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Aaron Ross – BJJ Globetrotters

Age: 42
Belt: Belt Black
Profession: International consultant
Started training (year): 2006
City/country: St. Petersburg, Florida USA/ Tokyo, Japan

Main achievements in BJJ:

I think the ups and downs of the whole journey is an achievement in and of itself but I think for me personally it was going from white to black belt in a foreign country/language. Additionally, being able to share my jiu-jitsu with thousands of people at the camps from around the world is a personal achievement that I hope to continue to add to.

Aaron Ross – BJJ Globetrotters Zen Camp

Which BJJ Globetrotters camps have you attended?

Attended over 20 camps to date, too many to list.

Which camp has been your favorite so far?

Difficult question being to so many but I truly love them all but every time different. Every new camp is a new favorite as corny as that sounds. Each one offers something special and when you add new faces the same camp its a unique experience.

Aaron Ross – BJJ Globetrotters Summer Camp

Favorite stories/moments from the camps?

Had 300 straight rolls at Heidelberg 2019, that was cool. Sang in a punk band once, hosted an impromptu bodybuilding contest in a German bar. Rode a bicycle down a giant staircase in Belgium drunk and my bike came apart and I crashed fracturing a bone in my hand 2 steps from the bottom. Went to a Polish disco in a farm warehouse in the middle of nowhere. Broke a record in an Austrian bar with a couple other guys for most Jaeger bombs drank, our photo is on the wall there. I can go on for days, this is tip of the iceberg, haha. Most of the good stories I shouldn’t tell on the internet :) Additionally, making new friends every camp I go to is a favorite moment that keeps perpetuating the more I attend.

Your favorite class/classes to teach at camp?

Don’t really have a favorite but I want everyone there to learn and really take something away from my classes. I’m really there to help everyone to the best of my ability without any bullshit. Everything I teach is stuff I actually use.

Anything else you want to add to your profile? 

If you see me scheduled for a camp, you better believe some shenanigans is in store so sign up, join the fun! If you have never been to a camp and are undecided, just do it. It will be more enjoyable than you anticipate. You will make friends, train and share a lot of laughs and memories.

Really grateful to all the people that have attended my classes and appreciated what I’ve had to offer. Thankful for all the friends I’ve made so far and looking forward to all the new adventures/friendships ahead. Appreciate Christian and the Globetrotters staff for all the work they do.

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Aaron Ross – BJJ Globetrotters instructor

Let’s start out with some quick facts about you…

Name: Liadain O’Driscoll – BJJ Globetrotters

Age: 33

Belt: Purple

Profession: Technical writer

How many years in BJJ: 6

Other martial arts: MMA until I detached a retina in a fight.

Where do you live: Cork, Ireland

Where are you originally from: Baltimore, Ireland – a beautiful fishing village on the south coast which I encourage everyone to visit.

Other fun or curious information you would like to share: In a previous life I played in several metal and hardcore bands. Besides my day job I work for the Irish Open Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Championships, who run the biggest competitions in Ireland. When I’m not on the mats you can usually find me on my yoga mat or indulging my other obsession – knitting.

Liadain O’Driscoll – BJJ Globetrotters

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?

I got bitten by the travel bug the same year that I started training. I took up MMA and BJJ at the start of 2012, and later that year I had my first big trip outside Europe, when I spent a couple of weeks in Peru. I didn’t train on that trip, but it fuelled my desire to travel more, which coincided with me wanting to work less and train more. I went to Thailand for two weeks a couple of months later and spent a week travelling the north of the country and then a week training at Phuket Top Team, and within a couple of days of landing there my plans were hatched. In 2014 I left my job to train full-time in Thailand for a year, which was a crazy experience. Since then I’ve trained in some amazing places, including Tristar in Montreal and Mjölnir in Iceland, and I’ve competed all over Europe.

Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?

My last big training trip was about a year ago, when I spent five weeks in Thailand and Bali. I haven’t got anything major planned for the short to medium term now, but Mongolia and Brazil are high on the list of must-dos when I do get back to travelling.

