Why Steriods Will Continue in BJJ :-(

Hey folks I know its been awhile...but I'm back with another montablog !!! :-) As of late there has been a buzz in the bjj community about the use of steroids. I seen an article the other day by caio terra on otm and uscombatsports about the topic. So I decided to give my own opinion about this very controversial but overlooked topic in our sport.As much as I agree with caio terra views, (unless caio word turns into action) the use of steroids will continue to occur. Want to know why....BJJ is not a legitimate sport that has gathered worldwide notoriety yet.

Let me explain before you jump the fences on me. When we compete in bjj we are not getting paid to compete. We do so at our own free will. For the most part the sport bjj does not offer cash, big time commercial promotions, and other things associated with marketing the sport or a fighter's profolio. Even companies like OTM or BJJLegends are small freelance companies who voluntary promote the sport of BJJ.Although winning events like the Pan Ams and Worlds is a big accomplishment at best the only thing a fighter receives is a medal and maybe a small sponsorship toward continuing to do what they love to do ( which is 25 % of the time). In all what I'm trying to say is the sport bjj is small time, not fully recognized, "under the radar". So it gives people the opportunity to do the things that caio mentioned.

Now you may ask yourself..why do people enforce strickter policies when an athlete get caught doing steroids in sports like baseball, mma, boxing,and even pro wrestling. Simple all about franchise. What i mean by franchise is the athlete is representing a brand which generates cash to that particular industry.

For example: The Chris Beniot Situation- once that situation occurred the WWE's image went down significantly. 25 % of its wrestling rooster ( some being the wwe's top talent) in 2007 were removed from the company because of it and in its entirety it has left a bad image on the pro-wrestling industry to this day.

Example 2 : MMA in the present- back in the old days fighters never got tested for drug use ..due to the fact that mma at the time was not a legitimized entity that it is today. Now MMa has reached main stream. You can't turn on your tv without seeing a promo of a upcoming fight, mass media attention, and other aspects that create HYPE for the fight. Fighters are expected to train hard (without any "medication") and put on a good show..because for 1 they are getting paid ( 5 digits salaries) and 2. they are making the company/industry more money.

I can go on and on & give you more examples of this but what I'm trying to say is until bjj reaches mainstream status...this situation will continue to occur.

It is very sad that the integrity level of bjj players has been put into question because of this. We don't get paid to perform we do it to better ourselves and add experience to our journey through life.... and .So what is the point of using steriods for ?.. ...( as El Atnom would say) a "50 cent goal medal ?" over your health..come on !!!

the end

Competitor Type

Awhile back ago I had a side conversation with someone I interviewed for the otm website about what types of people that compete. It was a very interesting conversation and I totally agreed with a lot of things he said. So in this blog I'm just gonna share what I learned from him along with my own opinion concerning this topic.

Types of People that compete

Goal Driven- these are people who have goals that they wishes to achieve in the sport. They realize the hurdles and hardships that may run into on their journey but no matter what happens they are not quitters and will do anything it takes to reach that goal whether it be getting a black belt or world championship status.
Ex: Look at guys like JT Torres he realizes what it takes to be a world champion. he understands the sacrifices and the hard work he has to put in to do it. In others words he is goal oriented.

Fighters- those are people who just love to fight or compete. It can be because they are ego driven guys who just want to smash people or people who just love putting their skills to the test in battle. Combatants is what i like to call them.
Ex: competition teams like paragon (my academy), C-Quence , and Alliance are solely competition teams schools where competitors compete anywhere between 3 to 4 times a month.

Martial arts lovers- These are people who although they have don't have any specific goals, Just love to experience what the sport has to offer. They want to add to their experience and things to look back in their stay in martial arts.
Ex: Guys like myself ( at least back in the days when i use to compete) just like to get out there and have an experience.

Other- people who fall under this category are simply kids, teens who either need have a focus in life or as a hobby to keep themselves active.

As for those who don't compete it doesn't mean they are weak, pussy or scared, they just have no interest in competing. Some of the best guys that I've trained with are people that don't compete. The reason may be they have other focuses in life ( work,family, -etc-) or just don't show interest in competing. It should be no pressure for that person to do so.

In all the purpose of this blog is just to show you what type of people you see gracing the competition mats. In all whether you have goals in the sport or not the main things you want to remember is to have fun and enjoy your experiences in the game.Sure you have some hard instructors who may stone you 4 the way u did in competition or you may have a bad experience here and there..but the main goals it to have fun.

Fernando Terre said in a recent interview that if competition is not fun then don't do it.

Set your own pathway you wish to pursue and Enjoy the ride !!!!

monta

Ideas for the Website

Well I guess this is my first montablog of the year. So you are probably wondering what I'm going to say especially after my very....outspoken blog on "The Arrival of Cobrinah". However instead of blowing up on people i decided to write about ...how i choose people to write about for the otm website (since some people have ask me and I have told them "NO" or I just igNOre their request).
A lot of times in bjj you hear the same stories of top bjj stars over and over again. This person won worlds for the 27th time. Exclusive interview about this top bjj guy for the 100th time. In other words it becomes repetitive and sometimes boring. So i decided when I started writing i wanted to do something different and write about people who are trying to get to the top in some fashion that people need to read about. There are alot of great and talented people out there in bjj land ( I should know since i study the underground scene) and its a shame that their story of blood, sweat,tears, and sometimes achievements are overlooked by someone else. So what better way to help them out by giving them some exposure.

