Archive for month: April, 2017

Greetings From St. John’s Newfoundland!

After an early morning check out and taxi ride I was on my way to the last stop in the Canadian Odyssey: St john’s Newfoundland. This stop had several reasons it was special to me, not only was it the last stop in Canada and I’d be seeing friends I haven’t seen in 5 years but also it was the first place I was training at when I got back into martial arts. In a way I had come full circle, back to where I started.

Back on George Street!

‘The Strip’ George Street, every building in this picture has at least 1 bar in it, probably more like 2 or 3 actually.

During my stay in St John’s when I was in college George Street, the world renown street known for having the most bars crammed into a little stretch of road, was a usual hangout spot for the weekends, and sometimes the week nights too (Thursday’s 3 for 5 anyone?). As the partying life is behind me now I didn’t feel the need to spend much time down there, but I couldn’t help but visit it one evening. You see even if you don’t drink, there is something about the street, the young party goers running wild on the streets, the pubs filled with locals singing along to the live bands playing all the hits, that’s fun to at be part of. There’s something there for almost everyone. One pub that a few others from school and I would frequent was Shamrock City. There’s not another bar like it, the people that go there all looking for 2 things, 2 cold drinks and good tunes. The bar has live bands every night and you be can sure at some point most the bar will be singing and dancing along with them. It’s a fun atmosphere and I spent many a weekend there. It was fun to check out whichever local band was playing that night and watch everyone have a great time and reminisce about the old days, but without my usual friends the nostalgia wore off pretty quick.  After walking around the street to see what has changed since I was last there, which wasn’t much, I was done walking down memory lane and called it a night. My priorities have changed since I was last there, I don’t care about drinking and pubs and staying out late watching the college kids get into fights and the end of the night, although part of me does find that hilariously entertaining. I care about training and gyms now, creating memories with conversations fueled by Jiu-Jitsu, not alcohol. It was still fun to check out, I recommend it, especially if you like a pint of 2 and take in the local scene.

Watching the band at Shamrock and the crowd dance and sing along.

Staying With Carla…Kind of…

Carla and I met when I was training in St John’s during college. She was quite shy and timid, intimidated by the nature of the aggressive sport, but still eager to learn. I remember training with her and she barely said a word to me at first, which is funny now considering how much we have kept in contact with one another and become great pen pals. Although I met her from training together Carla doesn’t train Jiu-Jitsu anymore, instead she now has found a love for fitness training and competing in fitness competitions. I applaud her for the dedication she has and the transformation she has had with this new found passion. After I left St John’s and moved to the west coast her and we kept in touch online, following each others passions and transformations, me becoming obsessed with Jiu-Jitsu and planning out the Odyssey and her body building and setting competing goals. One day Carla sent me a message asking if I had a place for St john’s I did not, in fact I had overlooked St John’s while contacting other cities where I knew no one, so I happily accepted her offer to let me stay at her place.

We set up when I’d be flying in to St john’s and Carla was at the airport to pick me up, she even had a stocked the fridge and picked up a brand new air mattress for my stay. I was looking forward to having nightly conversations of my journey or her training regime, catching up on the times, things that go on when staying with a dear friend, but as it happens Carla was hardly ever home, busy with her own career and life I was practically left alone with a house full food. It was both great and disappointing at the same time, haha. Although I had the place to myself for most the stay we did actually hang out at some point and catch up on everything, and it really a great visit, thank you for everything Carla, you went way above and beyond looking after me!    

Thanks again Carla for everything!

Mike Foley’s Academy  

I’ve always known that there are other clubs in St. John’s, all run by brothers, The Foley’s, each having their own place, as far as I know, but I’ve never made it out to any of them or met them before. This time around I decided to change that and drop by one night for a class. It worked perfectly with the schedule, one night there weren’t classes going on with Mike and his club so I made my way over to Mike Foley’s Academy. I got a bit turned around getting there and ended up a few minutes late, which I absolutely hate doing. They were already half way through their warm up when I walked in so I quickly changed and jumped in.

