So I made the leap and I emailed the training center. They got back to me and I set up an intro class. I was very happy to hear they had an intro class prior to making any sort of commitment. I had a good idea that I would be into learning Brazilian Jujitsu but like anything in life if they let you try it before you buy it, do it.
So I walk in and Jason the guy I have been conversing with is the one working the desk. He would also be my instructor for the night. I don't know for sure but I would guess he is much younger than I am. He turned out to be the perfect instructor for me (and salesman), he was enthusiastic and informative. He also didn't didn't mind all my questions, (Do I have to roll with that guy who is obviously 125 pounds heavier than me? Yeah, but it's good for your technique.), and upfront and honest about any concerns I had (Doesn't rolling with someone so much bigger and stronger suck though? Yeah it sucks.). During the session he showed me a few things, which was a lot of fun to learn (like how to put on an armbar), but honestly I have forgotten them already. What I do remember is how frickin heavy this kid seemed when he was on top of me. When he told me he only weighed 165, I felt a little defeated. "People say I am heavy for my weight," he tried to reassure me but all I was thinking is wow, maybe I should try and fight women instead.
I got over my pity party and realized I actually had a lot of fun and looked forward to the challenge and the commitment it will actually take to get good at this. We had a second intro session and I signed on the dotted line. And away we go!
I am turning 30 in a little over a year. As a celebration of this milestone, I am beginning to train in Jujitsu with the hopes that around the time of my 30th birthday I compete for the first time and.... "Don't Get Choked Out"
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
First POST!
Let me introduce myself for those of you who don't know me.
My name is Steve. I am turning 29 this January 4th. I live with my wonderful wife on an unassuming block, in an unassuming town in the middle of an overcrowded county on Long Island. We have a house and a dog, and careers (me a teacher, her a research scientist (I know how'd I pull that off right?) but if you are reading to hear about our somewhat normal suburban life I am sorry to disappoint you because you won't be hearing much more about it. You will be hearing about my foray into the exciting world of Brazilian Jujitsu which I will oft be abbreviating BJJ. Now let me take you to where it all started.
The credit for this idea's inception must be given to two inspirations in my life at the time and one convenient local.
First: Sister In Law
My sister in law is quite a creative soul who turned 30 this previous year. A milestone no doubt in anyone's life that I will soon be reaching. Prior to her 30th birthday she make a quasi-pre-midlife crisis like bucket list if you will. Where she did something unique and worthwhile each day for 30 days leading up to the big 3-0.
I was inspired by this idea and thought I would like to do something in a similar fashion. I want to feel like I accomplished something extraordinary for this life milestone. Not extraordinary in the sense of an amazing feat, just extra-ordinary, something outside of my normal realm of accomplishment, something foreign, something challenging.
Second: College Roommates
When in college I began to watch boxing with my roommate Matt. I was lucky enough to enjoy some of Jeff Lacy's early career and then the end of Joe Calzaghe's run. Very exciting fights always.
But soon came MMA to a broader audience. When The Ultimate Fighter TV show hit I became invested, and soon I was hooked. I would consider myself an avid fan now and rarely miss a PPV or showtime event.
Another college roommate of mine Frank knows more about the sport than anyone I know, and for his birthday his fiance got him some BJJ lessons. He loved them, and I found myself jealous. Now I tried Tae-Kwon-Do for a brief stint, and I did enjoy some of the training, but I found Tae-Kwon-Do to be heavy in "Forms". The best way I can describe forms for those of you who have never tried that type of martial arts is they are like martial art line dancing. You need to perform a scripted set of moves in a particular order over and over again until they are perfect. While I can completely and utterly understand the validity and importance of doing "forms". And I also appreciate the effort and concentration it takes to perform them, I found it not to be what I was looking for. I wanted to learn the things the fighters I watch in the UFC do in some shape or "form" if you will.As any MMA fan would know MMA stands for Mixed Martial Arts. There are several different art forms and fighting styles used in the sport and those who are very successful usually become experienced in all the major styles. The basics would be wrestling, kickboxing, muay thai, and BJJ. There are several other styles maybe even dozens (such as boxing, judo, karate, etc...) but in my most humble opinion the four I mentioned are most prominently utilized by the fighters. So where do I go from here? I thought training BJJ would be most fun because first, my friend was already doing it, and second every respectable MMA fighter will or already is well rounded in the art form.
