Archive for category: Blogs

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!

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

Derrick Kersey – BJJ Globetrotters

Age: 32
Belt: Purple
Profession: Landlord / online merchandise services (designing, branding, selling)
How many years in BJJ: 7
Other martial arts: Jiu Jitsu is my passion and I’ve developed a love for wrestling as well.
Where do you live: I live in a van with my girlfriend and our two cats lol. It’s actually a small RV called a Roadtrek and has all the amenities of home – a fridge, shower, TV, stove, solar power, AC/furnace, and toilet. We’ve been travelling full-time in our RV for approximately 1.5 years, and work from the road on our computers. We continuously travel with the warm weather. We do have a “home base” in London, Ontario, where we have family and own two rental properties.
Where are you originally from: I was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I grew up in a small town 45 minutes from there named Leamington – “The Tomato Capital of Canada”. It’s mostly farmland and greenhouses.
Other fun or curious information you’d like to share: I’m very excited to return to the desert so I can try using my new bow and arrow and chiseling tools.

Derrick Kersey BJJ

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
The idea that I could train with some of the best Jiu Jitsu artists in the world, some of the best there have ever been, simply by choosing to (and of course paying a small fee). I see it like being able to train with Michael Jordan as an amateur basketball player. It’s a no-brainer to me. Years ago, I traveled to NYC solo as a white belt so that I could train at Marcelo Garcia’s Academy. He was my idol at the time. The experience couldn’t have gone better, and it only strengthened my lust to continue travelling and training while meeting people within the community.

Tell us about your most recent trip and your upcoming trips – where have you been and where are you going?
I’ve been driving across Canada from east to west – Ontario to British Columbia. I started out at my hometown academy in London, Ontario (Gracie Barra) and have visited a handful of gyms since along the way: Action Reaction MMA in Markham, Ontario, Gracie Humaita Winnipeg, Complete Martial Arts and Fitness Regina, and Josh Russel Academy in Calgary to name a few. Ideally I’ll spend one or two weeks at a gym and train at least once a day, then take a few days off while travelling to the next gym and exploring everything in between. A lot of my recovery time consists of long hikes with my girlfriend. Active recovery. We’re exploring British Columbia right now and will be heading down the west coast to California, then east along the south coast through Arizona, Texas etc. to arrive in Florida. Then it’s back up the east coast towards our home in London, Ontario. This whole route took us approx. 7 months the last time around.

Derrick Kersey BJJ

What are the things you enjoy about traveling?
I enjoy meeting new people and learning about them and experiences they’ve had. Learning about the different environments I’m travelling to; their ecosystems, weather, animals, and geology. Visiting rare and impressive destinations, artificial or natural, and learning about their history. Of course, trying some authentic local food in any given area as well as some craft beer is always fun.

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
There are days where I get to wake up just steps from a picturesque beach. I might make coffee, go for a jog, then work from my laptop in the sand before my girlfriend and I go out for dinner or explore something in the area. There are other times in the desert where we’d hike a mountain to view ancient petroglyphs carved in the side of a cliff face, or mornings where I’d throw in my headphones and strap some chiseling tools around my waist, then free climb up a mountain while looking for rare stones and gems to chisel out and keep as a memento. I can go on and on about experiences like this that I am so grateful for.

But I’m also grateful for the experiences and friendships I’ve made with others within the community. One example is when I was in Tempe, Arizona for two weeks to train at Gustavo Dantes Jiu Jitsu Academy. I had an amazing time here. The training was tough, and I learned so much. I would wake up to do morning class, go for a hike with my girlfriend in the afternoon (that would of course end with some amazing view), and then train again at night or maybe go out for dinner. Before my last day there, I thanked the manager Nigel Kurtz for allowing me to train with them and being so welcoming. As soon as he heard I was leaving, he suggested that we all go out for lunch the next day – a handful of people from the gym, my girlfriend and myself – as a type of “send off” to us. After training the next day he got a few people together and we went out for sushi. This may seem like a small gesture to some, but to me, it’s experiences of meeting new people like this that become some of the most memorable.

Another specific experience I had was while staying on a plateau in a desert canyon. We happened to meet an older man camping on his own who said he basically lives there throughout the year, for as long as the weather permits. He said he was a university Drama professor, who fell in love with the desert at a younger age and now spends all the time there that he can. He was very eccentric, intelligent, and taught us about the different desert plants and animals, gave us some tips for desert survival, as informed us about some “must see” locations that may otherwise be less known to the general public. These are memories that I know I will be able to look back on and be glad I had.