The place is on the second floor of a building and built in a ‘L’ shape with both corridor being long and narrow. The whole class was set up as a chain, starting with one move and adding to it, so that in the end it was a series of counters to each other, all starting with a failed shoot in. The people at Foley’s gym were all friendly, in fact I trained with a blue belt who is a big BJJ Globetrotter fan and so absolutely loved my story of traveling. in between drills he would ask questions about traveling and going to different clubs and how I set it up etc. I was happy to answer him. After class a few other students started asking questions and next I knew we were having a big Jiu-Jitsu philosophy discussion in the parking lot. It’s funny how conversations can break out anywhere. I wish I had more to write but I only stopped by for the one class and wasn’t able to take any pictures. I will say the students and staff were very welcoming and it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re in town.

St John’s BJJ and Judo

I first went to St John’s BJJ and Judo because I saw a poster for them in the school. I figured with me on course for the Canadian Navy I was on a stable schedule that left the evenings open, it was the perfect opportunity to get back into martial arts. I was not wrong. The training helped center me and get me through college. When it was time for me to leave for the West Coast they alerted me to Fierce Studio, where I now call home, and the rest is history. When I returned I was really looking forward to seeing the old friends I had made, Mike, Dave, Jimmy, Blair, Brian, the small group of regulars that made the core club when I trained there. Seeing all them again was like stepping back in time. It was great feeling.

The club had moved a few times since I first met them, now it was out by the mall in a renovated industrial space turned into a martial arts club. The new space is bigger than the old one I remember that was a rented room at a gym. This place is simple, washrooms to the left when you walk in, change rooms to the right, and the rest of the space is covered by a big square mat space on a floating floor. It’s perfect for the Jiu-Jitsu and Judo clubs that train there.  

A shot the mats before class.

The club had expanded since I left. I kept in contact on Facebook and seeing the increasing membership over the years I was eager to meet everyone. It always great to see both old faces you remember and new faces to meet, it shows both the members staying and the club growing. A club that’s been around for a long time but only has white and blue belts raises questions, as does a club with no white belts. Mike and guys are good people, I happy the club is growing and succeeding.

The first night I came back Mike was busy with work, as it’s not his usual night, it was Blair’s night to teach Judo. Blair has been teaching and training Judo for years and years, he’s an older fellow and he’s not up for endless rolling with the young guys, in fact I think I’ve only rolled with him once. I remember it now, we were in class and it was time to roll, everyone else had paired up and Blair looks at me and asks “Robert, would you like to have a match?” I was surprised as this is usually when he would sit back and watch, so I eagerly accepted. We start, on our knees, and Blair instantly grabs traditional Judo grips, gets me off balance and next thing I know I’m in scarf hold, or Kesa-Gatame and I’m being crushed by the pressure and control he has of me. I try fighting to get out but I can’t move and finally I have to verbal tap from the pressure. “Not bad for an Old guy, eh?” he says and goes and sits and watches the rest of the class. The thing took maybe  a minute. So anyways, first night back to St John’s and Blair is teaching his Judo class, showing me all these little details to off balance your opponent and how to better enter the throw, all these little details that make sure a big difference. I watch and listen intently, because it’s those details that so easily humbled me those years ago.

Mike teaching no gi class.

The rest of the week the classes were BJJ, with my last class with them being no gi. It was great seeing and training with everyone. One class a few of us went out for food afterwards and caught up on life. Another day Mike and I grabbed coffee and talked Jiu-Jitsu philosophy for what was probably an hour or 2 before he had to get back to work. The small things like that, the off the mats times, make all the on the mat times more fun. You’re not just training with a club, you’re training with a group of friends. It felt like I had been away for so long yet only yesterday with them. Thanks Mike and all the rest of the club, it was a lot of fun seeing you all again and training together, the perfect last stop in Canada.

Interview With Mike Samson 

After one of the classes Mike and I sat down and did an interview. Talked about all sorts of things and it wasn’t until after I had uploaded the video to edit it that I realized we had spent an hour talking away! It was some good conversation going on, talking about Mike’s martial arts journey and coming to the point of running his own club. We also covered the work that has gone into keeping the club going, changing places and finding a black belt to be training under. It’s a great insight into the steps and trials involved in going from student to coach.

If the video doesn’t load you can watch it by heading over to the Panda’s Odyssey YouTube Channel and watching it there. Make sure to show some love and like, share, comment and subscribe please!

That’s it for St. John’s Newfoundland, and Canada in general! Before I knew it I was on a plane for London and Finally get to see Europe and start the European Odyssey!