Liadain O’Driscoll – BJJ Globetrotters

What are the things you enjoy about traveling?

The opportunity to get exposure to coaches and styles that you wouldn’t get at home is a big one for me. Especially coming from Ireland, where we don’t have a wrestling culture, being able to spend a year training under a high-level American wrestling coach was invaluable for me. Other than that, I love seeing new places, meeting new people and building up a network of friends and acquaintances all over the world.

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?

Spending my Christmas Eve at nogi class and then going swimming at night on a tropical beach. Rolling with Cris Cyborg. Drilling in the gi with Tiffany Van Soest. Competing on a beach. Eating deep-fried Magnums every day for a week.

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?

Being asked if I was on steroids was a good one! Also the amount of high-level black belts and MMA fighters you see on Tinder who you know full well have a wife or girlfriend at home. My screenshots folder is a world of trouble.

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?

Not entirely – I’m probably somewhere in the middle between budget and luxury. I do tend to book flights a long time in advance, but that’s more because I like having something planned to look forward to than out of budget considerations. Airbnb has been a godsend the last couple of years though – I’ve made trips that I never would have been able to afford otherwise and stayed in some really nice places.

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?

Tea tree oil is a godsend for fending off staph. Also, never underestimate staph.

Thank you to Liadain O’Driscoll – BJJ Globetrotters for doing this interview!

Let’s start out with some quick facts about you…

Name: Wale Adelakun – BJJ Globetrotters

Age: 32

Belt: Purple

Profession: Engineer

How many years in BJJ: 6

Other martial arts: Wrestling for 4 years (yes, I’m considering it a martial art)

Where do you live: Wiesbaden, Germany

Where are you originally from: San Francisco, CA

Other fun or curious information you’d like to share: I didn’t start training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu until I came to Germany, despite having been born and raised in a hub of high-level gyms. After beginning, I stumbled backwards into some of the best gyms in the world. I casually dropped into AKA, not connecting American Kickboxing Academy with Khabib, Daniel Cormier, and the legendary Camarillo brothers. I got smashed.

Wale Adelakun – BJJ competition

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?

After I began training in 2012, I started another position at my job that would entail a significant amount of business travel. In order to stay in shape on the road, I started looking up gyms that were near my travel destinations, calling ahead, and dropping in. I actually learned a great deal about myself in the process, as it is rather intimidating to walk into a foreign gym in a foreign country to train how to break bones and choke each other unconscious. As I walk into the locker room, conversations grind to a halt. People begin sizing me up, everyone stops and watches my rolls during sparring, and people become eager to prove themselves to their professor with the newcomer. By the time I go through practice and spar, all tension is gone, and more often than not I share a post-training drink and talk shop about upcoming MMA fights.

Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?

I have rolled in the following countries: Germany (obviously), Israel, Estonia, Serbia, Morocco, Tunisia, Spain and all over the US. My next drop-in will be in Huntsville, AL.

Wale Adelakun – BJJ Globetrotters

What are the things you enjoy about traveling?

I enjoy getting out of my own myopic worldview and experiencing a place as locals do while traveling. I enjoy the people, interaction, and feeling that travel provides more than the sights themselves.

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?

Traveling and training automatically plugs you into the local culture in a way that is difficult to replicate otherwise. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is still a rather niche art, and it has a unique flattening effect to those who practice. Those from all walks of life, from students, skilled laborers, professionals, and everyone in between, simply become your training partner while practicing. As a visitor, this means that you interact with all these people equally when dropping in. I have been invited to share family dinners in places where I never could have forged that connection otherwise.

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?

I dropped into Ralph Gracie San Francisco with Kurt Osiander. He is exactly the same person as depicted on Youtube. That gym has a great juxtaposition of being in a beautiful space with homeless bums outside and great food immediately surrounding the area. I was surprised at the style of instruction (demonstrate one movement, then drill it for an hour), intensity of the sparring (they pull no punches for visitors), and the intensity of Ralph Gracie himself (he was at the gym watching his purple belt destroy me, while critiquing the purple belt’s inadequate technique. It was eye opening.)

