As most of you know I travel quite a bit. In my travels I have come in contact with some of the greatest friends in BJJ at various unknown gyms. When I post pictures or tag site locations I get a lot of questions of "Huh What's at the gym" ? "Why are you training at that Place?" "Who are those cats? When people use to ask me these questions I really didn't have a legit answer but my simple response of "just training". However when I reflect on my grappling journey thus far it finally came to me . So allow me to finally reveal why I find myself training at these unknown gyms.
Starting my gi and no-gi with pretty unknown guys ( from a grappling success standpoint) I honestly feel looking back I was embedded with this mentality of no matter how big or small someone's name is never be closed minded to learn because everyone has something to offer. Being in Southern California we are surrounded by the most accomplished BJJ personas on the planet giving us what many called "world class instruction". Visiting unknown gyms out of state allows me to see how others train that don't have the..."celebrity luxuries" we have and in some way it is a tribute to the way I was brought up by my original instructors.
My experience however was more than I expected which has been a great positive for me. When walking into such gyms like Mid City Martial Arts in New Orleans, Mat Chess MMA in Seattle, Nemesis BJJ in Portland, and other academies in between out of state although I was meet with curious impressions I was never meet with hostile impressions as in let F this guy up. Going into any small gym I learned there is a 50/50 impression that has to be established quickly from the way you greet yourself to even the way you roll with the students kind of like that old saying treat people the way you want to be treated. Leaving my ego at the door, doing the techniques the way the instructor shows them, having an open mind and other courtesy's are just some of the ways to show respect which in my case has paid off allowing me to acquire lifelong friendship (including the instructor) and learn some great stuff that is a solid part of my grappling game.
A lot of these people are truly humble and passionate individuals on and off the mat . Some work full times jobs. Some are family men/women. Some are certified Gym/Mat Rats. While some are committed to other life priorities. Whatever their focused category is one thing is similar they all love to train and dedicated about getting better because after all it apart of growing. And speaking from experience although IBJFF medals may miss them in terms of accolades they got the skills to go against any color belt from any top gym out here in Southern California. This viewing has given me somewhat a group of people I can relate because of the way I started off.
A lot of these people are truly humble and passionate individuals on and off the mat . Some work full times jobs. Some are family men/women. Some are certified Gym/Mat Rats. While some are committed to other life priorities. Whatever their focused category is one thing is similar they all love to train and dedicated about getting better because after all it apart of growing. And speaking from experience although IBJFF medals may miss them in terms of accolades they got the skills to go against any color belt from any top gym out here in Southern California. This viewing has given me somewhat a group of people I can relate because of the way I started off.
Now on the reverse side coming up I have also visited well established gyms. Picture yourself going to train for a day at your BJJ idol's academy the individual you looked up to that inspired your game. When you walk inside the academy ..you are greeted at the front desk with a huge mat fee (which is reasonable). When you step on the mat some of the students are very uptight, sometimes ignore you, and destroy you in rolls to "represent". To put the icing on the cake the guy you looked up to doesn't even bother the help you with the moves or even acknowledge you respectfully which sometimes leaves a sour taste in your mouth walking out the gym and a different impression on the person you looked up too. Yeah this has happened to me on some occasions in the past.
Although it was great to learn some things for a day with a top level athlete and train with his prized off springs (students) in my opinion although these visit have been appreciative these visits was not a greater experience for me than those from the small academies I visited out of state.
Well I hope this answered everyone curiosity as to why I visit small unknown gyms. I would like to encourage everyone if you make travels to do the same. Step outside of the box, meet people from all walks of this BJJ life, and discover the unknown out there because you never know the great things waiting for you when you walk inside that gym.
Well I hope this answered everyone curiosity as to why I visit small unknown gyms. I would like to encourage everyone if you make travels to do the same. Step outside of the box, meet people from all walks of this BJJ life, and discover the unknown out there because you never know the great things waiting for you when you walk inside that gym.
1 % better with an open mind
monta