I’m on my way to the UK!

Until next time, see you on the mats!

OSSS!!

WAYS TO SUPPORT PANDA’S ODYSSEY!

Sign up to the Panda’s Odyssey Patreon Account.

Buy Panda’s Odyssey Patches at The Gi Hive.

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This is my second last Canadian post.  A lot went on and there’s a lot of pictures and a few videos in this post, so it might long.

 

Greetings From Halifax and Sydney Nova Scotia Canada!

Wow, what a whirlwind of a week that was! After dealing with the snow in Fredericton and Moncton things really picked up in Halifax and Sydney. The post is going to be a bit long but putting these two cities together was the best way to do it. My bus trips to both Halifax and Sydney went off without any problems, although there’s not much to see between the cities this time of year but snow.

I know I said this last time I this pic reminds me of Empire Strikes Back. But when I first took it the view was more mist of fog like and reminded me of Stranger Things…I watch too much sci-fi.

Halifax Chilling With a Good Friend

During my way too short stay in Halifax I crashed at my friend Mike and his girlfriend Amanda’s place, thanks again guys for letting me stay! Mike and I met 6 years ago when we both went to the Marine Institute for different programs for the Canadian Navy and we quickly become good friends. It was actually Mike’s friendship, and all the good times we had partying, that got me through being there. We hadn’t seen each other since my graduation, I graduated first and was sent to the west coast of Canada and Mike stayed on the East. This visit was a great reason to catch up with him and hang out like old times, well, without the obscene drunkenness and dancing to folk songs with random ladies..I’ve said too much..

It was good to see Michael again, we caught up on the last 4 or so years since we last hung out, and one night, with the snow and slush making it a particularly taxing day to be traveling, I decided to skip training and hang out with him and Amanda. We didn’t do anything special, played some video games and broke out the Magic the Gathering (MtG) cards and got my butt kicked, but it was a good day of relaxing and hanging out with friends. I wasn’t in town for long and I hadn’t them in a while, and although I would love to get out and train with and meet as many clubs as I can across the world, there are days you need to rest, and more so, you can’t ignore your friends. Who knows when we’ll see each other next so I’m glad I made that decision, the club will be there another day. Thanks Micheal and Amanda for having me, it was great to catch up and hang out. Until next time my friends!

Good times with my brother from another mother Michael McCoag.

Bushido-Kai Martial Art Academy 

When I was first planning out visiting Halifax I had only know of one club in the area, Titan’s MMA. I had friends who had trained there and I was looking forward to going. Closer to arriving to Halifax I did an search to see what other clubs were about and found Bushido-Kai Martial Arts Academy, and even heard some words about them when training in Fredericton (I was told both them and Titan’s were great choices) So when I got into Halifax and looked at the schedules and locations of the two, Bushido-Kai would be one day and Titan’s the next, however I ended up staying in visiting my friend and Bushido-Kai ended up being my only stop in Halifax. But man was it a good one!

Pretty full class for snow day!

I knew really nothing of Bushido-Kai before showing up, I contacted them on Facebook and asked to come by and that’s about it. But that’s all you need to go on an adventure. I showed up to the club, which didn’t look like much from outside, I actually thought it was a community center at first. Once inside I saw how wrong I was, with posters and articles and the big open mat space with a mirrored wall one side having different flags (the provincial flag of Nova Scotia, the Canadian, Brazilian and Japanese flags to represent the home country of each art they train as well as national pride) on the wall as well a suit of Samurai armor. At first only a few of us showed up and I thought it would be a small class, but as I stretched out on the mats more and more people slowly poured in, with some late for class, on account of the roads and weather, in the end there must have been over 30 people on the mats.

Repping and rolling.

Class was fun, we drilled a lot of sweeps and there was a few movements using grips that were a bit new to me so I was having a hard time wrapping my head around it, but Courtney, a brown belt who was teaching the class, and my training partner were really helpful in troubleshooting it. Everyone was helpful and welcoming and really interested in my journey, it was a great atmosphere training with them. After class was time for rolling and decided to try out my arm, being that elbow was feeling better with the time I had off lately. The class had some really diverse body sizes, ranging from small, quick little guys to giants and dwarfed me in size, and the experience level matched it, from white belts up to competition level purple and brown belts. I only was able to roll with a few people but it was a lot of fun, no one seemed out to smash the new guy or be the ‘gym champ’ it was even fun watching everyone roll when I was on the sidelines, the group really seemed to be a tight knit and friendly club. After class I chatted with a bunch of them, about my journey and plans and experiences so far, they asked how many clubs I had been too and after a quick count, they were my 40th club I’ve visited across Canada while on the Odyssey! Thanks guys for the great class!

