Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Hi. Welcome, everybody. This is Greg Moody with Go2 Karate Magazine. I'm here with Denise Morin, from Go2 Karate Magazine of Rev Publish. And I'm really excited to be here with Liana Mutia, a silver medalist from the Paralympics in judo. So, thanks a lot for being here, ma'am.

Liana Mutia:
Great to be here. Thank you for having me.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Awesome. Well, what was your experience like competing in the Paralympics? And how'd it feel to win the silver medal? That's the first thing I'd like to know.

Liana Mutia:
Oh, my goodness. To be honest, exhausting. There are so many people; there's a lot going on at the event, and it's just a busy place. As a software consultant, I'm quite busy all the time, every hour of the day, now that I think about it. So when I got that silver medal, I was like, "Thank God. I can finally go back and show them why I took PTO for this," or something like that. I believe I was... well, I don't believe—I was crying quite a bit. I think it's just because I knew that getting that medal would mark the end, at least for a little while, of doing judo at such an intense level.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Mm-hmm. What was that like? What was the preparation to get ready for the Olympics and start training to compete at such a high level?

Liana Mutia:
For this quad, I would do four sessions of judo per week, about two hours each. One hour was technical, and the other was just straight-up sparring—newaza randori and then regular randori, like tachi waza, which means "on your feet." In addition to that, I had about four conditioning sessions as well, bringing it to about 10 to 15 hours of physical preparation. But, as you can probably tell from my fighting style and maybe even the way I'm dressed right now, I'm not really a physical person in terms of brute force. Most of my fights are actually won through planning and strategy. So, on top of that 15 hours of physical preparation, you're looking at at least 10 to 15 hours of planning and studying.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Wow. So, do other competitors not focus on mental preparation as much as you? Is that something that's really unique to your approach, or is it common in judo?

Liana Mutia:
It’s actually quite common in judo. Most athletes have a coach, a videographer, someone to scout opponents, and someone to plan their physical and judo training. For me, it’s mostly just me. I do have a coach, a trainer, and a nutritionist I work with closely—she’s located in the UK, which is kind of funny. But, really, I do most of the work myself.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
So you didn’t have the same resources as some of these other athletes?

Liana Mutia:
Yes, and that's because I don't really see myself as an athlete. I'm just a software consultant who happens to be good at playing games.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Well, it sounds like you're a pretty good athlete, even though you describe yourself as a non-athlete. I mean, a silver medal says otherwise.

Liana Mutia:
I appreciate that.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Yeah, a silver medal means a lot. I think being an athlete also involves using your brain. The best athletes combine their mental and physical abilities, and that’s what’s neat about martial arts too.

Liana Mutia:
Absolutely. I feel like it’s always better to be a smarter fighter than someone who relies on brute force alone. Eventually, if you rely only on brute force, you’re going to get injured. Something’s going to happen. You’re not going to be as strong or as fast a few years down the line. So I feel like relying on your brain is much more important.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
That’s awesome. Well, how was it representing Team USA on the global stage?

Liana Mutia:
Oh my gosh, amazing. I’m pretty sure I was crying after every single match, not only because I was very tired but also because it’s euphoric to be on the biggest stage in sports, especially in judo, our sport.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
That’s fantastic. And was it pretty amazing being in Paris for that? How spectacular was it?

Liana Mutia:
It was amazing. I had an embarrassing amount of pastries—that was nice. I would love to go back to Paris just for that, now that I think about it.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
That’s awesome. What got you into judo? How did you start?

Liana Mutia:
I used to be a wrestler... Actually, no, I started wrestling and judo around the same time, but I really needed to stay in shape during the off-season for wrestling. So I would do judo, and eventually, it snowballed into this. I got into Paralympic judo specifically when I learned it was a sport you could compete in at the Paralympics. I found that out in 2016 or 2017, and from then on, I decided to go for it. Paris 2024 is actually my second Paralympic Games. Tokyo was my first.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Yeah. You’re a two-time Olympian.

Liana Mutia:
Correct.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
That’s amazing. What made you decide to compete at this level? A lot of people do judo, but not everyone makes the decision to compete at the Olympic level.

Liana Mutia:
I guess the biggest reason I did it is because I’m opportunistic. It’s such a unique opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Why not take it? There are only so many years you can compete and train at this level, so I feel like you should just give it your best shot.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
So it was something you pursued because it was available to you, and it sounds like you like doing things at the highest level.

Liana Mutia:
Correct.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Well, cool. How did wrestling and judo relate? Did one help the other, or did they interact in any way?

Liana Mutia:
They’re pretty closely matched. I actually use the same throw in wrestling that I do in judo—it’s the ippon seoi nage. If you’ve seen any of my matches, that’s basically my signature move. Even though I have maybe four or five good throws, I like to capitalize on what I’m best at and find multiple ways to get into that throw. It comes down to repetition and muscle memory. So they complement each other quite well.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
So that would be advice you’d give to people training in different fighting styles: focus on the moves they’re best at?

