Archive for category: Blogs

Age: 26

Belt: Brown

Profession: Freelance photographer

How many years in BJJ: 8

Other martial arts: None!

Where do you live: Currently living in a tent while travelling around the world on my motorcycle.

Where are you from: Westchester County, New York, USA.

Other fun or curious information you would like to share: I’d be remiss NOT to mention my website, www.mikebarrphotography.com, which is where I write about my journey and sell my photography prints!

Mike Barr – BJJ training

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
So this trip – and I say this trip because I actually did another BJJ Globetrotters trip back in 2017 – has been in the works since February/March of 2018.

I graduated from college in May 2017, did a 7-week road trip around the US, and then immediately dove into my first “big boy job”. I was a property manager at a real estate company near where I grew up. It wasn’t a job I’d ever pictured myself doing, but for a 21-year-old kid with student loan payments starting, I couldn’t complain. For the first time in my life, I had a large amount of disposable income, so I went out and bought my first motorcycle – just in time for winter to hit New York. I put the bike into storage for the winter, and pulled it back out of storage the first warm weekend in 2018.

The idea to do a RTW trip (round-the-world) didn’t really come from anywhere special – the idea wasn’t there, and then it was. I’ve come to realize in the last few years during the planning stage that there’s a number of deep-seated reasons for this trip, but they all come back to the same thing: I want to live a life that I’ll be proud to look back on when I’m older. I want to be able to sit my kids down one day and tell them about the crazy journey I experienced when I was in my twenties, and I want to do that journey now, BEFORE I settle down and start a family of my own.

Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?
At the time of writing this, I’ve been on the road for a day shy of two months. I left my hometown in New York on September 10th, and immediately headed up to the Adirondack Mountains for a weekend wedding. I spent a few weeks in the northeast, cutting across Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. While in Maine, I spent four days sleeping on the mats and teaching classes at Acadia Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, an awesome school just outside Acadia National Park run by Kris Douglas, a brown belt under the MassBJJ Banner.

After my time there, I started south, ultimately spending a week in Virginia with my older brother. I had to take a two week intermission for his wedding (which is a whole story in its own right that involved flying to Oklahoma, driving back to New Jersey for the wedding with my father, then driving my father down to Florida, all before flying BACK to Virginia to get my motorcycle.)

After flying back to Virginia, I spent a few days there before riding south. I hit the Blue Ridge Parkway during peak fall foliage, which was AWESOME. These last few days have been spent at Open Source Jiu Jitsu, a small Jiu Jitsu “compound” just outside of Asheville, North Carolina run by Bobby McMasters. It’s the closest thing I’ve ever experienced to a Jiu Jitsu hostel. I love it here!

As for future travels, there’s a really long-winded answer, but ultimately it’s a true “round the world” journey; I’m riding from Alaska to Patagonia in 2022, then from Australia to Portugal in 2023. The entire route is outlined on my website, www.mikebarrphotography.com (shameless plug!)

Mike Barr – BJJ trip

 

What are the things you enjoy about traveling?
Oof. That’s such a hard question to answer. I really love the freedom of being able to wake up every day and live my life. It’s kind of selfish, but I love not having to wake up and report to a job I hate, working for a boss who doesn’t like me all that much, and with people I don’t particularly see eye-to-eye with.

On the road, I just get to wake up in the morning, pack up camp, look at a map, and think, “Okay Mike, what are we doing today? Where are we going?” It’s unbelievably freeing, and it’s the first time in my life where I feel like I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing at exactly this point in time.

There’s also the classic answers: seeing new places, collecting experiences, meeting all sorts of new and fun people, etc.

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
Training up in Maine was a big one for me. I’d been on the road for about two weeks at that point, and I’d only trained once at a small gym in Concord, New Hampshire. I hadn’t even called ahead like I usually do – I was literally riding down the road, saw a sign that said “Acadia BJJ”, and pulled into the parking lot on a whim.

I walked into the gym, and was greeted by Kris, the owner. He was so unbelievably kind and welcoming, and didn’t even mind that I hadn’t arranged to pop in beforehand. He’s since been promoted to brown belt, but he was only a purple belt when I visited. I only bring this up because after warming up for class with some light rounds, he asked me to teach some of the aspects of my passing game that he wanted more details on. I was surprised by the request, but I was more than happy to oblige and share some knowledge. At the end of class, Kris and I were talking shop – all about Jiu Jitsu, and about my travels. He asked where I was staying, and I told him that I wasn’t all that sure, that I was probably just going to put my tent up somewhere nearby. He didn’t even hesitate – he offered me a corner of the mats to sleep on while I was in town.

I had just met this guy. We only trained for an hour, and he barely knew anything about me, but he was willing to let this total stranger into his home away from home. It’s experiences like that – the ones that totally depend on the kindness of strangers – that make all of the hard travel days worth it.

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
Just like I said above: the complete kindness of strangers, and their willingness to help out. This surprised me a lot, and I was kind of shell shocked the first few times it happened. With how divided the world seems to be these days, it’s always really refreshing to have total strangers come into my life to lend a hand.

I’ve had people offer spare beds in their house for me to rest for the night; I stayed with a really kind gentleman named Tom while up in Maine for three days waiting for a motorcycle part to be delivered, and he helped me out of a bind when they sent the wrong part.

