BJJ Interveiws: The Part Time Grappler Interviews the Winners of the Crazy Ass BJJ Gi Design Competition Part 4 of 4

The Part Time Grappler Interviews Mr Evan Mannweiler, Mr Aaron Shiels and Mr Francisco Arias, winners of the Crazy Ass BJJ Gi Design Competition, Part 4

Do you have any regrets?

BJJ Interveiws: The Part Time Grappler Interviews the Winners of the Crazy Ass BJJ Gi Design Competition Part 3 of 4

The Part Time Grappler Interviews Mr Evan Mannweiler, Mr Aaron Shiels and Mr Francisco Arias, winners of the Crazy Ass BJJ Gi Design Competition, Part 3

In this 3rd part of 4, our artists talk about the inspiration behind their work

BJJ Interveiws: The Part Time Grappler Interviews the Winners of the Crazy Ass BJJ Gi Design Competition Part 2 of 4

This is one of the best pieces of BJJ / Grappling / Time Management interviews I’ve ever had the privilege to do! The tips these guys give for free are worth gold!

The Part Time Grappler Interviews Mr Evan Mannweiler, Mr Aaron Shiels and Mr Francisco Arias, winners of the Crazy Ass BJJ Gi Design Competition, Part 2

BJJ Interveiws: The Part Time Grappler Interviews the Winners of the Crazy Ass BJJ Gi Design Competition Part 1 of 4

One of my passions within Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the community and the Crazy Ass BJJ Gi Design competition that Meerkatsu and I ran recently (sponsored by Tatami Fightwear) was a great example of an event that not only drew people together and garnered attention from practitioners around the globe and was discussed on The Fightworks Podcast, but it also opened the gates for peoples’ creativity. Judging the submissions was not an easy feat and the judges banged their heads together for a long time. As you all know, three winners were decided upon:

BJJ is a Journey Shared on the Mats

A few weeks ago the Fightworks podcast ran a poll about whether or not people would continue training irrespective of skill improvement or belt promotion and the results were very exciting, namely 75% of the poll takers said they wouldn’t discontinue training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu even if they were never to improve or get promoted.

Mr Tom McAlpine expressing his joy after getting his well-deserved purple belt yesterday at the BJJ Labs

While nobody likes to tap to a choke or a joint lock, everybody understands, or at least should, the value of tapping. It made me so happy to see the results of the poll as it confirmed my theory on why we love Brazilian Jiu Jitsu so much: because it's a Journey Shared on the Mats (JSM)

No one who's done even a single session of BJJ can deny that it's a journey. Yes you will learn a skill or two even on your first day but you will immediately realize that grappling is not an easy, quick affair. But to be fair, the same is true for any endeavour in life worth pursuing, from table tennis to sculpture, ballet to javelin throwing or cooking to playing the piano. “Nothing worth having comes easy”, the saying goes.

Part of the attraction of the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey is that it's a shared one, and shared so intimately. Losing a practice match in table tennis or missing the C# during rehearsal is definitely frustrating but it's nothing like your partner choking you out after sitting on your chest! Also, as pissed off as you are at getting caught, part of you always goes: Nice one!

Our coach Martyn Cahill congratulating Michael Carroll on his new purple belt at the BJJ Labs

We closely share each others ups and downs. We know how they feel from first hand experience. We hug, fist-bump and pat backs to connect with each other. We know our "well done" was heard, but we still insist on reaching out and shaking their hand.

Finally, the journey must be shared on the mats. Living in England, I know tons of football fans who go thru months and months of religiously following football (that’s soccer to our American amig(a/o)s) without ever kicking a ball on a field. That’s not the same in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. While you don’t have to be a mat-slave or pro-fighter-hopeful, you need to be at least a Part Time Grappler to truthfully share the journey of BJJ.

