🥋 Sundays with Cain – Episode 9 - A ROLL & RUMBLE Fight Co. Exclusive

🎤 Interview by “D-Man,” CTF Inmate Correspondent

Sometimes, it’s not through conversation—but quiet observation—that you truly get to know someone.

Here at California Training Facility–North (CTF), every man must choose to engage in personal growth. With 4 buildings and 2 dorms, the prison houses hundreds of men. Each housing unit—A and B side, with around 250 men apiece, plus two dorms with 125 men each—shares a dayroom. These spaces have showers, phones, tables, and bulletin boards where info on rehabilitative programs is posted.

Last week, Cain Velasquez’s “Ascension Breath Work” class was officially posted in all ten dayrooms. It came in two pages: the first outlining class times—Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays at noon—and the second, a blank signup sheet for names, CDCR numbers, and session selection.

Here’s the big deal: this class is now recognized in SOMS (the CDCR system tracking case files and program participation). Each participant earns 2 RAC (Rehabilitative Achievement Credit) hours per week—and stacking 52 of those hours knocks 10 days off a sentence. Not every program qualifies for this. Cain’s does.

I break all this down so you’ll fully appreciate my first question this week.

🔥 Breathing, Brotherhood & Buy-In

A few days ago, I saw Cain in the dayroom watching a guy scan the new signup sheet. Without hesitation, Cain stepped beside him and pitched the class. The guy grabbed a pen and signed up. Cain’s joy in that moment was unmistakable.

So I asked him later:
"What does it mean to you when someone signs up for your breath work class for the first time?"

“I just hope it serves a need for them—healing, insight, feeling love for themselves or someone else. At the very least, I want them to experience something new.”

Anyone specific you hope gives it a try?

“Actually, yesterday two guys I’ve been talking to finally came. I stayed close and helped them stay in rhythm.”

Now that the class is official and men are earning credit, I had to ask:
How do you plan to expand into other prisons?

“Ideally, when I get out, I’ll seek invites from other facilities.”

Got a starting point in mind?

“San Quentin would be a good place. Then maybe Solano, Mule Creek, and eventually prisons down south.”

Would you train instructors in each place?

“Yeah, two or three guys per prison. I’d stay for a few days, maybe a week, and get them ready to lead.”

Cain's got closer energy. He knows how to connect and inspire. That said, we had to check in on… other skills.

🛠️ Tim the Tool Man, Strikes Again

Let’s talk plumbing class. Can we tell the public about your struggle?

“Remember, I’m Tim the Tool Man—not Al.”

Okay, so how many times have you failed your Friday test now?

“Three.”

And what’s the test on?

“Power tools.”

How close were you this time?

“One question. It asked what a pneumatic drill is used for. I put concrete. The answer was steel.”

I’ll let y’all fact-check that.

🏓 Pickleball, Predators & Fasting

Did you play pickleball today? Is your game getting better?

“Leaps and bounds better. I’ve actually started beating some of the guys who used to own me.”

Did you see the red-tailed hawk flying overhead while you were playing?

“No, was there one?”

Yep. It soared right above you, gliding the wind.

“That’s pretty cool.”

When’s our next fast?

“Once a month. So, in a couple more weeks.”

Advice for someone doing a 3-day fast?

“Drink water, tea, black coffee. If it’s just water, add salt for electrolytes. Stay active—work out, walk—don’t broadcast that you’re fasting. People get weird about it. Just enjoy the clarity, the awareness, even the high.”

🧘♂️ Public Scrutiny & Personal Peace

How do you handle judgment from people who don’t know your story?

“No need to respond unless I have to. Everyone’s got an opinion. They’re entitled to it.”

How has your view on public opinion changed since your arrest?

“Before, I only showed Cain the brand. Now, I hope my arrest sparks conversations between parents and kids. Kids should always feel safe talking to their parents.”

If you could relive one personal moment—not to change it, but to feel it again—what would it be?

“The moments my kids were born.”

Same. When my first daughter was born, I was there. Nothing compares.

🥊 Climbing the Mountain, Again

What moment from your fight career would you relive?

“Beating Brock. That celebration was the peak of the mountain I’d been climbing my whole life.”

Most brutal training camp?

“Getting ready for Cheick Kongo, right after my daughter was born. I couldn’t sleep even though her mom tried to help. I’d stay up with her, then train the next day completely wiped out.”

What did that teach you?

“That if I was gonna fight, I couldn’t do it half-assed.”

Your next opponent was Jake O’Brien. After your first UFC win, did you celebrate?

“Bob and Javier stayed at the hotel. Dave Camarillo and I went out for one beer.”

Next morning?

“Flew back to San Jose. Straight to the gym.”

O’Brien was an All-American from Purdue, a teammate of John Fitch. Did you watch film?

“Yeah, he had a solid record. Fought some tough guys.”

Were you still couch surfing at the time?

“By then I was living with Michelle.”

She had her own place?

“Nah, it was her and her roommates’ apartment.”

What did she do for work?

“Private flight attendant for a wealthy family with a jet.”

Any good Bob Cook stories from that fight?

“Nah, Bob wasn’t there. Tom Ortiz cornered me instead.”

ASU Tom Ortiz?

“Yeah. Either Bob or Dave couldn’t make it. So they asked Tom to step in.”

How’d he do?

“Horrible. After holding the banner, he walked down the stairs and forgot everything. Just started yelling ‘Hit him! Hit him!’ Javier had to yell back, ‘Sit down, Tom!’”

Did Jake’s corner gain hope from that?

“No. Jake wasn’t ready for me.”

So Bob’s off the hook this week?

“Yep. Tom goes on the hook.”

Was the fight televised?

“I think it aired on Spike’s Fight Night. I did end up watching it.”

Any sponsors then?

“Just one—Oak Grove Technologies out of Raleigh. They were a military contractor. Their owner, Mark Gross, sponsored all the AKA guys.”

Did you ever meet him?

“Yeah. I was invited out to North Carolina by Mark. That’s a story for another time.”

🦸♂️ Fan Question of the Week

@FightFan805 asks:
"Cain, you’ve been a beast in the cage and now you’re inspiring people from one of the hardest places on Earth. What’s your superpower?"

“Transmuting dark into light. I’ve lived in the dark. Now I can change it into light.”

That’s it for this week, folks. Share Cain’s story. Document what’s new. Reflect on what’s past.

And always remember… your story matters.
— D-Man, Sundays with Cain

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