February 15, 2025 • 60 mins
Ever faced the nerve-wracking intensity of stepping onto the mat for your very first jiu-jitsu competition? Join us in the latest episode of Caffeinated Jiu-Jitsu, where we capture the exhilaration and chaos of a white belt's inaugural contest through the eyes of Yakov Kolan, a dedicated practitioner at Alliance Roswell. Celebrating his one-year training anniversary, Yakov opens up about the emotional roller coaster that greeted him at his debut competition. His honest reflections provide a window into the mix of anticipation and jitters that every new competitor faces.
Beyond the mats, we explore the world of jiu-jitsu as a transformative community, where camaraderie and mutual support propel individuals toward personal growth. Yakov's journey highlights the power of a warm and encouraging gym environment that nurtures consistency and passion for the sport. We dive into the mindset needed to navigate the sport's physical demands, including managing injuries and understanding the balance between pushing limits and knowing when to tap out for safety's sake. From gripping tales of training with injuries to the mental hurdles faced, we uncover the delicate dance of pursuing a passion while safeguarding one's health.
The episode culminates in a celebration of the profound impact jiu-jitsu has on personal development and community building. Whether it's fostering friendships in new places, setting realistic goals beyond just earning the next belt, or finding motivation in the shared experiences of fellow practitioners, jiu-jitsu becomes much more than a martial art. It serves as a great equalizer, uniting people from diverse walks of life through common struggles and triumphs. Join us as we reflect on the enriching social bonds and personal milestones that define the jiu-jitsu journey, revealing how this vibrant community helps individuals overcome setbacks and continuously strive for improvement on and off the mats.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Caffeinated Jiu-Jitsu the blend
of white belt enthusiasm, blackbelt wisdom and a dash of
caffeine for that extra kick.
Dive deep into the world ofBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu as we
explore the journey, techniques,challenges and the sheer joy of
the sport from a white belt'sperspective.
(00:22):
From intriguing interviews withrenowned coaches and professors
to playful fun episodes that'llhave you chuckling mid-roll.
We've got it all brewed andready.
Now stepping onto the mats andinto your ears, here's your host
, joe Motes welcome backeveryone to another episode of
(00:58):
caffeinated jujitsu.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Uh, this is our first episode of a new series called
the White Belt Chronicles andthis is a series where we're
going to take a look into theearly stages of Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu journeys, of whitebelts, and celebrate really the
uniqueness of the white beltjourney and coming to you this
(01:24):
evening this is the firstepisode.
It's super bowl Sunday.
We're recording this and myspecial guest and super happy to
have him on is white belt atAlliance Roswell.
This is Yakov Colin, colin, yep, yep, nice, nice.
Uh, that's good.
Yakov has been training atRoswell now for a year.
(01:48):
Are you almost a year?
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Exactly a year.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Nice what day did you make a year?
Speaker 3 (01:54):
February 1st, oh man.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
So like a year in what?
Eight days, nine days, yeah,yeah, nine days yeah.
Yeah well, man, I can't wait tohave the conversation and learn
more about what inspired you tostep on the mat.
I mean, all of us have a story.
I love hearing about people'sstory.
I um, I mean, we had masterJacare on, I heard his story.
(02:20):
Our professors come on and allthe stories are different,
different, but there's a lot ofsimilarities.
So I'm excited to hear yours.
And but before we uh get intoanything, uh, you just competed
this weekend for the first timeI did yeah yeah man, how was it?
Speaker 3 (02:37):
it was something a lot of feelings, I gotta tell
you.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
What was it like building building up to going
into the bullpen?
Speaker 3 (02:45):
So, you know, I'll even kind of think about, you
know, the leading up week to it.
So I was just doing a lot oftravel lately and you know kind
of getting in my head of I'm notgoing to be ready or, you know,
my stamina is going to go down,and I tried this week kind of
not thinking about, you know,competition.
I tried to think about, youknow, making weight.
(03:06):
You know eat airplane food andwhatnot.
You know you get up a bit.
So I try to, you know, makeweight.
You know, be ready.
I got a bit of a cut here so Isaid, you know, I don't want to
bleed during the match, whichhappened, by the way, but
whatever, and you know.
(03:26):
And then you know, gettinggetting in the bullpen, I was
like, okay, let's start.
I got, I gotta, I gotta startalready.
You know it's, it's there, I'mready.
You know, whatever it will bewould be I'm I, I should be
ready.
Match started.
I was like, oh wait, it's on,you know.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
So yeah, I uh, it was like a haze when I, when I I
remember getting on the firsttime and I don't think things
were moving in slow motion, butit was.
It was a weird feeling.
Yeah, it was, it was superweird man and it's something
different.
Twice I fought twice twiceright and uh, so you got silver
(04:06):
right and it was a what?
It was a three, four personbracket, what, what?
What division did you?
Speaker 3 (04:12):
fight in.
So I fought in master two inlight, lightweight nice and
essentially there was anotheralliance guy, so I think they
kinda they didn't go with theround robin.
They started first, there was aranked guy and another Alliance
(04:32):
who also started for the firsttime and the defeated guy I
fought.
So essentially I also watchedthe match before, so maybe it
helped.
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Yeah, yeah.
And then I went up with a guyyou know passed my way yeah,
yeah, I, um, it's always nice ifyou get to see your opponent
first.
I remember the secondcompetition I was in.
I was able to beat my uh firstuh competitor, but I, uh I don't
(05:01):
know if it was because Iwatched him or not I, um, I
don't know, I just the secondtime I competed, I just wasn't
as nervous and I was a littlemore focused, and you know, but
two of the three times Icompeted was at white belt.
So, um, you know, I was like I,like yourself, you're four
stripe white belt, right.
(05:22):
So I was just like you, fourstripe white belt.
And, yeah, I, I wasn't asnervous.
And then the second guy, he, uh, I, I did lose to him, but
again, the nerves weren't as asbad or as strong.
I guess you could say so.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
I agree.
I mean, for my second fight Iactually I was afraid I'm a bit
gassed.
You know, from all you know,first fight, you're just giving
it all right and I'm kind of.
You know, my hands are reallystiff and I thought I had time
to, you know, relax, but thensuddenly they kind of cut 30
minutes from the wedding.
(06:04):
You see her name suddenly move.
I'm like wait, what the heck?
I thought I was going to rest abit more and I was like out of
breath and I was okay, but let'snot think about it, let's,
let's leave, let's.
Because I saw the guy and I said, okay, I can, I'm not, I know
what this guy's going to do.
It tall guy, he's gonna, he'sgonna shoot, he's gonna, you
(06:26):
know, pull guard right away ortry to de la jiva.
I knew it for sure and you knowI went over with with professor
and I was confident.
I'll be honest here, I wasn't.
You know, anxiety was out a bit.
I felt like I'm ready.
I just I was worried too muchabout my breathing, but you know
, besides that, but then he didwhat we expected, but I wasn't
able to stop it did you?
Speaker 2 (06:45):
did you do the box breathing that he talked to us
about?
Speaker 3 (06:49):
No, I forgot about that.
I'll be honest.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
I've been doing some research on that.
I guess I haven't been doingresearch research.
I Googled it after he wastalking about it and I guess
that's not really research,though right Googling it.
I guess it's not reallyresearch, though right Googling
it, I guess it's somewhatresearch today.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
It starts from there.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Yeah, it's how many times you Google something,
right, but yeah, I, I'm going totry it.
Yeah, so I've been wanting todo a lot more research around
the uh, the breathing techniquesand I think, just to see if it
helps with anxiety, because formy military days, I do a lot
more research around the uh, thebreathing techniques and I
think, just to see if it helpswith anxiety, because from my
military days, I have a lot ofanxiety that I deal with and
(07:30):
stuff like that, and you alwayshear a lot about breathing
techniques and things like that.
So I think it definitelyprobably has its place for sure.
Speaker 3 (07:38):
I mean, it was a bit different because you know when
we roll and we do sometimes youknow three, four, five, 10
rounds even we did on Wednesdayand you're kind of out of breath
.
But it's like this was sodifferent because when you're
rolling with someone, you knowand it's like, okay, I'm gassed
but you know, so I can rest fora second, and you know, worst
(07:59):
comes to worst.
I'm going to defend a bit, buthere it's like I'm never gonna
let go of a grip and whatever.
And you get to a phase like waybeyond I, I felt ever even 10
rounds in in, you know, in class.
So it was like I was like I hadthis cough, like sometimes, you
know, when you wake in themiddle of the night and you have
this nasty cough and it'sannoying and it doesn't go away.
(08:21):
That's what I felt.
It was like I'm not asthmaticor something, but I can't
breathe in it, you know.
And but again, no, no excuses, Imean it's something I, I am,
you know, I need to get used to.
Hopefully it's, it's a one-timething, you know.
But and I'm, I'm, I'm ready tocompete again.
I already checked, you know,even even before may.
Yeah, if there's anything near,there's in memphis.
(08:42):
You know that's not too far,but that's next week.
I can't even sign it.
But.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Well, so I was looking at cows down here at the
house all this weekend Saturdayand today and we were talking
about that.
We looked at the list of whatwas out there.
I think I think I'm going tolook at the tap out cancer.
That's a good one.
I think I'm going to look atthe tap out cancer.
That's a good one.
I've been kind of wanting to dothat one Um, but it's good.
(09:10):
That was going to be one of myquestions here in the intro
about your competition is, youknow, did you like it enough to
want to compete again?
And it sounds like you'vealready made your mind up.
Like you're like, yeah, this isI'm going in and I love that.
They're like so many people wehave in our school, they many
people we have in our school,they just want to compete.
I mean, it's like it's part ofthe fun of it.
You know, it's not like we, weonly select a few people who go
(09:31):
and compete, right, uh, I meanwe got some great people doing
jujitsu at the academy, but likeour competition team is turning
into like almost all of us wantto do it at least once, it
seems like, yeah, so that'sreally cool.
Yeah, um, you know, juststaying on this a few, few more
(09:51):
moments, what?
What did you think about?
Just the whole atmosphere of,you know, your first jujitsu
competition so you know you goin and it's the first time.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
So I actually never joined somehow every competition
that was before that.
I had some things I never,never even joined, I never.
I didn't even know what was I'mcoming towards, right, I going
through the doors.
Okay, let's find the team, youknow, let's find everyone kind
of getting into it.
Seeing the the early fightsI've seen you know our team
compete and everything and andit's kind of, you know it's
(10:20):
great, everyone's together andthere's always someone you know
who who's ready coming up andyou know they spread it so much.
We had someone fighting at 12,2, 3, 4, you know.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Yeah, you're running between mats, right?
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Exactly just going around.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
And you know, all around and everything, and it
was cool, like I didn't expectspending the whole day.
You know I was scheduled tofight at four 30.
I knew that the previous matchI wanted to watch you know the
one I'm going to get was at four.
So okay, I said I'll come atthree.
I'm pacing around the house.
I kept my wife's telling mejust go.
You know I am so excited and soI arrived there around one 30,.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
You know, and I'm, we ended up being there up until
like seven something, and youknow so yeah it's a day of it,
and then next time I'll comeprepared yeah, I always so I, I
never fight no gi, so I don'tfight on the sunday and, um,
maybe one day, but I, um, when Iwas a white belt, I my my fight
(11:20):
was the very last fight of theday, like the like no one else
was around, like even peoplewere starting to leave, even it
was just like it was.
It was, it was kind of it was.
It was hard having that anxietyall day, like all day.
You know, I just would haveloved to gotten there and kind
(11:44):
of got it, got it out of the way.
And then for my blue beltcompetition, my first one.
Um, I fought my division, whichwas pretty cool I think it was
around noon or something andthen I signed up for open
division, kind of thinking thesame thing like, oh, it's gonna,
you know, these fights aregonna go fast, yeah, but the
open division wasn't evenstarting until like 6, 30 or 7
and I was like whoa.
(12:04):
And then I looked at everybodylike all ultra heavy and I was
like, oh, my gosh, this ishorrible.
Uh, well, that's great man.
Uh, you know, congratulationson your first competition.
Um, we had some great trainingsessions before.
That was a crazy trainingsession we had on Wednesday
before we did what 10 rolls itwas 10.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
10 rounds I was.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
I don't know.
I think people were worriedabout me.
I was looking pretty rough.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
I don't think anyone was there who didn't look wiped
out.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Gosh, it was insane.
Well, let's talk about let'sget into your journey insane.
Well, let's talk about.
Let's, let's get into yourjourney.
Let's talk a little bit aboutmaybe, kind of maybe, your first
thoughts and impressions, ormaybe that first day or even
week in class, you know were youwere you nervous to to start
jujitsu.
I know in some of theinformation you you shared
(13:03):
preparing for the podcast,you've always had kind of a
passion for sports and physicalthings.