Christian G. messaged me after announcing my trip completely unprompted that he’d send me a free gi for my trip, telling me that it made him nostalgic about his trip.

Heck, I met an older guy just two days ago. I was packing up camp when he came up to the bike while walking his dog. He must’ve been in his 60s. We got to talking about my trip, and he wished me luck before continuing on with his dog walking. Five minutes later, he came back and told me that I was welcome to follow him back to his house where I could shower, wash some clothes, all while his wife would cook me some breakfast.

I’ve got a link on my website where people can donate money to keep me on the road – I say that “$15 gets me 200 miles further down the road.” I’ve had total strangers send me $20, $40, $100 here and there. It’s insane to me sometimes, and I find it hard to express how appreciated those little things all are.

Mike Barr – BJJ Globetrotters

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
I’m absolutely a budget traveller. I camp out almost every night – I’ve only paid for two nights accommodation in these first two months: every other night was either spent camped out in a tent, or on someone else’s couch (and/or Jiu Jitsu mats). There’s even been two nights so far where, not being able to find a campsite, I literally threw a tarp down next to my bike and went to sleep on the ground. I’m the definition of “houseless and unemployed.” As for food, I try and cook for myself as much as I can with my camp stove, not to mention some trade-secrets for on-the-road cuisines (e.g. 3/$3 taquitos from 7/11. No, I’m not ashamed. Yes, I do have heartburn sometimes.)

As far as planning for the trip itself, I spent about three years saving up as much money as I could. I’d say the biggest tip I figured out in that time is this: stop focusing on accruing more, and instead focus on spending less.

I realized about a year into my savings journey that by paring my spending down to just a few categories, I could readily be saving $1k a month for my trip. So outside of my living expenses, I only spent money on four things: Jiu Jitsu, my motorcycle, photography gear, and rock climbing.

Part of that comes from also making the decision to go after your dreams. Once you decide that something is GOING to happen, rather than thinking it COULD happen, your brain starts conjuring all sorts of ways to make that thing possible. You stop eating out as much. You stop buying stuff you don’t NEED. You stop buying things to impress other people.

Overall, you stop spending money on THINGS, and start spending money on EXPERIENCES.

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
Just go for it. Do it. YOLO.

I’m kidding, kind of. This whole experience has taught me that living your dreams is absolutely possible as long as you’re willing to work hard, and work through the hard days. Not every day on the road has been easy; I destroyed my MacBook Pro on the first real day of my trip, and nearly lost $6,000 worth of camera gear in the process. That was hard. But waking up to a misty Adirondack sunrise the next morning made it totally worth it. Swimming in a natural stream the next day made it totally worth it. Seeing the sunset over Acadia National Park made it worth it.

Furthermore, go into every day on the road with an open mind. Slow down. Take the road less travelled (seriously: I avoid interstates like the plague.)

Beyond that, I’d caution everyone to realize this: time is the one thing we never get back. Never. Death doesn’t show up at the end of your life and go, “So I see you worked 30 years at that job you desperately hated: here’s a voucher for 30 more years. Go cuddle some puppies.” No – our clocks are all ticking, and one day they’re going to run out. You don’t want to wake up one day and realize that you let life pass you by because you were afraid to try for what you really wanted.

Thank you to Mike Barr – BJJ Globetrotters for making this interview!

Where is the gym located?
In Paderborn, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany.

How many people train there?
At the moment we have around 200 members training at our gym. In a normal class there are about 10-25 people. MMA classes tend to get a little bit more crowded.

Is the gym growing – if so by how many new members each month or year?
The gym is steadily growing, but we try to welcome new members in specific assigned months each year so we can focus our attention on them. So sometimes we get zero new members a month, sometimes it’s 30.

What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?
We have grapplers of all levels at our gym. In luta livre, our practised nogi grappling style, we got a couple of blackbelts and alot more whitebelts (and everything in between). Bjj is slowly catching up with a good group of grapplers from white to brown with one blackbelt.

When did Paderborn Wombats, BJJ Germany?
The team was started in 2007 by our Luta Livre coach Mark Davis.

Some facts about you:

Name: Paul Urbanik
Age: 33
Belt: Black belt in Luta Livre and BJJ
Profession: Schoolteacher for mathematics and physics
Years in BJJ: 9 in BJJ, 12 in Luta Livre
Other martial arts: Luta Livre, MMA, and some Taekwondo back in the day
Currently living in: Paderborn
Originally from: Born in Poland, raised in Germany

Paderborn Wombats, BJJ Germany

Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence
In 2007 we started as a nogi and MMA competition team. Later down the road we started to loosen up a little bit and tried to focus on building the sport in our area. At that point, we listed our gym as a non-profit club and rented a bigger place.

Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they?
We got people from all walks of life at our gym, with almost every age present. So it’s not unusual to see our 8-year-old kids greet our adult class attendees that work as a policeman, chemist, welder, or teacher.

Why do they train in Paderborn Wombats, BJJ Germany?
Most of the members just enjoy training, sweating, improving, and getting a clear head for a couple of hours. But we also have some strong competitors in grappling, as well as a great group of pro MMA fighters.