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
It’s tough to speak in absolutes, but I did notice the surprising amount of personality similarities that we all have within the BJJ community, as well as how welcoming the community is. In most gyms I’ve visited, I heard the same conversations, friendly ribbing, sometimes even drama, but it felt familiar. We are all so much the same. Even a new gym could feel somewhat familiar after only a few minutes of conversation with someone.

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
Absolutely. We bought an RV specifically because we determined it was the most cost-effective way for us to travel to all the places we’d like to see. There are many online resources to take advantage of: countless Facebook groups and apps, made specifically to assist you with travelling on a budget. We have dozens of apps that we use and online communities that we are a part of that contribute some way into making this lifestyle possible. Networking is important. There are resources like Matsurfing within BJJ Globetrotters that allow you to connect with others who are offering up a place to stay in their area while you train.

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
Plan to your comfort level and do it. Stop thinking about reasons not to. Understand that yes, while travelling things can happen that you can’t control, and learn to accept that. Most peoples’ concerns with travel are worrying about “what if”s. Which is normal. It was – and still is – my largest concern, but I’m much better at managing that now. Travelling and training the way we are now is the best decision I’ve ever made.

“A ship in harbor is safe – but that is not what ships are built for.” – John A. Shedd

Thank you to Derrick Kersey BJJ for doing this interview!

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

Astrid Nörenberg – BJJ Globetrotters

Age: 33
Belt: Blue
Profession: Scientist by training, currently working in sales and management.
How many years in BJJ: Around 5 years.
Other martial arts: Several years of kickboxing and muay thai.
Where do you live: Mainly in a city close to Frankfurt, Germany, but also part-time in Hamburg as well as on the road.
Where are you originally from: From a very small and beautiful town close to Frankfurt.
Other fun or curious information you’d like to share: Ha! I think I’m fun to hang around with and probably a decent human being. I enjoy good company a lot. I love life. Summarizing me very briefly: motorcycles, BJJ, cake, photography, travel, books.

Astrid Nörenberg BJJ

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
I wouldn’t say that something “inspired” me per se. Due to my job I travel a lot, and I was always frustrated not being able to really train during those weeks on the road. I forced myself into a fitness gym occasionally but that’s not really fun – at least not for me. After my first BJJ Camp in the Caribbean in 2017 and an introduction to the whole Globetrotters community I just take my BJJ gear wherever I go – business trips or holidays.

Tell us about your most recent trip and your upcoming trips – where have you been and where are you going?
The most recent trip was for business. I was in the US and Canada for 3 weeks, and covered Victoria (BC), San Francisco, San Diego, Salt Lake City, Chicago, and NY.

There’s already a lot planned for next year too. On the BJJ side of things I’ll join the Winter Camp in Austria and the Spring Camp in Estonia. Other vacation ideas include Corsica and Sicily, as well as some weekend trips to different cities. On the business side it’ll mainly be the US and some major European cities such as Copenhagen and London.

Astrid Nörenberg BJJ

What are the things you enjoy about traveling?
A lot of things! First of all, I really enjoy discovering new places. This includes meeting and talking to different people, getting to know different cultures and traditions, as well as the place itself with its landscapes and architecture. Also I’m a big foodie – a very important task is always to find the best cake!

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
I loved the atmosphere at the Flow Academy in Marbella, Spain, which I visited with a friend. The training was great, the people were so friendly and welcoming, and afterwards we just sat and talked while enjoying some breakfast together. Another gym I really enjoy is Gracie Barra in North Babylon on Long Island (NY, USA). Every time I’m in Long Island I just stop by. Others definitely worth mentioning are Fierce Studio (Victoria, Canada), Team Octopus (Atlanta, USA) and of course my former fellows at Team Choco (Heidelberg, Germany).

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
I know it might sound lame and that I just repeat what others have already said, but definitely how friendly, welcoming, and open the BJJ community is.

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
I guess I fall somewhere in the middle there. I do look for cheap flights and good deals, and I use airBnB a lot, but I don’t enjoy hostels where I have to share my room with 10 people. Mostly booking ahead of time helps reduce the costs. I love planning out my trips way in advance.

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
Be open-minded, be friendly, be humble, ask for help if needed, and don’t be scared to just walk into a gym and ask if you can join the class. I haven’t experienced a single bad thing when it comes to BJJ and training. Everyone has been friendly, warm, and welcoming.

Thank you to Astrid Nörenberg BJJ for doing this interview!