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?

I try to eat, travel, and train as the locals do. I also try to eat and train anywhere that Anthony Bourdain recommends, obviously.

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?

Don’t be afraid to drop-in to a gym, be humble, and have fun!

Thank you Wale Adelakun BJJ Globetrotters for doing this interview!

After a 2-year-long backpacking journey in Asia and Europe, I finally returned to the United States to resume the glorious corporate lifestyle. Don’t worry, I still have countless cities and academies that are still on my bucket list! Before moving back to New York City, I had a pleasure of living like a teenager again while staying with my parents for the summer. Lucky for me, their house is located near the infamous Fifty/50 Academy, and it was one of the most exciting summers spent training and rolling with Fifty/50’s monsters.

Please don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for recent updates: @jwwseo

City
Falls Church, Virginia is a suburb of Washington D.C, which is the capital city of the United States bordering Virginia and Maryland.

Overview
Established in 2008, Fifty/50 Martial Arts Academy located in Falls Church, Virginia is headed by Ryan “The Wizard” Hall who received his Black Belt under Felipe Costa. Ryan is not only a professional MMA fighter competing in the featherweight division of the UFC, but also a renowned submission grappler with remarkable records prior to shifting his focus to MMA. The academy currently also has 3 black belt instructors including Adam Benayoun and Jen Hall, whose accomplishments and qualifications speak for themselves. As a martial arts school, the academy also offers striking and wrestling led by NCAA All-American wrestler and active MMA fighters. Besides this formal introduction, I am sure everyone has heard of Ryan Hall and his well-known academy, Fifty/50.

Unlike other gyms I have visited, I had an opportunity to train at the academy for an extended period of time. A few notable things that stood out to me about Fifty/50 are its community and Ryan’s unique teaching style. During the summer, I was regularly attending advanced BJJ classes on Monday and Wednesday nights. There was a tightly-knit group within the academy which welcomed me to its Jiu-Jitsu community, and I instantly felt included although I was simply a visitor at the academy. In addition, I found Ryan’s teaching methodology rather unique. Instead of teaching specific techniques, his focus was to explain concepts through analogies as he encourages his students to explore and apply these concepts to their own games. For example, while teaching a guard, his emphasis was to explain the concept of aligning the body structure, which can be easily translated to other positions and techniques. Then specific techniques that illustrate these concepts followed. Fifty/50 has recently expanded its reach online so if you are interested in checking out Ryan’s teaching style, feel free to check out ryanhallonline.com!

Honestly, I could not ask for more from Ryan, Adam, and the rest of Fifty/50 team during my brief but intense 5 weeks. I have been visiting the academy whenever I am back to see my parents, and I am planning on doing so going forward. My only regret is that I did not start training early enough to be a part of Fifty/50 while I was in high school living in northern Virginia. If you happen to be in D.C. or northern Virginia, don’t regret later missing out on training and rolling at Fifty/50. With top-notch instructors and athletes in combination with friendly training environment, Fifty/50 will remain one of my favorite academies to visit. Thank you, Ryan, Adam, and the rest of the Fifty/50 family. I will see you guys soon!

Location & Facility
The academy has a massive mat space, which allows for up to two classes to be run simultaneously. Also, the academy offers men’s and women’s locker rooms with showers. Fifty/50 Martial arts academy (929 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046) is located in Falls Church, VA, which is about a 20-minute drive from Washington D.C. (Google Map: Link)

Schedule
Fifty/50 has an extensive schedule with a variety of classes ranging from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to Kickboxing offered everyday so you cannot make any excuses not to train if you are around the area. The academy’s most recent schedule is posted below:

Visitor Pass
The academy welcomes all visitors from any affiliations and offers daily, weekly, and monthly visitor passes that cater towards everyone’s need. Also, discounts are applied to military and law enforcement visitors.

Website — Fifty/50 Martial Arts Academy

Tourist Attractions — Washington D.C.