Don’t misunderestimate what I mean, I love blogging (with people like Meerkatsu, Georgette, Meg, Cane, Slidey, Allie et al constantly pouring their hearts out who could resist!) , chatting to my BJJ-buddies, going to parties with them, reading mags and watching Mr Ribiero et al discussing the “aspect of the momento” for hours on end on YouTube nad DVDs but nothing replaces that cold feeling of the mats touching my bare feet. It’s like someone reached out and turned down the “Volume” dial on life. When that happens, I always look across the mat and catch a glimpse of the same feeling in the eyes of my pyjama-clad friends. The JSM is the most important part of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and without it, it’s all just silly.


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BJJ Interveiws: The Part Time Grappler Interviews the Winners of the Crazy Ass BJJ Gi Design Competition

One of my passions within Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the community and the Crazy Ass BJJ Gi Design competition that Meerkatsu and I ran recently (sponsored by Tatami Fightwear) was a great example of an event that not only drew people together and garnered attention from practitioners around the globe and was discussed on The Fightworks Podcast, but it also opened the gates for peoples’ creativity. Judging the submissions was not an easy feat and the judges banged their heads together for a long time. As you all know, three winners were decided upon:

ULTIMATE WINNER:

Evan Mannweiler with 'Pin up '
Evan will get his gi custom made by Tatami Fightwear.

CRAZY WINNER:

Aaron Shiels with 'Scorpion'
Aaron wins an Estilo Premier gi

FUNNY WINNER:

Francisco Arias with 'I'm Lovin' Jitz'
Francisco wins a Zero G gi

For picture of the winning designs you can check out our competition blog.

But I want more. I always want more. I contacted the three winners and asked if they’d be interested in an interview. Luckily, they were excited by the idea and very generous with their time. The resulting BJJ interviews are both very interesting, very diverse and very educating! I'm now inthe final stages of editing the interviews (they were huge!) and part one (of four) will hit a screen near you before the end of this week!

Stay tuned, I say.

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The Crazy Ass BJJ Gi Design Comp featured on The Fightworks Podcast!!!

Hi. My name is Liam Wandi, the Part Time Grappler. I'm a cheese-Addict.

Yes it's true. I wear a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gi to bed. (Thank you Tatami Fightwear!)

But it's also true that the Crazy Ass BJJ Gi Design Competition, masterminded by my brother in madness BJJ Purple Belt and BJJ gi-reviewer extraordinaire Seymour Yang, of the Meerkatsu fame, was featured on the acclaimed Fightworks Podcast. Oh yes. You know you made it big when you make it on the FWP!

Click on the link to download and listen to Seymour telling Caleb and the world about how a mad idea ping-ponged between the two of us lead to the Most Awesome BJJ Gi Design Competition of the century!

Many thanks to Seymour for the hours of work behind this and for giving me a chance to help and of course to Tatami Fightwear for making this dream becoming a reality and for being so generous (THEY'RE MAKING THE FREAKING WINNING GI!!) but above all...

Thank you all crazy creative people who took the time, energy and skillz to put together an enormous portfolio of ideas. Judging was a pleasure but no easy task.

You, truly, put the ART in Martial Arts.

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PART 3: 22 Fat-Loss Tips That Work - But in BJJ / Grappling Terms!

As I mentioned in my last post, one of my favourite books is Anita Bean's "Food for Fitness". A cool section in the book is titled: 22 Fat-Loss Tips That Work and, inspired by the Fightworks Podcast interview with Mr Dave Camarillo where he urges the listeners to read from a wide range of topics and try to apply the knowledge to BJJ / Grappling, I decided to give you Anita's tips, but completely twisted to address BJJ / Grappling training rather than weight loss. As a bonus, I will put the original tip at the bottom.

As promised here is part 3 of 3 posts. I hope you enjoy it.

1. Drink water. I don't even want to joke about changing this one. The water break has both a very important physiological importance but also an important social value. It's a half-time get-together for you and your friends and if you ever can't get a technique/move/the energy and you don't want to feel alone, the water break is a great opportunity to exchange "I'm completely lost here too!" looks.

