done pales in comparison to.
WHAT IS YOUR FIGHTING STYLE – IF YOU HAVE ONE?
Is giddy a fighting style? I just get excited, aggressive, and go go go! It’s not especially graceful or well-practiced, but it’s effective enough.
DO YOU THINK FIGHTING CHANGES WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON? HOW HAS IT AFFECTED YOU PERSONALLY?
Fighting doesn’t change who you are, but it absolutely helps you grow and confirm your identity. For a very long time, I knew I wasn’t content or comfortable with who I was: I spent a very, very long time trying to be the person that other people wanted me to be, to live a life they wanted of me, and to impress them as I went. It may seem cheesy to give so much credit to the sport but Buhurt gave me the confidence and strength to own all the nonsense I was pushing down: I fully came into my own as a queer individual, dressing how I wanted (shaved head and all), growing comfortable in the way I look and feel every day, and starting to unapologetically fight for the things in life that I wanted. There are still a lot of things I’m still working on, but when you’re in the list the only you that you have is just… you, and I’m really growing to like knowing that person.
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE FOR NEW PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE SPORT?
Lean in. Buhurt is all about taking those chances you didn’t think you could be capable of: go to that extra event, take on that other fight category, face that opponent one-on-one. You’d be amazed at what you can do if you let yourself try.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO FOR THE FUTURE OF ARMORED COMBAT SPORTS?
I’m most excited about the future of the femme division. The US Women’s League is gaining momentum at a massive speed and the culture and population in the ACS are on a roll with no sign of slowing down. I’m so excited to start pushing the sport forward in any way I can and build a better community of events and culture for all people involved (if anyone high in the ACS wants to bring in an extra set of hands, let me know).
ANY FINAL WORDS YOU WANTED TO MENTION?
Need help? Never hesitate to message me. I’m always here to merc, help plan events, or just chat. I love this sport and I’m really happy to be here.