• The Washington Monument — Built to honor the nation’s first president, this marble obelisk stands slightly over 555 feet in the center of the grassy National Mall. You should take an elevator to the top for aerial views of Washington D.C.

• Lincoln Memorial — Located at the western-end of the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial is another popular tourist destination. At its center is a gigantic giant marble statue of President Abraham Lincoln surrounded by 36 columns which represents states that existed at the time of his death. The memorial is free and open 24 hours so I would highly recommend visiting the attraction after dark when it is lit and less crowded.

• The Tidal Basin — Bordering monuments and memorials, the Tidal Basin, a man-made reservoir adjacent to the National Mall, is home to thousands of Cherry Trees that were gifted by Japan all around the edge of the water. Every spring, the Tidal Basin is surrounded by a cloud of cherry blossoms luring visitors from all over the world.

• The White House — Located in the heart of the nation’s capital, the White House is the official residence of the U.S. Presidents and one of the most iconic landmarks in Washington D.C. A trip to D.C. wouldn’t seem complete without getting a glimpse of the White House.

• Museums — From Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum to National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington D.C. is filled with world renowned museums and galleries that will appeal to virtually anyone’s interests. The best part is that all of the Smithsonian museums including the National Zoo are free to the public.

Let’s start out with some quick facts about you…

Rama Reddy – BJJ Globetrotters

Age: 33

Belt: Brown under Brian J. Johnson (Northwest Jiu Jitsu Academy)

Profession: Martial arts instructor

How many years in BJJ: Started in 2003, but took a couple of years off. Let’s say 13.

Other martial arts: Wrestling, boxing, kickboxing, and MMA

Where do you live: Currently Berlin, Germany

Where are you originally from: Seattle, USA

Other fun or curious information you’d like to share: I’m allergic to horses, donkeys, and mules. Probably also zebras.

Rama Reddy BJJ

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?

Training and traveling both have solid places in my well-being pantheon.

I remember seeing Christian’s blog ages ago and having so much admiration, but feeling like it was more or less an exceptional experience. The BJJ community however, are some of the most open, welcoming people I have ever met. I can’t really think of another community that has risen to the occasion like this except, like, cults or something.

Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?

Just spent a week in Ithaca, which was beautiful, and took a weekend trip to Hamburg to visit David Mendelsohn.

In July, I’ll be back in India with my friend Eliot Kelly for an 18-day seminar-tour. Eliot’s a BJJ black belt that I met traveling through Northern California in 2015 at El Dorado Hills BJJ, and he is a consummate grappler. We’re hoping to turn it into a web series with the MMA India Show. Somewhere between Anthony Bourdain and a grappling showcase. Should be fun! You can keep track of it here and here.

Rama Reddy BJJ

What are the things you enjoy about traveling?

Meeting locals and fellow travellers.

Though they’re often tourist traps, festivals are always such a jarring experience. Chinese New Year in Taipei, Oktoberfest in Munich, Carnival in Rio, and even music festivals all offer a view of humanity at its most extroverted.

Family barbeques are perhaps my favorite though. They have a nice balance of undistracted sociability, an intimate look inside a culture or family, and deliciousness. And clean bathrooms.

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?

Man, where to begin? If the goal, as mine, is to meet a bunch of cool people, I’m not sure if there’s anything that will catapult you into a social situation faster than a bunch of people attempting to strangle each other. I’ve been so lucky to meet great friends through the travel-BJJ combo.

Eliot Corley, who I met in Taiwan, comes to mind. I literally just put a hand-written note on a bulletin board that said “Hey, I want to train BJJ but I need partners.” and the dude emailed me. He went on to spend a year with me in India, and now runs Shuraba MMA in Taipei. If you’re keeping count, I have now mentioned two cool Eliots spelt with a single ‘t’.