What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general, and in your area specifically?
Paderborn is a city with a lot of “big” sports clubs like soccer, American football, and baseball. So the focus for many people are those “ball-sports”, while martial arts is often looked down on. At the beginning there was no one teaching BJJ, Luta Livre, or MMA in the area, so our founder Mark Davis had to build it up from zero. Now we have a strong team of volunteer trainers with great knowledge in their respective styles working together, which we are really happy about and proud of.

Paderborn Wombats, BJJ Germany

How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
BJJ and Luta Livre (no-gi grappling) doesn’t get the same attention as, for example, MMA, but we’ve noticed a steady increase in people who come to us for BJJ only. So kudos to all the celebs who use their reach to promote the sport.

What’s the best thing about your gym?
The team and atmosphere for sure. We’ve got a great mix of people on the mat in Paderborn Wombats, BJJ Germany who always keep the energy light and fun. Also a lot of people worked together to push the team to where it is now. All those times traveling to competitions, rebuilding our gym, and grinding on the mats formed a really tight bond between a lot of members.

What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?
Paderborn itself has some nice spots with some sights and good places to eat, but the surrounding area has some really cool sights too. The Teutoburg forest is right around the corner, with some great hikes and old historical sights. You can even attend an old German feast like the Germans who fought the Romans back in the day (no need for forks and knives).

—-

Thanks for sharing! If you’d like to visit Paderborn Wombats, BJJ Germany, you can find them here.

Belt: Brown

Profession: I work for BJJ Globetrotters as Ask Vara!

How many years in BJJ: 8

Other martial arts: Karate for many years, MMA for a couple of years before I did my first BJJ class in a gi.

Where do you live: Right now I am in Thailand

Where are you from: Denmark

Other fun or curious information you would like to share: I have been on two different national teams in two different sports.

 

Vara Poorisrisak – BJJ gym in Bangkok (Bangkok Fight Lab)

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
Originally it was my old BJJ coach, Christian, who encouraged us to go train with other people, as you will not only gain experience by training with other people whose game you are not used to, but your training partners back home would also benefit from it if you come back better than before.

Now I am more interested in finding unusual travel destinations that not many people go to. Right now I have two really cool places I want to go to on my travel list!

Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?
I went to an island called Koh Yao Yai for a 3-day New Years trip to get away from Bangkok, and I wanted to spend New Year’s Eve all alone in my hotel room ordering their lobster soup and watching a movie. After the three days, I decided to just stay in Phuket because I know that the air pollution is really bad in Bangkok from January until around April. Then Bangkok had a really long lockdown with everything shutting down, including the gyms, so I had no rush going back really.

I originally came here for New Years for three days with a small backpack and three sets of clothes, but I am still here haha. I did have to order a gi and belt online so I can train. So I just see it as I am still on a long holiday / travelling.

Vara Poorisrisak – BJJ friends

What are the things you enjoy about traveling?
Seeing my friends! Whenever I’ve been travelling for BJJ camps or I go to competitions alone, I always run into people I’ve met through the BJJ community. Some of the friends I always enjoy seeing are my BeHousing family (a reference to the place we always booked for the BJJ Globetrotters Summer Camps in Belgium). I’ve known these guys since the first camps we did in Copenhagen, so I’ve known them for many years now. I haven’t seen them for a while but hopefully we can have a reunion next year! Let’s make it happen guys!

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
I had a very rewarding experience the last time I travelled to Sangkhlaburi to visit a project that the Danish ladies in Bangkok support. The project helps out kids along the border with Myanmar. I asked my teammate and One Championship fighter Detchadin Sornsirisuphathin from Bangkok Fight Lab to come and teach the kids some Muay Thai.

The kids tried Muay Thai for the first time and they all amazed us with their athleticism and power. They all had so much fun and also picked up the techniques impressively fast. We had three training sessions in three days, and on the last day Detch made a small competition for the kids. The competition for the bigger kids was to kick as many times as possible in 30 sec and the winner kicked 50 times in 30 sec – pretty good for a first-timer! Detch also donated some pads, shin guards, and gloves to the children so they can continue training.

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
I went to this beautiful country called Bhutan. Not many people know about Bhutan, but it’s a Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas’ eastern edge, known for its monasteries, fortresses (or dzongs) and dramatic landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys.

The people there and the country is the most awesome place – along with Japan – that I’ve been to so far. I loved everything about Bhutan and I even got to do my first judo class and had the pleasure to teach some BJJ techniques there. They don’t have any BJJ gyms in Bhutan, but they do have judo :)

Vara Poorisrisak – BJJ Globetrotting

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
I think I’m in between. I’m not a super budget traveller and I am not a high-end traveller either. I try to find cheaper but still nice accommodation, as I prefer to spend money on experiences while I am travelling but I still like a nice place where I can relax after a long day going sightseeing, trying food etc.

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
Please be open-minded and learn from other cultures while travelling. Please don’t be judgemental or think you are entitled just because you do it differently in your own country which you think is much better. Maybe you can appreciate something they do differently or in a better way that you can reflect over and maybe incorporate in your daily life.

Sometimes a simpler way is a happier way!

Thank you Vara Poorisrisak – BJJ Globetrotters for making this interview!

Taherul Khan – BJJ Globetrotters

Age: 38

Belt: Brown

Profession: Software Test Automation (I basically piss off software engineers)

How many years in BJJ: 11, I guess officially, but I’ve been doing some form of shit grappling since 2005.

