All Good Things

I’m saying goodbye to this woefully neglected blog of mine. It’s been more than a year since I’ve had knee surgery, and even longer than that since I’ve step foot on a mat and had a proper class. The whole intention of this blog was mainly to keep track of my training progress. So obviously [...]

A “New” Way of Charting Progress

After four months of visits to the clinic, where they would track my recovery, it finally dawned on me how thorough my checkups were. X-rays, blood work (in the weeks after my surgery), MRIs, weight checks, muscle readings, strict rehab exercises, physical therapy, various other types of tests; all logged down in my own [...]

Don’t Stop Me Now – Jiu-jitsu Comeback

Every great journey must begin with a simple step. This is mine. My Jiu-jitsu Comeback.
There is a chair in the Emoto Knee Clinic. The chair is bright deep blue, fully adjustable and has a four-point harness to keep its occupant in place. It also reads the muscle strength of a leg; measuring the maximum force [...]

Another Great Purple Belt from RDA

TJ was awarded his blue belt when he accompanied Roy Dean in wristlock/bjj seminar – one that can be seen on Art of the Wristlock DVD. And now TJ has been promoted to purple belt. Congratulations and a job well done!
There’s something about seeing people being promoted. We’re being included in a special event, [...]

For my birthday I WANT THIS

Probably hands down the best cake to get a Judoka or Jiu-jitsu practitioner. Though my birthday isn’t until spring of next year, I couldn’t help but go “I want! I want!” when I saw this.
The talented pâtissier of this delightful dessert can be reached here, I highly recommend all lovers of sweets to [...]

Simple is Best – Jiu-jitsu Thoughts

My friend Brent and I were talking about jiu-jitsu at an end-of-the-year party. He had a beautiful remark on simplicity.
“I want a simple game. If you have a simple game and everyone knows you have a simple and yet no one can stop you, it shows how dominant you are. So [...]

Overheard during a Hakapara Party

When will you be back? We have new whitebelts that need to be choked out.

DAAAAAAAAAAN-SHAKU!! DAAAAAAAAAAAN-SHAKU!! DAAAAAAAAAAN-SHAKU!! (Cheers of everyone pursading “the Baron” to do pushups after spilling beer and food. He does 20 on the spot)
You know, after you left a lot of knee injuries have been happening. Actually, everyone sitting here (motions [...]

My Life in Slow Motion – Jiu-jitsu Comeback

Every great journey must begin with a simple step. This is mine. My Jiu-jitsu Comeback.
Hey, it’s been four months since my knee surgery – STG type (hamstring) ACL re-construction and meniscus repair. Aside from my regular workouts, here’s what it’s been like for me.
At the post-operative four month marker I cannot: run, jump [...]

World’s BEST Armbar Advice EVER!!!!1

In light of my previous post on the white belt who didn’t tap, and somehow life working that mysterious mojo so that a friend of mine would get injured – not seriously – in fighting an armbar submission a couple of days after me posting up a post about not tapping out, I’ve decided to [...]

The White Belt Who Didn’t TAP

I was sitting on my couch at home, trying to think of something jiu-jitsuy to write when this white belt suddenly popped into my brain. I don’t know why him in particular. Probably just one of those things that come to mind for no reason at all like the need for pink strawberry frosted pop [...]