When I visited Berlin for the first time, Robert Nestor was kind enough to let me stay at his gym, BJJ Akadamie. For the couple of days I was there, it was wake up, train, sight-see, train, sleep. I have since been plugging him as a “Host of the Year” candidate. He also introduced me to Kraftmalz, which is one of the best soft drinks in the universe. Just had a very similar experience with David in Hamburg. Truly grateful to be part of community of such big-hearted humans.

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?

Singular surprising experience probably happened in a favela called Pavaozinho. It sits on a hill between Ipanema and Copacabana in Rio. I was volunteering as an English teacher there in 2007. Most favelas are on hillsides, and most favelas are also run by local gangs. Many of the gangs fund themselves by selling drugs. That’ll come up later.

I climbed up the morro and I arrived at the school at my normal time, and noticed it was oddly quiet. The narrow lanes are normally teeming with kids. The school yard looked abandoned. At first, I was wondering if there was some holiday that I didn’t know about. After all, Catholics don’t need much of an excuse to party.

“RAMA!” I turned to see one of the project coordinators, another American, and she was in the doorway of a basement across from the school. Her eyes were wide as she waved for me to come down. I entered, and all of the kids and staff were there in this basement. The adults had stern or worried looks on their faces; a couple were pacing. The kids didn’t seem to give much of a shit. They were having fun with each other at their normal levels of volume. Almost felt like a Snow Day back in the US.

“What’s going on?” I asked the coordinator. “BOPEs”, she replied.

I had been introduced to “BOPE” almost immediately upon coming to Rio. They’re basically Brazilian SWAT, but they have a more ruthless reputation. Their gear is all black and their logo is a skull being impaled by a knife. Heart-warming stuff.

“We’re in the middle of a raid. They’re surrounding the Boca.”

The Boca (“Mouth”) is the top of the hill, where the leader of the gang and much of his presumed stash stays. I looked around, a few of the kids had said “hi” to me already, laughing as they tried to finish their homework in the chaos that dense groups of children can create. There didn’t seem to be much out of place in the manner of these kids. Smiles abounded. I was perplexed. But it didn’t take long for me to hear an ominous, rapid, deep wub-wub-wub sound steadily growing louder. As it did, we could tell it was above us, so a few of us gathered at the window, and peered up over the edge of the stairwell into the sky.

Have you ever seen a Huey helicopter? That was what we saw, perhaps 150 feet (50 meters) above. All black, with both cargo doors open. Facing toward the Boca was a BOPE firing a mounted machine gun. It was straight out of Halo or something. The words “What the fuck?!” came to mind. The strangest thing to me was the juxtaposition of bullets flying around outside, and kids inside trying to brush up on their adverbs. We stayed inside for a couple more hours, had a meal of feijao, occasionally heard distant pops and snaps and eventually left in the early evening after things had calmed down.

The next day, I learned arrests were made, but no one died, apparently. Just amazing.

TL;DR: Brazilian Government wages War on Drugs. School children unfazed.

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?

I don’t like spending unnecessarily, but don’t rob yourself of experiences that you’ll cherish.

• Travel: If you’re traveling between cities within a few hours of each other, I really liked using carpooling sites like Blablacar. Cheaper, faster, and can be more direct to your door than taking a bus or train. Plus you get to meet a few people on the way.
• Stay: Crash with friends, or if you’re staying at a hostel, see if you can cut a package deal.
• Food: Cook for yourself when you can, or ask around for cheap healthy food options. Get off the main street. The Supply-Demand Curve is not your friend in Tourist Traps. I was often surprised how well I could eat if I went to a grocery store and milled around.
• Misc: Learn how to hand-wash stuff. If you’re connected, ask around to see if you can do any odd-jobs and scrape together some cash.

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?

Reach out on the group! You will be bombarded with people that want to help. Bring some trinkets or little gifts to share.

I know I already mentioned this, but get used to handwashing. Your socks, underwear, and gi are precious commodities that you will use everyday and laundromats are a rip-off. Not to mention, few laundromats know how to handle a gi.

Know how traveling affects your body. Your lumbar might throw a tantrum after 8 hours of lugging a bag around and then rolling.

Thank you to Rama Reddy BJJ for doing this interview!