Other martial arts: Boxing, Muay Thai, and ages ago Kung Fu

Where do you live: Zurich, Switzerland

Where are you from: London, England… the bit that wanted to stay in the EU

Other fun or curious information you would like to share: I recently took up acting a couple of years ago. It’s fun and super challenging.

Taherul Khan – BJJ Globetrotters Camp in Heidelberg

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
Midlife crisis… kidding… maybe not, but a curiosity like most other people I guess.

Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?
Aside from the recent Globetrotters camp in Heidelberg, I kind of consider moving to Zurich as a bit of a vacation, as I’m still in the honeymoon phase due to Covid. Am going to Sardinia in September though, which I’ve never been to, so I’m looking forward to that and Sardinian white wine: contini karmis bianco tharros. Get this bottle of white from there, it’s a good one.

Taherul Khan – BJJ Globetrotters

What are the things you enjoy about traveling?
It varies. I like to travel alone a lot, as I get to just pick and choose what I do, who I meet etc. But food is definitely one of my favourite things. I started a habit a few years back of visiting Michelin star restaurants where I can in other countries, and I love sampling this from different cultures.

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
Ok, so Globetrotters is an obvious but very real reason to do so. I’ve made a whole bunch of friends and fun experiences.

Outside of Globetrotters, it depends on what you want to get from travelling. For me, I go with the flow and see what happens. In New York, I love the fact that I can go to a bar by myself and once ended up at a rock gig with a bunch of random student doctors. I’ve tasted some amazing food. NOA Chef Hall in Tallinn, Estonia was mind-blowing – it had some of the best wine pairing I’ve had to date.

In Cuba, I randomly found a Newaza judo club on Varadero beach and they invited me to train. It was a great way to meet locals in a more real way as, without getting into it much, generally the behaviour towards tourists can be understandably superficial, so having a sport in common to train with for a few days in a row lifts some of those barriers.

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
I can’t say I’ve had any surprises. Maybe I didn’t expect to fall in love with New York as much as I did and seeing how friendly people were, given what you hear about NYC people. But coming from London and having visited Paris, I guess anywhere after that seems friendly! Make what you will of that answer. P.S. I love France, don’t hate me mes amis Francais…

Taherul Khan – BJJ Globetrotters

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
Not gonna lie, I’m too old for budget travelling and I like travelling and sleeping in comfort. The days of sleeping on people’s kitchen floors a la age 20-somethings are long gone. So I’m the worst to give that advice.

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
I think a lot of people feel a pressure to travel in a way that other people would like to see them travel. Don’t. Do the things you want to do and travel how you want. Even if you’re on a budget, travelling is still expensive in the form of time – don’t waste it visiting the places or doing the things you think would look good on Instagram or please other people. If you want to stay in just one place for a week without seeing much, and you enjoy that, then do exactly that. If you want to see 8 million things in a day, do that. It’s your time and your experience, nobody else’s.

Having said that, if you’re not too shy, try to get to know locals somehow. We have a superpower in BJJ in that it makes it so much easier to meet people from a local region, so if you want, it’s worth using that to connect with locals and get a glimpse of their culture.

Finally, if some dude on a street corner is staring at you and rubbing his knees, probably don’t strike up a conversation with him. Or do. YOLO.

Thank you to Taherul Khan – BJJ Globetrotters for making this interview!

 

Where is the gym located?
Our gym is located in Muttenz. This is an small village near the city of Basel in Switzerland, close to the border of France and Germany.

How many people train there?
So we didn’t even start yet, but i think between 10 and 20 people will be there on our first session.

Is the gym growing – if so by how many new members each month or year?
Hard to answer this question. In the beginning, maybe 1 to 3 new members each month. We have some advance registrations, but only time will tell!

What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?
The highest belt grading is a purple belt with four stripes. The lowest is, of course, a couple of white belts.

When did the gym open?
The gym will open on the first of August 2021.

Some facts about you:

Name: Patrick Neugart
Age: 39
Belt: Purple Belt four stripes
Profession: Workforce Planning
Years in BJJ: 9 years (with interruptions)
Other martial arts: Wing Chun, Sanda, Kickboxing
Currently living in: Allschwil, near Basel
Originally from: Switzerland

Newguard Jiu Jitsu, Germany

Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence
I was a coach in a couple of gyms. My friend from MMA Basel, where I gave some lessons, had to move out of their current place. They were searching for a new place to open a gym, so we had some talks. At that point I already I had the idea in my mind to do my own BJJ offshoot, because there are not many options to train BJJ in our region. They asked me if I wanted to join them and open my own BJJ school in partnership with MMA Basel and Enshin Karate Switzerland. I said yes, and here we are now waiting for the date to start.

Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they?
We have many nice folks here from around the world – women and men, old and young. They’re all in different stages of their life (study, work, family).

Why do they train in Newguard Jiu Jitsu, Germany?
Everyone has their own reason to train, be it for fun and having a good time and meeting new people, or for the fitness, competition, self esteem and self-confidence, self defense, and many other reasons. And that’s how it should be, because everyone should have the possibility to train for whatever their reasons are.

What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general, and in your area specifically?
BJJ is slowly growing here in Switzerland, but it is still a fringe sport. The area around Basel has many martial arts gyms, but most of them are Kick-/ Thai boxing studios. BJJ is actually not a big thing in this region. As well as that, Switzerland is very expensive and the rents are high, so the biggest challenge is not to go broke!