The way i choose the people to write about is simple........

1. Your attitude toward the sport- you have to have a love for the sport. I tend to stay away from "know it alls", douchbags, and people falling into similar categories. I like to write about people who have a lot of drive, passion, and most of all having something going for themselves. Mainly because I can get the best answers out of them.

2. what separates you from other people- I won this medal (SO WHAT) I'm a bad ass in bjj (SO WHAT).I am the next big thing ( SO WHAT)..IMO none of that is interesting because they're are a million people that think and have done/thought the same thing. I like writing stories about people who have a story to tell. People who can give me a story of how they got from point A to point B and beyond and draw people into their life almost.

3. Personality is also a big trait to have

You have to remember folks I dont get paid to do this. So in other word Im pretty much helping people out of the kindess of my heart. Thats why I dont just write about anybody or anything.
Especially since I dont get paid to do this.
In all its about can you attract the audience because at the end of the day don't blame me if no one finds you interesting.


The End

2011: The Year of Action

Well this year is coming to a end and i am glad to stay I am happy it is almost over. Not say this year was horrible for me but I had some good moments and not so great moments. But hey what can I say I'm alive right. In terms of my NY resolution for 2011, If God can manage to keep my sorry ass alive for another year, I tend to make 2011..The year of action. In 2010 i sat on my bum and chilled in more ways that one so in 2011 I want to be as active as possible because hey life is to freaking short.

Anyway hope 2011 is a great year for everyone friends, enemies, and friend-imies ( whatever that means)

and

A speacial thanks to all my supporters for the montablog and my otm articles.

No "Best of 2010"this time. Happy New Year folks

monta

My Thoughts- Arrival of Cobrinah

This picture was taken over a year ago when I went to go train with Ruben “Cobrinah” Charles at the Stronghold academy in San Diego, Ca. It kind of unreal that he is moving and starting an academy out here in my city (yeah I thought you knew I Run LA :-) ). With all of the stuff that is been going on as of late in regards to me (shit talk whether it true or false) and with one of my favorite bjj players moving out here to start a school ( especially with everyone having mixed feelings about the whole idea). I decided to give my own opinion about the whole Cobrinah starting a school out here.

This blog is not going to bash cobrinah because for one he one of the few Brazilian bjj players I look up too and I ain’t with that punk online dissing shit. However what amazes me is the people who jump the gun and talk about his coming so negatively and the people who are leaving their academies to join. I know sounds a little bit bipolar but let me explain.

For those that talk negatively about his academy, I know a lot of people are skeptic over this new arrival especially after the Leo incident 3 years ago, however as the old saying goes. Unless your contemplating joining..who the fuck cares !!!! It crazy how jiu-jitsu t has gone from being more worried about someone else progression instead of their own . People that bash other people for joining ( especially when they didnt like them in the first place), what is it to you...how is someones leaving or cobrinah academy coming to la affecting your progression ..Let me answer that 4 you NONE WHAT SO FUCKING EVER !!! so as the jailbird rapper T.I would say " Keep your mind on your grind and off mines". Yes it may be frightening because Cobrinah may be stealing guys from academies but the way I see it is hey..one less guy gone the more possible attention I get from the instructor.

When it comes people leaving their academies to join, I only have one thing to say..only leave your academy becauase you are unhappy with you current situation (whether it is money, problems with other teammates, and just you feel your not growing) but if your leave because you see a better situation in front of you “you are an ungrateful ( fill in the blank)” and I have no respect for you. That’s like being with your wife 30 years and you see a hot chick walking by n ditch your wife for a new piece of ass..why risk it when you got something going so good (your continual growth at your academy & your friendships). Why go into a situation that you have no clue what your getting into. In all it’s stupid !!!!

In terms of my opinion on it all i have to say is this It could be one of the best school in the area or the biggest flop.. Its all in Cobrinah hands how the school will turn out.

I could say a whole lot more on this matter but I'm gonna leave it at that and for those that keep asking me pleaseeee stop asking me am I joining. At this time I’m not in any mood to train at any academy right now. I’m working and trying to finish off the year with a great OTM article with a overseas sensation.

Anyway I’ll end this blog by saying Happy Holidays

monta

Discouraged BJJ Students

For the past couple of weeks there as been a huge amount of individuals who are contemplating leaving their academies, unsatisfied with their training, or even quitting the game. Although this seems outrageous, don’t be too quick to judge. As shocking, quitter like, traitor style this may seem this is a common occurrence that happens today in our sport. In this blog I will enlighten you on why bjj students fall in this very depressing stage in their pathway.

Leaving your academy- For a student to leave it academy it has to be for 4 reasons.