Liana Mutia:
Yeah, absolutely. Oh, I should mention—when I was much younger, I used to do ballet. If there’s one thing I learned from ballet, aside from the grace it teaches, it’s that fighting is really just muscle memory. It’s really just a dance. At the end of the day, even though it’s technically a fight, it has rules, points, and multiple ways to win. It’s just a game and a routine.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Well, I think that gives everyone a lot to think about—being strategic instead of just fighting.

Liana Mutia:
Absolutely.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
What similarities do you see between judo and your work as a software consultant?

Liana Mutia:
At first, I thought they were very different, but I take that back. They’re similar in that both involve problem-solving. For example, in coding, I might take a massive chunk of code that’s been duct-taped together and try to make it super-efficient. In judo, I might take a four-minute match—or one that’s gone into golden score,and condense it down to win. My quarterfinal match in Paris only lasted seven seconds, for instance.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Seven seconds? You beat them in seven seconds?

Liana Mutia:
Yes, that was my quarterfinal against Argentina.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Wow. I bet Argentina wasn’t happy.

Liana Mutia:
We’re friends. I like her, and she likes me.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
I meant the country.

Liana Mutia:
Oh! Probably not.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
What are your thoughts on promoting inclusivity in technology and as an athlete?

Liana Mutia:
I think I should be treated like a person—not a statistic or a commodity. At the end of the day, I’m just someone with specific circumstances. For example, I can’t change my race or age. I’m just here trying to do the same things as everyone else.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
I appreciate that perspective. I also think your journey is an inspiration, especially for young women who might want to pursue technology or martial arts. Historically, those fields haven’t had as many women, but you’re someone they can look up to.

Liana Mutia:
That’s a fair point. For any women or girls who look up to me, I’d say—and this might sound straightforward—they should do whatever they want, in whatever capacity they want, at any time. For example, my degree isn’t actually in tech; it’s in project management. When I looked at tech as a field, I thought, “This is male dominated. No one’s going to want someone green, like me, coming out of this degree.” I hesitated because I didn’t think I could do it.

It wasn’t until I knew I was going to make it to Tokyo—even though I wasn’t technically qualified yet—that something clicked. I thought, “If I can make it to Tokyo in less than 1.5 years of qualification, I can pursue a career in a field I previously thought was impossible.”

So, to women and girls: If you ever think you can’t do something, at least give it a good try. Dedicate one, two, or three years of your life and give it your best. You might surprise yourself. I mean, I didn’t think I could do it, and here I am with a project management degree, working as a software consultant in a niche tech field.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Wow, that’s incredible and inspiring advice for young women everywhere. I’m so glad you shared that.

Denise Morin, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Liana, can I ask—would you ever consider coaching? When you’re done competing, is that something you want to do to stay involved in judo?

Liana Mutia:
Absolutely not. I’d be a terrible coach. I’m a perfectionist. There’s a reason why I don’t have direct reports at work—I’d be completely insufferable.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
You’d expect too much from people?

Liana Mutia:
Exactly. If someone made the same mistake 5, 10, or 20 times, I’d start questioning if I was coaching wrong. It’d turn into a downward spiral. I could help with scouting, strategy, or planning, but not the emotional load of coaching. It’s just not for me.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
That’s great self-awareness.

Liana Mutia:
I think so too.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Well, Denise and I both think you’d be an amazing coach, even if you don’t see yourself that way. But it’s totally okay if that’s not where your passion lies. What advice would you give to aspiring athletes, especially those with disabilities, who want to achieve something spectacular like you?

Liana Mutia:
Yes, and that's because I don't really see myself as an athlete. I'm just a software consultant who happens to be good at playing games.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
That’s excellent advice. Society often says to just work harder, but I think what you’re saying is that it’s not just about working hard—it’s about being smart and efficient with your effort.

Liana Mutia:
Absolutely. Efficiency is everything.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
That’s awesome. Well, what’s next for you? Let’s wrap up here—I feel like we could talk for hours.

Liana Mutia:
I’m planning to compete in LA 2028. You’ll see me on the podium there. Since the qualification period hasn’t started yet, and as the host country, I get an automatic slot, I’m focusing on my tech career for the next two years.

I’ll also be gathering data on my future competitors during this time. I can’t operate on zero information,I need to watch the female fighters in tournaments to collect data, reverse-engineer solutions, and strategize. I’ll have two years to prepare for LA 2028, and I plan to make the most of it.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Wow. I feel bad for your competitors already.

Liana Mutia:
(laughs) At the end of the day, I’m just a nerd playing a game.

Denise Morin, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
With all due respect, you’re more than that. You’re an inspiration. You represent what we need more of—smart, positive, and strong women who show others what’s possible. I respectfully disagree with you when you say you’re not an athlete. You absolutely are.

Liana Mutia:
I’m very flattered. Thank you.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Thank you so much, Liana. It’s been an absolute pleasure to talk to you. I hope we can chat again after LA 2028.

Liana Mutia:
That would be lovely. Thank you for having me. Feel free to reach out anytime.

Denise Morin, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Thank you for being here. We truly appreciate it.

Dr. Greg Moody, Chief Master, Go2 Karate Magazine:
Thanks so much.