Um, you know what?
What do you remember the mostabout it?
Speaker 3 (13:12):
So I was always doing something throughout, you know,
my life.
If it's, you know, if it's moreactive sports, if it's soccer
or running or things like that,if it's uh, if it's you know,
boxing, wrestling, there'salways something.
But I never really joinedanything, for you know doing it
for a while and anything.
And I didn't even know thatjiu-jitsu was something that
(13:34):
you'd want to do four or fivetimes a week.
Right, it was like let's, youknow, just, you know, do it two,
three times a week.
So you know, for many years,wherever I lived, you know,
moving throughout cities,there's always a place close by
and I never got into let's goand start.
So one day I'm sitting on thecouch and I'm like I'm seeing
(13:56):
this, you know, commercial forAlliance, literally the first
thing that comes up.
I was like you know what,checking the distance, that's
not too far, I don't care ifthere's even a gym that's closer
, I'm going there because youknow it won by default and I
signed up.
You know, I talked to Matt, cameover to a trial and he's like
after the trial, okay, I don'teven want to do it because you
know you get three trials.
(14:17):
I'm like I don't need it, Idon't need it.
Let let's sign up.
That's what I needed.
I'm not, you know.
Let's, let's do that on aregular basis.
I'm telling him I can seemyself doing this two, three
times.
He's like you know, if you wantto get better, doing it four or
five.
And at first I said yeah yeahlike see how it goes.
Second week that was a thursday,so you know, I came thursday
friday immediately that secondweek, four or five times a week
(14:40):
straight for about six months.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
So you know, yeah never look back yeah, it's that
consistency, it just it justgrabs you.
You know it, um, it just reallykind of it's hard, hard to
explain to people who who havenever done jiu-jitsu or you know
, sometimes I think we're lookedat and people are like man,
these people are crazy, havereally drank the kool-Aid here
(15:05):
on this jiu-jitsu thing.
You do it all the time but itis an amazing thing that it
gives you.
I kind of had the sameexperience.
I was training a couple times aday.
It was for months, right.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
Yeah, you started right away.
High intensity, that's great.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
All right.
So next question, man, how didyou find the gym environment,
the other instructors?
I know you talked about meetingMatt, but what are, what were
some of your first impressionsof your training partners?
Did anything stand out?
Speaker 3 (15:44):
So the thing that really stood out the most and I
wasn't familiar with, you know,doing jiu-jitsu for the first
time is that you know everyonecares, everyone's there.
It's not like you get assignedwith someone who's doing it for
so long and it's like, oh,you're afraid of you know, not
knowing how to do the drills andeverything and no one cares.
Everyone's there to help you,everyone's and and it was so and
(16:07):
no matter who like that was,that was great.
And then, you know, I ended upbeing assigned with kind of the
same partners within time, right, I was doing a lot of noon, so
we were kind of three, fourpeople, always the same people,
so we were all, you know,starting at the same time.
If it's uh josh, if it's uhwill, at the time he he was at
the gym, if you remember him,and and and it was great and
(16:30):
also if it's evening.
So, marco, most of the time,and you know I was super helpful
, super, you know, just great,you know to train with and you
know, I remember thinking tomyself this guy, a white, a
white belt.
I have a long way.
He was still white belt at thetime.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
I was like whoa okay, what did you find initially
most challenging, or maybesurprising, about jiu-jitsu?
Speaker 3 (17:00):
So I'll be honest.
I mean, the most challenging isafter half a year around, I
want to say July or so.
You know, in one of the drillsI kind of, you know, twisted my
knee, started hurting, neverstopped, really hurt it, and,
you know, found out after acouple.
You know you never checksomething right away, right, you
(17:22):
kind of give it some time, takesome pills or whatever, and
then after a month and a half Igo to the doctor.
This doesn't go away.
I don't roll anymore becauseit's bothering too much.
Found out by Tormai Meniscus,which is kind of granted to
happen, I think, during time,getting used to the fact.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
So how?
Yeah, we're overcoming that.
How long were you out?
Speaker 3 (17:52):
july and august I was .
I was at first not even inclass, but then I said you know,
I'm just coming to class, dothe drills and I won't roll,
because it was very hard on mejust sitting on the side not
rolling.
And uh, and I said you knowwhat?
no I don't want to lose class.
If I can do it, I can do it.
And I got a brace, of coursealso, you know, um, so, so, and
I'm still, by the way, I'm stillwith the brace, I have to say
(18:13):
that I don't use it forjiu-jitsu.
But you know I don't feelanything and I didn't do any
surgery, and you know.
So I'm just gonna continuedoing it and ask the doctor.
He's like, do I need to do thesurgery right now?
He's like no, you can wait.
I'm like I'm gonna wait, youknow so you know just yeah the
way, even wanted to compete inseptember.
(18:39):
Um, like I thought I thought I'mokay, let's roll, you know a
bit.
But then you know july, and Iwas like, okay, I'm not gonna
compete.
And then after starting to rollagain, I was like you know what
, I wasn't even close to beingready.
So it's like so much, it's goodthat I didn't start.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
Then yeah, I think it's one of my biggest.
I think it's one of my biggestfears in this journey in
jiu-jitsu for me is gettinggetting injured and, um, you
know, getting getting injured towhere I can't ever do it again,
(19:17):
for whatever reason, like, like, it's one of those kinds of
injuries because you know, likethe, the, the torn stuff, you
can rehab it and then you can.
Uh, john Donahher, on one ofhis instructionals, was talking
about when he had and I didn'tknow this about him, but he had
his hip replaced and you canimagine, I mean, like what in
jujitsu do you not use your hipsfor right?
There's hardly anything right.
(19:38):
You use it for literallyeverything.
But he was able to overcome itthrough physical therapy and he
was able to even adjust his gameright and we can do that of
justice, game, game right and wecan do that.
But, like, my biggest fear islike I don't know, maybe
(19:58):
something with my back and I notbe able to, you know, do
something, or like it's like oneof those things like, uh, rocky
balboa, if you go and get hitin the head again, you're gonna
probably die, or something likeone of those type injuries.
Well, you can't do this anymore.
I think that's my biggest fearin jujitsu I'll tell you
something funny.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
I even brought my car , so I I didn't even know how
the competition is gonna be andI thought if I'll get you know
in a submission someone's gonna.
You know, do it so hard.
You know something might break.
I even remember I said don'tforget, bring your your
insurance card.
You know something might break.
I even remember I said don'tforget, bring your your
insurance card you know, just soif I break my hand or something
I didn't even know.
So that's, I think that's what Ifeel like, because I'm kind of
(20:43):
stubborn and it's not smart.
But you know, I don't want toand you might see that sometimes
I don't want to tap, even ifit's, you know, in the no, no,
yeah, want to, and you might seethat sometimes I don't want to
tap, even if it's, you know, inthe no, no, yeah, I do.
I don't know, I think it'ssmart, I know it's silly and I
don't know, is it, I don't know,testing myself if I could still
go, and because of that, andespecially in competition, I was
afraid, like you know, and getyourself in trouble and not give
(21:05):
up, and you know yeah, we hearit.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
So the phrase, what's the catchphrase?
Uh, taps, tap soon, tap often,or something like that.
Right is that they, you knowthey, we're taught to tap,
especially in training.
Um, but there are times whereI'll fight the tap a little if
I'm, if I, if I know I'mthinking about the escape, right
(21:30):
, like if I'm going.
But if I know like there'sabout the escape right, like if
I'm going, but if I know likethere's just no way, if anybody
ever inverts on my arm, likefrom inverted arm bar, I'm
tapping immediately when I feeltheir body on it, because
there's just, you know, it takesseconds for that to break.
Um, but yeah, I, I, I think it's, I think it's okay in the sense
(21:53):
of, look, you know right, whenyou feel a little pressure or
discomfort, maybe that's not atap right, and maybe it's.
We, we're taught escapes forfor everything, almost.
Um, you know, I, I thinkprofessor Maciel says it best
you know, the only way out of alocked-in submission, though, is
(22:14):
to tap right.
So if it's fully locked in, thetechnique is completely there
and their legs are where they'resupposed to be and their hands
are where they're supposed to be, like you just feel when you
know, okay, yeah, this is timeto tap right.
So I think all of us probablyand I don't think it's an ego
thing either, I think it's justI want to try to at least for me
(22:37):
.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
It's not ego, it's not like.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
I want to try to escape right.
I want to try to keep going.
I want to try to get myself outof this bad position.
Speaker 3 (22:47):
It's not ego, it's not like, oh, I'm going to fall
asleep before I tap, or whatever.
No, no, it's, it's like I wantto see if I can you know get out
of it or still.
You know a few more seconds andyou know that might be crucial
one time.
But you know.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Yeah, I mean, I think I've had maybe once, maybe
twice, uh, you know, know,rolling with a training partner
where they had a choke in and Iwasn't tapping right away and
they, they kind of gave up on itbecause they thought, well,
maybe it's not as deep and it'sas right, and then you know, I'm
seconds away from going tosleep here and this guy doesn't
know it, and and and, um, butyeah, so't I?
(23:29):
I, I wouldn't think that.
I think if ego is the reasonyou don't, someone doesn't tap,
then yeah, that's an issue,because that you're going to end
up getting hurt.
Right, someone's going to endup getting hurt, especially in
competition, because there'speople in competition and some
of these, these training centers, in these schools and academy,
(23:49):
I mean, they're taught to ripand they're ripping submissions
and training and you know it's.
I mean, I've seen some crazystuff on the IBJJF Opens when I
watch them, like out in Texasand California, and the
Europeans are insane.
If you ever watch those on TV,the submissions, watch those on
TV, the submissions.
And yeah, I think, if ego is inplay, then the practitioner is
(24:16):
going to get hurt and for noreason.
Yeah, you know, I mean, ifyou're already going to lose the
match and the role.
You don't want to have a brokenbone to go with it For sure,
right bone to go with it, forsure, right.
So let's talk a little bit aboutmaybe some uh, you know, I
don't know if you, you did thisand some people, I think, do it
(24:38):
and some people may may not, butyou know key milestones or kind
of key lessons.
Maybe you've learned around thekind of along the way.
Have there ever been maybe anyspecific moments that stood out
to you?
And I know competition may beone of them, but like, uh, maybe
(25:00):
it was your first submissionthat you you pulled off, or or
it could be even.
I mean, I still remember myfirst, first strike, you know,
um, you've, you've got four ofthose now, you know, but are are
there any, any milestones orany moments that that you can
recall back, that kind of standout?
Speaker 3 (25:21):
So of course you know there's the, the given
milestones right, first stripeor second stripe, when you start
rolling and and you know, anyother stripe.
But but I think what stands outfor me because I'll be honest, I
don't remember who I rolledwith first or who I tapped first
, I'll be, I just don't rememberthat.
But I what I do remember iswhen I started to feel I'm
(25:46):
actually getting better,significantly, like somewhat, I
think it.
I think it was not.
You know, it was like somewherebetween my third to fourth
stripe, I think my second stripewas doing also the like, like
after from second to third wasdoing also my injury.
So it was kind of like you knowhalf rolling, half not.
(26:07):
But then from third to fourth Iwas like suddenly starting to
feel right, I'm doing my moves,I have a rhythm, I have a game
plan, like suddenly I know what.
I'm not just reacting, of course, fighting, even till this day,
of course against blue belts andeverything.
I don't really control anything, I just defend for five minutes
.
But actually when fighting youknow the other white belts, or
(26:29):
even you know sometimes if ablue belt will let me kind of do
my thing.
You know, of course it happens,right.
I mean, I know when it happensand I just try to do it.
And then it really struck me.
It's like okay, now I'm seeingreally big advancement because,
like, I can control some pacesor I know what I'm doing, right,
it's not just like positionalandal, and then, okay, there's
(26:53):
one thing I'm trying to do whenwe drill it, but here it's like,
okay, I'm, you know, on top andbottom and I'm gonna go for
something which might be two,three moves away but I'm gonna
go to it and that, really, forme, it's the biggest milestone.
You know, maybe before thecompetition, right, I mean
competition is kind of a big one, but you know, knowing that
this is now the big, the biggeststamp for me, for me, not just
(27:17):
the ones on the way that youknow is based on attendance,
right, the one that is kind ofthe feeling that I can come home
, you know, in the drive, andmost of the times you kind of
drive back feeling like, oh man,I got beat today but I was,
like you know, came back reallyhappy, like, okay, I'm feeling,
I'm feeling this like amped upsuddenly in one day if we think
(27:42):
about the, the impact jujitsuhas um off the mats, both on and
off the mats, what would yousay are maybe one or two
valuable lessons that jujitsuhas taught you, about yourself,
(28:02):
about life, about just anything.