1. False advertisement- this is probably the shadiest form of why people leave academies. Lets say a world champ moves into town, students flood in and sign that 1 year contract in hopes of being developed into a world class athlete, only to find out that he is a flake, cant teach, or simply put “you” cant be them. I guess some instructors finally are catching on that the sport is growing and use it as a way to exploit people and get their money while not giving a damn about their progression. (Note: don’t get me wrong there are some great schools out there that don’t do this and have made their students into world champs).

2. Students expectations are too damn high- Although some instructors simply don’t care much about a students progressions. Sometimes it’s the student’s insecurities that get in the way of their evolution. Why aren’t you making me into a world champ like your student so and so, the move set doesn’t match what I do, I’m losing every time I compete and other issues. Students that walk into bjj now days need to realize that being a world champ is a lot harder than it was 10 years ago. Why you ask simple the sport is growing. More schools, new moves are being created & larger divisions at tournaments. To sum it all up it's a tougher road.

3. Student isn't motivated- this is when a student leaves an academy but even worse the individual ends up quitting. This is really more of a mental thing for most students. As good as they may be they may get tired of not getting help from their instructor, tired of seeing others rise in the ranks while your stuck at this same rank for god knows how long, or worse you feel your not growing and feel you reached a stage which I like to call “the Flat line Stage” in your bjj progression...

4. Other- this just consist of off-mat life things like your job, money, personal issues, or your family ( which should not be criticized in any way). Handle your business

Although this problem will continue to happen 3 things need to be improved ...................

1. Instructors need to be more dedicated to helping their students. If students are putting money in your pocket the least you can do is..put 100 % effort into making their money worth it.

2. Academies (owners, managers,-etc-) needs to lessen their promotion schemes unless they can follow 100 % through with it. A customer hates to be lied too. That’s like going to a used car dealership and the dealer tells you the car is OK and come to find out it is a “lemon”. NOT GOOD

3. Finally students need to be more open about the issues they have at the academy because of course how would anyone know there is a problem if it wasn’t brought up. Another option for students would be to build friendships outside the academy or visit other academies. This is give you the opportunity to not only make new friends but also learn something new as oppose to what your normally learn. All about building your blocks sorta speak.
In addition don't rely too much on the instructor. 1 man can not focuses his attention on 1 individual. Seek help from your brothers (training partners) on the mat because those are the ones that you are bleeding & sweating on the mat with.Shees in my experience i get more pissed when people don't wanna train way more than an instructor paying me attention.


THE END

monta

Training Hard vs Training "Hard"

Sitting back I always reflect on different shit that goes on in my mind whether it is past situations in my life or things I see on a daily basis. So in this case over the past couple of hours i been really thinking about something that i saw today at my bjj academy.It's not so much what happened its more so of what happen afterwards in terms of no one wanting to really training with the poor guy. So it got me asking myself

" Is everyone you train with a good training partner" ?


Tonight I'm going to discuss the difference IMO of training hard with your training partners vs your training partners training hard. Yeah you may look at the title and be like WTF am i talking about but let me explain the difference in "MT" ( monta terms)

training hard with your training partners- it is simply getting a great workout, going all out while at the same time being aware of your surroundings and actions. Its kind of like driving a car. You are aware of traffic and peoples movements so you are able to react if a situation does arise such as avoid hitting another car or stopping at a red light to let pedestrians cross the street. This theory can be applied in training in bjj in situations like escaping an armbar or realizing your bout to go off the mat. In all it about doing your thing and being aware of the person your training with. Sure a small accident may happen but at the end of the day no one comes out hurt.

vs

Your training partners training hard- In the case which is common (well not that much really) at almost every bjj academy. It basically describes an individual who has no regards for the people they train with. They constantly injured people, not being aware of their surroundings, and only care about destroying anything in their path toward showing their skills and dominance on the mat. I like to call those type of people metro rail blue line trains ...because if your in its way(male, female,child,cat,or dog) you are getting your ass ran the fuck over. In all in this case it "All about them".

If you still don't get what I'm saying let me give an example of each.

training hard with your training partners-For instance in my case I like training hard with people that I don't get hurt by. It a great feeling to go all out giving it everything i have and being able to walk out with nothing wrong to me or the person I'm training with.

Your training partners training hard- doing a double leg take down and taking your training partner into the wall knowing damn well a wall is nearly 2 ft behind you. in short "tunnel vision"

hopefully you get the message if not I dont know what to tell you :-)

In some cases I feel ( that is very few) people feel the need to show their dominance not on in competition (which of course you better do so) but on the training mat (which is unnecessary). Its a competition within the academy. Because if you really think about sometimes it is when your hoping to please everyone or be that next guy to get promoted to whatever belt. All goes back to self- preservation. I just feel people have the wrong idea of not how good you are when your training bout how to train to be good in the long run while minimizing the casualties along the way -haha-

monta

p.s- this is not directed at anyone but if you are reading this and you feel insecure about what I said. Get your act together because it will get you nowhere. It will end up being in a situation where you hardly get people to train with and even worse people will end up not liking you.
"A man without friends is the most serious form of poverty."