Black Belt (!!)

 

 

So on Monday night we had a seminar with Saulo (you all know which Saulo I’m talking about) and at the end we had several momentous promotions- black belt promotions, actually, and I was one of the students promoted.

It’s funny, and a little weird- it’s something you strive for, but never focus on: first, because that sort of pressure can be overwhelming, particularly in the beginning- and second, because the process of getting to your black belt is just as important as the rank itself. More so, actually. Think about how much you learn when you start training for a competition, how your skills sharpen- all for what, anywhere from 30 seconds to 20 minutes of actual competing? We continue on this journey- we learn, we laugh, we cry, become frustrated, experience epiphanies when something all comes together and finally makes sense for us-it’s all a part of the experience that culminates into preparing you for your black belt.

Earning your black belt is a tremendous achievement to be sure, but it’s definitely not the end of the journey. There are still techniques to learn, positions to drill and commit to muscle memory, more experiences to be had- not to mention more opportunities to teach, and learn from one another. Also, while I am one of the ones who received the black belt, it’s really an accomplishment for the team and the academy in general. None of this could have happened if my teammates weren’t there with me, and I am tremendously thankful for that.

 

I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds in store- not only for myself, but for my teammates as well. I’m thrilled not only to progress, but to train with my teammates and see them make the same journey as well.

So, um, in closing- black belt, yay! 😀

Happy Friday: A Praise Chorus Edition

Happy Friday everyone!

I’ve been listening to a lot of Jimmy Eat World lately, particularly their song “A Praise Chorus”

So join in and rock out with me, and have a great weekend everyone!

Happy Friday: Strong Ladies Edition

Happy Friday everyone!

Tony Gentilcore (to be honest I’m not really sure who this guy is- this article was shared on my Fitocracy feed. Yes, I’m still using Fitocracy.) posted this article on his blog about how women are told to “not get too muscular”.

I say get muscular. Get strong. Do those push ups and bench presses, squats and cleans.

Not to sound cliche but strength is beauty. To me, that means functional strength is beautiful. I know now and again I complain about my “dude arms” but honestly, if given the choice between “dude arms” and not being able to do half the things I can now- I’m picking my muscular shoulders and (oddly) well developed upper arms, any and every day of the week.

Check out the article and let me know what you think. Otherwise, have a great weekend everyone!

Happy Friday: Muppets and the Beastie Boys Edition

Happy Friday everyone!

I found this a a few days ago, and it’s just too good not to share: a Muppet video synced with the Beastie Boys song “So What Cha Want”

Enjoy, and have a great weekend everyone!

Happy Friday: Get Nerdy Edition

Happy Friday everyone!

I saw this video a couple of days ago: apparently it’s a parody of some song I’ve never heard. Anyway, it’s pretty funny- check it out and have a great weekend!

 

A Post from Part Time Grappler: Sometimes Big Obstacles Don’t Always Need Big Solutions

Liam over at Part Time Grappler wrote a nice post reminding us all that sometimes certain problems we encounter in jiu jitsu (and hell, life, if we want to get philosophical about it) don’t need huge, sweeping changes to our game and technique, but sometimes it takes small adjustments, a little change just at the right time and angle to create a solution and help us progress.

Check it out and let me know what you think. Otherwise, have a great day everyone!

Helping Teammates be Successful, On and Off the Mat

This past weekend I had the chance to pitch in and help in preparing a commercial space which will house her café, Little Spoon!

 

It was a weekend of caulking, sanding, priming and painting with fellow teammates, and it was totally worth it. It makes me happy to think that I can help a friend and teammate get one step closer to their goals on, and off the mat.

 

 

How was everyone else’s weekend? Let me know- otherwise, have a great day everyone!

 

Happy Friday: Preparatory Edition

Happy Friday everyone!

I would say nothing too much is going on around here, but that’s not entirely true. It’s more the fact that we are training, drilling and preparing for some tournaments coming up in a couple of months. So, on the surface it looks like nothing is going on, training and routine as usual but really the team is just putting in the leg work, nose to the grindstone and sharpening our skills for tournaments in the next few months. It just doesn’t make for very interesting updates at the moment.

How are you guys all doing? Training hard, getting prepared for tournaments/promotions/to better suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune in general?

Let me know- otherwise, have a great day everyone!

Happy Friday: Game of Thrones in New Orleans and Soaked in Gin…Edition

Happy Friday everyone!

Check out this ragtime version of the Game of Thrones theme song, and have a great weekend everyone!

Happy Friday: Liebster Edition

 

So Hanni (? I’m assuming from your username) from My MMA Life was kind enough to nominate me for a Liebster Award…It’s a pay it forward/chain letter thing. It was nice to be nominated, so here are the questions she’s asked me to answer:

 

1. What sport/activity changed your life? and why.

Well, jiu jitsu is sort of the obvious answer. Before joining the sport I was overweight, (more) shy, etc. With jiu jitsu, some judo, kettlebell training I’ve shed a lot a weight and, although I have my weak moments now and again, more importantly I’ve gained a lot of confidence in myself and my abilities.

2. what is your favorite cheat meal or junk food?

Dark chocolate, peanut butter, mainly. Sweet potato fries are also pretty delicious.

3. Ideal Sunday

Get up, have a nice breakfast and a good cup of coffee, walk around outside, hang out with some friends, nap, read, a good dinner and then bed. That sounds pretty clutch to me.

4. what’s in your make up bag?

Stuff….Things…. Some different concealers, mascaras. The products I have been using the most are Smashbox eyeliner in black violet (I think? I’m terrible at this game) Benefit’s Fake Up concealer and a quad color pallet from Tarte.

5. Favorite sports equipment.

Other than the most essential piece, my gi, I like my Under Armour compression capri pants (I found them! Case of the missing pants solved!)

6. Top 5 places in the world you would like to visit, and why?

Really all the places I’m listing have beautiful scenery and an interesting history, so here we go:

-British Isles

-Greece

– Spain/Portugual

– Iceland

-Brazil hops on and off the list: on for its beautiful scenery, off because it has things like the common occurrence of raining spiders. I’m not even kidding.

7. Favorite TV show, movie or series.

Really the only show I have really kept up on recently is Game of Thrones, so that, I guess.

8. Favorite country you’ve been in and why?

The only other country I have been to is France (Paris, and the Burgundy region), which is quite beautiful.

9. If you had a super power which would it be.

Telekinesis, or teleportation, like Nightcrawler. Although I wouldn’t want to be blue like him.

10. Biggest accomplishment so far.

Really, I think starting this blog was a big accomplishment for me (I like writing- having other people read what I write has given me a lot of anxiety in the past though), reaching out to so many people and sharing our thoughts, feelings and experiences in the sport. It’s pretty great! 🙂

11. Most beautiful country you’ve ever been to, and while there what was your favorite dish, dessert, and sweets?

Again, I’ve only been to one other country, France, and while I was there I had a meal at one of the local restaurants in Paris that was just fantastic.

 

So there you have it. Have a great weekend everyone!