First thing is you know, we canalways find a new hobby, right?
I'm 35 years old, you know asthey say, not too young, not too
old, right 35, but you knowthat's right.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
Yeah, you know middle of the road man.
Speaker 3 (28:19):
There's something new you can always add and you know
just finding the time to do it.
You know family, kids.
They got two kids, one on theway, and you know it doesn't
matter, you know.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
So you have.
You have two and one on the way.
Speaker 3 (28:34):
Oh, you're trying to catch up, man and you're getting
there great supportive wife,you know.
So she, she knows I love it andshe always, you know, never I
think once, and you know I do.
I used to do four or five times.
Now I kind of decreased it abit, you know but, never, never,
like no, don't go today.
Or you know, as long as we arealways in communication, it's
(28:55):
like, hey, I'm gonna do theadvanced class today, I'm gonna
come back a bit later, orwhatever.
All good, and, and you know,and you can always start.
You know, I like to see that.
You know demanding job.
You know two kids, pregnantwife, but you could still do it.
So it's so so many things, youthings, you know it's you're
asking me, you know what, whatdoes it teach you?
And it's like, okay, you canalways do something new and you
(29:15):
can always give the dedicationRight, and then you always get
another stamp of how great yourenvironment is, or is it not?
But for me, you know, just, youknow another stamp of.
You know everything is greatand my environment's helping me.
You know everything is greatand my environment's helping me.
You know, get getting gettingthat done.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
You know basically my wife, right, you know I started
when I was 42, yeah, soanything else, man, uh, like
that maybe.
Um, I know one thing for me Inever really knew how far I
could push my body.
(29:53):
I mean, people think like let'stake a marathon runner, for
instance, that takes a lot ofcardio, a lot of endurance, but
it's different, man, and thosethree or five minute rolls, like
it's an exhaustion, like youcan't believe.
So for me it was reallyrealizing how far I could push
(30:16):
my body, even, you know, in my40s, from a physical aspect?
Speaker 3 (30:21):
no for sure.
I mean, you know, I was alwaysdoing sports and you know, when
I talked to professor and he'slike how do I, you know, train
my body for it before I startedrolling?
And he's like, no, you have tostart rolling, that's the only
way to get better.
I'm like thinking to myselfthere has to be a way and I'm
like always running or doingintervals or whatever, sprinting
, but no, like the second youstart rolling.
Speaker 2 (30:45):
You can be in the best shape of your life.
I mean, we have people comingin they're in the best shape of
their life, right?
I mean, if somebody can look attyler uh and say this guy's not
in shape, the you know, they'rethe biggest liar on the planet,
right, and he'll tell you itsmokes you.
You know, uh, cal and I weretalking about that.
Um, it was yesterday or today.
(31:07):
He started doing hit trainingand stuff like that in the
mornings and because that's whathe said he wants to prepare for
when he starts rolling right,when he gets a second stripe and
uh, he's going to be in supershape.
He's going to be more shapedthan probably I I definitely was
when I started, but he's goingto hit that two minute mark and
(31:27):
it's going to be, uh, it's goingto be gas.
You know, uh, it's it's crazybe, uh, it's gonna be gas.
You know, uh, it's it's crazy.
So, yeah, for me it was.
It's cool to hear the, thedifferent lessons that it
teaches people early on.
So let's, uh, let's pivot alittle bit to.
You know, one of the things Ifound, and still find to this
(31:48):
day, um, super awesome about,about jujitsu is, you know, the
connections that I've built, thefriendships that I've made, the
, the, the jujitsu community,right and um community.
(32:18):
How has jujitsu or how hastraining maybe influenced your
social and your personal lifeand building connections and
relationships?
And you know, I'm not askinglike these, this, for you to go
super deep emotionally here, butbut, like you know, the, the,
the sense of building acommunity and making those new
connections.
Speaker 3 (32:35):
So, in general, uh, you know, I I moved here, uh
only, uh, you know, in in inOctober 23.
So, anyway, I was new to thearea, uh new to the country.
I mean, I've lived here before10 years.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
I was about to say when you say moved here, do you
mean moved to the country?
I mean I've lived here before10 years.
I was about to say when you saymoved here, do you mean move to
the?
Speaker 3 (32:53):
us.
I used to live here about 10years ago for a few years, buti
moved.
I'm from israel and uh, youknow, so I moved.
I moved here also, ironically,in october, uh, you know, uh, 23
, which is, you know, notmentioned as a good month, uh,
but you know, not dwelling onthat.
So you know, everything was new, right and getting to meet new
(33:16):
people, everything.
And you know getting to knoweveryone and seeing.
You know not just that theycare about you improving, like
we talked before, but you knowyou tend to spend a lot of time
with these people know, and youget to care about, you know, ask
about them a bit of.
You know personal stuff, theirwork, you know.
(33:37):
So you hear someone's you knowlooking for a job and or you
know just talking about hey, howmany, how many kids you have,
what are you doing with the kidsand everything.
It's kind of nice, you know.
It's like not just you, we'rehere and we're going to train
and go, and it's kind of nice.
Or sometimes we have the eventyou know we meet up at a
restaurant, or you know we didone just before the holidays,
(33:59):
and so you know it's kind ofnice, especially since for me
everything was kind of new,right.
You know moving to a completelynew place, you know kind of
starting from scratch, even.
You know with friends andeverything.
So you know kind of fit rightin.
Speaker 2 (34:16):
Yeah, and it's also I don't know if you've noticed
this, but it seems to me likethe bonds are quicker.
I don't know if that makessense.
It's like I mean, especially ifthey're they're, they're pretty
, pretty cool person.
You know what I mean?
I don't, I don't think we I'veever come across anyone that
(34:38):
that, like I, I couldn'ttolerate or whatever for for any
reason.
I mean, we, we have some amazingpeople in our school and
academy, but it's almost like wecome from different backgrounds
.
I mean, you just said you, youcame here from Israel, right,
and then you kind of alluded toit's probably during a lot of
the conflict and stuff there,right.
(34:58):
So your, your life experiencesare way different than mine and
probably most of the people, um,that we train with.
But you know, we have doctors,we have nurses, we have CEOs, we
have recruiters, we have wehave high school students, I
mean it's.
But I think we, we bond soquickly because it's it's
(35:23):
jujitsu, yeah, right, for anhour we're literally on top of
each other, right, trying tostrangle each other and, you
know, giving each other pointerson how to do it better, and
it's just kind of like just agreat equalizer and I think that
.
That is um.
I think that's something thathelps with the, with the bonding
(35:46):
part.
Speaker 3 (35:46):
yeah, in my opinion, everything's kind of already on
the table, right, I mean it'snot like you're just sitting
across someone and like, okay,making an awkward conversation
over a weird I don't know salesdinner or whatever, right, I
mean this is, you're anyway kindof, let's say, exposed, right,
I mean you're trying to tap eachother and second afterwards,
hey, good job, man, and and youknow Just tend to kind of talk,
(36:10):
you know doing drilling whatever, and everything opens up easy.
You know, don't need to tryeven.
Speaker 2 (36:18):
Yeah, I, you know.
Another question I wanted toask something that come up when
you were just now talking iswhat is there any part of the
community and you know the bondsor connections you've made.
Does any of that help keep youmotivated to continue training?
Speaker 3 (36:42):
I can say I do you know check who's you know
signing up.
So it's always nice knowing likeyou know, although, especially
now, I kind of signed for theevening so I can do also the,
you know, the competition class.
But it used to be like let'scheck if I want to see you know,
kind of you know who you wantto roll with or to partner with
(37:04):
or stuff like that.
I don't think it ever affectedif I'll ever sign or not, but it
could help if I do the noon orevening class for sure, like you
know, yeah, seeing somespecific names, you know, but I
don't think if it wasn't likethe choice was the couch or you
know, going going to the gym.
Speaker 2 (37:26):
Yeah, you're going to be training in at some point
today.
It's just which?
Which session do you want to go?
Yeah, again At some point today.
It's just which?
Which session do you want to go?
Yeah, again.
It's hard sometimes when yousee I well for us for the app,
and sometimes the app has issues, but I, um, I do check the app
(37:49):
to make sure someone's going tobe there.
Um, I, I do for me.
I definitely feel the communitykeeps me motivated.
I enjoy, because I've trainedacross all sessions multiple
times and they've always kind ofall been in my routine and we
all kind of rotate through allof them.
(38:09):
It's not, you know, we used tokind of have the morning class,
lunch class and those set forthe evening classes, but now it
just seems like as we've grown,it's kind of migrated through.
But for me it's just like man,I'm excited just to see anybody
in any of their sessions, right,because everybody's kind of so
really cool and you know we allall vibe well together.
(38:29):
Um, yeah, do it?
Do I want to go and have toroll for an hour where everybody
knows it's just going to be?
Absolutely I'm going to justget destroyed the entire time?
Um, yeah, it kind of sucks um,but if that's the only time I
know I can get there, uh, yeah,I'm not going to sit on the
(38:50):
couch right yeah, I mean again,even even if it's like you know,
this thursday, for example, andyou know I, I saw that no one's
coming.
Speaker 3 (38:59):
You know happens that I had a competition, so coach
did just like more of like, uh,like, uh, like stamina, uh and,
and, like you know, all kinds ofdrills to help like
conditioning.
That was even great, that waseven.
I was like we should do that ona regular basis.
I think we used to do somethinglike that in competition in the
(39:20):
earlier times and then it kindof stopped.
So I was doing that for an hourand I was like that's excellent.
So it's like, whenever I cancome, regardless of who is there
, I'll try.
I'll try to see what's what.
But you know I don't want toskip, you know going to class.
You know there's alwayssomething to drill.
(39:40):
Yes, you might need ribcagealignment if you get, you know,
30 minutes with coach, but youknow, it's still easy.
Speaker 2 (39:58):
But you know, yeah, yeah, yeah, it's um, I, I always
uh, I can't help myself whenthis happens.
But you know, when someonemakes their second stripe and
they kind of come over to thatside, then he eventually says,
okay, now I'm going to roll withyou.
It's almost like a car accident.
I can't look away.
All right, I'm like people aresmashing me and I'll have like
randall on top of me smashing meand but I'll be looking at
(40:23):
what's going on with coach inthe in, in the new, because I
know that pain.
But no, I, um, I, I just it's,it's so, it's so cool to have
the diversity of trainingpartners that we have from a
board.
You know we have super highcompetitors, we have high energy
(40:57):
people.
We have it's just, it's fun youget.
You got every flavor that youcould possibly want to train
with.
And you know this is this isWhite Belt Chronicles and is
white belt chronicles.
(41:17):
And you know we're focusing onthe, that first bit of your
journey.
And you know you've beenthrough the early struggles and
successes.
I would say in jujitsu.
You've already got somesuccesses.
I mean, you already have somehardware.
You've got four stripes on yourbelt, you're you're working on
studying for your test, for yourblue belt.
But if you could think aboutall the way back to day one or
whatever, what advice would yougive someone just starting out?
(41:40):
You know some of these, a fewof these people, even last week
or two, have just walked in andstarted their trial class.
What, what advice would yougive some of them?
What advice would you give someof them?
And then you know if you couldcome up with an ad or something
and it's going to be televisedto those who may be sitting on
the couch wanting to try jujitsuout.
(42:01):
So, advice for those who arejust starting and advice for
those who may be thinking aboutstarting.
Speaker 3 (42:08):
So for those who started I would say you know,
come, enjoy, make the time forit.
You know, try to be there asmuch as you can.
You know and learn new thingsand see new things.
You know, see what you could beright.
Because you just start andyou're like, am I going to be
(42:28):
any good at this?
And you know, for a long timeyou're going to feel like I
don't know how to do this right.
But you know you can see howpeople get and people are always
helpful and everyone startedthe same Like, even for me, like
amazing that now I'm alreadyhelping.
You know a new generation rightlike of people and you know or
even those with two stripes,just you know, passing their
(43:00):
test and starting to tell themwhat to do.
And I was like I was just there, I was just there.
How am, how am I already?
How so much help, you know.
So it's if you make the timefor it and and you dedicate it,
you know a good amount of timefor it, you'll be there and you
know, and it's great.
So that's definitely somethingI would say.
Someone starting and like make.
Speaker 2 (43:15):
The consistency is what you're talking about.
Yeah, I think that's important,um, especially if you really
like it, you know, if you likeyou, you know, by that second
class, if, if jiu-jitsu is goingto be for you, I feel that way,
I don't think.
J think jujitsu is somethingyou have to try for a month or
for a week to decide if it'sgoing to be for you.
(43:37):
I believe you know, you know,and what about for those people
who may be thinking aboutstarting?
I mean, I don't know if you'veever come across people.
I used to come across peoplelike this a lot.
When they'd find out I was inthe military.