Where is the gym located?
FM BJJ Carrigaline Ireland is located at SOLAS Health & Fitness – Unit 6, Carrigaline Industrial Estate, Kilnagleary, Carrigaline, Cork, Ireland.

How many people train there?
10-15

Is the gym growing – if so by how many new members each month or year?
Numbers are slowly increasing by around 2-3 committed students each year.

What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?
The head coach of the affiliation is a 3rd degree black belt, and the head coach of the club is a 3-stripe brown belt. The newest student has 2 classes done!

When did the gym open?
2014

Some facts about you:

Name: Roy Noonan
Age: 35
Academy: FM BJJ Carrigaline Ireland
Belt: Brown
Profession: Military
Years in BJJ: 11
Other martial arts: Judo, MMA, boxing
Currently living in: Cork (2 minutes from the gym)
Originally from: Cork

Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence:
I started out by borrowing mats to train nearer to home, as my gym at the time was too far away, I eventually got 3 other people to train regularly, but had to give back the mats. So I just decided to buy my own mats and later got affiliated.

Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they?
Mostly college students and other military personnel.

Why do they train?
I try to make the classes as fun as possible, I believe in laughing while learning where possible! So I guess that they enjoy it while learning an effective art and getting fit.

What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general and in your location specifically?
It’s an almost unheard-of sport, and rent in my area is very expensive.

How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
Growing every year. I will hopefully run FM BJJ Carrigaline Ireland until I’m too old to move, and expect others to start over the years as more Jiu-Jitsu blackbelts come to be.

What’s the best thing about your gym?
The students are all good friends. No egos – they all just look to practice Jiu-Jitsu and have fun.

What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?
We have several beaches nearby (although Irish weather is mostly bad) and coastal towns. Carrigaline is just a few minutes walk away, and we have a hotel and B&Bs near the club. Plus airport and ferry ports just a few minutes drive from gym!

Thanks for sharing with us! If you’d like to pay a visit to FM BJJ Carrigaline Ireland, you can find them here.

Where is the gym located?
Anchor BJJ & Fit for Life China is located in Haikou, Hainan (aka. the Honolulu of China).

How many people train there?
About 150.

Is the gym growing – if so by how many new members each month or year?
Yes, we went from 20 students originally to about 150 today.

What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?
We have white to black belts at our school.

When did the gym open?
We’ve been open for about three years in our own building.

Some facts about you:

Name: Tim Rodgers
Age: 43
Academy: Anchor BJJ & Fit for Life China
Belt: 1st degree black belt
Profession: Jiu Jitsu school and coffee shop/bakery owner
Years in BJJ: Since 2000
Other martial arts: Krav Maga and Wrestling
Currently living in: Haikou, China
Originally from: Costa Mesa, California

Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence:
I grew up in southern California. After high school, I moved to Brazil, discovered Jiu Jitsu, and stayed there until I got my black belt (Buchecha’s dad and I got our blue belts together). When I left Brazil and came back to America, I was looking for a new place to go with my family and China is where we ended up. I now run an American bakery/cafe and Jiu-Jitsu school on beautiful Hainan island.

Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they?
Anchor BJJ & Fit for Life China is made up of expats, Chinese nationals, and college students from the local university. We also have lots of kids. So many kids.

Why do they train?
English lessons, fitness, and self-defense are just some of the reasons people train, especially the kids. We’re in a nice part of town with lots of families. Our city is a vacation destination and summer home for many mainland Chinese, so we have many people that train seasonally as well. And we’re a haven or port of call for many expats that just want a taste of home.

What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general and in your location specifically?
We face the same challenges as any other gym, but we also have some cultural differences to take into account. China is a very different country and we’ve brought a business that is very unique. But we try to integrate the culture of the bakery and the school and create an authentic place that’s an anchor (hence the name) for people who are away from home, traveling through, or are just stressed with life. The biggest challenge is that advertising just isn’t done in China the way it is in the States. Everything is word of mouth. So we just focus on providing quality all around.

How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
We’re growing for sure and have a bright future! We spent the first few years helping people figure out what Jiu Jitsu is (we even had a few challenge matches), slowly creating a real Jiu Jitsu culture along the way, and now it’s just blossoming.

What’s the best thing about your gym?
The team meals after training. We have a full cafe and restaurant that serves a meal every night. After the kids class it’s fun to watch all the cute kids eat with their parents and friends. After the adult classes too, everyone gathers for food. On any one evening we might have friends from China, South Africa, America, Russia and more enjoying a meal together after a good session where we’ve all pushed each other.

