Featured Traveller: Florian Dedio – BJJ Globetrotters
Age: 36… sheesh… am I really inching towards the big 4-0? When did that happen?
Belt: Lowly, clue- and stripe-less white belt.
Profession: I’m a Filmmaker (mostly documentaries). And yes, I’m working on “something about BJJ”.
How many years in BJJ: I began “training” via DVDs in early 2016 and finally joined an academy in May 2016. Work has been busy in 2017 and I’ve not trained half as much as I’d have liked. Honestly, I’d say the equivalent of 6 months… maybe.
Other martial arts: I’ve done Muay Thai in the past and am pondering joining an academy that offers it as well as DBMA, which I’d love to try!
Where do you live: Leipzig, Germany
Where are you originally from: Rostock, Germany
Florian Dedio BJJ
Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
As a filmmaker, I travel quite a lot. I’ve been working on a documentary series for the last two years that was co-produced between France and Germany and did a lot of filming in the UK. Whenever I know I’ll abroad somewhere, I try and find a gym nearby and ask about dropping in for a training session. I’ve been lucky to be able to learn at 13 academies across Europe, Canada and South Africa since I began, and enjoyed my stay at every single one.
Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?
My wife and I were in London for a long weekend in November… and oh boy, there are A LOT of BJJ options there! I posted in the Globetrotters FB group and got tons and tons of recommendations and invitations and actually had to make a list with pros and cons for each (the cons being distance from where I was staying and compatibility with my schedule). We ended up going to one class at Fight Zone London and one class at London Fight Factory, both of which were absolutely fantastic. Next up? I’ll be in Toronto for a week or two in January. Looking forward to seeing what I can get up to there! Got a tip? I’m all ears.
Florian Dedio BJJ
What are the things you enjoy about traveling?
Honestly, it’s the hospitality. You hear and read so much about how Jiu-jitsu unites people around the world, but to experience it is really something else. It’s been warm welcomes everywhere I’ve been. It’s been open arms and respect. I really hope I can re-visit some of the places I’ve been when I, well, know a bit more about BJJ.
Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
Where do I begin? How about lasting friendships! My wife and I connected with some wonderful people at this year’s BJJ Globetrotters winter camp, with whom we got to reconnect just last month in London, at their home academy. Or how about being stuck in Bournemouth, England for a week and finding probably the prettiest academy I’ve ever seen there? Or being welcomed into his academy and getting to learn from a red and white belt? I could go on…
Florian Dedio BJJ
What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
I’ve trained a few times at academies in countries where I didn’t speak the language. If it’s a small group setting, the professor usually just translates what he’s teaching, but in larger groups, I’ve been on my own trying to work things out a few times, both in Polish and in French. And you know what? It works! Found myself switching off listening and just watching and imitating what I was seeing. Very interesting experience.
Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
Most of my trips have been business in nature, with me trying to get some BJJ in “on the side”. I’ve yet to try Matsurfing, but I’m looking forward to doing so in 2018.
If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
Try and plan in advance. As in, post to the group (or write to academies where you’re going) a week or so before your actual travel. I’ve made the mistake of waiting until trips were confirmed last-minute and then it was too late to organize things. So, if you even think it likely you’re going somewhere, do some research :)
