The More Things Change the More They Stay the Same
Two weeks ago, I was planning a 3-5 week road-trip from Atlanta to L.A.
Last week I was packing up boxes and sending them on a truck to Los Angeles.
We had given notice on the condo we're staying in. There is a countdown timer on my computer to the day we are moving out. 26 days, 21 hours, 22 minutes.
However it is looking more and more like we might be in Atlanta a bit longer, several months longer. That of course could change by this afternoon and change back the next day or in a week. But right now it looks like Atlanta.
Which is why 2 days ago I posted this:
In exactly one week's time are two events that are very much part of my "physical" world and both happening in Atlanta, 2012 NAGA ATLANTA GRAPPLING CHAMPIONSHIP and the Tough Mudder Georgia. The problem is, for a variety of reasons, I hadn't planned to do either.
Two weeks ago, I was planning a 3-5 week road-trip from Atlanta to L.A.
Last week I was packing up boxes and sending them on a truck to Los Angeles.
We had given notice on the condo we're staying in. There is a countdown timer on my computer to the day we are moving out. 26 days, 21 hours, 22 minutes.
However it is looking more and more like we might be in Atlanta a bit longer, several months longer. That of course could change by this afternoon and change back the next day or in a week. But right now it looks like Atlanta.
Which is why 2 days ago I posted this:
In exactly one week's time are two events that are very much part of my "physical" world and both happening in Atlanta, 2012 NAGA ATLANTA GRAPPLING CHAMPIONSHIP and the Tough Mudder Georgia. The problem is, for a variety of reasons, I hadn't planned to do either.
Brazilian Jiujitsu, a Tough Mudder and X3
When we first got to Atlanta, one of the first things on my to-do list was to find a place to do Brazilian Jujitsu. I was going to take my time and find a good quality place to train. I promised myself I wouldn't settle for the first place I walked into. X3 Sports was right down the street from us, literally a 10 maybe 15 minute walk. They had BJJ as well as yoga and kickboxing, etc. I tried a class, had a great time.
When we first got to Atlanta, one of the first things on my to-do list was to find a place to do Brazilian Jujitsu. I was going to take my time and find a good quality place to train. I promised myself I wouldn't settle for the first place I walked into. X3 Sports was right down the street from us, literally a 10 maybe 15 minute walk. They had BJJ as well as yoga and kickboxing, etc. I tried a class, had a great time.
The instructor, Tony Tucci, treated me like family from that first night. Skye tried out a kickboxing class the next day and was hooked. The picture above was one she took for her photography class when the topic was "Your Favorite Things".
When we had to move from our first place in Atlanta, we moved into the condo we're in specifically because of its proximity to X3. It's across the street. It's literally become a home away from home.
"Tony Tucci, the head instructor at X3 Sports, is quickly becoming known as one of the best trainers for all aspects of an MMA fighter."
When we had to move from our first place in Atlanta, we moved into the condo we're in specifically because of its proximity to X3. It's across the street. It's literally become a home away from home.
"Tony Tucci, the head instructor at X3 Sports, is quickly becoming known as one of the best trainers for all aspects of an MMA fighter."
Then there was Nichole, who does Tough Mudders. Most people have no idea what I'm talking about when I say that I do "extreme races" like the Tough Mudder or the Spartan race. She's done more Mudders than I have.
Of all the "extreme races" I've done over the years, I've always been on my own, except for the ones where you had have a partner to enter. But the longer, harder, real extreme ones, I've been on my own.
At the upcoming Georgia Tough Mudder, I know several people that are doing it.
But since I wasn't even sure if we were going to be here I didn't bother signing up, much less training.
The truth be told, I could go out and finish the mudder, it's more mental than physical, at least for me. I just didn't want to be cold and miserable for three hours. I can't stand the cold water elements. I've done a couple of them, one in sub-freezing conditions while it snowed on us. I've earned my orange headband. But it would have been fun to do it with a group.
Of all the "extreme races" I've done over the years, I've always been on my own, except for the ones where you had have a partner to enter. But the longer, harder, real extreme ones, I've been on my own.
At the upcoming Georgia Tough Mudder, I know several people that are doing it.
But since I wasn't even sure if we were going to be here I didn't bother signing up, much less training.
The truth be told, I could go out and finish the mudder, it's more mental than physical, at least for me. I just didn't want to be cold and miserable for three hours. I can't stand the cold water elements. I've done a couple of them, one in sub-freezing conditions while it snowed on us. I've earned my orange headband. But it would have been fun to do it with a group.
More Jiujitsu
On October 15, I attended my first BJJ seminar ever hosted by X3 Sports. It was taught by Helio Soneca,
Interestingly enough, he studied with the Machado brothers. In fact, he got his blue belt from Rigan Machado, the same person that gave me mine, albeit years apart.
On October 15, I attended my first BJJ seminar ever hosted by X3 Sports. It was taught by Helio Soneca,
Interestingly enough, he studied with the Machado brothers. In fact, he got his blue belt from Rigan Machado, the same person that gave me mine, albeit years apart.
Kit's one of X3's trainers and one of my favorite guys to roll with. He gives me a serious run for my money
Grappling with Competing
I love jiujitsu. I had stopped training for a few years and missed it way too much. It's become part of me. It helps me relax and keeps me in shape. When I'm training jiujitsu, I don't think about anything else that's going on, I am completely in the moment. It's where I find my flow.
When I spar with someone, of course I am trying to make them tap and not get tapped. But it is not an ego thing. It is about improving my game, my skill. Which is why I have only competed once around 13 years ago. Competition jiujitsu is a very different game. It's about points and time and winning. These are things that don't interest me. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it all it's just not why I do jiujitsu.
Doing it for the Team
I honestly have very little interest in competing. If I did I would specifically train to that end. I'm not even sure about the rules and points. I'll have to do some homework before this weekend. But it does mean something to a lot of the guys I train with and to Tony. And because X-3 and everyone there have been so welcoming to Skye and myself I'll compete. And I'm sure I'll have a great time, win or lose.
I hadn't made up my mind until this morning just before taking a yoga class and Tony said, "What do I got to do to get you to do NAGA?" and that's all he had to say.
I love jiujitsu. I had stopped training for a few years and missed it way too much. It's become part of me. It helps me relax and keeps me in shape. When I'm training jiujitsu, I don't think about anything else that's going on, I am completely in the moment. It's where I find my flow.
When I spar with someone, of course I am trying to make them tap and not get tapped. But it is not an ego thing. It is about improving my game, my skill. Which is why I have only competed once around 13 years ago. Competition jiujitsu is a very different game. It's about points and time and winning. These are things that don't interest me. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it all it's just not why I do jiujitsu.
Doing it for the Team
I honestly have very little interest in competing. If I did I would specifically train to that end. I'm not even sure about the rules and points. I'll have to do some homework before this weekend. But it does mean something to a lot of the guys I train with and to Tony. And because X-3 and everyone there have been so welcoming to Skye and myself I'll compete. And I'm sure I'll have a great time, win or lose.
I hadn't made up my mind until this morning just before taking a yoga class and Tony said, "What do I got to do to get you to do NAGA?" and that's all he had to say.
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