The Grappling Gospel

  Six people.   That's how many different people I rolled with today in the span of about 30 minutes. But it was a great experience because everyone has a unique body shape with different ways of moving, levels of strength, and abilities. For training it's important to have a variety of partners, so you can get the most out of your practice and deepen your experience. We know that, but sometimes it's hard to accept that, especially when we have our "favorites" that we like to partner up and roll with. Some partners will be more instructional than others, some more aggressive than others, some more passive than others. But all together, it's a great way to practice what you know and learn from what others know. In the same way, God gives us different trials in life to give us the opportunity to deepen our experience and application of what we know. The important thing is to learn from each experience by asking important questions: Is my ego in the way, or was

At the end of class last week, our Professor called my name with a surprise:  I had earned my first stripe! As a newbie to BJJ and a White Belt, this is very exciting for me! Maybe you're reading this and you're a seasoned Brown Belt, or battle-scarred Black Belt, but for someone like me who is new to the sport of Jiu Jitsu, this feels HUGE . I feel humility and gratitude at the same time... Humility -- because I know this is just a first step in a journey that hopefully will last well into my later years of life.  And Gratitude -- because I'm thankful for this opportunity to be learning Jiu Jitsu, especially when there are so many others who would love to do this if they only had the opportunity. This journey is lot like our faith in Christ.  It's one step at a time, always learning, and always training. We are never "there" -- never a completed "Black Belt" in our faith. We are always growing, practicing, and trying to get better. Sometimes we ge

  Recommendation:  Watch " Principle #9: River " on GracieUniversity.com (Disclaimer: I am not being paid/sponsored in any way to promote "Gracie University." I have found their " The 32 Principles " videos incredibly beneficial and I hope you do too. It's not necessary to watch these videos to benefit from this blog.) Thoughts :  In my younger years, I was an avid marathon runner. I've run the Boston Marathon twice, but my fastest marathon was in Chicago, where I ran a 2:44 for the race. I had trained vigorously for six months and was primed and ready.  I remember running 10-mile training runs in 60 minutes flat, and long runs of about 20 miles. My body was ready, and it was my best marathon performance ever. But I hurt myself in that race -- I injured my IT band in my right leg. It's a tendon-like stabilizing tissue that runs down the outside of your thigh to your knee area.  I remember a few days after the marathon walking in the store with

Recommendation:  Watch " Principle #8: Clock " on GracieUniversity.com   (Disclaimer: I am not being paid/sponsored in any way to promote "Gracie University". I have found their " The 32 Principles " videos incredibly beneficial and I hope you do too. It's not necessary to watch these videos to benefit from this blog.)  Thoughts : When I was in middle school, I remember having the timing of the school bells that rang for each hour down to the second! I could count down, and know when they would ring, and get a jump on getting into the hallway to my locker for my next set of books. Now as an adult, I love good timing, especially when I'm driving. When I'm driving and making all the greens, and cruising along, it's a great feeling. But then my heart sinks when I hit a red light that breaks the momentum I had... In our Jiu Jitsu, it's the same way with what is called the " Clock " principle. The idea is simple: you want to disrup