"They all complement each other."
Having won her last fight in August (by decision against Mexican Mixia Medina in Tijuana), Long appeared reluctant to single out any role models, although the well-known names of Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson were mentioned. She said good fighters shared a fairly simply strategy in the ring.
"Hit them [opponent] more than get hit, control the fight with your footwork, with your mental prowess."
The 51-year-old also spoke of how her skills came in handy when she worked as a bouncer, shortly after taking up competitive kickboxing, a line of work in which conflict was often inevitable and unavoidable.
"In that realm I had to get in altercations. I came across all kinds of people [holding some form of martial arts experience]. That's what being well-rounded is about" she said. Being a woman had given her an element of surprise.
"I can't walk up to a big man and punch him in the face. Well I can, but it might not work or I could be left with a broken hand. So you have to hit him in the windpipe, hit him in the eye, hit him in the testicles. Whatever has the most affect," she said.
It was always preferable to "talk your way out of a fight".
However, she wanted to emphasise martial arts was also a source of energetic and spiritual healing, adding that being part of organised sport, in an organisation such as the KRMA, offered far more to their local communities than might initially be evident.
"It's very important to instil what your parents [should] teach you - to be disciplined, to be focused, to be respectful," she said. Some of the martial arts organisations she had been involved with over the years often found themselves in a stronger position to be positive role models to youth than parents.
"Then it becomes a community effort to help kids to thrive and grow. Of course, everybody wants to be a black belt," she said. To become adept required far greater degrees of discipline, commitment and dedication than any natural ability.
Long's visit to Kaitaia College was part of a New Zealand tour in which she held workshops at Tauranga and Thames.
A key figure in the establishment of the KRMA organisation, hanshi Lance Strong said Long's trip had been arranged months in advance, with the 13 dojos throughout the North Island fundraising and making bookings
"I think the main thing we wanted to do was show Long as a huge inspiration for our girls and women. She is really strong martial arts role model," he said.
"Good on Kaitaia for having such a strong turnout." Strong and his wife, Kyoshi Ava, had taken their acclaimed guest on a spot of sightseeing and said she had really liked visiting Hobbiton.
As head instructor of the Kaitaia dojo of KRMA, sensei Rose Dermer said it was a real honour to have someone of Long's stature visit Kaitaia.
"It was really, really awesome. We learned quite a lot. All the ladies absolutely loved it," she said. Everyone had been impressed at Long's humility and her willingness to make the long trip from Thames to share her knowledge.
Meanwhile, the straight-shooting Long had a fitting parting shot before taking charge of her class at Kaitaia College.
"We [the human race] have been fighting for generations. Adapt or be left behind. Or get knocked out."