Original tip: Drink water.

2. Take a holistic approach to your art: I don't buy into the whole "Is Brazilian Jiu Jitsu a sport, a self defence system or a martial art?" question. It's everything and that's how I treat it. I love everything about it. The gi, the rash-guard, the MMA, the headlock escapes...the lot!

I remember hearing Marcio Feitosa talk about this on a Fightworks Podcast a few months ago and I completely agree. Why restrict yourself when the art/sport/activity is so encompassing?

Original tip: Eat fruit instead of drinking juice.

3. Beware of scams and empty quick-fix promises: Why oh why would you want this complex art that takes long hours on the mat to master to be easier and quicker to master? It's the equaliser in fights against someone who is bigger, stronger and fitter. It's a joy to share with like-minded people for years and years. It's the next thing to magic! It...takes...time. Let it!

I'm joking (a little) We want it easier and simpler because we are rational beings and because the geography of BJJ / Grappling is different to that of standing, walking and sitting that we are so used to. We think we can solve the riddle, or at least buy the solution on EBay or Amazon (or steal it from YouTube!) and, naturally, that creates an opportunity for people to sell us more and more products, books and courses.

I'm not against books, DVDs or Internet based instruction. I frikkin' love it. I am, however, very selective and don't expect miracles. I expect what I learn in 30 minutes online to still take me hours on the mat to learn and internalize.

Original tip: Beware of "reduced fat" labels.

4. Don't go on EBay or Amazon when your ego is bruised: Nice lead from the previous point. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an art of self development, but we are all guilty of self-Envelopment every now and again.

We are on the mat, we work hard and we get tapped and that's the reality of it. We take it personally sometimes though, especially if there is a question of differing belt colours. Damn them! How dare they! I need to learn how to counter that NOW!

If you go looking online for solutions, they will immediately materialize in the shape of books, DVDs and crystal balls and before you know it you will have a stack of them but no continuation and, chances are, you will still get tapped, just by a new sub!

Original tip: Don't go shopping when you're hungry.

5. Dedicate more time to positional transitions (escapes, sweeps and passes) and less to the cool submissions: Transitions open doors and teach habits. To me, that's the secret of Jiu Jitsu. The way I see a submission (triangle, armbar, footlock...etc.) is as a tighter and tighter position that can't really get any tighter. I have no doubt in my mind that the triangle choke was discovered by mistake when someone escaped mount to half guard, then to guard, then to high guard and then to triangle set up position (one arm in) and then suddenly, the frying pan got hot and someone passed out. Bingo. Focus on climbing the transitional chain and you'll get every submission along the way.

Original tip: Replace half your carbohydrates with veggies.

6. Spend some down time writing a game plan.

Beginning: You shake hands.
End: Someone taps.

Take sometime to fill in the different scenarios of what can happen in between and start working on assigning different solution ideas to the challenges along. Let me get you started:

They establish a good grip on you : break their grip
They pull guard : Hip in and posture up
They open their closed guard : go to combat base, get your grips on the pants and work for a bull-fighter pass (example)...etc.

Why not borrow a start-up flowchart from one of the greatest players: Rickson Gracie's flowchart part one and part two.

Original tip: Match every excuse to a solution.

7. Pack your gym bag the night before and have some spares: This is to avoid excuses to skip the session and to save time. When you get home after the session, don't just take your dirty stuff out of the gym bag. Replace it with clean kit straight away. Since I started doing that, I've not arrived without a rash guard / gi / belt / groin guard / athletic tape...etc. in 5 years.

Original tip: Carry healthy snacks.

8. Use BJJ / Grappling to revolutionise your whole life: I don't mean be a tool towards the rest of the world by telling everyone you meet "Oh I can't eat that / play that / drink that / wear that because a 2 strip blue belt you know!"