They'd be like, yeah, I've beenthinking about joining.
I mean, I've been.
(43:58):
You know, I wish I would havejoined.
And we see this with jujitsutoo.
You know, we talk to people orwe come across people and they
find out, you know, we dojujitsu and they're like, yeah,
I've been thinking about that.
I hear a lot about that.
What would you say to thosepeople?
Speaker 3 (44:12):
You know, come try something new.
You know it's like test yourbody.
So many things, right, I meanwe, we talked about it.
You know, for now, in if it's,you know coordination,
remembering, you know techniques, stamina, when you start
rolling so many things.
So even for me, before evenrolling, I kind of felt I'm
(44:33):
still doing some sort of a goodworkout.
You know, I'm feeling that mybody is doing all kinds of
things, grips and whatnot.
Speaker 2 (44:50):
And you know, especially if someone's always
doing some sort of sports,definitely something new, you
know, type of fighting anddefinitely worth trying.
Thanks so much for kind ofsharing that insight and really
just giving some perspective ofhow people can kind of reach
those that are interested intraining, those that are just
starting because it's importantright, those that are just
(45:14):
starting because it's importantright, and I think you talked a
little bit about this alreadybecause you you shared about
what happened with your knee, orit was your knee right, yeah,
with your knee and um, butthere's, there's always.
You have those moments of doubtand if you do like and maybe
(45:38):
this is talking to the, theother white belts out there who
are kind of early in theirjourney how do you deal with
things like that setbacks,moments of doubt.
You know you had mentionedrealizing that jiu-jitsu is
starting to make sense to you,but before that you had to do
something right, right, I mean,it makes sense you know, when,
when you have the, the option,the opportunity, but sometimes
(46:01):
you, you roll and and for a longtime now I've been rolling only
with blue belts.
Speaker 3 (46:05):
It just happens that you know noon classes, blue
belts, you know, it's youRandall, you know Marco, and and
at the evening, the same, youknow, with competition class,
alex.
So there were times that I wouldcome and I would get I always
get, you know, being led and I'monly defending, you know,
(46:26):
that's all I'm doing for fiveminutes.
But there have been times thatI would, you know, really be,
you know, bad and I felt likeyou know, and like a few days
straight going back feeling likeman, this is, you know, I suck,
right, I mean it's annoying,and you feel like you finish and
you know after, you know thelast round, after we're doing
(46:47):
the row and people are sittingchatting and you're like sitting
and like, damn, that was a bad.
You know, I didn't feel like Idid anything useful.
Today it happened and again ithappened after that milestone,
definitely beforehand, but youknow, to get over it.
First of all I had people justcome over and say it was
(47:09):
noticeable that you wereimproving.
Like don't bring yourself down,it's noticeable that you're
improving, like, don't bringyourself down.
So it's like Alex he likes tocheer me up when I get tapped
too many times.
Or even Sandy, one time I thinkwasn't rolling because
something was, you know, maybeher knee, but she was like
listen, I'm seeing it, you aregetting better.
I mean, don't you know, putyourself through much pressure
(47:32):
and that helps.
So we talked about thecommunity.
So the community will help youget over the setback 100%.
Speaker 2 (47:38):
Yeah, Thanks so much for uh sharing that.
I uh, I couldn't agree more.
I really like how you you knowit.
It sounds like you were sayingthat really it's the community
that helps you overcome setback,and we've talked about the
community earlier, earlier inthe chat, and I think I think
that's one of the community thathelps you overcome setback, and
we've talked about thecommunity earlier, earlier in
the chat, and I think I thinkthat's one of the things that
would keep me going too and didkeep me going.
(47:59):
I mean, I don't think I've eversaid I want to quit jujitsu, but
I mean there are times whereyour mind plays tricks on you,
right?
You You're like man, do I needto be doing this?
But it lasts usually about fourseconds and you go to the next
role and do a lot better right?
(48:19):
So well, let's talk a littlebit before we get to the end of
the episode today and talk alittle bit about what's next.
You know what are your goals?
Maybe as a white belt, Most ofthe time as a white belt, our
goal the time as as a white belt, or goals to become a blue belt
.
But there may be some morespecific goals.
There may be some things andtechniques that you want to
(48:40):
improve on, that you really likeand and and that sort of thing,
and then also now that you'vestarted competing.
So really two questions thefirst one around, uh, the things
that you want to improve andthings like that and your goals
as a white belt.
And then the second question is, now that you're competing,
(49:02):
where do you want to end up inyour competition career, say,
four or five years down the road?
Speaker 3 (49:10):
you know, of course you want to do your blue belt.
I also want, no, not just tostudy for the test, right as a
test that you're just going over, but like really feeling that
I'm, you know, I deserve thatbelt, right.
I mean, there's always winning,winning, competition, and
you're saying you, know if I wina competition?
Speaker 1 (49:30):
do I?
Speaker 3 (49:31):
get a belt and I'll be honest, if I would have won
yesterday, I still don't think Iwould have, like I wouldn't
want to get a belt because I'mstill not there.
So I want to have that feeling.
So of course I'm going to studyfor the test regardless, right,
you want to be prepared.
But it's also feeling that Iknow, okay, I belong here, you
(49:55):
know I can wear that blue withpride, right.
So it's not just you know.
So that's important for me tofeel that, to see that I'm there
.
I'm still not there, of course,you know, still hopefully not
too far.
I want to say.
I want to say that may want tofeel different, may maybe, you
know, especially if I cancompete as well and you know
tabak cancer, and then may maybethat's, that's enough, that's
(50:17):
not too far, that's three monthsdown, but you know.
But, but also you know itbuilds with the moves, right.
So I mentioned that I'm kind ofhaving my own rhythm, but I I
still think that I'm, you know,a lot of things stand up game
for sure.
I want to improve, I want to.
Up until the competition, Iwasn't even sure on what I don't
.
Usually I don't pull guard,right.
Speaker 2 (50:41):
Yeah, I noticed you started doing that a lot more
lately.
Like you pulled the guard a fewtimes when we were rolling last
Wednesday I was yeah, usuallygo for takedown.
Speaker 3 (50:51):
Until recently.
Do I pull guard, Do I try?
to sweep or even go to takedownWhatever like a trip.
You and I started kind ofgetting into what I'm going to
try to do based on what andthat's definitely something
because, especially competingagain, it's not like you know
everything's competition.
You know you want to win rolesduring the week week, but it's
(51:14):
like if I don't have a plangoing in and I'm just kind of,
you know, moving around orgetting grips, I'm getting just
getting being led the entire rowand I want to start doing.
That gave me the confidence tokind of always be in a down
position and kind of know how todefend, but I also need to
start leading.
So definitely something I Iwant to achieve yeah, is there
(51:41):
any?
Speaker 2 (51:41):
has there ever?
Is there any been?
How can I say this?
Let me start over.
Is there any technique or guardor submission that that really,
uh, you enjoy and that you'reworking on?
Uh?
Speaker 3 (51:54):
you know, I started doing the last of a lot.
Uh, you helped me also kind ofimprove that technique a bit.
Yeah some good success in mylast yeah, that's a good one.
So uh, but now people know I doit, so they know how to defend
it.
So so it's kind of also welleven if they know I'm gonna do
it still.
You know, being able to do so,or especially, for example, um,
(52:18):
on the other side, being inguard and and I was always
terrible and, and you know,escaping the guard, I could
never escape it.
And then I started doing, youknow, uh, the south power pass,
and suddenly boom, it kind ofworked, but now people are
expecting it.
It kind of worked, but nowpeople are expecting it.
So I kind of have to set back.
It's always harder for me now,but you know, so just improving,
having those moves that I doand just perfect them every time
(52:41):
, you know, and then no matterif people know they're coming,
they're still going to work.
Speaker 2 (52:49):
As we kind of wrap up , is there anything that you
know?
Uh, maybe takeaways or lessonsyou'd like to leave with the,
the listeners, and also, uh, youknow how can, how can the
listeners maybe connect with you, um, if they'd like to follow
your journey?
Uh, I have the caffeinatedjujitsu community podcast.
(53:11):
I don't know if you do anythingon IG, twitter or anything like
that.
Um, like that, um, but yeah,you just any, any kind of final
takeaways and then any, you knowhow, how can people get in
touch with?
Speaker 3 (53:22):
you.
They want to connect, learnmore takeaways.
Like you see, so many optionsopen up once you start right.
I mean you can just go to class, you know you meet people, or
you can go and compete.
I even see myself likehopefully again, you know, with
a baby on the way.
I need to see how it goes, butI want to even travel.
For that I would say, you know,find something, you know, up to
(53:44):
eight hours drive even, I don'tcare, do a weekend out of it,
go there, you know I.
I mentioned memphis at thestart it's in a week.
I'm not gonna do it because Ican't even sign up, but like, if
that would be in a month, Iwould do it, I would just go,
you know.
You know, take maybe anotherday off of work, just so you
know it's an extended weekend,or whatever.
Go, compete, be with the familyI love you know getting the car
(54:06):
driving.
You know one of the the thingsthat we, we kind of do a lot.
So definitely more than just ahobby, right, I mean, it's
embedded in my life, sodefinitely something that you
know.
Once you start, you can have somany options and, of course,
putting aside the fact that,competing itself, you know
putting yourself in deep waters.
(54:27):
You know testing your body.
You know thinking about theoutcomes.
That's, that's definitelysomething I want to.
Speaker 2 (54:33):
I want to do more you know, let me, let me ask you
this um, not not to interruptyou or cut you off, but um, so
you're about to have your thirdchild and this is something I
think about, because you know, Ihave five kids um all boys
what's the ratio of yourchildren, whether they're man,
(54:55):
what?
What do you think about thempossibly seeing dad competing
and all of this and then gettinginto jiu-jitsu?
Have you thought about that?
Speaker 3 (55:05):
because I think about that.
So my daughter always kind ofI'm trying to get her to try a
class and she's like sometimes,yes, I want to come and
sometimes no.
I even showed her, you know, inInstagram how old is she kids
and she's like, yeah, you can dothat and that kids are doing it
as well.
My son always says he wants,but he's four so he can't do it
(55:26):
yet.
So he might come and even incompetitions first competition,
I come, I go by myself and Idon't you know first competition
, I come, I go by myself.
I don't even know theenvironment.
Speaker 2 (55:36):
Yep.
Speaker 3 (55:41):
But I know something, and you know always, you know,
warms the heart and you know,after all, I came home and like,
oh, we're so proud of you.
And like, oh, we're so happyand I see the medal.
Speaker 2 (55:50):
I'm looking at your medal.
Do I call this?
I'd be?
And I see the medal.
Speaker 3 (55:52):
Looking at your medal , like, oh, this is so cool.
My dad he was like it's a goodmedal, come sit with me, tell me
about what was the tournament.
Like Like really expect, andthat you know melted me away.
It was so fun and like thinkingabout even telling my wife
today.
You know, let's see it's kindof a you know lengthy day, but
(56:14):
let's see how we can do next.
Next, you know, tournament,maybe we bring the kids, you
know.
Maybe, maybe you know, butdefinitely something I want to
get them involved.
I think, um, we also had a talkall the you know um, before the
podium.
So so you know, guy who wonfirst place, the third, they all
have kids doing both, have kidsdoing jiu-jitsu.
And I was like man, everyone'sbringing their kids, gotta how
(56:36):
can listeners uh connect withyou?
Speaker 2 (56:39):
do you have ig that people follow you at?
Speaker 3 (56:41):
I'm not really active email or anything you know, uh,
ig, facebook, whatever.
Um, it's just, you know my name, so yako van the score colon.
But um, mean, I'm there, I goand see what Alliance just
posted on a regular that's aboutit Exactly.
(57:05):
That's all I do Fist-muffing.
But you know, sometimes there'sa conversation, Sometimes I'll
upload something, but basicallyI'm just tagged and seeing
what's what.
Speaker 2 (57:20):
Yeah, yeah.
Well, it's just good thatpeople would have a place if
they had any questions, becausea lot of people listen to the
podcast and now it's going to becool to see that we're putting
a face and video to this.
So thank you so much for againbeing the first one in the shoot
for video.
So, yeah, man, well, look, uh.
That's a wrap for this episodeof caffeinated jujitsu and our
(57:43):
very first episode in the seriesof white belt Chronicles.
If you have enjoyed uh today'sepisode, don't forget to
subscribe, share it with yourtraining partners and leave us a
review on your favorite podcastplatforms.
Remember to stay connected onthe Caffeinated Jiu-Jitsu
Instagram page if you haven'tjoined that, for updates and
(58:06):
shows, access to shows and forjust overall Jiu-Jitsu
inspiration.
And remember that every day onthe mat is progress.
Train smart, roll safe and keepyour passion brewing strong.
