Ricky Folse

MMA Fighter/Veteran

Here is the bike that Ricky rode on his 2,400 mile long journey.

Ricky Folse enjoying his time in New York after his valiant efforts.

Ricky training with Ultimate Fighter Champion, Colton Smith, who will be bringing down 5 combat veterans to fight on the card on June 11th.

A journey with a purpose

In an effort to raise awareness for homeless veterans with PTSD, Ricky Folse has embarked on a 2,400 mile bike ride that will take him from Louisiana to Washington, D.C. The money that he raised will go directly to helping veterans with food, shelter, and travel costs.

"To see veterans living homeless, living in tents, living under bridges, being denied or delayed from getting their benefits because of paperwork is unacceptable." - Ricky

Ricky's route during his ride

Ricky's 2,400 mile journey began in Louisiana, where he started pedaling to his second checkpoint of Key West Florida, and then finally to our Nation's Capital, Washington, D.C.

The Interview

Question 1 - Where were you born?
Ricky - "I was born in Raceland, Louisiana in 1979."

Question 2 - What school(s) did you attend?
Ricky - " I went to Central Larourch High School and then went to Nichols State."

Question 3 - What did you do after graduating?
Ricky - "I started working out in a fitness gym and wanted to be a body builder until the owner talked me into becoming an MMA fighter after seeing me jump on a guy that was bullying one of my friends. This all took place at UFC 22 in Lake Charles, Louisiana when Tito Ortiz fought Frank Shamrock."

Question 4 - What was your first job?
Ricky - "When I was 13, I was a deck hand on a crab boat, then at the age of 14, I rode my bike 9 miles to school before going even further to a mechanic shop after school, just to ride 12 miles to get back home after work."

Question 5 - What do you like to do in your free time?
Ricky - "In my spare time I like to train, help people, shoot, eat ice cream and Popeyes, and watch John Wick."

Question 6 - What inspired you to pursue your job?
Ricky - "After becoming a fighter, I started bouncing on Bourbon Street, then my fight sponsors asked me to start working protection for them. Then, Hurricane Katrina hit and I got into the tree cutting. Now, I have Rick Wick Concierge for protection and Tree A Nator for my storm chasing."

Question 7 - How would you describe Woobies in 3 words?
Ricky - "Stylish, Durable, and Comfortable."

Question 8 - What are some of your accomplishments?
Ricky - "I have about 80 professional fights on record, rode a bike 2,400 miles while helping homeless veterans along the way. I would also volunteer in soup kitchens and shelters to find veterans in need and then provide backpacks with supplies and Walmart giftcards so that they can look after themselves. I will then take them out to lunch and just spend time with them to help make their day better. I have also spent 4 years training and fighting in Thailand."

Question 9 - What are you goals and aspirations?
Ricky - " To help as many veterans as possible. I would also like to start up a community for Veterans where they can get off the streets, get medical aid or counseling if needed, help provide jobs and into a fitness lifestyle, and finally, to provide them with small homes for shelter to help these Veterans get back on their feet. I would also like to build out my executive protection company."

Question 10 - In what ways have you given back to your community? Whether it's local or to a veteran community?
Ricky - "I always feed the homeless and partake in clothes drives every and any chance that I can get. I also give big discounts with my tree service to police and veterans. And finally for disabled veterans, I try to help them by not charging them.

June 11th is when I'll be fighting and giving away all of the money I raise plus $10k of my own money to help get mobile trailers for combat veterans who have suffered damages or have lost their houses completely from Hurricane IDA."

Question 11 - Is there anything else you would like to say to our veteran community and customers?
Ricky - "Many people tell you thank you for your service, but I say it from the heart, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!!!"