Let’s start out with some quick facts about you…

Craig Freiwald – BJJ Globetrotters

Age: 28
Belt: Purple
Profession: USAF Munitions Quality Assurance (I watch people work with explosives and make sure they don’t go boom)
How many years in BJJ: 6 years so far, plenty more to go
Other martial arts: A bit of muay thai and judo
Where do you live: Kaiserslautern, Germany
Where are you originally from: Weston, Florida
Other fun or curious information you’d like to share: I’ve lived in 6 different places in four different countries/continents over the past 8 years.

Craig Freiwald BJJ

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?

I originally started training BJJ in in Utah, USA. It was just something I always wanted to try after watching MMA as a teenager. I had never left the country before and got sent (via the military) to live in South Korea for a year. After seeing the international BJJ community first hand, I decided to start traveling more often and explore places I wouldn’t have thought about otherwise.

Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?

Most recently I was at the BJJ Globetrotters Castle Camp in Perugia, Italy. Immediately prior to that I was living in Djibouti, Africa for 7 months working with the US military.

The next trip on my schedule is the famous BJJ Globetrotters Summer Camp in Leuven, Belgium. It’ll be my first repeat camp and I look forward to seeing a lot of old friends.

Craig Freiwald BJJ

What are the things you enjoy about traveling?

What I enjoy most about travelling is to experience cultures other than my own. I think it is very valuable as a person to understand that not everyone lives the same way and that your way isn’t necessarily the best or only way of doing things.

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?

While living in South Korea, I was basically adopted by my local gym. Although there were some language barriers at times, they really felt like my family. They always took me with them to local events, taught me about their culture, and genuinely cared for my well-being.

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?

The most surprising experience would have to be getting surprise-interviewed by the local news channel in Nuuk, Greenland as a BJJ traveler. Also pretty much everything about the camp in Greenland. From eating whale blubber to jumping in the -1°C Greenlandic sea. The whole thing was surreal.

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?

I am far from a budget traveler. I like to save money at home so I can spend it on the road! My main focus during travels is to kick back and have a good time. Worrying about a budget just doesn’t do that for me.

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?

Get out of your comfort zone. Take a risk or do something that makes you nervous every now and then. Most of my favorite experiences have come when I had no idea what to expect.

Thank you Craig Freiwald BJJ for doing this interview!

Where is the gym located?

One Tribe BJJ Kenya is located in Nairobi, Kenya.

How many people train there?

At a regular session we’d have at least four people on the mats.

Is the gym growing – if so by how many new members each month or year?

Growing by roughly one to two new members per month.

What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?

The highest is Coach Séraphin (brown belt). The majority of others are white belts.

When did the gym open?

We’ve been around since 2013, but only since very recently in our new location.

Some facts about you:

Name: Tete
Age: 43
Academy: One Tribe BJJ Kenya
Belt: Purple
Profession: Real estate development
Years in BJJ: 11 years
Other martial arts: Muay thai, boxing
Currently living in: Nairobi, Kenya
Originally from: Kenya

Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence:
In the beginning (well, the beginning of 2012), I returned to the Motherland after a decade in the USA, where I had become well and truly addicted to the Arte Suave. At the time, Jiu Jitsu was but an infant art in Nairobi, with sporadic classes being taught by then-purple belt Julio Cezar DaSouza.

Then in 2013, Dave Thompson, a BTT Canada brown belt, arrived in Nairobi and went about setting up the first “official” BJJ school – Westlands BJJ. They trained out of a yoga studio in the Nairobi suburb of Westlands. Dave taught for one year, laying a firm foundation before returning to Canada, leaving Julio and myself to continue the growth of BJJ.

At that point the club was still called Westlands BJJ, but I wasn’t at all comfortable with that name. Nairobi has an unofficial border between the Eastlands (the lower economic area where the majority of people live) and the Westlands (the affluent side of town where the expats/economic immigrants live), and it was while discussing this with Stevie Kent, one of my training partners, that the name One Tribe was chosen for the club. Julio and I continued teaching at that location, with as many as 15 students on the mats at one time! It was during this time that I met Séraphin, then a visiting purple belt from Madagascar.