What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?
On the other side of the island, maybe a day trip to Sanya or down to Wanning (where the world longboarding surf championships are held). Around Haikou itself we have beautiful parks and beaches. Either way, don’t come to China without experiencing the food with a local. The experience of eating with a Chinese family is something else! Both the food and hospitality are unique.

Just think of visiting our island as visiting Hawaii in the South China Sea!!

Thanks for sharing with us! If you’d like to pay a visit to Anchor BJJ & Fit for Life China, you can find them here.

After almost 2 years of being a BJJ Globetrotter, I finally planned a reunion with my college friends in Brussels. Sadly, this will be my last training report in Europe (only for now!) before returning to the United States. Don’t worry, I expect more training in Europe in the future! On a Friday evening, I got off a TGV in Brussels. Right after checking into an Airbnb, I stopped by Aorta BJJ for an evening training session before reuniting with my friends, Sebastian and Scotty.

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

City
Brussels, the capital city of Belgium and the European Union, has much more to offer than its famous waffles, beer and chocolate. Starting with the surreal art collections in museums and scenic parks around the city, Brussels’ streets beyond the city center are lined with breathtaking architecture and high-quality restaurants and bars that will make you wonder why you have not visited Brussels before.

Overview
Established in 2018, Aorta BJJ is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in Brussels, Belgium headed by Professor Axel Vankimmenade who received his BJJ Black Belt under Bruno Pedras. He is not only one of the co-founders of Aorta Training Center but also an an accomplished competitor whose record speaks for his qualifications as an instructor. Professor Vankimmenade is also active in the Belgian martial arts community by working as a referee for Belgian Mixed Martial Arts Federation (BMMAF) and the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). The academy currently has 3 black belt instructors who are highly skilled and experienced in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and offers a variety of martial arts disciplines including boxing and wrestling.

Fortunately, I had a chance to train with Professor Vankimmenade during my quick visit. I initially struggled a bit to find an entrance to the gym among beautiful brick buildings, but I was soon welcomed by a spacious gray and blue mat space and the professor himself. Given it was Friday evening, the class size seemed smaller than normal, but I did enjoy the tailored instruction and attention during the class. My initial impression was that the training was somewhat unorthodox utilizing exercise balls for warm-ups and drilling in the beginning. However, after training in Brussels, I have started to incorporate these drills into my own game and training routines. With the head coach’s attention and friendly students, my training experience was nothing but pleasant before offsetting all of my training gains with delicious Belgian frites and beer on a Friday night. With the quality of training and instruction, I can easily guess the overall skill level at the academy.

With its friendly atmosphere and top-notch unconventional training, visiting Aorta BJJ might give you different perspectives on your training regimen and BJJ games, not to mention that it will add another reason to visit Brussels. Thank you, Professor Vankimmenade and the rest of the Aorta family for being amazing hosts in Brussels. I will be back!

Location & Facility
The facility is located on the east side of Brussels (Rue de la Luzerne 40, 1030 Schaerbeek, Belgium). With the city’s public transportation system, you can easily reach the academy from the city center via tram. The facility includes a clean gray mat space for training and locker rooms for men and women. (Google Map: Link)

Schedule
Aorta BJJ offers classes ranging from BJJ to MMA every day. The academy’s most recent schedule is posted below:

Visitor Pass
The academy is a BJJ Globetrotters affiliated gym. However, it is always courteous to reach out to the gym before your visit.

Website — Aorta Training Center

Tourist Attractions

• La Grand-Place— Located in the heart of Brussels, the Grand Place is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the stunning iconic landmarks in Belgium. Surrounded by the beautiful city hall and guild offices with their striking architecture, the square will leave you awestruck as you stand in the middle of a living testimony of Brussels’ history. At certain times of the year or even of the day, you will find different events, markets, and atmosphere in the square.

• Manneken Pis —This eccentric statue is a popular tourist attraction in Brussels although there isn’t much to it besides a small boy statue peeing into the fountain. The name simply translates to “little boy pee” and, if you are not paying attention, you are most likely to miss this statue. Due to its fame, many people expect a larger statue (at least I did), but will be often surprised to find Brussels’ tiny mascot in the city center.

• Waffles, Frites, and Beer — I think this section is self-explanatory.

Thank you, Brussels. I hope to be back in this beautiful city soon!