Newguard Jiu Jitsu, Germany

How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
If i could say that, then I would need a new job! Joking aside, like I said before, BJJ is growing slowly, but it is growing. I’m sure that more people will discover BJJ for themselves and fell in love with this art. Like i did many years ago.

What’s the best thing about your gym?
We are open for all. We are one big family. We have a 235 square-meter mat space (including a seven-meter diameter cage). And we work closely in collaboration with Aire Valley Martial Arts in Keighley (West Yorkshire, England) and BJJ Kingston (near London).

What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?
You can do short trips to France and Germany. Because we’re right on the border of the two countries. But in the city itself, I would suggest to visit the bank of the Rhine (the river runs right through the city). It’s a beautiful place to chill (especially on sunny and warm days), with many small and urban bars and street food stands.

—-

Thanks for sharing! If you’d like to visit Newguard Jiu Jitsu, Germany, you can find them here.

Age: 28

Belt: Blue

Profession: Digital Marketing Analyst

How many years in BJJ: 4 years this July (I will actually be celebrating my Jitz-aversary at this summer’s Iceland Camp)

Other martial arts: I am a white belt in Judo. I do not train Judo nearly as often as BJJ, but it has been a ton of fun to explore a new side of the sport and incorporate a new focus on throws and sweeps into my BJJ gameplan.

Where do you live: Providence, Rhode Island, USA. I have lived here for just over 4 years, and I began BJJ shortly after moving here in hopes of connecting with new people in an unfamiliar city.

Where are you from: Oxford, Ohio – a small town an hour from Cincinnati.

Other fun or curious information you would like to share: I have a blog at messykatie.com where I like to write about grappling and life! It helps me reflect on the important lessons I’ve learned while training and I hope that others can relate to some of the experiences I’ve had.

Katie Taylor – BJJ competition

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
I moved to Rhode Island from a small town in Indiana over 900 miles away. I knew ZERO people in Rhode Island before making the move, so I was really on my own in brand new surroundings. I had to leave my comfort zone to thrive, and learning to do this independently has instilled a great sense of confidence to pursue my curiosity about the world.

I quickly realized I can really just “figure it out” in any new situation – I couldn’t just call my dad to ask him about what apartment would be best to rent or hang out with old friends from school on the weekends if I wanted to have a good time.

So I paved my own way. When I got into BJJ, I had no way of knowing what a vast community I would become a part of. Through studying such a complex and boundless art form, the individuals who continue to train BJJ share a bond – and though each of us expresses this in different ways, it becomes a beautiful representation of just how limitless the art can be. In one training environment, you grow familiar with your partners, so the first time you ever venture to a new school for open mat you will be stunned at the unexpected ways your new partners move with you and create never-before-seen flows.

Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?
Most recently, I attended the BJJ Globetrotters Maine Camp, which I wrote about on my blog. I loved being able to relive the experience of childhood summer camps, but with a grappling twist – plus I’m now (legally!) able to enjoy a beer by the lake!

Katie Taylor – BJJ Globetrotters

What are the things you enjoy about traveling?
My daily life is such a routine – even more so now that I have started working remotely. It can be so easy to fall into a quite dull existence where you become consumed with work, chores, and the same conversations over and over again. Some consider travel as an unnecessary luxury; but it can be an opportunity to bring a splash of color, art, music, emotion to an otherwise ordinary life. Normalcy and comfort is so overrated.

Above all, I travel for the joy of learning. I am so curious about the stories behind a place – why their architecture looks a certain way, how cultures have blended their cuisines into flavorful dishes, and why one group of people says ‘y’all’ and another group of people calls it ‘pop’ instead of ‘soda’. It’s refreshing to have your expectations challenged.

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
Jumping from open mats among new schools was actually my first exposure to the aspect of playfulness that could be achieved in BJJ. I found large groups of women that would organize training sessions so we could finally have similar training partners (still a rarity to find more than a few women in one BJJ class), and I experienced moments with grapplers that had no preconceived notions about my skills or style of movement.

I traveled to an all-female Girls in Gis event as a white belt, and I had never seen so many grappling women in one room! It was my first time ever seeing female black belts, and best of all it was outside the context of competition. Many times, women who train only get to roll with another woman when they are trying to win a medal! Being able to take the pressure off and actually focus on making friends with women on the mats was really exciting, and I still have all those connections today.

I believe that traveling for BJJ is not only an important factor for exposing yourself to new techniques and methods, but it is a wonderful reminder that the art of Jiu-Jitsu is so much more intricate than we could possibly imagine. Each new roll is a gift.

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
The kindness of humanity amazes me. Women are often cautioned when traveling, and with fair reason… but I don’t feel that the negative stories should hold us back from exploring. I have had multiple circumstances where humans I didn’t know at all completely saved my day, expecting nothing in return.

I remember one instance where I was driving outside Chicago mid-winter (which I can’t recommend doing to anyone, ever). My car skidded across the icy street and had a major part break. Meaning I was stuck basically in the middle of a cornfield nowhere close to home. A man who lived down the road spotted me on his way to work and together, we rolled my car up into his driveway and he called a friend of his over to tow it to a service shop – and refused to accept any kind of payment.