However, if starting BJJ / Grappling / MMA is the first move you've taken for your life into a healthy direction then why not compliment it with some early morning stretching, drinking less booze, spending some quality time with loved ones at the dinner table instead of eating in front of the TV...etc. Don't just do something healthy, allow yourself to become a healthier person.

Original tip: Stock up with healthy foods.

There you go ladies and gents. It's been a brain twister for me to transform the diet tips to BJJ / Grappling tips but it was great fun and made me put my own practice under the microscope. I know I can be guilty of, for example, number 4 in the list and I'm working on it. Being poorer helps!

Thanks Mr Recession for stopping me from googling "How to choke frikkin' Wrestler Freaks who pass my open guard!".


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Adapting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to MMA

I was listening to an older episode of the Fightworks Podcast where they interview Mr Henry Akins, Rickson Gracie Black Belt. Henry is now joint head instructor at DYNAMIX with Antoni Hardonk.

One of the questions that came up was how he adapts Jiu Jitsu to the MMA game. His response was along the lines:

Rickson Gracie's Jiu Jitsu was always intended for fighting. It's very simple and uncomplicated.

On that note, here is a glimpse at how my coach Martyn Cahill adapts Jiu Jitsu to fighting against the cage wall. It's a very short clip but you can see the great heart of the fighters at the LABS - FIGHTING FIT MANCHESTER. If you are looking for the greatest place in Manchester to train alive Jiu Jitsu that works in every arena, FIGHTING FIT is where it's at.

To find out more about FIGHTING FIT-MANCHESTER and THE LABS click on one of our two sexy logos at the top of this post.

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BJJ and Self Defence

This is inspired by the current poll at the Fightworks Podcast: "What Percentage of Sport Jiu-Jitsu Techniques Are Street or Self Defense Applicable?"

BJJ is a great fighting art. That's all the early UFCs proved.

What did challenge matches and the early UFCs prove? All over the BJJ / Grappling media you will see claims that the early UFCs and the Gracie Challenge matches proved that Brazilian / Gracie Jiu Jitsu is the most effective martial art for self-defence. But what does that exactly mean and to what extent does that even matter?

Patrick McCarthy is a karate instructor who opened my eyes years ago to the simplicity of combat thru his books, articles and interviews. He explained early on that Karate and several other martial arts, were initially devised for specific purposes and had drills that addressed specific, commonly reoccurring acts of violence.

There was indeed a time when attacks on our person consisted on hair-grabs, strikes, chokes and takedowns (not to mention dirty tactics such as biting and eye gouging). Some say that was last century, some say that was the 1950’s and 1960’s. I prefer to call it the 6th grade.

Seriously, how often do adults attack each other with punches, chokes, kicks or throws in a one-to-one environment? Without any (visible or concealed) weapons? Don’t just give me a (at best, educated) guess. Ask a police-statistician. Consult some government statistics online. Very very few!

The way I see it (and I may be wrong here) the only cases of person-on-person violence that doesn’t involve weapons are:

1. Rape attacks
2. Child bullying
3. Domestic violence

For those, Brazilian (Gracie) Jiu Jitsu (physically, mentally, spiritually) is beyond good. It’s great. It’s fantastic. It’s amazing.

The picture that the above-mentioned statistics paints is very different from what you see in the UFC (irrespective of old or new) or your average Jiu Jitsu session. Real violence involves weapons, gangs and mob mentality, premeditation, surprise element and in some cases even range and distance. It would be unfair (or even crazy) to pretend that BJJ / Grappling equips us for that.

I read somewhere a quote by Helio Gracie along the lines:

“If a big guy fights a small guy to a draw, the small guy wins!”

If you survive, you win.


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Smoking sucks. BJJ / Grappling rules. Chances are you agree with me.