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

Sabine Deviche – BJJ Globetrotters

Age: 35
Belt: White
Profession: Graphic designer / Illustrator / Web developer
How many years in BJJ: 2.5 years
Other martial arts: None. I did train for a couple of years in Olympic-style weightlifting in the past, and also dabbled in rock climbing, running, crossfit, and yoga.
Where do you live: I’m in Bangkok (Thailand) at the moment! I’m based out of Phoenix (Arizona, USA) and return there for a couple of months every winter to visit family over the holidays, but otherwise spend the rest of the year slow-traveling the world, changing cities about once a month.
Where are you originally from: Mostly Phoenix (Arizona, USA), though I was born in Liege (Belgium) and grew up in Fairbanks (Alaska, USA). My parents live in Phoenix and my extended family live in Belgium, so those are the two places I return to periodically and I feel the most connection to.
Other fun or curious information you’d like to share: Besides BJJ, my main interests include food, art, nature, and science. I’m working on becoming a better photographer, but am still in the earlier stages of that. I speak English (fluently) and French (fluently but badly). I’ve been to 19 countries in the last 3 years! Following in the footsteps of many BJJ Globetrotters that came before me, I’m on a slow quest to train at 200 BJJ gyms around the world, and am currently at 43. No deadline for completion of this, since I tend to stay in one place for longer periods of time. I write about my travels on the BJJ Globetrotters blog (https://bjjglobetrotters.com/author/sabined/) if you’re interested in reading more about any of the specific countries I’ve been to in the last 6 months.

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
Traveling the world, seeing and experiencing different environments and cultures firsthand was something I’ve wanted to do for as long as I can remember. It wasn’t articulated as such at the time, since it seemed like too much of an impossible dream to even consider, but looking back on it now, all my favorite stories and daydreams involved some kind of exploring the world.

Training regularly is part of the routine of my everyday life, so it seemed logical to continue regardless of where I was located. What really connected those two pieces though was the 2017 BJJ Globetrotters Summer Camp in Leuven, experiencing BJJ as a worldwide community as opposed to an isolated hobby.

Tell us about your most recent trip and your upcoming trips – where have you been and where are you going?
I’m currently exploring Southeast Asia, which is my first time in this part of the world. This month was spent in Thailand (one week in Phuket, then 3 weeks in Bangkok). I’ll be going to Hanoi (Vietnam) for a month next, then to Chiang Mai for another month in Thailand. I’m not certain yet where I’ll go for the couple of months after that.

I’ll return to Europe for the BJJ Globetrotters Heidelberg Summer Camp in late July, which I’m hugely looking forward to! Afterwards, I’ll continue traveling throughout Europe until November/December, when it’s time to head back to Arizona again. At the moment, the countries that interest me most in Europe are Croatia, Spain, Montenegro, and Greece – but that might change considerably before then. It’s a continuously evolving travel plan!

Sabine Deviche BJJ

What are the things you enjoy about traveling?
Visiting new gyms is, of course, always one of my favorite parts of traveling! Constant exposure to new training partners with different techniques and styles of rolling is a great learning experience, and forces me to constantly adapt. Training BJJ is also exceptionally great way to meet people, make new friends, and get to know the city and culture from a more local perspective.

Also, the food! Especially desserts – I love sweets. Every country has so many new meals and flavors I’ve never tasted before, and I want to try them all! I’m not certain what a lot of the ingredients in the meals I’m ordering in Southeast Asia actually are, but it’s all amazingly delicious.

Also, the people. I’m always amazed how friendly, open, helpful, and welcoming people are to travelers, and how easy it is to find yourself having a great conversation with a total stranger.

Besides that, I do enjoy seeing a few of the tourist attractions and museums that especially interest me. I also enjoy the everyday routine of going about normal life… but in a foreign city. It generally doesn’t take me more than a couple of days to get comfortable in a new place and start to feel a little at home there. If there’s any parks, natural areas, or smaller pretty streets nearby, I love being outside and going for walks, hikes, or jogs outside as well.

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
One thing that comes to mind from last year’s travels in Europe: I’d been in Belgrade (Serbia) for about a week, training at Kimura Academy, and was starting to make a few friends at the gym. One day, I was having a conversation with some of the students about traditional Serbian foods. Later that week, Ivana (one of my more regular training partners) came to class with a freshly baked, home-made Zapečene palačinke cake for me! I was just so surprised and touched by this very thoughtful and kind gesture. Seriously, nothing says “welcome to my country” like a home-baked, traditional dessert!

