Who am I and why you should care.

Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own. – Bruce Lee

Introduction

Howdy all Steemians! My name is Adam and I’ve been wanting to do an introduction post for a while now – It has mainly been from my own procrastination and increase in workload at work that I’ve been putting it off. I’ve been on Steemit for a while now while keeping my eyes on cryptocurrency forks, price increase and the mass increase of awareness of Bitcoin and altcoins.

My Passion

I have been interested in martial arts since I was young – practising silly kung-fu moves without any proper training. Reading my dads collection of Bruce Lee books. I enjoyed the theory behind Jeet Kune Do, which is less of a Martial Art with strict moves and techniques but a movement and idea that anything that works is used and things that are a hindrance are discarded.

Bruce lee would incorporate boxing, kickboxing, kali, wrestling and anything from any art that is efficient and can work in sparing. A true pioneer in mixed martial arts that helped me find and train the grappling art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! Looking back now I’m glad I kept some interest which helped me find Brazilian Jiu Jitsu!

Gracie Jiu Jitsu / Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Why I Love the Art

The training uses technique over strength. When I started I was 10 Stone and was one of the smallest guys in class and would frequently be grappled to the point I was always on the defence. Focusing on timing, technique and patience would allow me to escape 100% of the time against strong, bigger sparring partners who tried to brute force submissions. It was like finding the true secret that was not intuitive and is invisible by watching.

It truly became my passion in life as it never becomes easy – More like chess where counters to moves have their own counters indefinitely. Due to Brazillian Jiu Jitsu not solely relying on strength the small framed people usually are more technical and more efficient with their energy. When you add strength and mass to technique and skill, you are able to not just defend yourself - but control where the fight may take place, which reduces the damage taken to yourself and also from damaging the attacker unnecessarily.

Whats the difference Between Gracie Jiu Jitsu / Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

There is a variation in the community that requires the difference – Self Defence Application. Gracie Jiu Jitsu has always been the primary focus to allow the students to defend themselves against a taller, bigger and stronger person. Through my own experiences being punched has significantly reduced the amount of complex moves I am able to perform, Which makes relying on the basic punch proof controls to avoid getting hit and tiring the other person out.

The high level guards and submissions do work in Submission only rules but have less chance of success when you are being hit in a number of damaging ways that the random street thug or bar fight might allow!

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has a sport application where under certain rulesets, certain moves and are not allowed. The training may be focused to win competitions under a time limit either by scoring points for positional control or by submitting the other person via a tapout. This is still an important part where by removing the punching more options are available and the art evolves. I do believe however that training for self defence has more benefits and should be the first focus, especially for young kids and anyone who has ever been bullied would know.

Getting My Blue Belt in 2013

I Train under Dave Birkett who is a Marc Walder Black belt, who is one of the first UK Blackbelts of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I am so greatful to find such knowledgable and humble instructors to learn from. Picture is with Marc Walder below.

Train Brazillian Jiu Jitsu!

I’d recommend everyone to train in some form of self defence art, mainly because it allows;
• You to stay calmer and more relaxing while being confronted
• Comfortable in close range combat – ability to control another raging person
• Controlling another person safely and not needing to through punches.
• Health benefits of increase awareness of body and mind!
• Build your own confidence levels

Thanks for reading why I am passionate about this Martial Art and I’d be more than happy answering any comments, suggestions if anyone is considering training.

Future Updates

If you’d like to be kept up to date or be interesting in supporting future Grapplethons, where we spar for 24 hours for a charity then please Follow and upvote, I’d greatly appreciate it. For any future Grapplethon I will post the raise awareness and STEEM raised will go to charity!

Here is a previous grapplethon post of everyone involved!

Our Previous Donation Fundraiser page for Equality Now: https://mydonate.bt.com/teams/grapplethon
Working to end violence and discrimination against women and girls around the world.
£2,971.71 was raised to for this charity from the event, which there has been one each year.
I will be attending the 2018 event and will be posting on Steemit to hopefully raise more awareness!

Keep it Punch Proof!

Thanks to @martaesperanza for the great photos! Please do check her Steemit account out!

Theadmiral0