Dr. Frederick Lenz has been a tremendous influence on me over the years. He is a model teacher. One of the best. His eloquence and insights into how to approach life are extremely useful. If you are interested in how I launched the Academy, the key to my path is in the video above.
I am hard at work on my next app, The BJJ Journey, and I have been going through some archived photos, all the way back to my time in Japan. Featured above are some shots from a skydiving bachelor party for my friend Tien Lee. I’m a lightweight when it comes to jumping out of planes, but I found it to be a marvelous experience. Sometimes it’s tough stepping into the void, but that danger is what makes it an enlightening experience.
Congratulations to Marcos for capturing the gold medal in the Master and Senior International Championships! Marcos fought 5 times on route to his victory. Bravo!!!
It was a very inspired weekend with Marcos Torregrossa, who taught several classes at the academy, in addition to a fantastic half guard seminar.
We have been fortunate to have an influx of higher level practitioners at the dojo. Ralph Gracie brown belt Paul Moresi joined the Academy and teaches on Saturday. Rafael Lavato Jr. black belt Ben Baxter dropped in last week and shared his x passing skills with us. And now Marcos. I am excited by the new influx of information, the stylistic variances, and how it’s keeping the Academy evolving.
Professor Torregrossa was always good. He won the World Championships as a blue belt, and is currently is a world class black belt in the lightweight division. His game is off the hook. I was able to experience a top level, state of the art competition game. Shiny and new. Aggressive and sharp.
If Kano Jiu Jitsu was version 1.0, and BJJ was 2.0, this was 2.5. It utilized Brabo chokes, De La Riva, 50/50, spider guard, half-guard, deep-half, judo gripping, wrestling, footlocks, and advanced combinations that included the key transitions that win at the World level. His system was numbered as well. It was all mapped out. Nothing was left to chance. He knew what to go for at all times. There is a gulf between a solid black belt and a world class competitor. That can be difficult to believe for some, but once you feel it, you understand. I have felt it a few times now. It leaves an impression.
Although originally receiving his black belt from Cassio Werneck, Marcos sought out Lloyd Irvin to take him to the podium at the largest tournaments in the world. Master Lloyd is doing that for him. Marcos spoke with great respect of Lloyd Irvin’s personal abilities on the mat, in addition to his coaching style. Team Lloyd Irvin are a passionate, focused team, and I’m excited that Marcos was able to find a home for his competitive spirit.
Marcos shut me down when we rolled. From the moment he grabbed my gi, I could feel the power. And the focused intent. He broke my grips off at will. The force he generated with his legs was so well directed and so precisely placed that I couldn’t keep up with the threats. There was no gap between them. Overlapping threats. He showed me a triangle setup that he used on me. It was brilliant. I cannot wait to use it. Tricky, sophisticated, and aggressive. There are no playful exchanges in the competition game. Someone is winning and someone is losing, at all times. It’s physical and psychological punishment, in a campaign to impose your will.
Marcos is one of the most dedicated athletes I have had the pleasure of being around. Focused intent abounds in him. The hill behind my house is a punishing sprint. 10 trips up is hellish. Marcos did 20 sprints to start the morning, with guard passing movements on the way down. Then he taught a private lesson, a 3 hour seminar, which included some rolling, then went back to the house for a Crossfit workout. Normal day. He is conditioned, acrobatic, flexible, and precise. Everything you need to win at the World level. The knife could not be sharper.
I’m looking forward to having Marcos return, not only to teach, but to be a training partner and keep me up to date with the latest evolutions. Marcos is living, breathing, and training jiu jitsu for the most demanding application of the art: competition. We thank him for sharing his knowledge with us.
My good friend Marcos Torregrossa will be doing seminar this Saturday, July 16th, from 2 to 5 p.m at the Academy. There will be no morning class at 11 a.m. The seminar fee is only $40.
Marcos is a very technical black belt and a fierce competitor. You can check out his excellent instruction on the popular iTunes app “BJJ Sweeps.”
Marcos won the Mundials (World Championships) as a blue belt, and later competed at the United Gracie competition, where we met in the finals. You can see him submit me with a beautiful triangle/armlock in the video below. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to train with one of the best!
Congratulations to Harris International BJJ Black Belt Sheila Bird in her impressive victory over the very game Kim Couture. Bravo!
Here’s a video I put together for BJJ Weekly.com, showing one possible path out from side control. I am looking to expand on this format for Brown Belt Requirements, which will be coming out this year!
Congratulations to Alan Shade on a smooth purple belt demonstration. Great combinations and the heart of a fighter. Bravo!
Filmed and edited by Becky Creswell
Uke: Byron Powell
Match 1: Kellyn Smythe
Match 2: Rick Ellis
Match 3: Richard Ponti-Smith
Match 4: Donald Bowerman
Music: “End of Days”, “Anthem”, and “UB2” by Roy Dean
You don’t set a goal to become a red and black belt. You fall in love with the journey and arrive there one day after a lifetime of dedication. Huge congratulations to Professor Jean Jacques Machado on his promotion, and for beautifully expressing what this art can do for each of us.
I am proud of each one of you for flying the flag. It does not matter if you win or lose. Rather, I thank you for your dedication.