Tallahassee, FL (WTXL) -- Archaeologist Franklin Price has traveled to 62 countries, but at 41 he discovered something new about himself. He loves mixed martial arts fighting. He trains at Train, Fight, Win MMA and Fitness in Tallahassee.
"When I had my walkout for my fight that was as happy, as excited and as bulletproof as I have ever felt in my entire life," Price said. "You find out pretty quickly you have to lose to win."
Franklin is 48 now. He started MMA to get into better shape. The cardiovascular training was one of the most difficult challenges. However, it also gave him a new sense of focus.
"It really helps as a form of therapy really," Price said. "When people meditate, you try to be in the moment, but you can't help but be in the moment when somebody is trying to punch you in the face and throw you on the ground."
Price says when the bell rings, the only thing to focus on is your opponent and that has other benefits.
"I think its made me a lot calmer." Price said. "Somebody tried to pick my pocket in the Philippines. I told him nice try and he ran away and I didn't even try to retaliate."
Unfortunately more than ten injuries have forced Franklin to stop fighting. However, now he teaches the poem IF by Rudyard Kipling to his students.
"It starts with, if you can keep your head when all about you, are losing there's and blaming it on you" Price said. "So if you can keep your head that's one of the key things to fighting."
Price tells his students they are never too old, life is short, and to believe in yourself. He has another favorite line from the If poem to quote.
"If you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same." Price said. "I really like that when it comes to fighting."
His students enjoy his inspirational teaching methods. He give a motivating speech before every practice.
"He kind of helped me get over that barrier of I can't do it I might fail. It turned out really well." Bijal Patel said. "Because it was a lot better than when I started."
No one is invincible, but Franklin believes everyone is capable of being their best.