We'll see you next time.
Speaker 1 (58:23):
And that's the final tap on today's episode of
Caffeinated Jujitsu.
A big thanks to all of ourlisteners, especially today's
insightful guest, for sharingtheir BJJ knowledge and tales.
If you felt that adrenalinerush and are hungry for more,
hit, subscribe, drop a reviewand spread the jujitsu buzz.
(58:45):
For show notes and to contactthe host, reach out to the email
provided in the podcastdescription and to join our
grappling community, head overto Instagram.
Get those geese, crisp yourcoffee strong and always be
prepared for the next roll Oss.
Welcome to Caffeinated Jiu-Jitsu the blend
of white belt enthusiasm, blackbelt wisdom and a dash of
caffeine for that extra kick.
Dive deep into the world ofBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu as we
explore the journey, techniques,challenges and the sheer joy of
the sport from a white belt'sperspective.
(00:22):
From intriguing interviews withrenowned coaches and professors
to playful fun episodes that'llhave you chuckling mid-roll.
We've got it all brewed andready.
Now stepping onto the mats andinto your ears, here's your host
, joe Motes welcome backeveryone to another episode of
(00:58):
caffeinated jujitsu.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Uh, this is our first episode of a new series called
the White Belt Chronicles andthis is a series where we're
going to take a look into theearly stages of Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu journeys, of whitebelts, and celebrate really the
uniqueness of the white beltjourney and coming to you this
(01:24):
evening this is the firstepisode.
It's super bowl Sunday.
We're recording this and myspecial guest and super happy to
have him on is white belt atAlliance Roswell.
This is Yakov Colin, colin, yep, yep, nice, nice.
Uh, that's good.
Yakov has been training atRoswell now for a year.
(01:48):
Are you almost a year?
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Exactly a year.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
Nice what day did you make a year?
Speaker 3 (01:54):
February 1st, oh man.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
So like a year in what?
Eight days, nine days, yeah,yeah, nine days yeah.
Yeah well, man, I can't wait tohave the conversation and learn
more about what inspired you tostep on the mat.
I mean, all of us have a story.
I love hearing about people'sstory.
I um, I mean, we had masterJacare on, I heard his story.
(02:20):
Our professors come on and allthe stories are different,
different, but there's a lot ofsimilarities.
So I'm excited to hear yours.
And but before we uh get intoanything, uh, you just competed
this weekend for the first timeI did yeah yeah man, how was it?
Speaker 3 (02:37):
it was something a lot of feelings, I gotta tell
you.
Speaker 2 (02:42):
What was it like building building up to going
into the bullpen?
Speaker 3 (02:45):
So, you know, I'll even kind of think about, you
know, the leading up week to it.
So I was just doing a lot oftravel lately and you know kind
of getting in my head of I'm notgoing to be ready or, you know,
my stamina is going to go down,and I tried this week kind of
not thinking about, you know,competition.
I tried to think about, youknow, making weight.
(03:06):
You know eat airplane food andwhatnot.
You know you get up a bit.
So I try to, you know, makeweight.
You know, be ready.
I got a bit of a cut here so Isaid, you know, I don't want to
bleed during the match, whichhappened, by the way, but
whatever, and you know.
(03:26):
And then you know, gettinggetting in the bullpen, I was
like, okay, let's start.
I got, I gotta, I gotta startalready.
You know it's, it's there, I'mready.
You know, whatever it will bewould be I'm I, I should be
ready.
Match started.
I was like, oh wait, it's on,you know.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
So yeah, I uh, it was like a haze when I, when I I
remember getting on the firsttime and I don't think things
were moving in slow motion, butit was.
It was a weird feeling.
Yeah, it was, it was superweird man and it's something
different.
Twice I fought twice twiceright and uh, so you got silver
(04:06):
right and it was a what?
It was a three, four personbracket, what, what?
What division did you?
Speaker 3 (04:12):
fight in.
So I fought in master two inlight, lightweight nice and
essentially there was anotheralliance guy, so I think they
kinda they didn't go with theround robin.
They started first, there was aranked guy and another Alliance
(04:32):
who also started for the firsttime and the defeated guy I
fought.
So essentially I also watchedthe match before, so maybe it
helped.
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
Yeah, yeah.
And then I went up with a guyyou know passed my way yeah,
yeah, I, um, it's always nice ifyou get to see your opponent
first.
I remember the secondcompetition I was in.
I was able to beat my uh firstuh competitor, but I, uh I don't
(05:01):
know if it was because Iwatched him or not I, um, I
don't know, I just the secondtime I competed, I just wasn't
as nervous and I was a littlemore focused, and you know, but
two of the three times Icompeted was at white belt.
So, um, you know, I was like I,like yourself, you're four
stripe white belt, right.
(05:22):
So I was just like you, fourstripe white belt.
And, yeah, I, I wasn't asnervous.
And then the second guy, he, uh, I, I did lose to him, but
again, the nerves weren't as asbad or as strong.
I guess you could say so.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
I agree.
I mean, for my second fight Iactually I was afraid I'm a bit
gassed.
You know, from all you know,first fight, you're just giving
it all right and I'm kind of.
You know, my hands are reallystiff and I thought I had time
to, you know, relax, but thensuddenly they kind of cut 30
minutes from the wedding.
(06:04):
You see her name suddenly move.
I'm like wait, what the heck?
I thought I was going to rest abit more and I was like out of
breath and I was okay, but let'snot think about it, let's,
let's leave, let's.
Because I saw the guy and I said, okay, I can, I'm not, I know
what this guy's going to do.
It tall guy, he's gonna, he'sgonna shoot, he's gonna, you
(06:26):
know, pull guard right away ortry to de la jiva.
I knew it for sure and you knowI went over with with professor
and I was confident.
I'll be honest here, I wasn't.
You know, anxiety was out a bit.
I felt like I'm ready.
I just I was worried too muchabout my breathing, but you know
, besides that, but then he didwhat we expected, but I wasn't
able to stop it did you?
Speaker 2 (06:45):
did you do the box breathing that he talked to us
about?
Speaker 3 (06:49):
No, I forgot about that.
I'll be honest.
Speaker 2 (06:51):
I've been doing some research on that.
I guess I haven't been doingresearch research.
I Googled it after he wastalking about it and I guess
that's not really research,though right Googling it.
I guess it's not reallyresearch, though right Googling
it, I guess it's somewhatresearch today.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
It starts from there.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
Yeah, it's how many times you Google something,
right, but yeah, I, I'm going totry it.
Yeah, so I've been wanting todo a lot more research around
the uh, the breathing techniquesand I think, just to see if it
helps with anxiety, because formy military days, I do a lot
more research around the uh, thebreathing techniques and I
think, just to see if it helpswith anxiety, because from my
military days, I have a lot ofanxiety that I deal with and
(07:30):
stuff like that, and you alwayshear a lot about breathing
techniques and things like that.
So I think it definitelyprobably has its place for sure.
Speaker 3 (07:38):
I mean, it was a bit different because you know when
we roll and we do sometimes youknow three, four, five, 10
rounds even we did on Wednesdayand you're kind of out of breath
.
But it's like this was sodifferent because when you're
rolling with someone, you knowand it's like, okay, I'm gassed
but you know, so I can rest fora second, and you know, worst
(07:59):
comes to worst.
I'm going to defend a bit, buthere it's like I'm never gonna
let go of a grip and whatever.
And you get to a phase like waybeyond I, I felt ever even 10
rounds in in, you know, in class.
So it was like I was like I hadthis cough, like sometimes, you
know, when you wake in themiddle of the night and you have
this nasty cough and it'sannoying and it doesn't go away.
(08:21):
That's what I felt.
It was like I'm not asthmaticor something, but I can't
breathe in it, you know.
And but again, no, no excuses, Imean it's something I, I am,
you know, I need to get used to.
Hopefully it's, it's a one-timething, you know.
But and I'm, I'm, I'm ready tocompete again.
I already checked, you know,even even before may.
Yeah, if there's anything near,there's in memphis.
(08:42):
You know that's not too far,but that's next week.
I can't even sign it.
But.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Well, so I was looking at cows down here at the
house all this weekend Saturdayand today and we were talking
about that.
We looked at the list of whatwas out there.
I think I think I'm going tolook at the tap out cancer.
That's a good one.
I think I'm going to look atthe tap out cancer.
That's a good one.
I've been kind of wanting to dothat one Um, but it's good.
(09:10):
That was going to be one of myquestions here in the intro
about your competition is, youknow, did you like it enough to
want to compete again?
And it sounds like you'vealready made your mind up.
Like you're like, yeah, this isI'm going in and I love that.
They're like so many people wehave in our school, they many
people we have in our school,they just want to compete.
I mean, it's like it's part ofthe fun of it.
You know, it's not like we, weonly select a few people who go
(09:31):
and compete, right, uh, I meanwe got some great people doing
jujitsu at the academy, but likeour competition team is turning
into like almost all of us wantto do it at least once, it
seems like, yeah, so that'sreally cool.
Yeah, um, you know, juststaying on this a few, few more
(09:51):
moments, what?
What did you think about?
Just the whole atmosphere of,you know, your first jujitsu
competition so you know you goin and it's the first time.
Speaker 3 (10:00):
So I actually never joined somehow every competition
that was before that.
I had some things I never,never even joined, I never.
I didn't even know what was I'mcoming towards, right, I going
through the doors.
Okay, let's find the team, youknow, let's find everyone kind
of getting into it.
Seeing the the early fightsI've seen you know our team
compete and everything and andit's kind of, you know it's
(10:20):
great, everyone's together andthere's always someone you know
who who's ready coming up andyou know they spread it so much.
We had someone fighting at 12,2, 3, 4, you know.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Yeah, you're running between mats, right?
Speaker 3 (10:31):
Exactly just going around.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (10:33):
And you know, all around and everything, and it
was cool, like I didn't expectspending the whole day.
You know I was scheduled tofight at four 30.
I knew that the previous matchI wanted to watch you know the
one I'm going to get was at four.
So okay, I said I'll come atthree.
I'm pacing around the house.
I kept my wife's telling mejust go.
You know I am so excited and soI arrived there around one 30,.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
You know, and I'm, we ended up being there up until
like seven something, and youknow so yeah it's a day of it,
and then next time I'll comeprepared yeah, I always so I, I
never fight no gi, so I don'tfight on the sunday and, um,
maybe one day, but I, um, when Iwas a white belt, I my my fight
(11:20):
was the very last fight of theday, like the like no one else
was around, like even peoplewere starting to leave, even it
was just like it was.
It was, it was kind of it was.
It was hard having that anxietyall day, like all day.
You know, I just would haveloved to gotten there and kind
(11:44):
of got it, got it out of the way.
And then for my blue beltcompetition, my first one.
Um, I fought my division, whichwas pretty cool I think it was
around noon or something andthen I signed up for open
division, kind of thinking thesame thing like, oh, it's gonna,
you know, these fights aregonna go fast, yeah, but the
open division wasn't evenstarting until like 6, 30 or 7
and I was like whoa.
(12:04):
And then I looked at everybodylike all ultra heavy and I was
like, oh, my gosh, this ishorrible.
Uh, well, that's great man.
Uh, you know, congratulationson your first competition.
Um, we had some great trainingsessions before.
That was a crazy trainingsession we had on Wednesday
before we did what 10 rolls itwas 10.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
10 rounds I was.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
I don't know.
I think people were worriedabout me.
I was looking pretty rough.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
I don't think anyone was there who didn't look wiped
out.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Gosh, it was insane.
Well, let's talk about let'sget into your journey insane.
Well, let's talk about.
Let's, let's get into yourjourney.
Let's talk a little bit aboutmaybe, kind of maybe, your first
thoughts and impressions, ormaybe that first day or even
week in class, you know were youwere you nervous to to start
jujitsu.
I know in some of theinformation you you shared
(13:03):
preparing for the podcast,you've always had kind of a
passion for sports and physicalthings.
Um, you know what?
What do you remember the mostabout it?
Speaker 3 (13:12):
So I was always doing something throughout, you know,
my life.
If it's, you know, if it's moreactive sports, if it's soccer
or running or things like that,if it's uh, if it's you know,
boxing, wrestling, there'salways something.
But I never really joinedanything, for you know doing it
for a while and anything.
And I didn't even know thatjiu-jitsu was something that
(13:34):
you'd want to do four or fivetimes a week.
Right, it was like let's, youknow, just, you know, do it two,
three times a week.
So you know, for many years,wherever I lived, you know,
moving throughout cities,there's always a place close by
and I never got into let's goand start.
So one day I'm sitting on thecouch and I'm like I'm seeing
(13:56):
this, you know, commercial forAlliance, literally the first
thing that comes up.
