I fell off the jits wagon for a couple of years because of engineering school and later working in Newfoundland. When i cam back Alex was a brown belt.

For the last four years Alex taught many of classes that I attended and laid the smack down at open rolls. We were all pretty much in awe of his ability, a lethal combination of ferocity and technicality. He’s also a terrific teacher with a commanding presence. He has since gone to open his own gym with his famous cousin, the mighty TJ Grant. So I don’t get beat up by him as much these days. Except occasionally at his open mats.

It’s awesome to see a friend get his black belt and be recognized for a level of mastery. Mostly because that’s a level I aspire to and also it’s great to see someone achieve sustained success.

Alex doesn’t seem invincible to me anymore as a purple belt but I still wouldn’t bet against him in a death match. My perspective now is he has more mat time solving bio-mechanical riddles under pressure. It seems like jits is an accumulation of tactics and techniques, and when you’re a blue belt you still don’t know much compared to a black belt. So it’s a change of context and each person travels their own path. Alex certainly knows a lot about jiujitsu, including the obnoxious worm guard.

I’m more focused on defeating similar ranked guys in tournaments than going hard after black belts. I like to respect higher belts, give em hard time, try to score against them but it’s more about learning rolling with the big dogs.

P.S. Shout out to Cam Daniels who also got his black belt, a cool guy and killer on the mats. I don’t know Cam as well but last time I rolled with him he tapped me at least 3 times.

Shine on you crazy Diamonds!

💎

Though I outweigh Rob by 15 ibs, it rarely seems that way. Rob will roll 10 rounds and still be looking around the room for more souls to consume. He’s hard to sweep and loves to setup shop in the split squat position and smash your guard.

Rob is a bit of a sand bagger because he’s got 3 stripes on the purple beltch. And he goes around with one that’s falling off because he doesn’t care about rank. I think he’s closing on brown belt. But I don’t understand how promotions work.

He’s here to compete and evolve, it seems. But you never know he might secretly be a vigilante.

Shine on Sir Rob!

🌊

The strategy that’s gotten me this far is

• focus on pin and submission escapes
• develop half guard and open guard
• pass in both direction
• pass from half guard
• attack the back
• watch video series by great instructors
• remove physical limitations via mobility daily
• compete a couple times a year
• learn from your mistakes
• train because you enjoy it
• don’t focus on belts

I wasn’t the only promotion prior to lockdown 2.0.

Kealan got his fourth stripe. Kealan is a handful to deal with. If he takes mount watch out. That Ezikiel is coming for ya. Kealan is the man with the hidden jiujitsu plan. Respect Kealan!

The Wizard Khalifa earned two stripes on his blue belt. Khalifa is quick and he won’t tap unless he’s going to sleep. He’s been having some trouble with his ankles. I’ve been preaching shinrolls and shooter squats, dunno if it’s helping.

Brian must have 4 stripes by now. Brian is an big, strong guy with solid base. I think he trained judo once upon a time.

Aristotle is the energizer bunny and earned 2 stripes. Aristotle has a great attitude and endless cardio. We’ve gone running before and after finishing the run he’ll go again. Or do a big calithenics workout. It’s going to be interesting watching his game develop because he’s a small guy. He’ll have to be technical.

Zack got his fourth stripe. Zack is another dog to roll with. He has more of an MMA, wrestling style. Double leg passes, will compete for top position. Great attitude, mellow pleasant dude. He has Mutant flexibility and has competed in MMA. Might be nuts?

Sam got two stripes. I’m amazed women even train jits. It’s such a gnarly, painful, dangerous hobby in the initial phases and they’re rolling with dudes much bigger, heavier, stronger. It’s quite amazing. Way to go Sam.

Josh got three stripes. Josh is long, strong and a great attitude. Josh is fun to joke around with.

For whatever reason I tend to miss stripes being given out so I striped up my blue belt before wrapping it up for good. Blue and black are my favorite colors so I’ll miss wearing that dashing combo.

Onward and upwards.

🌊

I don’t much care for the term Rear Naked Strangle.

It’s my most reliable weapon.

I like the Japanese name.

The better your posture the more structurally sturdy you will be on the mats. Posture appears to be largely habitual.

If you slouch all the time you’ll get better at slouching. The converse is also true.

I prefer the magnetic necklace over the stickers.

It’s taken me sometime to get my head around the jits.

The big breakthrough for me was spaced repetition of the BJJ Formula video series.

There’s a fair bit of tenacity required to get through the post jits pain.