More recently, here in Bangkok, I had the very cool experience of trying an “ice bath” for the first time at Bangkok Fight Lab! This basically consists of filling a huge plastic bin with ice and water, then submerging one person at a time up to the neck in freezing cold water for a full minute. It’s supposed to help with muscle recovery and have all sorts of great health benefits. Admittedly, the thought of getting into a giant bucket of ice water sounded like just about the worst idea ever, but I wasn’t about to turn down such a unique experience! Fortunately, Morgan (head instructor and gym owner) didn’t give me any time to reconsider after I agreed to try it, otherwise I probably would have backed out. I succeeded at staying in the full minute and felt amazing when it was over, so crisp and refreshing!

Overall, traveling has had an immensely positive impact both myself and my perception of the world. Traveling solo has greatly improved my confidence in my own abilities to handle logistics and to resolve unexpected challenges. Dealing with so many unknown factors on a regular basis has made me a considerably more patient, accepting, and easygoing person. I’ve also become much more comfortable talking to strangers, even when there’s a huge language barrier.

Traveling abroad has also changed my perspective of my own Western/American culture. While I’m more critical of some things, I can also now better appreciate certain aspects which I previously took for granted or never noticed.

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
I’ve been surprised by how universal training BJJ is. Even in classes where people speak little/no English, following along with and participating in training sessions has been no problem. Even when the rest of the city feel quite foreign, stepping onto the mats is stepping into a familiar space. Regardless of country and culture, the experience of training BJJ remains largely the same everywhere.

I’m also surprised how safe most of the places I’ve visited so far have been. Which isn’t to say there aren’t still a few isolated areas to avoid, and that you shouldn’t still exercise some general level of caution everywhere. But overall, even traveling solo on a pretty tight budget (which limits options sometimes), I’ve felt completely at-ease in most places I’ve traveled abroad.

Sabine Deviche BJJ

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
Yes, I’m very much a budget traveler! Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a huge amount of money to travel many parts of the world – it just takes some planning, prioritizing, and saving/spending money wisely.

First, I choose destinations where cost of living is affordable/cheap. Honestly, there’s no way I could live the quality of life I have now on my current budget in America – everything is just much more expensive there. I also choose cities and lodging where I’ll be able to easily rely on public transportation, biking, or walking on a regular basis. I don’t actually own a bike, but many European cities have options to rent one for cheap.

Second, I find the cheapest way to get anywhere. Europe has a ton of ultra-budget airlines that make it easy to country-hop for super cheap. I once got a flight from Paris to Venice on Ryanair for €7.99! Southeast Asia has a lot of great budget airlines as well. Another wonderful option is a long-distance bus. I once got from Brussels to London on a Flixbus for €19.99! I have the huge luxury of being fairly flexible with dates and destinations, which makes it easier to take advantage of great deals when they pop up.

Third, I try find the cheapest possible accommodations that fulfill my basic criteria. I don’t care how small the place is as long as it has a desk, refrigerator, good wifi, access to a laundry machine, good reviews, and decent location (not too far from public transportation, the gym, grocery stores). The sweet spot for this seems to be a bit outside city center, but not too far towards the outskirts of town. Many places give significant discounts for longer stays as well.

In regards to saving up, there’s no real secret or shortcut to it – I basically just live a very minimalist life and rarely spend money on anything that isn’t an absolute necessity. In terms of material things – I really don’t need much to be happy, and would rather just spend the money I have on more travel and cool experiences abroad. I cook at home a lot too, which does saves a lot over eating at restaurants regularly.

Logistical expenses aside, I do also give myself a small “fun” budget to see/do the handful of things that interest me most in each new city, or treat myself to food/drinks at a nicer restaurant once in awhile. That’s part of the joy of traveling too, after all!

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
Get a lightweight travel gi – they’re worth their weight in gold for the luggage space and kilos saved over carrying a standard gi! They also air-dry much faster than regular gis, which becomes important when you’re only traveling with 1-2 gis and training pretty regularly.

Leave a huge buffer of extra time when you’re going anywhere (but especially catching flights). Traffic can be bad, busses and trains might be delayed or altogether canceled, you might get lost on the way, signs might be confusing, lines might be extra long etc. Far better to arrive early than to deal with the stress of being rushed or possibly altogether missing a flight.

If a local person recommends anything, it’s probably definitely something worth seeing, doing, or eating!

Lastly, for new travelers – do not be afraid. Or, be afraid but don’t let it prevent you from doing anything. I know it might seem really intimidating and overwhelming your first time traveling (especially solo), but it’s really quite feasible. Leave your comfort zone and go see some new places – the experience will definitely worth it!

Thank you Sabine Deviche BJJ for doing this interview!

