This is my game. There are many game’s like it, but this one is mine… all my fellow veteran grapplers eyes are widening as the opening line relates to the infamous Rifleman’s Creed of the U.S. Marine Corps. The next phase of my journey will take place in Wiesbaden, Hessen, Germany. This chapter is lined with nostalgia because it’s an opportunity to show my family and all of you supporters where I’ve been. This is also an opportunity to validate the theory that no two paths are the same for every jiujiteiro.
If you’re training correctly, open-minded, you’re constantly exploring, and you’re willing to grow, you will not get bored of Jiu-jitsu. ~Professor Nic Gregoriardes, The Jiu-jitsu Brotherhood
Before I get too deep in this reflection, I want to take a moment to congratulate true examples of the grappling community. Earlier this month several members of the Zen Martial Arts El Paso, Texas, and Tom DeBlass Association received milestone promotions. Professor Carlos Freire, head Jiu-jitsu Instructor at Zen Martial Arts, was promoted to Second Degree Black Belt, and Matt Gallagher, owner of Grind Underground Jiu-jitsu Club, received his Black Belt by Professor Tom DeBlass at Ocean County Jiu-jitsu; as well Judo maestros Oscar and Patricia Mendoza were promoted to Red and White Coral Belt. None of these accomplishments are without many years of hard work and sacrifice, and they prove anything is possible as long as you trust the process and adopt a never-quit mindset.
Inspiration
After 14-days of quarantine and two COVID-19 tests, both negative results, the Clas Clan was allowed to socialize amongst the civilian populace in Wiesbaden, Hessen, Germany. Finding a new academy was of the utmost importance and top priority for this motivated group of grapplers. BJJ Globetrotters and several Facebook Community groups steered us to Vuong Doan Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in Wiesbaden.
I approached the first session with respect, caution, and minimal expectation as I could because no academy wants to risk their reputation or their doors being closed because of unforeseen incidents with new members. The recommended protocol by many BJJ practitioners is to send the academy a message, email or other sorts, get the blessing from the professor, and follow the guidelines set by the staff and clientele.
Temperature checks, COVID-19 tests, quarantine procedures, masks, and routine disinfecting of the entire academy have been standard operating procedures across combat sports community. If you cannot, or will not, comply with these protective measures please refrain from showing up to an academy that’s doing their best to keep the doors open to everyone. Disclaimer stated, my first week at Vuong Doan BJJ, and Alliance Affiliate, has been such an amazing experience my wife and I have both signed up for the long haul.
“Jiu-jitsu at the end of the day, is the art of expressing yourself honestly. Every time you put on a Gi, you can’t lie.” ~Professor Saulo Ribeiro, University of Jiu-jitsu
https://www.bjjee.com/articles/the-best-collection-of-inspirational-jiu-jitsu-quotes/
The beauty of Jiu-jitsu is your game is universal. If you are an upper belt in one academy chances are your game will meet the same level at another academy. There are outliers, but as long as you keep your training regimen consistent and at a high-level of difficulty, dropping in at a new academy shouldn’t be a significant emotional event. This is the benefit of waiting so long to be promoted and for having the many competition opportunities available to test your proficiency in the grappling community.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to train at several academies across the U.S. and Europe which has given me validation of what I do and do not know. The training at Vuong Doan BJJ was intense. The training follows a two-hour sessions with extensive focus on drilling technique and live-training. That said, it’s a perfect environment to get prepared for the 2021 tournament season, and to keep developing myself as a practitioner and coach for my kids.
If everything is going too smooth, it is because you’re in your comfort zone. The struggle is part of a champions life.” ~Professor Romulo Barral, Gracie Barra
https://www.jiujitsutimes.com/10-great-motivational-jiu-jitsu-quotes/
The one ingredient we thought was missing from my family’s journey were training opportunities for my children. A show-stopper in the beginning, but then I remembered my wife and I could do it ourselves. A funny realization in the BJJ community is the smaller the grappler the less sanity a coach will have after class.
Zen Warrior Class Academy
Jiu-jitsu is a significant need for my children because of the hardships they will surely face throughout their life times. I pride myself on being a helicopter parent who will inject himself into moments of adversity to ensure my children are safe no matter the risk, but realize I have a short time to prepare them to take care of themselves. I’d much rather tell a prospective son-in-law good luck, instead of I’ll be here with my shotgun if you do my daughter wrong. I’ll always be armed, but will be more satisfied if my daughter can put her abusive beau to sleep at will if need be. To accomplish this goal, we purchased puzzle mats for our home and will continue to train our kids and keep them on their paths.
Get your kids in the gym. They will have to find solutions to problems on the mat. Those skills of overcoming adversity will stick with them. ~Professor Tim Kennedy, Gracie Humaita
https://motivationalquotesforathletes.blogspot.com/2013/10/tim-kennedy-on-kids-learning-from.html
We’re looking forward to a myriad of great things unfolding in throughout the next year. With the soft launch of Zen Warrior Academy, for kids, here in Germany we intend to start working on our clothing and Gi line. We have also added a resource tab to get new grapplers and supporters squared away on a myriad of support initiatives and competition links available to keep you on path, and to give an outlet to find answers to questions all of us practitioners have had throughout our journey. Until next round teammates… One team, one family! ~Doc
