What was different this time around?

• Started to invest in some Jiu-jitsu podcasts and books
• Signed up for BOTH no Gi and Gi.
• Inspiring moments

Podcast/Books

No Gi Bracket (3 Fighters)

No Gi bout caught me off guard as the time for it switched to closer than on time. I didn’t have much time to stretch or warm up so I was high-strung but it might have been to my advantage.

No Gi Bout 1

My opponent looked very intimidating but skills always triumph as well as having Coach in my corner (he didn’t have a Coach – I know how that feels based on my 1^st competition .

No Gi Bout 2 – Round 1 + Overtime

“Won by decision” in the second bout meaning we tied 2-2 but the ref said I won (Cool, new experience).

Gi Bracket (3 Fighters)

Should have made use of the downtime. Was stalling too much and I think also was in a cooldown phase after the unexpected adrenaline showdown from being caught off guard before a match in the first No Gi bout. Or maybe I was tired from those two bouts. Now I understand that there’s some strategy in pacing myself throughout the competition.

Gi Bout 1

Gi Bout 2

Inspiration Aftermath

My Coach shared a voice message from my first opponent in No Gi taking the time to show respect to me, Coach, and the Academy. Much thanks to coach and thankful for the opportunity to represent my Academy!

One of my close friends of 10+ years took out time in his busy schedule with a newborn and all to come watch me. He kept his word and came. He couldn’t stay for my Gi matches but still came for support! He told me how inspired he was while watching me and how it made him want to practice Jiu-jitsu.

It was awesome to watch and cheer on my teammates who I’ve been training for the past 6 months. Seeing them compete too was a great end and test. One of my teammate said it was fun watching me fight. A lot of sweat and hours was poured on the mats and seeing them compete for the first time as White Belts and comrades was a special moment…

Till’ next time,

Ossu!

The post 6 Months of Jiu-Jitsu – Competition with the Team appeared first on .

Whether you hate or love Ronda Rousey think again because what you see in media is often an illusion driven by business decisions – not the slightest truth. What we can learn though after setting aside our personal opinions are the success principles how Ronda Rousey became Rowdy Ronda Rousey that the world knows: bronze Olympic medalist, first women’s UFC Bantamweight world champion, and actress. Success leaves clues so here are 3 reasons why Rowdy Ronda Rousey is the success that we come to know today.

1. Rousey Has a Strong WHY

Her Father’s Vision for Her

Since a child, little Ronda was instilled a belief through her father’s eyes to be an Olympic champion. She initially was aiming at swimming but switched over to Judo following the footstep of her mother AnneMaria. Due to a sled accident injury, her father became disabled and health started to deteriorate and didn’t want to be a burden to his family so he unplugged his own tubes and committed suicide when she was the age of 8. Ronda was close to her father so she aims to please him. Even after making it to the Olympics she was still disappointed in herself for not getting the Gold although she received a Bronze medal in Judo for USA. Her strong WHY was for her father as she rise to fame through UFC also.

Motivated by Spite

Ronda is also motivated by spite and therefore wanted to prove Dana White wrong who made a comment that there will never be a women in the UFC. After two years since that comment, Ronda made him swallow his own words.

Rousey vs Correia – Rousey defeated her in 34 seconds after an intense buildup drama where Correia talked trashed about Rousey’s family.

2. Rousey’s Circle of Champions

Her Coaches

1. Gene Lebell – Former professional wrestler
2. Gary Stretch – Former British & WBC International Super Welterweight Boxing Champion
3. Gokor Chivichyan – Armenian judo, submission grappling, and mixed martial arts instructor. Considered one of the most complete grapplers of all time.
4. Edmond Tarverdyan – MMA Coach

Her Mother

AnnMaria De Mars who was a former USA Olympic gold medalist. Her mother stated that Ronda was better in Judo than herself. Ronda’s mother taught Ronda’s signature move, the arm-bar.

3. Rousey’s Skills and Talent

Her Arm-bar

Her signature move is the arm bar. She’s defeated so many of her opponents within minutes with a takedown using her Judo followed by armbar.

Her Judo skills

She’s skilled in Judo obviously since she was a former Bronze Olympic medalist and trained by the best at an early age.

Her Heart of Gold

Her training partners said she would cry when she gets thrown but she came back harder. She has a desire to conquer her opponent and while never giving up.

She has an insane work ethic. Always showing up to put in the work.

Conclusion

So there you have it the 3 reasons why Rowdy Ronda Rousey is a success. There’s no fluke to success. These are the ingredients if you will that allowed her to achieve such staggering accolades.  It is a combination of internal motivation, environmental surroundings, and talent. See which attributes of Ronda’s success that you can replicate and then you will eventually be near the top too in whichever endeavor you choose.

Questions to think about:

What is your strong internal motivation for what you do?

How far do you want to go and where do you see yourself?

Who are you surrounded by and are they supporting your goals?