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

Raffaela Milner – BJJ Globetrotters

Age: 26
Belt: Purple
Profession: Retired physicist, current martial arts instructor
How many years in BJJ: 5 this summer
Other martial arts: Since I started martial arts because I wanted to become a well-rounded MMA fighter, I’ve been training in all areas: striking, wrestling/judo, and ground fighting. My main stand-up style is Dutch kickboxing and Muay Thai. I’m definitely better in wrestling than in judo, but I’m learning! The ground game is where I feel most comfortable and where I have my main fighting experience, but I’ve also had 6 MMA fights and done a few kickboxing tournaments.
Where do you live: Nowhere and everywhere, since I don’t really have a home base right now. I’m just traveling to different places where I can teach and train for a while.
Where are you originally from: I was born in Offenbach am Main (Germany) and grew up in Germany. My parents are from the Republic of Moldova.
Other fun or curious information you’d like to share: I’m not Russian, but I speak Russian; I’m not German, but I am a German citizen; I’m not American, but I played American football; I’m not Brazilian, but my life revolves around Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Raffaela Milner BJJ

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
I used to travel a lot while I was still at uni. During the semester breaks, I would work for a month and then travel for 6 or 8 weeks. After getting my degree I was either too busy or too broke to travel, and I was really missing it a lot. Once I started martial arts I only ever traveled to fight MMA or to go to tournaments or camps, but that never really gave me enough time to actually explore the places I went to. Last year I had a knee injury that took me off the mats for a while, and I decided that I will give my body a break from competing until I really feel like it again. Taking that break allowed me to travel. As soon as my knee healed enough to train again, I hit the road.

I’ve always been interested in learning new languages, getting to know people, exploring nature, and discovering cultures. I am happy to combine that with training and teaching martial arts.

Tell us about your most recent trip and your upcoming trips – where have you been and where are you going?
Right now I’m in Asheville, North Carolina in the US. I’m training BJJ and judo at Open Source Jiu-Jitsu, and was teaching there and at another gym in town. Open Source is one of my favourite places ever. The atmosphere is great, the owners Bobby and Amanda McMasters are awesome, and it attracts a lot of very cool people. Also, Asheville is known for its breweries and the magnificent nature around it. There are lots of beautiful hikes about an hour away from here. I’ve been to Mount Pisgah, looking at the Blue Ridge mountains off in the distance. I saw some waterfalls, and my favourite place was Max Patch where I had one of the most surreal views ever.

Before I came to Asheville I was in the Netherlands, where I trained at Apex Jiu Jitsu in Enschede. Despite the obvious reasons why it’s cool to hang out in the Netherlands, there are also a few good BJJ gyms and many really good kickboxing gyms. The forest in Enschede is also really beautiful, and I loved just walking through the woods.

I’m not exactly sure where I’m going next. On my list are Portugal, Estonia, and Ireland. When I get back from the US, I’ll be in Germany for a few weeks and will help a friend out with his gym, since he just had surgery. After that I’ll go to one of those places I mentioned above, or another country in Europe. For the next big trip in 2020 or 2021, I plan on going to Japan.

Raffaela Milner BJJ

What are the things you enjoy about traveling?
Meeting interesting people and making friends, learning about history and culture, training at different places and learning martial arts from and with so many different people, eating local food, being invited to teach at different places, exploring nature and hiking, learning new languages or getting to speak the ones I can.

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
Most of those experiences are manifestations of how friendly and welcoming most people are.

In Enschede (Netherlands), for example, I was hosted by one of the Team members of Apex Jiu-Jitsu for an extended period of time.

And I was asked to teach at three different places in Asheville. It was very cool to see how people appreciate having a female purple belt and MMA fighter around. I got the feeling that people in the US are really excited about having a female instructor, and getting more women on the mats in general. That is a very different impression from what I experienced in Europe most of the time – although there are of course many places there where people are excited about having a female instructor as well.

Another beautiful thing about traveling and training is making your own experiences. That might sound trivial, but I think sometimes the most obvious things are the ones that have a big impact. What I mean is that people talk a lot about other fighters or academies or cultures, but at the end of the day it’s not possible to know how it would be to live or train somewhere or to live in another country without trying it. Who knows, maybe you can find a place that feels like home?

Coming from Germany, I’d heard all sorts of cliches about Americans, and I have to say that they are not true at all. In fact, most people I met (not only in the gym, also just random people) have been very ready to help and quite eager for a casual conversation.

And last but not least, I love martial arts. And it’s great to meet so many different people with different styles, and see what works against which style and what does not. I’m thinking about running a gym at some point in my life, so seeing how other people do it interests me a lot.