Thanks for the good class!

The Submission Series Pro and The Finishers Ball

As the Canadian Odyssey was underway I realized that there was a big weekend going in Nova Scotia when I would be there. Not only was there a UFC event taking place in Halifax that featured the first ever signed Newfoundlander, Gavin Tucker, but also Cat Clark, a promoter and event coordinator, was putting on a weekend open competition under his promotions brand, Submission Series Pro, and and evening 16 man tournament called The Finishers Ball. I realized this would all be going on as I was in the area, or rather the same weekend I was leaving Halifax and going up to Sydney, which would mean missing the Halifax UFC and making it difficult to make it to the tournaments. I was perfectly OK with missing the events as I was focusing on training with local gyms and not hitting up competitions and the UFC event was way out of my budget. Then I started talking to Cat, who had invited to his event to watch, and even jump into the open tournament if I wanted to. As it happens, ZombieProof BJJ, my next stop, would be closed that weekend for the tournaments anyways, and Kent Peters was driving down with his team and would be refereeing the evening tournament. After talking to Cat about it I sent Kent a message and it was settled, I would spent the day making it to Sydney up from Halifax one day and then get up really early to spend the next morning making it half way back down to Truro for the competitions. It was totally worth it.

Meeting with Kent at the crack of dawn for a 4 hour car drive back the way I came the day before was an usual way to meet but it was also a perfect way to have that introductory conversation, since we literally had 4 hours to kill. Once we got to the tournament the group basically spit up, the teammates off to warm up, Kent off to coach his students whole competing, the children’s divisions were already starting, and me off to take pics and watch the event. It was cool walking around and running into every club I had been in to in the past few weeks, it was basically an East Coast Jiu-Jitsu re-union for me, and it was cool to see them all in action competing in the tournament. The East Coast Jiu-Jitsu community is a very close knit, as I saw at this event, and they all seemed to understand that it’s the community that’s more important than any one club, and Cat Clark’s event showed this. Sure Cat puts on the event, and does an amazing job of planing it all out, but it’s all the clubs helping him out and participating, like Dana Dickeson and his club Synergy BJJ making it all the way from Fredericton, and Kent coming from Sydney, each driving 4 hours one way, that make it a success. As I walked around, taking pictures of the matches and talking to everyone I realized how much they’re all friends working together for the sport, and who cool it was to be a part of that atmosphere. I had the idea of taking short 2 minute interviews with people from different perspectives and put them together for a introspective of the tournament, but there was so much going on that I quickly realized how hard that would be to get done. So I just sat back and took it all in instead.

Caught up with Dana from Fredericton, Synergy BJJ.

Found Melyssa as well!

After the first day of the Submission Series Pro, Saturday was no gi divisions and Sunday was gi, but we weren’t around for Sunday, there was a quick break before the evening’s event, The Finishers Ball, a 16 man tournament that is streamed live online in front of an audience of most the people from the day’s event. The competitors ranged from purple belts to black belts, with local competitors as well as competitors from as far as Toronto and even one from the USA somewhere. In between each round of the tournament (preliminary, quarter-final, semi-final) there were super fights between local talent. All the matches are 10 minutes long, anything goes, submission only, with the judge deciding if the match goes the limit. The talent pool for this event was tremendous and only a few came down to a judges decision. I will say Kent Peters did his job quite well and the crowd seemed to agree with his decision making.

I liked that there’s a screen that showed promos between rounds. And this logo is pretty cool too.

The mats for the night’s event.

In between matches Cat Clarke came up to me and asked if I were open to doing an impromptu interview after the next match, I was totally surprised and honoured by the invitation and accepted. After the next match was over I was called up to talk about Panda’s Odyssey in the biggest Panda Sighting so far! I think it went well and am deeply honoured for Cat to give me this chance to boost the Odyssey. Below is the video, check it out!