Another surprise is just how many little random connections you can find across the world. I mentioned to my good friend that I planned on traveling to Iceland, and lo and behold she had a friend willing to rent out his apartment in Reykjavik. It’s easy enough to post on Facebook asking for recommendations in a new city and you’ll always get a handful of comments with helpful tips and tricks (or gyms to visit!).

Katie Taylor – BJJ Globetrotters

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
I believe there are plenty of things worth splurging on, and other areas where it’s wise to save your change. I would much rather spend money on a once-in-a-lifetime experience than on luxuries that won’t make a lasting impact on my life.

The biggest way to save is really to make a plan of activities ahead of time. What attractions do I need to check out? Are there restaurants or unique local cuisines that I must try on my trip? I make those my highest priority, and keep a tight budget everywhere else.

Buying groceries to make meals is a huge way to save cash… I have realized that I really don’t need to visit a restaurant for every single meal. Mostly, I want to stick to my plan. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement when you see signs for local tours and events, but if you do the research ahead of time, you can often find the coolest things to do at much lower prices (and it helps having a friend who can tell you which attractions are really worth seeing).

When it comes to accommodation, I try to find a really happy medium of comfort and cost. The most important aspect to me is LOCATION! Usually, the hotel room or hostel bed I am paying for is simply a place to rest my head at night – so as long as the accommodation is clean, safe, and (mostly) quiet… I don’t need much in the way of upgrades. With the exception; as a grappler, I’m always looking for a place with laundry machines.

While traveling solo can be a wonderful way to discover a new place freely, it can also be expensive. There are so many ways to share costs with other travelers, whether it is staying in a hostel with bunk beds or ride-sharing to the airport. I was really excited to see how fellow grapplers in the Globetrotters community really jump on these opportunities as well – there are so many generous people offering their couches to surf on and inviting others to their academies to train with no drop-in fees.

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
Giving off positive energy will open the door to so many joyful moments. People gravitate toward smiling faces and generous spirits, and as you make new friends across your travels, they will provide unexpected views of the world.

Thank you to Katie Taylor – BJJ Globetrotters for making this interview!

Age: 45

Belt: Purple

Profession: Dentist for children

How many years in BJJ: 9 and counting

Other martial arts: None

Where do you live: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

Where are you from: New York State, USA

Other fun or curious information you would like to share: My fan name is Jiu-Jitsu Cowgirl. I love to train Jiu-Jitsu but I’m also passionate about country-western dancing and can Two-Step and West Coast Swing with the best of them. I boast an impressive collection of cowgirl boots.

Geeta Bhat – BJJ competition

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
After I had children I lost 75lbs through diet and exercise, and Jiu-Jitsu was part of my get-fit journey. I live a super busy life, so I made a decision to train Jiu-Jitsu faithfully twice a week (no more and no less) starting in 2012, and I’ve been training consistently since then for 9 years with no breaks. Even on a limited schedule I managed to win the IBJJF Masters Worlds at blue 3 times for my age group, with double gold in 2019. I’m so proud of that. I also love the social aspect of Jiu-Jitsu. There is nothing I love more than going to class to talk, laugh, hang out, and maybe get some rolling in. The ability to go anywhere in the world and drop in and train and meet new people is priceless. I try to train wherever in the world I go, and even got to train in Ireland and India.

Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?
I enjoy bike adventures, so I most recently rode the Kentucky Bourbon trail along with a bike trip through Oregon. I will admit that I cheat with an e-bike, but sometimes we all need a little boost! I also went to St. Barts for the Globetrotters Carribean camp this past February, and last week I just got back from a trip to Las Vegas… just because!

My upcoming travel plans include a bike trip through Ojai Valley in Santa Barbara, a beach trip to South Beach Miami, and a visit to NYC to see my college friends.

Geeta Bhat – BJJ Globetrotters

What are the things you enjoy about traveling?
I’m a huge foodie. Also meeting people, socializing, relaxing, and a change of scenery.

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
I just got back from the Globetrotters St. Barts Trip and still talk to people I met on that trip even after the fact… shout out to campers Charles and Natasha! Especially with social media, you find that people you know, know other people you know, and it just snowballs into a big community.

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
How easy it was to make friends and meet people. I was the oldest camper (even older than the coaches) at the camp but I never felt out of place. I just thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Geeta Bhat – BJJ Camp in St. Barts

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
Not even close! I live large and make no apologies for it. There were people at the camp from all economic backgrounds and no one was judged, period.

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
Do it! You will be happy you did. I just signed up for Castle Camp in Italy and I cannot wait!

Thank you to Geeta Bhat – BJJ Globetrotters for making this interview!

 

Brad Wolfson – BJJ Globetrotters

Age: 44
Belt: Black Belt
Profession: BJJ coach
Started training (year): 1999
City/country: New Haven, CT USA

 

Main achievements in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:

Traveled the world, made tons of friends, and ate some good food. Still in awe that I get to do what I love every day and get paid for it.

Which BJJ Globetrotters camps have you attended?

I’ve taught at 15 camps.

 

Which camp has been your favorite so far?

Some of the highlights were Copenhagen back in 2014 or 15 as my first Globetrotters experience, visiting Greenland 3 years ago and getting to be a part of the first unofficial camp in St. Barts before Christian relocated. So many good camp memories!

Brad Wolfson – BJJ in St. Barths

 

Favorite stories/moments from the camps?