The three above statements are my summary of the poll that I suggested to Caleb at the Fightworks Podcast  a couple of weeks ago. They were kind enough to run it and here is a table of the results

Firstly, a huge thank you to Caleb and Dan for taking this poll idea and making it happen. I know they are very keen on understanding the BJJ / Grappling community better and these polls always help.

Secondly, it’s very important to understand how to handle statistics or we would be trying to “use a ruler to measure the circumference of an orange”. We can’t really prove anything with statistics, but we can state with strong probability that something is likely or unlikely which in a lot of cases is more than enough.

Looking at the above numbers, we can state with strong probability that:

1. The hypothesis “People are likely to start smoking after they start at BJJ / Grappling” is most likely untrue

2. The hypothesis “People are likely to stop smoking after they start at BJJ / Grappling” is most likely true

3. The hypothesis “Smokers are likely to smoke less after they start at BJJ / Grappling” is most likely true

This is huge, I’m sure you agree. Not only for those who DO smoke, but for a very vulnerable demographic – young people. If the third statement isn’t a reason for people to sign their teenage boys and girls up to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes, I don’t know what is.

 
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Invisible BJJ Details: Tips on the Palm Up Palm Down Cross Collar Choke

I covered for Martyn last night, coaching both the Fundamentals and Advanced BJJ sessions. I had planned the first to evolve around the art of getting a deep cross collar grip and the options that that can present (chokes, armbar, back take...etc.) and the second session around preventing stalling in a competition scenario. The second session was hard physically. Very hard, actually. One of our blue belts is competing at the Gracie Invitational this weekend and I had designed that session with him in mind, but I will get back to that in another post.

The first session covered details that you don’t usually see and it was inspired by a quote from John Will’s blog: “Notice what no one else notices and you’ll know what no one else knows.”

There are very few secret moves in BJJ / Grappling nowadays. The real secret is and will always be in your application of the moves and your commitment to the level of detail. The Cross Choke from guard is a great example because when done correctly (with three rotations/shrimp movements and the correct wrist action) it will go on so fast, you’ll tap before you even realise you’re tapping. When done with any less than 100% commitment to the technique, it can still work (of course it can – it’s a choke and even a heavy shoulder bag can choke you!) but it will need a lot of muscle and much longer to set in.

It took me at least 20 minutes of repetitions to convince the whole group of exactly how deep I wanted the first hand needs to go into the collar. I mention that for two reasons:

1. They all saw me demonstrate the move a number of times and they all understood what I was saying, but they had probably seen the move so many times before that their eyes were on autopilot. I had to go around to each training pair and say: “Good. Now push that hand at least 2 more inches in. Crunch up and push that hand in and behind their neck”

2. I don’t remember this level of detail being shown to me in a BJJ / Grappling class. If it was, it wasn’t afforded the time it needed to sink into my slow brain. I had to re-learn this choke by rewinding matches and digging into lots of DVDs until I found it and I’m sure that this is the situation for most players.

The way BJJ / Grappling classes are taught at most schools nowadays*, everybody wants at least 3-4 moves from the instructor or they tell you that the class was boring. Well I can put my hand on heart and tell you that when we rolled in the second hour, every single one of those white and blue belts had a much deeper** and more threatening Cross Collar Choke. They learnt something so well that they could apply it successfully in the same day.

Look for the invisible detail. When you find it, drill it against progressive resistance. That’s the easiest and fastest way to gain a deeper understanding of the BJJ / Grappling game.


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*Carlos Valente, 6th degree black belt under Rickson Gracie, talked about this in a great interview on the Fightworks Podcast back in 2006.



**Stephan Kesting lays down the law on deep collar grips in this excellent and concise article.

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Some Statistics on BJJ Players

A short while ago, the Fightworks Podcast took a BJJ / Grappling related poll idea that I suggested and ran it to their audience, famously dubbed the Mighty 600,000. The idea was very simple, but also managed to generate some pretty interesting statistics on who participates in BJJ / Grappling.