If the video doesn’t load you can watch it here on the Panda’s Odyssey Youtube Channel.

After the event was done and everyone was finished talking about how good both events were, which really could have gone on all night, given the techniques that were displayed that night, it was time to head back up to Sydney. We didn’t make it make until almost 2am I believe, given how early we left in the morning that was almost a full 24 hrs of Jiu-Jitsu that day. It was worth it. such a great time, seeing all the clubs come together and complete like that as well help Cat put on such an amazing feature. Thank you East Coast Jiu-Jitsu community for an awesome day and thank you Cat Clarke for put it all on and getting me out to see it!

Kent getting videos of cool techniques he saw while referring for his YouTube channel.

The host for the night’s event, coach at Titan’s MMA and snazzy dresser, Craig Ferguson.

The man himself who pout it all together, Cat Clarke. Thanks for everything Cat!

ZombieProof BJJ

The Zombie proof mats.

After recovering from the weekend it was time to finally train at ZombieProof BJJ. Ever since my friend Mike Bramwell had introduce me to Kent online I have been a fan of his videos and after hanging out all Saturday I was really looking forward to class, not only to meet his club and see how it’s ran but also to see what cool techniques he had picked from the tournament to go over in the class. I got to say I really love the club, Kent has spent all his time making the club a home, with the full feel of place that deserves the name ZombieProof. Every wall is covered in posters and Halloween decorations and graffiti, there’s a atmosphere that rides the fine cheesy but also cool, and it totally works. It’s fun without being too cheesy to not be taken seriously but also not too serious to not be fun. I might not make sense reading this, but once you meet Kent and see the club you understand completely, ever inch of every wall has his attitude displayed.

So much personality.

Kent himself is a funny guy that likes to kid around but is also serious when it comes to training. The club has a lot of younger members, and Kent keeps them all enticed and involved by being really interactive with them. If you were to walk in without knowing anyone you might as first glance mistake Kent’s rapport with his students as bullying, picking on them and name calling, but in actual fact it’s show of camaraderie and caring, playing to their young ego’s and guilt them to be better, not to sit out and chat or skip class and get caught up with all the distractions that younger students seem to always have. It’s actually the same kind of relationship I have with my favourite training partner, Geoff, who constantly trash talks and pokes me into going that extra step to get to class and drill and try harder, (because I want to destroy him! hahah). to me is shows a close club with a coach to really cares about his students.

Wrestling class for takedowns.

Interview with Kent Peters

After my last class with Kent and ZombieProof we sat down and have an interview. We talked about running the club, what ZombieProof is to him and it’s aim and goals for his students, and all the online antics of posting his videos. It was a great end to my visit with Kent and his club, enjoy!

If the video doesn’t load you can view it here at Panda’s Odyssey YouTube Channel. Make sure and show some love, like, comment and share away, and maybe even subscribe to my channel too!

And with Sydney done I had one more stop for Canada, back to where I first started training when I got back into martial arts, St. John’s Newfoundland at Mike Samson’s club, St John’s Judo and BJJ!

Until next time, see you on the mats!

OSSS!!

WAYS TO SUPPORT PANDA’S ODYSSEY!

Sign up to the Panda’s Odyssey Patreon Account.
Buy Panda’s Odyssey Patches at The Gi Hive.
Buy the Panda’s Odyssey T-shirt.
Follow me and other traveling Jiu-Jitsueros at the NEW BJJ Globetrotters blog section.