I was like you know what,checking the distance, that's
not too far, I don't care ifthere's even a gym that's closer
, I'm going there because youknow it won by default and I
signed up.
You know, I talked to Matt, cameover to a trial and he's like
after the trial, okay, I don'teven want to do it because you
know you get three trials.
(14:17):
I'm like I don't need it, Idon't need it.
Let let's sign up.
That's what I needed.
I'm not, you know.
Let's, let's do that on aregular basis.
I'm telling him I can seemyself doing this two, three
times.
He's like you know, if you wantto get better, doing it four or
five.
And at first I said yeah yeahlike see how it goes.
Second week that was a thursday,so you know, I came thursday
friday immediately that secondweek, four or five times a week
(14:40):
straight for about six months.
Speaker 2 (14:43):
So you know, yeah never look back yeah, it's that
consistency, it just it justgrabs you.
You know it, um, it just reallykind of it's hard, hard to
explain to people who who havenever done jiu-jitsu or you know
, sometimes I think we're lookedat and people are like man,
these people are crazy, havereally drank the kool-Aid here
(15:05):
on this jiu-jitsu thing.
You do it all the time but itis an amazing thing that it
gives you.
I kind of had the sameexperience.
I was training a couple times aday.
It was for months, right.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
Yeah, you started right away.
High intensity, that's great.
Speaker 2 (15:30):
All right.
So next question, man, how didyou find the gym environment,
the other instructors?
I know you talked about meetingMatt, but what are, what were
some of your first impressionsof your training partners?
Did anything stand out?
Speaker 3 (15:44):
So the thing that really stood out the most and I
wasn't familiar with, you know,doing jiu-jitsu for the first
time is that you know everyonecares, everyone's there.
It's not like you get assignedwith someone who's doing it for
so long and it's like, oh,you're afraid of you know, not
knowing how to do the drills andeverything and no one cares.
Everyone's there to help you,everyone's and and it was so and
(16:07):
no matter who like that was,that was great.
And then, you know, I ended upbeing assigned with kind of the
same partners within time, right, I was doing a lot of noon, so
we were kind of three, fourpeople, always the same people,
so we were all, you know,starting at the same time.
If it's uh josh, if it's uhwill, at the time he he was at
the gym, if you remember him,and and and it was great and
(16:30):
also if it's evening.
So, marco, most of the time,and you know I was super helpful
, super, you know, just great,you know to train with and you
know, I remember thinking tomyself this guy, a white, a
white belt.
I have a long way.
He was still white belt at thetime.
Speaker 2 (16:49):
I was like whoa okay, what did you find initially
most challenging, or maybesurprising, about jiu-jitsu?
Speaker 3 (17:00):
So I'll be honest.
I mean, the most challenging isafter half a year around, I
want to say July or so.
You know, in one of the drillsI kind of, you know, twisted my
knee, started hurting, neverstopped, really hurt it, and,
you know, found out after acouple.
You know you never checksomething right away, right, you
(17:22):
kind of give it some time, takesome pills or whatever, and
then after a month and a half Igo to the doctor.
This doesn't go away.
I don't roll anymore becauseit's bothering too much.
Found out by Tormai Meniscus,which is kind of granted to
happen, I think, during time,getting used to the fact.
Speaker 2 (17:44):
So how?
Yeah, we're overcoming that.
How long were you out?
Speaker 3 (17:52):
july and august I was .
I was at first not even inclass, but then I said you know,
I'm just coming to class, dothe drills and I won't roll,
because it was very hard on mejust sitting on the side not
rolling.
And uh, and I said you knowwhat?
no I don't want to lose class.
If I can do it, I can do it.
And I got a brace, of coursealso, you know, um, so, so, and
I'm still, by the way, I'm stillwith the brace, I have to say
(18:13):
that I don't use it forjiu-jitsu.
But you know I don't feelanything and I didn't do any
surgery, and you know.
So I'm just gonna continuedoing it and ask the doctor.
He's like, do I need to do thesurgery right now?
He's like no, you can wait.
I'm like I'm gonna wait, youknow so you know just yeah the
way, even wanted to compete inseptember.
(18:39):
Um, like I thought I thought I'mokay, let's roll, you know a
bit.
But then you know july, and Iwas like, okay, I'm not gonna
compete.
And then after starting to rollagain, I was like you know what
, I wasn't even close to beingready.
So it's like so much, it's goodthat I didn't start.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
Then yeah, I think it's one of my biggest.
I think it's one of my biggestfears in this journey in
jiu-jitsu for me is gettinggetting injured and, um, you
know, getting getting injured towhere I can't ever do it again,
(19:17):
for whatever reason, like, like, it's one of those kinds of
injuries because you know, likethe, the, the torn stuff, you
can rehab it and then you can.
Uh, john Donahher, on one ofhis instructionals, was talking
about when he had and I didn'tknow this about him, but he had
his hip replaced and you canimagine, I mean, like what in
jujitsu do you not use your hipsfor right?
There's hardly anything right.
(19:38):
You use it for literallyeverything.
But he was able to overcome itthrough physical therapy and he
was able to even adjust his gameright and we can do that of
justice, game, game right and wecan do that.
But, like, my biggest fear islike I don't know, maybe
(19:58):
something with my back and I notbe able to, you know, do
something, or like it's like oneof those things like, uh, rocky
balboa, if you go and get hitin the head again, you're gonna
probably die, or something likeone of those type injuries.
Well, you can't do this anymore.
I think that's my biggest fearin jujitsu I'll tell you
something funny.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
I even brought my car , so I I didn't even know how
the competition is gonna be andI thought if I'll get you know
in a submission someone's gonna.
You know, do it so hard.
You know something might break.
I even remember I said don'tforget, bring your your
insurance card.
You know something might break.
I even remember I said don'tforget, bring your your
insurance card you know, just soif I break my hand or something
I didn't even know.
So that's, I think that's what Ifeel like, because I'm kind of
(20:43):
stubborn and it's not smart.
But you know, I don't want toand you might see that sometimes
I don't want to tap, even ifit's, you know, in the no, no,
yeah, want to, and you might seethat sometimes I don't want to
tap, even if it's, you know, inthe no, no, yeah, I do.
I don't know, I think it'ssmart, I know it's silly and I
don't know, is it, I don't know,testing myself if I could still
go, and because of that, andespecially in competition, I was
afraid, like you know, and getyourself in trouble and not give
(21:05):
up, and you know yeah, we hearit.
Speaker 2 (21:09):
So the phrase, what's the catchphrase?
Uh, taps, tap soon, tap often,or something like that.
Right is that they, you knowthey, we're taught to tap,
especially in training.
Um, but there are times whereI'll fight the tap a little if
I'm, if I, if I know I'mthinking about the escape, right
(21:30):
, like if I'm going.
But if I know like there'sabout the escape right, like if
I'm going, but if I know likethere's just no way, if anybody
ever inverts on my arm, likefrom inverted arm bar, I'm
tapping immediately when I feeltheir body on it, because
there's just, you know, it takesseconds for that to break.
Um, but yeah, I, I, I think it's, I think it's okay in the sense
(21:53):
of, look, you know right, whenyou feel a little pressure or
discomfort, maybe that's not atap right, and maybe it's.
We, we're taught escapes forfor everything, almost.
Um, you know, I, I thinkprofessor Maciel says it best
you know, the only way out of alocked-in submission, though, is
(22:14):
to tap right.
So if it's fully locked in, thetechnique is completely there
and their legs are where they'resupposed to be and their hands
are where they're supposed to be, like you just feel when you
know, okay, yeah, this is timeto tap right.
So I think all of us probablyand I don't think it's an ego
thing either, I think it's justI want to try to at least for me
(22:37):
.
Speaker 3 (22:37):
It's not ego, it's not like.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
I want to try to escape right.
I want to try to keep going.
I want to try to get myself outof this bad position.
Speaker 3 (22:47):
It's not ego, it's not like, oh, I'm going to fall
asleep before I tap, or whatever.
No, no, it's, it's like I wantto see if I can you know get out
of it or still.
You know a few more seconds andyou know that might be crucial
one time.
But you know.
Speaker 2 (23:04):
Yeah, I mean, I think I've had maybe once, maybe
twice, uh, you know, know,rolling with a training partner
where they had a choke in and Iwasn't tapping right away and
they, they kind of gave up on itbecause they thought, well,
maybe it's not as deep and it'sas right, and then you know, I'm
seconds away from going tosleep here and this guy doesn't
know it, and and and, um, butyeah, so't I?
(23:29):
I, I wouldn't think that.
I think if ego is the reasonyou don't, someone doesn't tap,
then yeah, that's an issue,because that you're going to end
up getting hurt.
Right, someone's going to endup getting hurt, especially in
competition, because there'speople in competition and some
of these, these training centers, in these schools and academy,
(23:49):
I mean, they're taught to ripand they're ripping submissions
and training and you know it's.
I mean, I've seen some crazystuff on the IBJJF Opens when I
watch them, like out in Texasand California, and the
Europeans are insane.
If you ever watch those on TV,the submissions, watch those on
TV, the submissions.
And yeah, I think, if ego is inplay, then the practitioner is
(24:16):
going to get hurt and for noreason.
Yeah, you know, I mean, ifyou're already going to lose the
match and the role.
You don't want to have a brokenbone to go with it For sure,
right bone to go with it, forsure, right.
So let's talk a little bit aboutmaybe some uh, you know, I
don't know if you, you did thisand some people, I think, do it
(24:38):
and some people may may not, butyou know key milestones or kind
of key lessons.
Maybe you've learned around thekind of along the way.
Have there ever been maybe anyspecific moments that stood out
to you?
And I know competition may beone of them, but like, uh, maybe
(25:00):
it was your first submissionthat you you pulled off, or or
it could be even.
I mean, I still remember myfirst, first strike, you know,
um, you've, you've got four ofthose now, you know, but are are
there any, any milestones orany moments that that you can
recall back, that kind of standout?
Speaker 3 (25:21):
So of course you know there's the, the given
milestones right, first stripeor second stripe, when you start
rolling and and you know, anyother stripe.
But but I think what stands outfor me because I'll be honest, I
don't remember who I rolledwith first or who I tapped first
, I'll be, I just don't rememberthat.
But I what I do remember iswhen I started to feel I'm
(25:46):
actually getting better,significantly, like somewhat, I
think it.
I think it was not.
You know, it was like somewherebetween my third to fourth
stripe, I think my second stripewas doing also the like, like
after from second to third wasdoing also my injury.
So it was kind of like you knowhalf rolling, half not.
(26:07):
But then from third to fourth Iwas like suddenly starting to
feel right, I'm doing my moves,I have a rhythm, I have a game
plan, like suddenly I know what.
I'm not just reacting, of course, fighting, even till this day,
of course against blue belts andeverything.
I don't really control anything, I just defend for five minutes
.
But actually when fighting youknow the other white belts, or
(26:29):
even you know sometimes if ablue belt will let me kind of do
my thing.
You know, of course it happens,right.
I mean, I know when it happensand I just try to do it.
And then it really struck me.
It's like okay, now I'm seeingreally big advancement because,
like, I can control some pacesor I know what I'm doing, right,
it's not just like positionalandal, and then, okay, there's
(26:53):
one thing I'm trying to do whenwe drill it, but here it's like,
okay, I'm, you know, on top andbottom and I'm gonna go for
something which might be two,three moves away but I'm gonna
go to it and that, really, forme, it's the biggest milestone.
You know, maybe before thecompetition, right, I mean
competition is kind of a big one, but you know, knowing that
this is now the big, the biggeststamp for me, for me, not just
(27:17):
the ones on the way that youknow is based on attendance,
right, the one that is kind ofthe feeling that I can come home
, you know, in the drive, andmost of the times you kind of
drive back feeling like, oh man,I got beat today but I was,
like you know, came back reallyhappy, like, okay, I'm feeling,
I'm feeling this like amped upsuddenly in one day if we think
(27:42):
about the, the impact jujitsuhas um off the mats, both on and
off the mats, what would yousay are maybe one or two
valuable lessons that jujitsuhas taught you, about yourself,
(28:02):
about life, about just anything.
First thing is you know, we canalways find a new hobby, right?
I'm 35 years old, you know asthey say, not too young, not too
old, right 35, but you knowthat's right.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
Yeah, you know middle of the road man.
Speaker 3 (28:19):
There's something new you can always add and you know
just finding the time to do it.
You know family, kids.
They got two kids, one on theway, and you know it doesn't
matter, you know.
Speaker 2 (28:32):
So you have.
You have two and one on the way.
Speaker 3 (28:34):
Oh, you're trying to catch up, man and you're getting
there great supportive wife,you know.
So she, she knows I love it andshe always, you know, never I
think once, and you know I do.
I used to do four or five times.