Unfortunately, in late 2016, due to various factors, Julio and I decided to go our separate ways, with me retaining the One Tribe BJJ name (but no location). But I had a dream, and after two years of steady grinding One Tribe BJJ finally found a permanent location. Serendipitously, Séraphin (now a brown belt), moved to Nairobi at roughly the same time, and we joined forces for the rebirth of OTBJJ. The club is now open daily at a price affordable to the locals (which was previously not the case), and now it’s time to grow!

Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they?

One Tribe BJJ Kenya has a mix of locals and foreigners, and students and professionals training with us, with a rough age range of twenties to forties. Not surprisingly, with the more affordable subscriptions we have more locals training than ever before!

Why do they train?
Mainly for the sport, although we have a competition team germinating bit by bit. Both Séraphin and I are keen competitors, and I was the first Kenyan to compete at the Abu Dhabi World Pro Jiu Jitsu Competition in 2015 (at blue belt – made it to quarterfinals).

What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general and in your location specifically?
The way Nairobi is spread out, and the TRAFFIC!!! The traffic in Nairobi, especially during rush hour, is NASTY! Because it’s so difficult to get from one location to another, for BJJ to really flourish in Nairobi we need at least one gym in each quadrant of the city.

How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
Bright! We’ve barely tapped even a fraction of the possible practitioners, and so things will only get better!!!

What’s the best thing about your gym?
The atmosphere and the instruction. Although still a brown belt, Séraphin is a really technical instructor and we’re blessed to have him here!

What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?
Well, not many cities have a game park in them, so I’d start with the wildlife. Then, on the flipside, Nairobi has a really bubbling live entertainment scene. And a whole lot between those two… Come to Nairobi and find out!!!

Thanks for sharing with us! If you would like to pay a visit to One Tribe BJJ Kenya, you can find them here.

Let’s start out with some quick facts about you…

J.W. Seo – BJJ Globetrotters

Age: 26
Belt: White
Profession: Analyst
How many years in BJJ: 1.5 years
Other martial arts: Taekwondo, MMA, muay thai
Where do you live: I’ve been a full-time BJJ Globetrotter for the past 1.5 years!

Where are you originally from: Seoul, Korea, but I lived in the United States for more than 10 years.
Other fun or curious information you’d like to share: Being new to BJJ, I did not (still do not) know many famous instructors or competitors. During my travels I had opportunities to meet a few legends (I’m too embarrassed to name them because they are big names in BJJ), and I had no idea who they were.

J.W. Seo – BJJ Globetrotters

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?

When I initially left New York to travel, I was a fresh beginner in BJJ. I wanted to keep myself in shape while traveling, so I packed a gi and some rashguards in my backpack. Then I realized that training BJJ around the world gave me a purpose for my travel. To be honest, it was one of those “one thing led to another” stories.

Tell us about your most recent trip and your upcoming trips – where have you been and where are you going?

In the past 1.5 years I’ve been to over 35 academies in 20+ countries, including Japan, Thailand, Germany, and Switzerland. I spent most of my time in Asia in 2017, and I’m planning to explore Europe this year. To be honest, it’s difficult to choose my favorite destination because every city or country I visited has its own character and charm, but, if I have to pick my favorite destination it would be Koh Tao in Thailand or Appenzell in Switzerland.

J.W. Seo – BJJ Globetrotters

What are the things you enjoy about traveling?

Yes, you will witness beautiful mountains and scenic beaches. And yes, you get to experience delicious local food. However, the best part about traveling is getting to meet new people and getting to know their experiences – whether they are fellow travellers or locals. It is one of the most invaluable experience you can get from traveling.

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?

