Introduction -- My First Post of a New Journey

I'm not a violent person, or at least I don't consider myself to be. Sure, growing up I had my fair share of playground scuffles and school bus shoves, but nothing serious enough for my parents to worry about. 

My first fight was in kindergarten. I followed another boy into the bathroom to set him straight about something (and to this day, I can't remember what it was about). In elementary school, an older boy was picking on me about something. I was shoved to the ground by him, and he then taunted over me. A few days earlier my step-father, who had some experience in Judo, taught me how to do a simple foot sweep in that very position. I executed the move perfectly, and the boy fell back in shock, crashing into the ground. From that day on he left me alone. I tried to avoid conflicts as much as possible, but inside of me was a growing desire to learn more, so I could feel confident in any fight-type situation.

Fast forward to my middle-aged adult life. Still no real fights to speak about, but a growing desire to learn some serious moves that would be like a portable toolbox I could use in any rough situation. I got serious about learning and found a local Tae Kwon Do studio that also offered lessons in Krav Maga, something that I had always wanted to learn. I gave it a try--and was instantly hooked.

The instructor asked my what my reasons were for taking the class, and before I could answer, he said, "Do you just want to fight well?" And that had a certain ring to it--and I nodded with an eager smile, my adventure had just begun.

After a couple of years with different instructors coming and going (and a covid pandemic that had shut down the studio for a time), I found myself boxing on my own in the basement of our apartment complex, but yearning for more. The level of Krav Maga I had practiced was great--often sparring with my classmates at 25% with just mma gloves, but my favorite part of class was the proverbial "ground game". Most all fights end up going to the ground, and in class we practiced for that. Often I was the only one who seemed to enjoy it, but I found the ground game the most fun of all. I was hooked on Jiu Jitsu, and I didn't even know it!

When our Krav instructor moved out of the area, the studio quit offering it, and instead only focused on the TKD, mostly for the kids. A couple of years went by, with me just boxing every Sunday night in my basement, wishing I could do more.

Next to the Planet Fitness I attend on my lunch breaks from work, I noticed a Gracie Barra studio that had recently opened. I inquired within, and got an idea of how much I could afford. I told some coworkers about it, and the three of us made the jump together--to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

This blog is about my journey, and how my faith in Christ is growing at the same time. I want to draw lessons from my jiu jitsu training to my own spiritual journey of following Jesus.

Just like I have so much to learn in jiu jitsu, I also have much to learn in my walk with Christ. I became a Christian in high school, but still have so much to learn and practice, and practice some more. I believe that this journey can be a fun one, and hopefully it can encourage some others too.

I'll be highlighting some of the lessons I'm learning--and how they relate to my faith in Christ. Come and spar with me--this is a fluid journey of chokes, joint locks, leg sweeps, and armbars. After all, Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord (see Genesis 32:24), and maybe jiu jitsu is something at the heart of God. Let's find out together!

-Brian