The poll attracted 515 voters, which is, by all statistical measures, a huge sample. A quick glance at basic Analytical Statistics tells you that a sample like that is more than enough for over 95% confidence level even with a +/- 5% margin. that's excellent confidence levels!


The results told us that:

• Around 60% of BJJ /Grappling players are married (leaving 40%), which is much higher than I thought it would be. It actually supports my theory that there are a whole lot of Part Time Grapplers out there with families, jobs, kids...the lot.
• Out of the married BJJ / Grappling aficionados, just under 80% take their wedding ring/band off before stepping onto the mat. I'm one of the minority and one of my mat-buddies just recently got married (Many Happy Congratulations Dr Lam!!) so I'm curious to what he will choose to do. I hope I never find myself in a position where I regret my decision to leave it on.

Hell hath no fury like a women, who's husband lost his wedding band at the activity he chooses to devote himself to on a weekly basis rather than spend his time with her!

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The Part Time Grappler Interviews Hillary Williams

Hillary Williams is an awesome and well-decorated BJJ brown belt and no-gi grappler. I first heard about her thru fellow blogger Georgette Oden (featured above in Hillary's closed guard) and, after hearing her on her recent Fightworks Podcast interview, I couldn't resist but to attempt to interview her for this blog. After all, she's just come back from Abu Dhabi Pro!

Busy as she is (which becomes evident in the interview) she kindly took the time to sit down and answer my questions. Many thanks Hillary and all my best wishes. I hope all the readers will both enjoy and learn from this interview. She is a true Part Time Grappler!

Hillary Willams:


Hello. Why don't we start by you telling us a little about yourself?

I'm a 21-year-old Arkansan, fully trained in domestic duties, an avid horseback rider, and aspiring BJJ champion.

Are you currently working / studying? Is that Full time / Part time?

I'm a fully time student in the Honors College at University of Central Arkansas, where I'm on track to finish my undergrad in Biology (pre-med) next spring. I love it, it's a good sized university at about 12,000, so enough to feel like I'm at college but few enough to let me get away and study when I need to. When I need to "work," it's just here and there things, mostly artwork to make some money on the side.


You also set aside time to practice a sport. Which sport(s)?

In high school, I played volleyball, softball, soccer, golf, and trained horses (in dressage) while studying, and I picked up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the beginning of my senior year. Once I hit college I dropped all the other sports to really focus on BJJ, and it's been a great decision. I'm really able to train hard and travel quite a bit to train.

How long have you done that?

My Jiu Jitsu anniversary is in June, so once Worlds rolls around it'll be four years. As much as I've trained and traveled, it seems like so much longer, but at the same time I feel very new in the sport. The fact that I get an email to answer questions about BJJ still astounds me, hahah.


Do you follow any special diet? Do you use any Dietary Supplements?

Not particularly special, just careful. When competition season is around, I focus on a lot of veggies and a lot of protein. Clean eating, not particularly a special diet, is what I focus on. And it makes me feel better when I train. As far as supplements, I don't take any. I would but I don't know that much about them, and I don't have a supplement sponsor, so both ignorance and lack of funds is preventing that.


How do you manage to fit your training around work, study and family time?

Very carefully, hahah. I have a very strict, set routine. It's train, study, train, study. Most of the art pieces I produce are products of insomnia so the time just kind of creates itself. I just have to be very careful. I can't go to a party, I can't waste large blocks of time, I just have to hustle from the gym back to my room and use all the time on airplanes that I have to study. I like being busy, actually. I always have been, and having nothing to do makes me very antsy.


Do you compete in your sport(s)? Have you won any competitions?

Absolutely, I compete at least once a month. I've placed first at the Pan Ams in my division six times (white belt gi, blue belt gi, purple belt gi, purple belt gi absolute, purple belt nogi, brown/black belt gi) and five at the World Championships (purple belt gi IBJJF, purple belt gi CBJJE, purple belt gi absolute CBJJE, brown/black nogi IBJJF, brown/black nogi absolute IBJJF). I also took two bronzes at ADCC and World Pro BJJ, in Barcelona, Spain, and Abu Dhabi, UAE, respectively.

