As you well know, I train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (bjj) and am a purple belt under Fabio Santos here in San Diego.
In just how we talk about jiu jitsu, terms like these are used frequently: class tuition school training academy learning technique conditioning student.
All of these are very strong words that key into the fact this is something deep, complex and mental. When I realized this my approach to bjj changed. I needed to stop treating it like a hobby or an activity.
I now treat it like I would a college course. As a purple I am almost done with my undergrad in bjj. Brown belt will by my MS and black belt will be my PHD. Which is what I am goal driven to earn.
So now if I am going to pay hundreds of dollars a month, spend at least 24 hours a month in the academy, have my physical conditioning 70% geared to my bjj competition performance and have a goal of becoming a black belt I can not do what most people do.
Most students, and that really is what we are, show up twice a week and leave. Half measures only get you half way.
I do to class twice a day. I study the details. After class I write a full page of notes for that class in a binder I bring with me. I condition my body outside of class so that the stress of training is lessened, allowing me greater mental focus while rolling. I have acquired books and DVDs to increase the knowledge base I draw from. I have added mats to my garage and a small TV to aid in training at home (homework). I have a written goal about my bjj development.
I want to progress, I want to excel. This is my plan. This is what will separate me from the herd. I am working it, and I am going to do it.
"Plan to work, work the plan."
Your commitment to this is very sexy.
ReplyDeleteYour approach is very inspiring. What does your training consist of outside of BJJ and other than MTBing or Motocross?
ReplyDeletei vary what i do outside of jiu jitsu.
ReplyDeleteim kind of a multi-sport athlete in that i have to balance what goes into my two wheeled stuff so that it doesn't take away from bjj.
i run hills.
i do plyometric stuff with a medicine ball and box jumps.
i use gymnastic rings for pull ups, push ups, rows, dips, knee raises.
i do ginastica natural
i mnt bike twice a week.
i do a long run at the beach barefoot.
those are my main training tools outside of just going to bjj class.
You said on Molly's blog comment that knowing your food and drink requirements prior to working out are important. How do you determine what is best? It seems that on my long runs I am always either suffering from hunger pains or have a side ache from having eaten too much. I just can't find the balance. I tried a goo pack for the first time the other day, and that took away the hunger pains for a while.
ReplyDeleteWow! Learn something new every day. I've never heard of ginastica natural. YouTube videos I watched make it look like a combination of hatha yoga, capoeria, and free running. Very cool! Thanks for sharing your training approach. I'm trying to gear all of my exercise to support my BJJ interest.
ReplyDelete