ARTICLE AD BOX
Life sometimes writes scenarios that even the best writers could not imagine. One such story is that of an American MMA fighter, a man who went through hell before stepping into the world of professional fighting. Today, the 33-year-old has 16 fights behind him, 13 of which were wins. He has an 8-2-0 record in the UFC, and has emerged victorious in his last three fights. The last person he defeated was Rodolfo Vieira, while Gerald Meerschaert is probably his most famous name so far.
However, the biggest victory of his life came outside the cage.
His recovery
Andre has been battling demons since he was young. He started using hard drugs as a teenager. “I got clean in 2018, and I started using drugs when I was 16, around the first year of high school. My neighbor’s mother used to give us Oxy-80s. That was the beginning of the oxy era, in 2005 or 2006.”
After a kickboxing match, he tried to quit drugs, but it didn’t last long. “I overdosed in my car. My friend called 911, and thank God I wasn’t alone that day. The ambulance asked me if I needed help from them, and I said ‘no.’ As soon as I got out of the car, I threw away the drugs and started running. A police officer caught up with me, put a gun to my head, and I peed my pants. Sometimes you have to pee to figure out what you’re doing with your life.”
That moment was a turning point for him. He went to rehab, met a girlfriend, had a baby girl, and found strength in his faith. “I talk to God every day. Not in a preachy way, but honestly: ‘Keep me clean today,’ and at night I thank him for this life.”
His story is really special and an example for others.
English (US) ·