Now I kind of decreased it abit, you know but, never, never,
like no, don't go today.
Or you know, as long as we arealways in communication, it's
(28:55):
like, hey, I'm gonna do theadvanced class today, I'm gonna
come back a bit later, orwhatever.
All good, and, and you know,and you can always start.
You know, I like to see that.
You know demanding job.
You know two kids, pregnantwife, but you could still do it.
So it's so so many things, youthings, you know it's you're
asking me, you know what, whatdoes it teach you?
And it's like, okay, you canalways do something new and you
(29:15):
can always give the dedicationRight, and then you always get
another stamp of how great yourenvironment is, or is it not?
But for me, you know, just, youknow another stamp of.
You know everything is greatand my environment's helping me.
You know everything is greatand my environment's helping me.
You know, get getting gettingthat done.
Speaker 2 (29:33):
You know basically my wife, right, you know I started
when I was 42, yeah, soanything else, man, uh, like
that maybe.
Um, I know one thing for me Inever really knew how far I
could push my body.
(29:53):
I mean, people think like let'stake a marathon runner, for
instance, that takes a lot ofcardio, a lot of endurance, but
it's different, man, and thosethree or five minute rolls, like
it's an exhaustion, like youcan't believe.
So for me it was reallyrealizing how far I could push
(30:16):
my body, even, you know, in my40s, from a physical aspect?
Speaker 3 (30:21):
no for sure.
I mean, you know, I was alwaysdoing sports and you know, when
I talked to professor and he'slike how do I, you know, train
my body for it before I startedrolling?
And he's like, no, you have tostart rolling, that's the only
way to get better.
I'm like thinking to myselfthere has to be a way and I'm
like always running or doingintervals or whatever, sprinting
, but no, like the second youstart rolling.
Speaker 2 (30:45):
You can be in the best shape of your life.
I mean, we have people comingin they're in the best shape of
their life, right?
I mean, if somebody can look attyler uh and say this guy's not
in shape, the you know, they'rethe biggest liar on the planet,
right, and he'll tell you itsmokes you.
You know, uh, cal and I weretalking about that.
Um, it was yesterday or today.
(31:07):
He started doing hit trainingand stuff like that in the
mornings and because that's whathe said he wants to prepare for
when he starts rolling right,when he gets a second stripe and
uh, he's going to be in supershape.
He's going to be more shapedthan probably I I definitely was
when I started, but he's goingto hit that two minute mark and
(31:27):
it's going to be, uh, it's goingto be gas.
You know, uh, it's it's crazybe, uh, it's gonna be gas.
You know, uh, it's it's crazy.
So, yeah, for me it was.
It's cool to hear the, thedifferent lessons that it
teaches people early on.
So let's, uh, let's pivot alittle bit to.
You know, one of the things Ifound, and still find to this
(31:48):
day, um, super awesome about,about jujitsu is, you know, the
connections that I've built, thefriendships that I've made, the
, the, the jujitsu community,right and um community.
(32:18):
How has jujitsu or how hastraining maybe influenced your
social and your personal lifeand building connections and
relationships?
And you know, I'm not askinglike these, this, for you to go
super deep emotionally here, butbut, like you know, the, the,
the sense of building acommunity and making those new
connections.
Speaker 3 (32:35):
So, in general, uh, you know, I I moved here, uh
only, uh, you know, in in inOctober 23.
So, anyway, I was new to thearea, uh new to the country.
I mean, I've lived here before10 years.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
I was about to say when you say moved here, do you
mean moved to the country?
I mean I've lived here before10 years.
I was about to say when you saymoved here, do you mean move to
the?
Speaker 3 (32:53):
us.
I used to live here about 10years ago for a few years, buti
moved.
I'm from israel and uh, youknow, so I moved.
I moved here also, ironically,in october, uh, you know, uh, 23
, which is, you know, notmentioned as a good month, uh,
but you know, not dwelling onthat.
So you know, everything was new, right and getting to meet new
(33:16):
people, everything.
And you know getting to knoweveryone and seeing.
You know not just that theycare about you improving, like
we talked before, but you knowyou tend to spend a lot of time
with these people know, and youget to care about, you know, ask
about them a bit of.
You know personal stuff, theirwork, you know.
(33:37):
So you hear someone's you knowlooking for a job and or you
know just talking about hey, howmany, how many kids you have,
what are you doing with the kidsand everything.
It's kind of nice, you know.
It's like not just you, we'rehere and we're going to train
and go, and it's kind of nice.
Or sometimes we have the eventyou know we meet up at a
restaurant, or you know we didone just before the holidays,
(33:59):
and so you know it's kind ofnice, especially since for me
everything was kind of new,right.
You know moving to a completelynew place, you know kind of
starting from scratch, even.
You know with friends andeverything.
So you know kind of fit rightin.
Speaker 2 (34:16):
Yeah, and it's also I don't know if you've noticed
this, but it seems to me likethe bonds are quicker.
I don't know if that makessense.
It's like I mean, especially ifthey're they're, they're pretty
, pretty cool person.
You know what I mean?
I don't, I don't think we I'veever come across anyone that
(34:38):
that, like I, I couldn'ttolerate or whatever for for any
reason.
I mean, we, we have some amazingpeople in our school and
academy, but it's almost like wecome from different backgrounds
.
I mean, you just said you, youcame here from Israel, right,
and then you kind of alluded toit's probably during a lot of
the conflict and stuff there,right.
(34:58):
So your, your life experiencesare way different than mine and
probably most of the people, um,that we train with.
But you know, we have doctors,we have nurses, we have CEOs, we
have recruiters, we have wehave high school students, I
mean it's.
But I think we, we bond soquickly because it's it's
(35:23):
jujitsu, yeah, right, for anhour we're literally on top of
each other, right, trying tostrangle each other and, you
know, giving each other pointerson how to do it better, and
it's just kind of like just agreat equalizer and I think that
.
That is um.
I think that's something thathelps with the, with the bonding
(35:46):
part.
Speaker 3 (35:46):
yeah, in my opinion, everything's kind of already on
the table, right, I mean it'snot like you're just sitting
across someone and like, okay,making an awkward conversation
over a weird I don't know salesdinner or whatever, right, I
mean this is, you're anyway kindof, let's say, exposed, right,
I mean you're trying to tap eachother and second afterwards,
hey, good job, man, and and youknow Just tend to kind of talk,
(36:10):
you know doing drilling whatever, and everything opens up easy.
You know, don't need to tryeven.
Speaker 2 (36:18):
Yeah, I, you know.
Another question I wanted toask something that come up when
you were just now talking iswhat is there any part of the
community and you know the bondsor connections you've made.
Does any of that help keep youmotivated to continue training?
Speaker 3 (36:42):
I can say I do you know check who's you know
signing up.
So it's always nice knowing likeyou know, although, especially
now, I kind of signed for theevening so I can do also the,
you know, the competition class.
But it used to be like let'scheck if I want to see you know,
kind of you know who you wantto roll with or to partner with
(37:04):
or stuff like that.
I don't think it ever affectedif I'll ever sign or not, but it
could help if I do the noon orevening class for sure, like you
know, yeah, seeing somespecific names, you know, but I
don't think if it wasn't likethe choice was the couch or you
know, going going to the gym.
Speaker 2 (37:26):
Yeah, you're going to be training in at some point
today.
It's just which?
Which session do you want to go?
Yeah, again At some point today.
It's just which?
Which session do you want to go?
Yeah, again.
It's hard sometimes when yousee I well for us for the app,
and sometimes the app has issues, but I, um, I do check the app
(37:49):
to make sure someone's going tobe there.
Um, I, I do for me.
I definitely feel the communitykeeps me motivated.
I enjoy, because I've trainedacross all sessions multiple
times and they've always kind ofall been in my routine and we
all kind of rotate through allof them.
(38:09):
It's not, you know, we used tokind of have the morning class,
lunch class and those set forthe evening classes, but now it
just seems like as we've grown,it's kind of migrated through.
But for me it's just like man,I'm excited just to see anybody
in any of their sessions, right,because everybody's kind of so
really cool and you know we allall vibe well together.
(38:29):
Um, yeah, do it?
Do I want to go and have toroll for an hour where everybody
knows it's just going to be?
Absolutely I'm going to justget destroyed the entire time?
Um, yeah, it kind of sucks um,but if that's the only time I
know I can get there, uh, yeah,I'm not going to sit on the
(38:50):
couch right yeah, I mean again,even even if it's like you know,
this thursday, for example, andyou know I, I saw that no one's
coming.
Speaker 3 (38:59):
You know happens that I had a competition, so coach
did just like more of like, uh,like, uh, like stamina, uh and,
and, like you know, all kinds ofdrills to help like
conditioning.
That was even great, that waseven.
I was like we should do that ona regular basis.
I think we used to do somethinglike that in competition in the
(39:20):
earlier times and then it kindof stopped.
So I was doing that for an hourand I was like that's excellent.
So it's like, whenever I cancome, regardless of who is there
, I'll try.
I'll try to see what's what.
But you know I don't want toskip, you know going to class.
You know there's alwayssomething to drill.
(39:40):
Yes, you might need ribcagealignment if you get, you know,
30 minutes with coach, but youknow, it's still easy.
Speaker 2 (39:58):
But you know, yeah, yeah, yeah, it's um, I, I always
uh, I can't help myself whenthis happens.
But you know, when someonemakes their second stripe and
they kind of come over to thatside, then he eventually says,
okay, now I'm going to roll withyou.
It's almost like a car accident.
I can't look away.
All right, I'm like people aresmashing me and I'll have like
randall on top of me smashing meand but I'll be looking at
(40:23):
what's going on with coach inthe in, in the new, because I
know that pain.
But no, I, um, I, I just it's,it's so, it's so cool to have
the diversity of trainingpartners that we have from a
board.
You know we have super highcompetitors, we have high energy
(40:57):
people.
We have it's just, it's fun youget.
You got every flavor that youcould possibly want to train
with.
And you know this is this isWhite Belt Chronicles and is
white belt chronicles.
(41:17):
And you know we're focusing onthe, that first bit of your
journey.
And you know you've beenthrough the early struggles and
successes.
I would say in jujitsu.
You've already got somesuccesses.
I mean, you already have somehardware.
You've got four stripes on yourbelt, you're you're working on
studying for your test, for yourblue belt.
But if you could think aboutall the way back to day one or
whatever, what advice would yougive someone just starting out?
(41:40):
You know some of these, a fewof these people, even last week
or two, have just walked in andstarted their trial class.
What, what advice would yougive some of them?
What advice would you give someof them?
And then you know if you couldcome up with an ad or something
and it's going to be televisedto those who may be sitting on
the couch wanting to try jujitsuout.
(42:01):
So, advice for those who arejust starting and advice for
those who may be thinking aboutstarting.
Speaker 3 (42:08):
So for those who started I would say you know,
come, enjoy, make the time forit.
You know, try to be there asmuch as you can.
You know and learn new thingsand see new things.
You know, see what you could beright.
Because you just start andyou're like, am I going to be
(42:28):
any good at this?
And you know, for a long timeyou're going to feel like I
don't know how to do this right.
But you know you can see howpeople get and people are always
helpful and everyone startedthe same Like, even for me, like
amazing that now I'm alreadyhelping.
You know a new generation rightlike of people and you know or
even those with two stripes,just you know, passing their
(43:00):
test and starting to tell themwhat to do.
And I was like I was just there, I was just there.
How am, how am I already?
How so much help, you know.
So it's if you make the timefor it and and you dedicate it,
you know a good amount of timefor it, you'll be there and you
know, and it's great.
So that's definitely somethingI would say.
Someone starting and like make.
Speaker 2 (43:15):
The consistency is what you're talking about.
Yeah, I think that's important,um, especially if you really
like it, you know, if you likeyou, you know, by that second
class, if, if jiu-jitsu is goingto be for you, I feel that way,
I don't think.
J think jujitsu is somethingyou have to try for a month or
for a week to decide if it'sgoing to be for you.
(43:37):
I believe you know, you know,and what about for those people
who may be thinking aboutstarting?
I mean, I don't know if you'veever come across people.
I used to come across peoplelike this a lot.
When they'd find out I was inthe military.
They'd be like, yeah, I've beenthinking about joining.
I mean, I've been.
(43:58):
You know, I wish I would havejoined.
And we see this with jujitsutoo.
You know, we talk to people orwe come across people and they
find out, you know, we dojujitsu and they're like, yeah,
I've been thinking about that.
I hear a lot about that.
What would you say to thosepeople?
Speaker 3 (44:12):
You know, come try something new.
You know it's like test yourbody.
So many things, right, I meanwe, we talked about it.
You know, for now, in if it's,you know coordination,
remembering, you know techniques, stamina, when you start
rolling so many things.