Hello, friends. Today I would like to write about the journey. But not about the usual route to any country. Not about a specific gym. And about traveling to BJJ itself. Maybe this post does not correspond to the blog topics a little. But I would like to share my story, how I came to BJJ, how I made the most important journey in my life. And if at least one person will help change his way of life, then all this will be written knowingly.
I will not paint how I was born, made pi-pi in panties and ate porridge from a bottle with a pacifier.) How he studied at school, how he was a difficult child and had problems with the police. Life was beating with a key and more often, on the head.)) It’s good that I met my love early and married at age 19. After a year and a half, I had a son. Lived a quiet family life, went to work, raised his son. He is already 23 years old.) He opened a small business for clearing private ponds. In general, I led a quiet life, and gradually began to turn into a small but very thick boar.)) With the growth of 168 cm, I began to weigh 85 kg. He drank a lot of beer and smoked two packs of cigarettes a day. Very much began to disturb health. Obesity and sedentary lifestyle began to give negative results. Constantly worried about the pressure, headaches and it was bad with the stomach. The tablets drank with handfuls and gradually began to turn into a ruin. Or rather, I became a wreck. I even could not tie my shoelaces on my shoes, my wife did it and was like a nanny to me.) And the worst thing, life has become gray. There were almost no emotions. Monotony, dullness and everyday life. I had never, at all, any relation to sports. Generally full of darkness. My perspective was a heart attack at a fairly young age. So I lived until I was 42 years old. My only achievement was, I was 40 years old, quit smoking. It became a little easier to breathe, but due to the fact that I was very fat, very little changed in my health.
And then I decided to try running in the morning in the nearest park. The first jog turned into hell. His eyes darkened, he sweated with a stream, his lungs burned, and his heart flew from his chest. It was difficult, I thought I would die, but I could not see in the next world, I still did not need anyone, and God decided that it was too early for me to die and directed me to run further.)) In short, after the first run I survived. So the week went on. I gradually got used to it, although I did not run long distances. And then on business, I was in Kiev, in the capital. I myself live in Kherson. I went there for a couple of days. Near the place where I stopped, there was nowhere to run. And I did not want to interrupt the runs and again lead an immobile lifestyle and return to the past. After all, it was so difficult to take the first step, and if I stopped, the second I probably would not have done.

And then I was advised to go to the gym BJJ, that would replace the jogging, while I’m in Kiev. They said that there are also good loads, that you can come at any age and it’s very cool. About such combat, I had never heard before, and all my knowledge of Brazil was reduced to carnivals and capoeira. BJJ, I represented something the same, a mixture of samba and waving my feet.))) But I decided to go.
Guys, it was love at first sight !!! I got to training for Valentin Varenikov, a purple belt. It was cool!!! It was super!!! It was the cosmos !!! They accepted me very warmly and friendly. The training is very interesting, everyone laughs and smiles. Physically it was hard, but it was worth it !!! And while I was in Kiev, I went there.
Returned to Kherson and it turned out that in my city, there is no gym, where they teach BJJ. Disappointment was not the limit. And I decided to rent a small room. Persuaded his son who also did not go in for sports at that time. We shot a very small room, that would be together with my son, after work, in the evening to study for myself. They began to look at the techniques on the Internet and, to the best of their ability and understanding, began to study them. Everything was very clumsy in our performance. But it was! Little by little it began to work out. And we
There was a goal, interest and first emotions. Then, slowly, people began to join us, who were also interested in BJJ. I somehow unexpectedly turned into a coach.))) We decided to play with my son at the tournament. We lost. But, we got excited! I dropped out of business. For the family, it was a shock. Nobody thought that my morning runs would lead so far.))) And I concentrated on BJJ.
Our hall now, there is not yet two years. We are all white belts. They themselves developed a strategy for training and chose the style in which we will fight. And I’m proud of it. Children began to lead us to trainings. Even the girls came to us.) And we to the surprise of many, even began to give results !!! My son is already a champion of Ukraine and winner of many regional tournaments, all children and girls are winners of different tournaments. And I’m in my old age, I already have a dozen medals.))
At the moment, I’m 44 years old. Having dropped out of business, I lost money. But!!! I bought much more !!! I became a coach, I got health and forgot what a hospital is. I was 85 kg with a height of 168 cm. And now my weight is 57 kg. And I feel fine. And most importantly, what I purchased. This is EMOTION !!! Life was filled with colors. I got a lot of friends. And when your pupil wins the tournament, it’s impossible to convey in words.
Not everything is measured in money. There are things that can not be bought, for any money. This is HEALTH, FRIENDSHIP, EMOTION !!!
I am grateful to ju-jitsu that it has changed my life so abruptly. Do not be afraid of change. It’s never too late to start. Discard all doubts and go to the gym. Do Jiu-Jitsu. And believe me, your life will change for the better.
P.S. Running in the morning, I did not quit. Now, every morning, I run 7 km.
Everyone has a lot of happiness! And more BJJ.)

I’m up to BJJ’s classes and now.