Archive for January 12th, 2009

Monday Training | BJJ

Tonight’s training was more about me learning. I was asked to teach the fundamentals class. I felt that I started off a little rocky but picked it up after teaching the first technique. Jordan recorded me so that I could review it afterward. He even offered some constructive criticism. Now, In my daily job when I speak with my prospects, I pull it off well. I have internalized the content and am concise. I can get as detailed as I need but I can convey the message in a nice tightly wrapped presentation. In teaching BJJ, I still don’t have everything fully internalized so it leads to me saying…. “um”. That is my pause-word of choice :) Jordan picked up on that and when I looked at the video, I counted 9 “um”s in the portion he was referring to. Note …um… to self …um…, silence is …um… ok sometimes…. :)

All in all, I liked the class. We went over the guillotine choke and scape, and worked on attacking from the back with the 2-collar choke. I learn a lot when I share what I know, it is true that if you teach once, you learn twice.

It was also a special night as I was able to promote my first student. Michelle was my first promotion, she now has her first stripe on her white belt… I’ll never forget you Michelle !

So I will keep taking the opportunities to teach whenever possible and next time I will focus on removing my pause-words :)

Mike Colon, BJJ Blue Belt | Irvine, CA

After seeing a facebook post that my friend Mike was going to be promoted, I HAD to run over to GB America to photograph. It is not often that the photographer is photographed, so I thought it would be fun… besides, I had to drop off a camera body and a lens to Canon in Irvine :) At the end of class, as is customary, Mike was presented his new rank to the applause of his classmates and training partners. I know he was excited an I could see that he was happy. Here are some shots of him training before and after his promotion.  For some of you that do not know, Mike is an AWESOME photographer and guy.  He is someone that I look up to in the business world of photography.  You can see his work and learn more about him here (http://mikecolon.com/)

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Learning from Professor Marcio Feitosa

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Practicing the 2 Collar Choke

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Rolling with a Purple Belt

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Locking in a Triangle Choke

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Looking to sink a Cross Choke from Mount

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Transitioning to a technical mount, working towards an Armbar

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Beautiful 2 Collar Choke

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Awaiting it’s new proud owner

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Promotion

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Mike with Professors Ulpiano, Marcus and Marcio

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His first training as a Blue Belt

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Rolling with Brown Belt Anna Laura

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Oh Brother (That’s his brother, another GB Blue Belt)

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