Here’s a personal testimony you need to read about my path to choose and continue learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the Gracie Gym in Plano…
Q: How did you start training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and why?
A: I started training at Gracie Gym in Plano, TX in August of 2016. Since then I have certainly had my share of the 6 month learning curve with multiple injuries, crazy shore body all over and quickly realizing that escaping side mount control (and avoiding it all together) might be the first thing I need to master if I want to start winning.
I’ve always wanted to become disciplined in a martial art. With so many to choose from and so many gyms, I didn’t know which one to choose. I wanted to find the one that applied the most to street fights (in case I ever got into one) and one that could even make the David and Goliath story come to true.
When I was searching YouTube videos on different martial arts, I finally came across some Gracie videos explaining the philosophy and, of course, the proof shown by the legend Royce Gracie in the beginning of UFC and it multiple victories (no gloves, no weight divisions, and no time limits). I couldn’t believe it, and just by watching the videos, I was convinced. Brazilian Jit Jitsu is the way to go.
It’s funny how many people aren’t even aware that the Gracie family was the entrepreneur (with the help of Art Davie) of the existing UFC and picked one of the smaller and inexperienced guys in the family, Royce Gracie, to prove to the world that the small guy could when against a much bigger opponent when using Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. They could have picked Rickson Gracie who was much more skilled and bigger, but the story and legacy wouldn’t have been the same.
Being a smaller guy myself, I loved this story and it empowered me to believe that if I got in a bad situation, I can have full confidence that technique and skill has a much better chance at winning a street fight than raw muscle with little to no fighting experiencing. So, I had to give BJJ a try. And in truth, it’s one of the best things it’s done for my confidence levels. Now, when I look at guys who are taller and bigger than me (fat or muscle), there’s a piece in me that laughs because most guys today think the more muscle they have the more feared and respected they are. Little do they know that the little guy next to them training hard at the BJJ gym, could take him easy. How would you like to have that confidence?
Q: Why the Gracie Gym when there’s so many other’s to choose from?
A: Initially, I chose the Gracie Gym in Plano because it is the closest BJJ gym to my work, making it convenient to go before or after. However, it’s not so convenient at other times since I live 30 minutes away. After my last membership subscription, I was actually considering leaving the gym to start going to one much closer to my house. But, after I had just finished my first competition at the Dallas Open this year, I gained a feeling of support and genuine interest for me to win from the Professor’s and my coaches at the Gracie Gym…that’s when the Gracie Gym started to feel like a family to me and I just couldn’t leave. So I renewed my membership, and now my wife has started watching me train, pushes me to go when I don’t want to, and she feels like a family member as well.
Oh, and here’s a real story just to give a real world example of how much better and different Gracie Gym is. When I went to a gym outside of the state, they didn’t line up and pay respect to the coach, didn’t bow to the master or coach before or after the session and the warm-up time was weak. That was an immediate realization of how much better the Gracie Gym is and how well-structured it is. The Gracie Gym demands respect, instils discipline, and actively encourages everyone to keep training and to “Never Quit.”
Q: Why is it so important for you to train and what keeps you going?
A: I train BJJ regularly for the same reasons I pray, diet, workout and work towards any goals: because I desire the outcome and more importantly, the best possible version of myself. There’s two quotes that come to mind when I think of training:
“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’” – Muhammad Ali, and second, “
“I hate discipline, but I love the results” – unknown
Since I’ve started, I’ve had to take off about several months for injuries which taught me some valuable lessons that I’d like to share with the beginners out there:
#1) Respect everyone on the mat. Let them become your new family, not of your next victory
#2) Live to train another day. Let go of your ego on the mat. When training, be humble & tap early
#3) Much more can be learned from losing than winning. A win increases awareness of the strengths. A loss increases awareness of your weaknesses and what you need to work focus on next. When you win, you question what you did that you already knew. When you lose, you question how you stop that from happening the next time.
When I train, I know I’m getting better every time the training is over and I walk out of that gym. Every day before, I question just putting it off to the next day. I’m too tired. I need the extra sleep. I’ve trained enough. But, every time I go, I never regret it and am always glad I went.
How many times have you regretted not doing what you say you’ve always wanted to do? How many times have you talked about goals but never committed to achieve them?
Start time. Start at the Gracie Gym.
OSS!!!
– Anonymous Gym Member
0 Comments