Third: Opportunity 2.5 Miles away
Now, I actually don't know the legality of naming or discussing the place I will be training in. So lets just say I am lucky enough to live 3 miles away from a gym run by a UFC fighter and thought if I am going to do this I have to try and train there. I have had two intro classes thus far and will write in my next post about those. Lets just say I signed up for the year commitment, and away we go.
Let's hope I can at least hang in there!
Steve
My name is Steve. I am turning 29 this January 4th. I live with my wonderful wife on an unassuming block, in an unassuming town in the middle of an overcrowded county on Long Island. We have a house and a dog, and careers (me a teacher, her a research scientist (I know how'd I pull that off right?) but if you are reading to hear about our somewhat normal suburban life I am sorry to disappoint you because you won't be hearing much more about it. You will be hearing about my foray into the exciting world of Brazilian Jujitsu which I will oft be abbreviating BJJ. Now let me take you to where it all started.
The credit for this idea's inception must be given to two inspirations in my life at the time and one convenient local.
First: Sister In Law
My sister in law is quite a creative soul who turned 30 this previous year. A milestone no doubt in anyone's life that I will soon be reaching. Prior to her 30th birthday she make a quasi-pre-midlife crisis like bucket list if you will. Where she did something unique and worthwhile each day for 30 days leading up to the big 3-0.
I was inspired by this idea and thought I would like to do something in a similar fashion. I want to feel like I accomplished something extraordinary for this life milestone. Not extraordinary in the sense of an amazing feat, just extra-ordinary, something outside of my normal realm of accomplishment, something foreign, something challenging.
Second: College Roommates
When in college I began to watch boxing with my roommate Matt. I was lucky enough to enjoy some of Jeff Lacy's early career and then the end of Joe Calzaghe's run. Very exciting fights always.
But soon came MMA to a broader audience. When The Ultimate Fighter TV show hit I became invested, and soon I was hooked. I would consider myself an avid fan now and rarely miss a PPV or showtime event.
Another college roommate of mine Frank knows more about the sport than anyone I know, and for his birthday his fiance got him some BJJ lessons. He loved them, and I found myself jealous. Now I tried Tae-Kwon-Do for a brief stint, and I did enjoy some of the training, but I found Tae-Kwon-Do to be heavy in "Forms". The best way I can describe forms for those of you who have never tried that type of martial arts is they are like martial art line dancing. You need to perform a scripted set of moves in a particular order over and over again until they are perfect. While I can completely and utterly understand the validity and importance of doing "forms". And I also appreciate the effort and concentration it takes to perform them, I found it not to be what I was looking for. I wanted to learn the things the fighters I watch in the UFC do in some shape or "form" if you will.As any MMA fan would know MMA stands for Mixed Martial Arts. There are several different art forms and fighting styles used in the sport and those who are very successful usually become experienced in all the major styles. The basics would be wrestling, kickboxing, muay thai, and BJJ. There are several other styles maybe even dozens (such as boxing, judo, karate, etc...) but in my most humble opinion the four I mentioned are most prominently utilized by the fighters. So where do I go from here? I thought training BJJ would be most fun because first, my friend was already doing it, and second every respectable MMA fighter will or already is well rounded in the art form.
Third: Opportunity 2.5 Miles away
Now, I actually don't know the legality of naming or discussing the place I will be training in. So lets just say I am lucky enough to live 3 miles away from a gym run by a UFC fighter and thought if I am going to do this I have to try and train there. I have had two intro classes thus far and will write in my next post about those. Lets just say I signed up for the year commitment, and away we go.
Let's hope I can at least hang in there!
Steve
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