Like many people, I started BJJ after growing more and more interested in MMA and becoming more and more intrigued by the ground game, something that, as a striker, I always considered a bit dull and, even worse, oriented towards strength rather than technique, something that training at Leverage has shown to be completely ridiculous!
In September 2010 I moved from England to Malaysia and left my previous boxing and Muay Thai oriented gym to a place where I couldn't really find a place that clicked. As an English teacher, I realised as well that I couldn't really come into work anymore with the bruises on the face or devote the time to training to fight that I had been able to before. I was therefore getting fat, lazy and looking for another martial art to train in to keep sharp and, more importantly, fit! A quick google search and I was on my way to a trial session at Leverage.
Leverage's professor, Marcos Escobar is a previous ADCC winner and he is more than ably assisted by the lovely Aaron Goh. As any other fighters can understand, moving into a new art can be daunting - how can you go from competence to incompetence and keep your dignity? In this respect, the trial session with Mr. Goh was an absolute dream to an avid MMA fan. We moved from a sweep from the butterfly guard, to an armbar (the PRIDE FC fan in me had a minor orgasm) to a RNC, all in about 1/2 hour. I came away from the session sweaty, exhilarated and absolutely wanting more.
Fast forward to the following Tuesday. Due to an eye injury, Aaron was not able to teach the basics class, instead lending me a gi and throwing me into the all-levels class. To say the least, I was terrified, especially when the man himself, Prof. Marcos Escobar came towards me to ask if I had ever done any wrestling, judo or jiu-jitsu before. I managed to stammer 'no' and felt like apologising immediately, but he instantly took me to one side to teach me hip escapes so that I could take part in the class. All through the session he was definitely keeping an eye on me and, with Aaron's encouragement I really enjoyed what little I was able to do before I nearly threw up with exhaustion - grappling cardio is NOT striking cardio! Again, both were extremely understanding and encouraging, showing a level of care that I have never seen in a martial arts class before.
At 12.00 at night, I returned home, again sweaty, exhausted and definitely wanting more! This was how I got hooked on the sport and have come back night after night to be choked, hyper-extended (thanks Su Ling!), admonished and supported through everything. It was also the start of meeting some of the best friends I have ever had and beginning to hang with a new family indeed. My new family of course including Sonia and Fatemeh Namdarian, without whose love and support I would never have come this far in Malaysia, let alone in life over the last year and a half...
It's late, and I'm ready for bed and to tell the story of the last 7 months would take more characters than the Lord of the Rings, but suffice to say that with Leverage, the last 7 months have been a total blast. It's a bit odd perhaps to be picking up this blog in the middle of things, but I hope that gives anyone listening an idea of my start in the sport. From now, I will begin ramblings and thoughts on the sport in general!
Thanks for sticking with me so far and I hope you'll stay around for a bit more!
Nice to meet you, my name is John!
In September 2010 I moved from England to Malaysia and left my previous boxing and Muay Thai oriented gym to a place where I couldn't really find a place that clicked. As an English teacher, I realised as well that I couldn't really come into work anymore with the bruises on the face or devote the time to training to fight that I had been able to before. I was therefore getting fat, lazy and looking for another martial art to train in to keep sharp and, more importantly, fit! A quick google search and I was on my way to a trial session at Leverage.
Leverage's professor, Marcos Escobar is a previous ADCC winner and he is more than ably assisted by the lovely Aaron Goh. As any other fighters can understand, moving into a new art can be daunting - how can you go from competence to incompetence and keep your dignity? In this respect, the trial session with Mr. Goh was an absolute dream to an avid MMA fan. We moved from a sweep from the butterfly guard, to an armbar (the PRIDE FC fan in me had a minor orgasm) to a RNC, all in about 1/2 hour. I came away from the session sweaty, exhilarated and absolutely wanting more.
Fast forward to the following Tuesday. Due to an eye injury, Aaron was not able to teach the basics class, instead lending me a gi and throwing me into the all-levels class. To say the least, I was terrified, especially when the man himself, Prof. Marcos Escobar came towards me to ask if I had ever done any wrestling, judo or jiu-jitsu before. I managed to stammer 'no' and felt like apologising immediately, but he instantly took me to one side to teach me hip escapes so that I could take part in the class. All through the session he was definitely keeping an eye on me and, with Aaron's encouragement I really enjoyed what little I was able to do before I nearly threw up with exhaustion - grappling cardio is NOT striking cardio! Again, both were extremely understanding and encouraging, showing a level of care that I have never seen in a martial arts class before.
At 12.00 at night, I returned home, again sweaty, exhausted and definitely wanting more! This was how I got hooked on the sport and have come back night after night to be choked, hyper-extended (thanks Su Ling!), admonished and supported through everything. It was also the start of meeting some of the best friends I have ever had and beginning to hang with a new family indeed. My new family of course including Sonia and Fatemeh Namdarian, without whose love and support I would never have come this far in Malaysia, let alone in life over the last year and a half...
It's late, and I'm ready for bed and to tell the story of the last 7 months would take more characters than the Lord of the Rings, but suffice to say that with Leverage, the last 7 months have been a total blast. It's a bit odd perhaps to be picking up this blog in the middle of things, but I hope that gives anyone listening an idea of my start in the sport. From now, I will begin ramblings and thoughts on the sport in general!
Thanks for sticking with me so far and I hope you'll stay around for a bit more!
Nice to meet you, my name is John!
such a brilliant idea to launch a blog! please update us of your last 7 months! I am excited to know!
ReplyDeleteyes, John always, gets back home with bruises and some times cuts on his toes!when he leaves to class Fatima asks him to be back in ONE PIECE!
Well, I am much involved in BJJ with the part of saving John's Gi from rain and storm after he hooks them right after his class!
I am the great saviour of your Gi! :)))
Indeed - Sonia is already learning to love the Gi - respect the Gi - the Gi is truth!
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