How did you get started?

After reading Jocko Willink’s book “Discipline Equals Freedom” for the second time, I decided I should check out Jiu Jitsu. Prior to reading that book, I hadn’t heard anything about Jiu Jitsu and didn’t think that I would like it. I was in my mid 40s and the idea of grappling with other people seemed so foreign to me, but I decided to just try it. After one class, I was hooked. 

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in your training and how did you overcome it?

One of the biggest challenges I faced in my training was learning to be patient. Early on, I would get hung up on my ability (or lack of ability) to perform one of the moves we would learn in class. Often the details wouldn’t “click” for me until later. I’ve learned to be a little more patient and to focus on just doing my best on what we are learning each day. Over time, the details start to connect and things become a little clearer.    

What’s your favorite thing about training or teaching and why? 

By far, my favorite thing about training and teaching is the people I’ve met on the mat. Growing up playing team sports, I experienced the unique camaraderie that comes from being part of a team. Training at Bushido has fulfilled a void that I hadn’t experienced since college. The sense of community you get by training at Bushido is something you can’t get from training alone. 

What are your personal goals on and off the mat? 

My goal for jiu jitsu is to simply continually improve. Every day I want to be a little better than yesterday, which means training consistently at home and in the gym. A big part of that growth is also learning to be a good training partner. My partners make me better. As my partners get better, they help me to get better. It’s a fun, and often humbling, cycle. 

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?

I have worked in the commercial real estate field for over 20 years, but I majored in computer science and my first job was in Information Technology. I still enjoy writing code and learning new technology. I’m currently interested in Python programming, Emacs, Artificial Intelligence, cryptocurrency and reading non-fiction. Amazon seems to have an unending list of non-fiction books that catch my interest. I often have four or five books that I’m reading at the same time.