Are you putting in the hours and the work?

What are your talents, skills, or attributes?

Share in the comments below.

Resource

The post 3 Reasons Why Rowdy Ronda Rousey is a Success Story appeared first on .

Jiu-jitsu (Jujutsu or Ju-Jitsu) was used during the time of the Samurai in Japan. It was a form of close combat self-defense used against armored warriors. These techniques consist of pins, throws, join locks and the use of a knife.

What is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was the adaptation of Jiu-Jitsu by the Gracie brothers. The Brazilians made it their own in particular with the addition of ground fighting techniques such as fighting from the guard position.

Key Figures in the History Who Shaped Jiu-Jitsu

Jigoro Kano

Jigoro Kano was the founder of Judo or “the gentle way” who basically comprised and saved jiu-jitsu from extinction when Japan became westernized. The days of the samurai was over and so there was not a need for jiu-jitsu but Jigoro Kano learned and sought out teachers of the art. At the time Judo and Jiu-Jitsu were used interchangeably. There were more emphasis on throws and locks than the modern day Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of ground fighting. Judo became Japan’s international sport.

Sada Miyako

Sada Miyako was the first to bring Jiu-Jitsu to Brazil. He performed matches in circus. He lost to a well-known Capoeira fighter. But the wave of Jiu-Jitsu did not catch on.

Mitsuyo Maeda

Mitsuyo Maeda or Conde Koma or “Count Combat” was a prizefighter who traveled internationally to spread Judo or Jiu-Jitsu in many countries. He was one of Jigoro Kano’s top students. Maeda eventually settled in Brazil where he started teaching Jiu-Jitsu to the public. He taught Carlos Gracie for three years. At the time, Maeda did not use the term Judo so the art was known as Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil. Also Maeda did not use any belt ranking structure – one would assume he did not try to follow the Kano lineage when he started his Jiu-Jitsu school. Maeda also knows how to fight without a kimino or gi which was commonly worn during practice. Without Maeda, Jiu-Jitsu would not have a strong foundation in Brazil.

The Gracie Brothers

There were five Gracie brothers who practiced Jiu-Jitsu. Carlos Gracie as mentioned above handled the business side while Helio Gracie fought and challenge many fighters from boxers, wrestlers, to capoeira often winning their matches. The Gracie brothers also challenged other Japanese Jiu-Jitsu fighters (there were many Japanese immigrants to Brazil) mostly ending in draws. The Japanese Jiu-Jitsu fighters would have the upper hand when it comes to throwing the Brazilian Gracie brothers but the Gracies adapted to ground fighting. The Gracies invented “the Guard.” This is where Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became drastically different than Japanese Judo/Jiu-Jitsu with its emphasis on ground fighting. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu became Brazil’s international sport. This is the popular Gracie family name you hear often in modern day.

Masahiko Kimura

Masahiko Kimura also practiced under Jigoro Kano’s lineage. He was one of top fighters and immigrants to Brazil. Helio Gracie had a determination to challenge the best fighters so he sought out to face Kimura. Helio had to face a disciple of Kimura, Yukio Kato before he was allowed to fight Kimura. After winning his bout with Yukio Helio versus Kimura was a widely publicized Jiu-Jitsu event. Kimura won with a joint arm lock (called the “Kimura”) against Helio. Helio retired after his fight with Kimura. The significance of this story is this matched increased the popularity of Jiu-Jitsu and where the joint lock name “Kimura” originated.

Oswoldo Fadda

Oswoldo Fadda was a student who practiced under Mitsuyo Maeda (Japanese who taught Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil). Fadda opened his own Jiu-Jitsu school which became a rival school against the Gracies. Fadda stepped up to the challenge against the Gracies. Although it was reportedly a draw – some say Fadda’s students were decisively the victor. His students were specialized in the straight ankle joint lock. Fadda is worth mentioning because the Gracies were not the only prominent Jiu-Jitsu school around. The Gracies did however had a remarkable public relation and business marketing display of its brand thanks to Carlos Gracie and Helio Gracie.

Conclusion

I find it fascinating that the founder of Judo, Jigoro Kano adapted Jiu-Jitsu from Samurai fighting to civilian-life fighting and how he was frail and weak but made the art work for him. This shift was also displayed by Helio Gracie who was also weak and frail yet he was very deadly in the guard or ground fighting. Both key figures were weak and frail but adapted and revolutionized Jiu-Jitsu for better.

That is one thing you will notice with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. If you practice long enough you will not fear an opponent who’s stronger or heavier than because you have good technical skills.

In a similar light Wing Chug was invented by a Chinese nun. What true warriors who never gave up but turn a “disadvantage” to an advantage.

Ossu!

Resources:

For an awesome YouTube video based on the highlights above check out: Part 1 and Part 2 of The History of Jiu-Jitsu from LateNightStories.

The post The History of Jiu-Jitsu appeared first on .