So even for me, before evenrolling, I kind of felt I'm
(44:33):
still doing some sort of a goodworkout.
You know, I'm feeling that mybody is doing all kinds of
things, grips and whatnot.
Speaker 2 (44:50):
And you know, especially if someone's always
doing some sort of sports,definitely something new, you
know, type of fighting anddefinitely worth trying.
Thanks so much for kind ofsharing that insight and really
just giving some perspective ofhow people can kind of reach
those that are interested intraining, those that are just
starting because it's importantright, those that are just
(45:14):
starting because it's importantright, and I think you talked a
little bit about this alreadybecause you you shared about
what happened with your knee, orit was your knee right, yeah,
with your knee and um, butthere's, there's always.
You have those moments of doubtand if you do like and maybe
(45:38):
this is talking to the, theother white belts out there who
are kind of early in theirjourney how do you deal with
things like that setbacks,moments of doubt.
You know you had mentionedrealizing that jiu-jitsu is
starting to make sense to you,but before that you had to do
something right, right, I mean,it makes sense you know, when,
when you have the, the option,the opportunity, but sometimes
(46:01):
you, you roll and and for a longtime now I've been rolling only
with blue belts.
Speaker 3 (46:05):
It just happens that you know noon classes, blue
belts, you know, it's youRandall, you know Marco, and and
at the evening, the same, youknow, with competition class,
alex.
So there were times that I wouldcome and I would get I always
get, you know, being led and I'monly defending, you know,
(46:26):
that's all I'm doing for fiveminutes.
But there have been times thatI would, you know, really be,
you know, bad and I felt likeyou know, and like a few days
straight going back feeling likeman, this is, you know, I suck,
right, I mean it's annoying,and you feel like you finish and
you know after, you know thelast round, after we're doing
(46:47):
the row and people are sittingchatting and you're like sitting
and like, damn, that was a bad.
You know, I didn't feel like Idid anything useful.
Today it happened and again ithappened after that milestone,
definitely beforehand, but youknow, to get over it.
First of all I had people justcome over and say it was
(47:09):
noticeable that you wereimproving.
Like don't bring yourself down,it's noticeable that you're
improving, like, don't bringyourself down.
So it's like Alex he likes tocheer me up when I get tapped
too many times.
Or even Sandy, one time I thinkwasn't rolling because
something was, you know, maybeher knee, but she was like
listen, I'm seeing it, you aregetting better.
I mean, don't you know, putyourself through much pressure
(47:32):
and that helps.
So we talked about thecommunity.
So the community will help youget over the setback 100%.
Speaker 2 (47:38):
Yeah, Thanks so much for uh sharing that.
I uh, I couldn't agree more.
I really like how you you knowit.
It sounds like you were sayingthat really it's the community
that helps you overcome setback,and we've talked about the
community earlier, earlier inthe chat, and I think I think
that's one of the community thathelps you overcome setback, and
we've talked about thecommunity earlier, earlier in
the chat, and I think I thinkthat's one of the things that
would keep me going too and didkeep me going.
(47:59):
I mean, I don't think I've eversaid I want to quit jujitsu, but
I mean there are times whereyour mind plays tricks on you,
right?
You You're like man, do I needto be doing this?
But it lasts usually about fourseconds and you go to the next
role and do a lot better right?
(48:19):
So well, let's talk a littlebit before we get to the end of
the episode today and talk alittle bit about what's next.
You know what are your goals?
Maybe as a white belt, Most ofthe time as a white belt, our
goal the time as as a white belt, or goals to become a blue belt
.
But there may be some morespecific goals.
There may be some things andtechniques that you want to
(48:40):
improve on, that you really likeand and and that sort of thing,
and then also now that you'vestarted competing.
So really two questions thefirst one around, uh, the things
that you want to improve andthings like that and your goals
as a white belt.
And then the second question is, now that you're competing,
(49:02):
where do you want to end up inyour competition career, say,
four or five years down the road?
Speaker 3 (49:10):
you know, of course you want to do your blue belt.
I also want, no, not just tostudy for the test, right as a
test that you're just going over, but like really feeling that
I'm, you know, I deserve thatbelt, right.
I mean, there's always winning,winning, competition, and
you're saying you, know if I wina competition?
Speaker 1 (49:30):
do I?
Speaker 3 (49:31):
get a belt and I'll be honest, if I would have won
yesterday, I still don't think Iwould have, like I wouldn't
want to get a belt because I'mstill not there.
So I want to have that feeling.
So of course I'm going to studyfor the test regardless, right,
you want to be prepared.
But it's also feeling that Iknow, okay, I belong here, you
(49:55):
know I can wear that blue withpride, right.
So it's not just you know.
So that's important for me tofeel that, to see that I'm there
.
I'm still not there, of course,you know, still hopefully not
too far.
I want to say.
I want to say that may want tofeel different, may maybe, you
know, especially if I cancompete as well and you know
tabak cancer, and then may maybethat's, that's enough, that's
(50:17):
not too far, that's three monthsdown, but you know.
But, but also you know itbuilds with the moves, right.
So I mentioned that I'm kind ofhaving my own rhythm, but I I
still think that I'm, you know,a lot of things stand up game
for sure.
I want to improve, I want to.
Up until the competition, Iwasn't even sure on what I don't
.
Usually I don't pull guard,right.
Speaker 2 (50:41):
Yeah, I noticed you started doing that a lot more
lately.
Like you pulled the guard a fewtimes when we were rolling last
Wednesday I was yeah, usuallygo for takedown.
Speaker 3 (50:51):
Until recently.
Do I pull guard, Do I try?
to sweep or even go to takedownWhatever like a trip.
You and I started kind ofgetting into what I'm going to
try to do based on what andthat's definitely something
because, especially competingagain, it's not like you know
everything's competition.
You know you want to win rolesduring the week week, but it's
(51:14):
like if I don't have a plangoing in and I'm just kind of,
you know, moving around orgetting grips, I'm getting just
getting being led the entire rowand I want to start doing.
That gave me the confidence tokind of always be in a down
position and kind of know how todefend, but I also need to
start leading.
So definitely something I Iwant to achieve yeah, is there
(51:41):
any?
Speaker 2 (51:41):
has there ever?
Is there any been?
How can I say this?
Let me start over.
Is there any technique or guardor submission that that really,
uh, you enjoy and that you'reworking on?
Uh?
Speaker 3 (51:54):
you know, I started doing the last of a lot.
Uh, you helped me also kind ofimprove that technique a bit.
Yeah some good success in mylast yeah, that's a good one.
So uh, but now people know I doit, so they know how to defend
it.
So so it's kind of also welleven if they know I'm gonna do
it still.
You know, being able to do so,or especially, for example, um,
(52:18):
on the other side, being inguard and and I was always
terrible and, and you know,escaping the guard, I could
never escape it.
And then I started doing, youknow, uh, the south power pass,
and suddenly boom, it kind ofworked, but now people are
expecting it.
It kind of worked, but nowpeople are expecting it.
So I kind of have to set back.
It's always harder for me now,but you know, so just improving,
having those moves that I doand just perfect them every time
(52:41):
, you know, and then no matterif people know they're coming,
they're still going to work.
Speaker 2 (52:49):
As we kind of wrap up , is there anything that you
know?
Uh, maybe takeaways or lessonsyou'd like to leave with the,
the listeners, and also, uh, youknow how can, how can the
listeners maybe connect with you, um, if they'd like to follow
your journey?
Uh, I have the caffeinatedjujitsu community podcast.
(53:11):
I don't know if you do anythingon IG, twitter or anything like
that.
Um, like that, um, but yeah,you just any, any kind of final
takeaways and then any, you knowhow, how can people get in
touch with?
Speaker 3 (53:22):
you.
They want to connect, learnmore takeaways.
Like you see, so many optionsopen up once you start right.
I mean you can just go to class, you know you meet people, or
you can go and compete.
I even see myself likehopefully again, you know, with
a baby on the way.
I need to see how it goes, butI want to even travel.
For that I would say, you know,find something, you know, up to
(53:44):
eight hours drive even, I don'tcare, do a weekend out of it,
go there, you know I.
I mentioned memphis at thestart it's in a week.
I'm not gonna do it because Ican't even sign up, but like, if
that would be in a month, Iwould do it, I would just go,
you know.
You know, take maybe anotherday off of work, just so you
know it's an extended weekend,or whatever.
Go, compete, be with the familyI love you know getting the car
(54:06):
driving.
You know one of the the thingsthat we, we kind of do a lot.
So definitely more than just ahobby, right, I mean, it's
embedded in my life, sodefinitely something that you
know.
Once you start, you can have somany options and, of course,
putting aside the fact that,competing itself, you know
putting yourself in deep waters.
(54:27):
You know testing your body.
You know thinking about theoutcomes.
That's, that's definitelysomething I want to.
Speaker 2 (54:33):
I want to do more you know, let me, let me ask you
this um, not not to interruptyou or cut you off, but um, so
you're about to have your thirdchild and this is something I
think about, because you know, Ihave five kids um all boys
what's the ratio of yourchildren, whether they're man,
(54:55):
what?
What do you think about thempossibly seeing dad competing
and all of this and then gettinginto jiu-jitsu?
Have you thought about that?
Speaker 3 (55:05):
because I think about that.
So my daughter always kind ofI'm trying to get her to try a
class and she's like sometimes,yes, I want to come and
sometimes no.
I even showed her, you know, inInstagram how old is she kids
and she's like, yeah, you can dothat and that kids are doing it
as well.
My son always says he wants,but he's four so he can't do it
(55:26):
yet.
So he might come and even incompetitions first competition,
I come, I go by myself and Idon't you know first competition
, I come, I go by myself.
I don't even know theenvironment.
Speaker 2 (55:36):
Yep.
Speaker 3 (55:41):
But I know something, and you know always, you know,
warms the heart and you know,after all, I came home and like,
oh, we're so proud of you.
And like, oh, we're so happyand I see the medal.
Speaker 2 (55:50):
I'm looking at your medal.
Do I call this?
I'd be?
And I see the medal.
Speaker 3 (55:52):
Looking at your medal , like, oh, this is so cool.
My dad he was like it's a goodmedal, come sit with me, tell me
about what was the tournament.
Like Like really expect, andthat you know melted me away.
It was so fun and like thinkingabout even telling my wife
today.
You know, let's see it's kindof a you know lengthy day, but
(56:14):
let's see how we can do next.
Next, you know, tournament,maybe we bring the kids, you
know.
Maybe, maybe you know, butdefinitely something I want to
get them involved.
I think, um, we also had a talkall the you know um, before the
podium.
So so you know, guy who wonfirst place, the third, they all
have kids doing both, have kidsdoing jiu-jitsu.
And I was like man, everyone'sbringing their kids, gotta how
(56:36):
can listeners uh connect withyou?
Speaker 2 (56:39):
do you have ig that people follow you at?
Speaker 3 (56:41):
I'm not really active email or anything you know, uh,
ig, facebook, whatever.
Um, it's just, you know my name, so yako van the score colon.
But um, mean, I'm there, I goand see what Alliance just
posted on a regular that's aboutit Exactly.
(57:05):
That's all I do Fist-muffing.
But you know, sometimes there'sa conversation, Sometimes I'll
upload something, but basicallyI'm just tagged and seeing
what's what.
Speaker 2 (57:20):
Yeah, yeah.
Well, it's just good thatpeople would have a place if
they had any questions, becausea lot of people listen to the
podcast and now it's going to becool to see that we're putting
a face and video to this.
So thank you so much for againbeing the first one in the shoot
for video.
So, yeah, man, well, look, uh.
That's a wrap for this episodeof caffeinated jujitsu and our
(57:43):
very first episode in the seriesof white belt Chronicles.
If you have enjoyed uh today'sepisode, don't forget to
subscribe, share it with yourtraining partners and leave us a
review on your favorite podcastplatforms.
Remember to stay connected onthe Caffeinated Jiu-Jitsu
Instagram page if you haven'tjoined that, for updates and
(58:06):
shows, access to shows and forjust overall Jiu-Jitsu
inspiration.
And remember that every day onthe mat is progress.
Train smart, roll safe and keepyour passion brewing strong.
We'll see you next time.
Speaker 1 (58:23):
And that's the final tap on today's episode of
Caffeinated Jujitsu.
A big thanks to all of ourlisteners, especially today's
insightful guest, for sharingtheir BJJ knowledge and tales.
If you felt that adrenalinerush and are hungry for more,
hit, subscribe, drop a reviewand spread the jujitsu buzz.
(58:45):
For show notes and to contactthe host, reach out to the email
provided in the podcastdescription and to join our
grappling community, head overto Instagram.
Get those geese, crisp yourcoffee strong and always be
prepared for the next roll Oss.
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