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
A recurring theme for me when I travel is finding some mind-blowing place in nature, often completely unexpectedly. If I just go somewhere to train or to be in a city, I still always seem to find a little place in nature or a forest that’s just stunning. And even when I go somewhere specifically to experience nature, I’m still usually surprised at how it’s even more beautiful than I imagined.

For example, when I came to Ashville I knew that it’s known for its nature, especially the Blue Ridge Mountains, the waterfalls, and the colorful trees. Nonetheless, I’ve been here for almost 10 weeks and still manage to get surprised by the views and by the blooming trees. I’ve never seen so many different colors in nature at the same time, and it is for sure one of my favorite places now – I had no idea when I came here!

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
I try to either stay at a gym, a friend’s place, or to find a host. If that doesn’t work out, I stay at a hostel or an Airbnb. Eating out is usually one of the biggest expenses on the road, so I always try to stay at a place where I can use a kitchen to cook for myself – and also for my host if I have one. I try to find places where I can matsurf in exchange for teaching. Before this trip, I saved up some money in advance by working at a university and by minimizing my living expenses at all times – not only when I’m traveling. I also try to have some jobs that I can do online, like writing math problems and their solutions for school textbooks.

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
Plan your trip just enough to have some orientation, but don’t plan too much, since that opens up the space for many opportunities and surprises. Stay open-minded, and don’t fixate on a particular outcome in all the decisions you have to make along your travel – things usually work out fine! Enjoy the present moment, and try to be in nature as much as possible!

Thank you to Raffaela Milner BJJ for doing this interview!

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

Ed Calvert – BJJ Globetrotters

Age: 34
Belt: Purple
Profession: Currently unemployed, previously involved in medical equipment sales.
How many years in BJJ: Around 10 (slow learner)
Other martial arts: None
Where do you live: Edinburgh, Scotland
Where are you originally from: Blackpool, England
Other fun or curious information you’d like to share: (More on the curious side!) I have a fake ball due to having had testicular cancer back in 2012. I also have quite a good story about it that has been told many times along my travels.

Ed Calvert BJJ

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
A combination of coming out of a divorce and getting the all-clear from the testicular cancer (an early midlife crisis?). I woke up one Sunday and felt the urge to take the chance and travel while I have the opportunity. I also attended my first BJJ Globetrotters camp in Heidelberg, and that confirmed it was a good idea!

Tell us about your most recent trip and your upcoming trips – where have you been and where are you going?
I quit my job with the intention of training BJJ in many different countries over the course of a year. I started off well, but have to admit the lure of beer and socialising has taken over at times! Initially I did a BJJ camp in Bali, and after this I trained in the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, and Hawaii. Next, I’m off to Mexico as I make my way towards South America.

Ed Calvert BJJ

What are the things you enjoy about traveling?
Escaping from routine, not knowing who you will meet and whether or not they will have a big influence on your life, and experiencing all the different sensations and cultures around the world.

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
It’s always good to put yourself out of your comfort zone, and not many things do this as well as travelling and training!

In Hiroshima, I attempted to take the bus to Fujita BJJ and got massively lost. I used Google Translate to communicate with the kind Japanese guy next to me, who ended up ordering me a taxi. Eventually I rocked up to the gym where no one could speak English. I went on to have an amazing night with some very technical grapplers, they allowed me to train for free (quite rare in Japan), ended up giving me their club patch (the Hiroshima Peace Crane), and one of the guys there even drove me home. After this I went to a local Izakaya, I was the only Western person in there, and they all looked at me weirdly (pretty sure they were slating me in Japanese). Anyway, by the end of the night I was getting drunk with them and they gave me 30% off my bill. I went back the next 3 nights in a row!

Hawaii also had a great BJJ scene. There’s a cool store in a mall where they have an open mat on Sundays. I met a great guy there who picked me up from the airport and took me to Workshop Jiu Jitsu, where I got my mind blown by their instructor Larry! Well worth a visit if you’re ever in Oahu.

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
The amount of people in dorms that snore like chainsaws! Invest in decent earplugs! Also, the cost of some gyms in Japan and the US took me by surprise.

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
I have to confess I am terrible at budgeting. I’m mainly staying in hostels, and have done a little bit of couchsurfing – which has led to some interesting experiences!

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
Book your trip and go. I was nervous about giving up my job and home life to do this trip, but as soon as I landed in Bali I knew I’d made the right decision. If you are considering doing it, then take action and before you know it you’ll be on your way.

You can keep track of the rest of the trip at https://www.instagram.com/eddie_bjj/

Thank you Ed Calvert BJJ for doing this interview!