The welcoming community in the BJJ world never ceases to amaze me. People I met while training around the world always want to know more about my travel experiences and would like to share their own. The mutual interest in BJJ instantly brings people together (especially when you are sweating on their faces after you have known them for 10 minutes). There were a few opportunities to reconnect with a few Globetrotters in different countries. For instance, Evan in Osaka, Japan took me to an izakaya for beer and delicious Japanese bar food after training, and I had a chance to return the favor in Seoul, Korea.

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?

When I was in Chiang Mai, Thailand, I was traveling with 15 people whom I met in a hostel. I was originally planning on going to Vietnam, and then I spontaneously decided to go to Laos with the group. I didn’t know anything about Laos, but I ended up loving the country for its beautiful mountains and lagoons (plus one of the best parties). When you’re traveling don’t be afraid to make spontaneous decisions, because you never know what adventure it’ll bring.

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?

If you’re looking for a cheap trip, don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. One night at hostels in Asia costs between $1 to $10 a night depending on the region. Although you may not have much privacy, it is a great way to meet other travelers. Also, street food in Southeast Asia is safe and cheap, which is a good alternative to going to touristy and expensive restaurants.

Also, take advantage of Matsurfing! It is a phenomenal way to connect with other Globetrotters. I stayed with four amazing BJJ hosts in different cities, and I cannot recommend it enough. If you’re thinking about traveling long-term, research working holiday visas that your home country offers. I was a cocktail bartender in Melbourne, Australia for 4 months with a working holiday visa, and it allows you not only to fund your travel but also to live like a local in a different country.

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?

The hardest part about traveling is to get up and start it. Don’t be afraid to start your own!

A big thanks to J.W. Seo – BJJ Globetrotters for doing this interview!

Let’s start out with some quick facts about you…

Graeme McKenna – BJJ Globetrotters

Age: 32
Belt: Blue
Profession: Itinerant sales and marketing manager with nothing to sell or market currently
How many years in BJJ: 2 years
Other martial arts: Got beat up a lot as a kid and Kenpo for 8 years
Where do you live: Currently in between London, UK and Melbourne, Australia for the next 3 months
Where are you originally from: Dublin, Ireland
Other fun or curious information you’d like to share: I am a Kung fu Master with a pirate’s mind. I spent the better part of a decade in a rock and roll band travelling through the deep south of the USA. And Highlander is the greatest movie ever made (there can be only one, but the sequels and the TV show aren’t THAT bad either).

Graeme McKenna BJJ

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?

There are two possible answers here.
Option 1: I am a disavowed IMF agent completing secret missions, and it brings me all over the world.
Option 2: I was given a great opportunity with my job to travel across Canada to Australia and back towards Europe for 12 months.

Tell us about your most recent trip and your upcoming trips – where have you been and where are you going?
Just got to London from Melbourne via Bali, and will be heading to the BJJ Globetrotter Zen Camp in Poland in a few weeks, but not before a trip to Manchester, Dublin, and Birmingham. After that, I’ll be visiting the Dominican Republic in October and hitting a few European destinations before I fly back to Australia to explore for the first few months of 2019.

Graeme McKenna BJJ

What are the things you enjoy about traveling?
I love to meet new people and to see new places. Travelling with work has given me the opportunity to see parts of the world that I would not have even considered visiting otherwise. The Globetrotter community has helped me meet so many people who otherwise would not exist in my life.

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
I’ve been travelling with my girlfriend and working long hours. Training has helped me make so many new friends along the way. When not staying in a place for a long time, it makes it hard to meet new people. Jiu Jitsu is like speed dating for new mates, so after a class or two people tend to invite you out for beers or over to watch fights etc.

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
Apparently in Asia you should not eat fresh vegetables out of a restaurant. That 15-hour flight to Europe with severe food poisoning was surprising for a lot of people.

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
I am definitely not a budget traveller. I’d love to be, but I’m just too good at spending money on things. It’s almost an art at this point.

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
Do not eat anything that gets washed in a sink and served without being heavily deep-fried while in a lot of Asia. You will regret it and it will make grappling a massively more extreme sport than it’s supposed to be.

Thank you Graeme McKenna BJJ for doing this interview!