So many amazing memories. Some of them are hazy at this point. Old people should not drink. Mostly memories of amazing moments and great Late night conversations with friends, fun rolls, and crazy parties.

 

Your favorite class/classes to teach at camp?

I don’t have a favorite class I’ve taught, but I received  lots of great feedback on my triangles from everywhere class in Iceland a few years back. Lots of people have told me they use stuff I’ve taught, so that’s always nice to hear!

 

Anything else you want to add to your profile? 

Maybe a pic with some hair photoshopped in?

***

Brad Wolfson – BJJ Globetrotters instructor

 

Where is the gym located?
Queenstown, New Zealand.

How many people train there?
Around 90 currently and growing.

Is the gym growing – if so by how many new members each month or year?
We opened recently, and are organically growing numbers to keep the good vibes we want to have on the mats.

What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?
We have brand new white belts to a 5th degree black belt.

When did the gym open?
February 2021.

Te Manawa Jiu-Jitsu, BJJ New Zealand

Some facts about you:

Name: Brent & Paula Te Kawa
Age: 51 & 50
Belt: Black and Brown
Profession: Jiu-Jitsu Academy Owners
Years in BJJ: 12 & 8
Other martial arts: Kickboxing
Currently living in: Queenstown, New Zealand
Originally from: Wellington, New Zealand

Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence
We travelled extensively to train and compete prior to Covid, being lucky enough to train with some of the best in the world. Covid halted our travelling, so we had an idea we could bring a high-level instructor to our small town so that the community could get a chance to learn high-level, technique-based BJJ in a world-class environment if they wanted to. Turned out Rodrigo Teixeira was in a small country town in NZ, so we flew him down for some lunch and some rolls. Once we felt his technique and found that his values aligned with ours (and was such a nice guy) we knew we had the right person for the position.

Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they?
We are around 50% kids and 50% adults currently, from 5 years old through to 56 years old, and all types of professions. One of the best stories we heard was from one of our older members that said when he was a farmer, a cow fell on him and while being trapped he thought to himself if only he knew Jiu-Jitsu he could have used leverage to get out from under this cow. He is no longer a farmer, but started his journey around 3 weeks ago. Lots of kids due to our coaches’ great demenaour with them – lots of play and fun while learning.

Why do they train in Te Manawa Jiu-Jitsu, BJJ New Zealand?
Some kids train because their parents want them to, while some definitely want to be there. We have a few that have already done their first competition, which has triggered an interest from a few more members to compete. Although competition is not our sole focus, our instructors have competed in most countries and done well in some of the larger tournaments. Some members are trying something completely new and out of their comfort zone, while some have been training for a few years and are liking our relaxed, concept-based approach to learning, and the opportunity to learn under a 5th-degree Black Belt with legitimate competition and training history.

What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general, and in your area specifically?
In our area specifically, Covid cleared a large number of our population out due to jobs being lost. There’s also the “new kid on the block” sentiment that holds a few people back back from coming through the door. We’re just focusing on what we can control and ensuring everyone is aware of our open door – no politics policy. Time will show that, first and foremost, we are here for the long haul to benefit the community through Jiu-Jitsu, and not here to purely run a money-making entity.

Te Manawa Jiu-Jitsu, BJJ New Zealand

How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
We are a tourist destination (or at least we were prior to Covid) so specifically in our area it will be a challenge until the world gets back to normal, but it also benefits us in that it gives us time to build a solid foundation on which the club can grow. Queenstown has an international airport with flights coming in from Australia, which is only a 2.5 – 3 hr flight depending on the tail wind, so we plan to eventually host camps with guest instructors (many of whom we met while traveling and kept in touch with) As a small town we are at the bottom of the world and so far away from the Jiu-Jitsu scene, so there will always be a sense of “big fish, little pond” going on here unless practitioners take it upon themselves to explore what the big pond has to offer. We will be sending our scholarship athletes overseas to get a taste of overseas tournaments and training as well.

What’s the best thing about your gym?
Its hard to pick just one but, in Maori we have a saying that goes: “He Tangata, He Tangata, He Tangata”. It is the people, the people, the people.

What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?
There is so much to see and do if you love the outdoors, from Fiordland, boating on the lake, or one of the many hikes, plus 3 ski fields in winter. We are also the best producing Pinot Noir region.

—-

Thanks for sharing! If you’d like to visit Te Manawa Jiu-Jitsu, BJJ New Zealand, you can find them here.

Tatu Piispanen – BJJ Globetrotters

Age: Master 2 for the final year

Belt: You guys are getting belts..? (Purple)

Profession: Designer

How many years in BJJ: I’m in my 10th year of training. Yeah, I should be better by now…

Other martial arts: None whatsoever. Hell, I hadn’t even done any other sport before BJJ, let alone a martial art! I believe starting later in life has its pluses too. For example, I had zero past injuries coming in – my bad knees are all pure BJJ. Also, I don’t have bittersweet memories of an attributes-based “young man’s game” – I’m stronger, more mobile, and better looking now than when I started, thanks to training. I hate when people say, “I wish I started sooner”; it’s just another way of saying you wish you were better without having to work for it. Just fucking own being a late bloomer.

But I’m pretty sure I’m still a top-5 authority on kung fu movies in Finland. So, feel free to challenge my knowledge about vintage martial arts cinema any time!