What is the greatest thrill you have got out of practicing your sport?

The first time I stepped on the mat to compete at ADCC was a feeling I can never explain...I was so shocked to be there, to be at the most prestigious grappling tournament in the world and to be competing at it. I was sharing the same mats with legends of the sport and people were watching ME. It was unbelievable, and very surreal.


Give us your top 5 tips for time-management (to fit exercise around life)

1) Eat on the run. One thing that helps me eat well and save time is to have pre-prepared meals at set sizes. That way, I only have the certain amount allotted (no time for seconds or desert!) and I can grab it quickly on the way to the gym without having to stop and wait in a drive thru or anything unhealthy.

2) Multitask. If I have to get a chapter of reading done, I do it on the treadmill or the elliptical. That way, I get my work done, and I don't focus on being tired, I'm focusing on the book. It really helps me double task.

3) To-do Lists. I love marking off tasks on a to do list and it keeps me bouncing from one task to another throughout the day.

4) Ration phone calls. I usually only make phone calls when I'm in situations where I can't be doing anything else. For me, this is walking to classes. If I need to call, I do it when I can't be studying or training, I do it when I'm on the way. Try to never, or rarely, make phone calls when you're capable of doing something else.

5) Drop the unnecessary tasks. There are lots of little things we think we can do that we don't need to do. Don't be afraid to just say no to something.

Now let's balance that with what you consider the top time-thieves.

1) TV.

2) Video games.

3) Procrastination (to-do lists kill this).

4) Internet.

5) Phone.

Essentially? Technology. I try to do all my work and studying the old fashioned pen and paper way, if not there's too much temptation. Also, you get comfortable. You can't just drop down on the couch to watch TV then honestly think you're gonna get up to work out in 20 minutes. It's hard.


Do you have any regrets?

None. I love my life and everyone in it, every mistake has been a lesson to get me where I'm at now.


Any great sponsors you want to give a shout-out to?

MTX Audio for being the most supportive sponsor ever and revolutionizing the lives of so many athletes, Koral Fight Co for making the best gear in the business, and Team Zipplokk for always being by my side. Can't forget my boys at Westside MMA for pushing me every day.


Finally, why do you train? What drives you?

I train because it makes sense. I don't have to push myself to train, it's something that I want to do every day and I feel very lost if I don't go to the gym. It never the same. Each day, there is something new to learn, something new to discover, and some new situation you're going to be put in. That dynamic characteristic keeps me going back.


What a great attitude! Once again, many thanks to Hillary Williams for granting me this interview and all the best wishes in her sportive and academic career. I have no doubt that we will continue to hear more great news from her. Her journey has just begun.

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Malcolm Gladwell Comes to the UK

It's hard to describe how excited I'm about this, but i just booked my ticket to see Malcolm Gladwell live at the Lowry in Salford.

Mr Gladwell's books (Outliers: The Story of Success and Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking) have been great influences on the way I view my work, studies, BJJ and other hobbies. His writing is very refreshing and mind-opening and his research is always very thorough.

I was initially googling his name because I wanted to quote him in an email to Caleb at the Fightworks Podcast about their latest episode (more specifically the 10,000 hour rule) and was so excited to see that he was coming to the north west of England in about 10 days!

This should be great and of course expect a review.


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I'm On The Fightworks Podcast

I was so "chuffed"* when I read that Caleb, the host of the Fightworks Podcast, had chosen my idea for their weekly BJJ-related poll. It's about something I care about and it'll be great to hear what the Mighty 600,000 have to say about it.

What are you waiting for? Go to the Fightworks Podcast and, ehm, cast your vote.

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*Check Caleb's and Slideyfoot's  comments below the poll for some trans-Atlantic fun.