Featured Traveller: Mike Abbate – BJJ Globetrotters
Age: 35
Belt: Blue belt under Frank “Dukes” Livorsi
Profession: Traveling Critical Care Nurse
How many years in BJJ: 3 years this Christmas!
Other martial arts: None. I grew up playing ice hockey as a kid and always thought I could handle myself in a fight. Jiu Jitsu proved me totally wrong.
Where do you live: Currently Las Vegas, NV
Where are you originally from: I was born in New York City but call Cocoa Beach, Florida home. I moved to Florida for college and realized how special it is.
Other fun or curious information you would like to share: I love to surf as well. Jiu Jitsu and surfing really compliment each other in unique ways.
Mike Abbate – BJJ Globetrotters
Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
As a traveling nurse, I am constantly on the move. I realized that Jiu Jitsu and traveling go great together, especially when you have organizations and resources like BJJ Globetrotters. I got my blue belt after training a year and a half at Off the Grid in Cocoa Beach. Since that time, I’ve just been lucky to find great gyms to train at while I travel the country.
Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?
I typically stay in one location for 3 months or so. I’m currently in Las Vegas training with an awesome group at Vills Bros. I’ve traveled to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, all the way to Reno, Nevada, and even spent a few months in Southern California surfing and training. Before coming out to Vegas, I spent a couple months in Washington DC working a Covid response assignment, and was lucky enough to train at a small gym there.
Mike Abbate – BJJ gym
What are the things you enjoy about traveling?
Gaining perspectives on life I wouldn’t have otherwise had. I’ve realized there are great people anywhere you go, especially within the Jiu Jitsu community. The U.S. is an incredibly beautiful and diverse country which I didn’t really appreciate until I started traveling.
Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
I’ve trained under some world-class coaches, and even for a short amount of time was able to pick up tips and techniques along the way. It’s fascinating seeing the different styles of Jiu Jitsu and how so many styles and approaches to the game can work.
I once walked into a random gym in Las Vegas for an open mat, and a multiple-time world Jiu Jitsu champion walked up to me (I’ll keep her name a secret) and invited me to roll. She is about 85lbs and absolutely worked me, but it was such a fun roll. I was lucky enough to train at that gym for a few months and was surrounded by incredible talent. It’s one of the reasons I travelled back to Las Vegas to train again.
Mike Abbate – BJJ Globetrotters
What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
How easy it is! This country is built to travel. We have safe roads and accessible airports. Traveling in the U.S. is affordable as well. There really isn’t a good excuse not to travel.
Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
Budget traveler. Although as I’ve gotten older, I’ve traded in couch surfing at friends’ houses for staying at Airbnbs.
If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
Just go for it. The experience you will get traveling and training can’t be had any other way.