Where do you live: Helsinki, Finland. Our capital area has a very healthy BJJ scene. Lots of gyms and open mats, and cross-training at different places is encouraged. The level is high – as long as you don’t spar with me – and drop-in fees are not a common practice.

Sadly, the pandemic is putting a giant stress not only to the practitioners, but also to the business side of things. Training contact sports is currently not allowed in my area, but hopefully is again when this interview comes out. I really wish all the academies will be able to bounce back.

Other fun or curious information you would like to share: If you’re a fan of conspiracy theories, you’ve likely heard about the one that disputes the existence of Finland altogether. Well, this has spawned a spinoff theory claiming that I do not, in fact, exist. There is an amusing discussion about the topic on the Beltchecker.com forum, which is a few hundred messages long and has been going on for a year now.

I don’t know what to believe anymore either. Maybe I am just a hoax.

Tatu Piispanen BJJ training. Photo by Sammy Hämäläinen

Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
I guess you’re running out of people to interview… I can’t consider myself a “traveler”, really. Of course I like to travel, but that’s like saying I’m a foodie because I like to eat. I work a corporate 9-to-5 office job, which thankfully is quite flexible. In a typical pre-Covid year I’ve been managing to make about six or seven trips abroad, most of them shorter ones. Training camps and competition trips are pretty much my favorite type of vacations.

No matter what form of travel, I always bring my gi and hunt for a gym to drop in. BJJ people are cool wherever you go. And trying to strangle a person while a drop of sweat from their forehead finds its way onto your eyeball – that’s a meaningful interaction and connection right away, which also transcends possible language barriers. Especially if I find out you’re a fellow deep half guard player, I can trust without a doubt that you’re a superior human being worth getting to know better.

But my biggest inspiration in combining these two for the past five years has for sure been the BJJ Globetrotters community and the friends I’ve made through it. I already have invitations to more gyms and homes that I will ever have time for, for which I’m truly grateful.

Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?
You know there’s a global pandemic fucking up everybody’s travels right?

Considering that, I’ve actually had a relatively sweet travel year, thanks to careful planning, a lot of luck, and some Globetrotter friends helping me out. Within the past year I’ve made it to Norway, Italy, the Caribbean, and the United Arab Emirates. I have literally entered a country both one day after it has opened for tourism and one day before it has closed for tourism. I’m pretty sure you can see my brain through my left nostril now due to the amount of Covid tests I’ve taken.

When traveling can’t be taken for granted anymore, you start to appreciate it on a different level. This February I managed to transport my pale ass to the Caribbean Island Camp in St. Barthélemy, and holy shit that was a special experience! Warm sand between my toes had never felt so good. Right now, I’ve relocated to Dubai for a few weeks, because Finland shut everything down from gyms to restaurants. More Jiu-Jitsu and cocktails, less snow blizzards. I still work remotely on weekdays, but just to be able to go to a class after work feels like a privilege in these times.

For the next one… who knows? It’s more up to the ever-changing travel restrictions than me. I’m hoping to make it to at least one BJJ Globetrotters camp later this year and can’t wait to compete internationally again.

Tatu Piispanen – BJJ Camp

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
It’s mainly the genuine generosity of people that keeps surprising me, because you run into so much terrible human behavior these days, especially on the internet. It’s easy to succumb into a slumber thinking all of humanity deserves to be consumed by a gargantuan bone-eating mutagenic plant-god, but then you get to travel and train, and encounter some really wonderful people that you suddenly don’t want to meet an instant grisly demise. I mean, you will still attempt to wrist lock them, but that’s different. People have gone out of their way to provide good experiences for me, and I try to pay that forward of course.

For actual juicy travel stories, you have to catch me on the side of the mat or over a pint of beer. Perhaps we can even produce a new one together right then and there.

Photo by Juha Koivisto

Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
Not really. I don’t care about luxury and prefer to save wherever I can, but I’m in a position now where time is more valuable to me than money. These days I’m also more concerned about minimizing the environmental impact of my travels rather than cutting all possible costs.

That said, I guess the true pro tip here is to know or get in touch with the locals before you go. If you can crash their couch, eat their food, storm their dojo, and use their finger tape, you will save a ton. And in case you don’t have any friends already at where you’re going, don’t be afraid to reach out to strangers. The worldwide BJJ community is amazingly welcoming. If you both know what an oil check means, you’re already connected on a profound level.

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
That traveling to a camp during a global pandemic might not be as impossible or risky as it may first seem. Of course, you might be in a situation where there are restrictions factually preventing your freedom to exit or enter a country, but if that’s not the case, I believe it can be done in a reasonably responsible way. It’s never zero-risk opening the door of your home and venturing out. But given the way that the situation is handled at the Globetrotters camps, combined with common sense measures to ensure your and especially others’ safety, I say going doesn’t have to mean you’re a Covid-denying, self-infatuated prick. Traveling now comes with a certain amount of stress and uncertainty, but the rewards have made it more than worth it. Attending a BJJ Globetrotters camp has been the year’s highlight for me both in 2020 and 2021.

And to paraphrase Blaze Foley, remember that you don’t always get what you go after, but you do get what you wouldn’t have got if you hadn’t gone after what you didn’t get.

 

Thank you to Tatu Piispanen – BJJ Globetrotters for making this interview!