Featured Traveller: Glenn Lambdin – BJJ Globetrotters
Age: 65
Belt: Black
Profession: Retired building contractor
How many years in BJJ: 12
Other martial arts: Muay Thai
Where do you live: Sierra Madre, California, USA
Where are you from: Sierra Madre
Other fun or curious information you would like to share: I trained Muay Thai out of the Sityodtong Camp in Thailand and fought in Thailand at 53 years old. I’m an avid surfer and live on the island of Kauai, Hawaii several months out of the year. I enjoy playing the guitar, especially playing some get-down blues. Every year, I throw a sleeping bag, a pup-tent, and a few gis on the back of my Harley Davidson and do a motorcycle/BJJ tour across the western United States (if I make a wrong turn, I stick with it to see where it takes me). 20 years ago, I was the elected Mayor of the City of Sierra Madre, California.
Glenn Lambdin – BJJ Globetrotters
Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
For many years, and before I started to train BJJ, I would travel abroad to different surfing locations and pursue my passion for travel, guitar, and surfing. After starting to train BJJ as a whitebelt, and while on a surfing trip to Kauai, I dropped in at a school on the South Shore that held classes in the second story of a church in Poipu. Instantly, I was shown so much “aloha” by the locals. It started to show me how the BJJ community is actually a global community where we all enjoy sharing this amazing art. Since I live in Southern California, (and prior to the Covid restrictions) many of the IBJJF Worlds and Pan tournaments were held near my home. At times, people I met while travelling would stay at my home so they could compete in these larger tournaments. Of course, then the book “The BJJ Globetrotter” came out and really planted a seed in my brain to mix travel and BJJ. The idea that every person on the mats is a friend to be made really struck a chord in me. I’ve been addicted to traveling/training ever since.
Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?
After earning my blackbelt, I made the decision that while travelling on my annual motorcycle adventures, I would offer to stop and visit various academies while travelling and do seminars for free. I never charge and will not accept any payment. It’s a “pay it forward” passion that I have. I plan a route and then contact academies close to that route. I just returned from a 3-week motorcycle/BJJ trip where I stopped at several academies teaching my style of Jiu Jitsu in California, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. I try to find academies that are in smaller cities or rural communities that don’t have access to all of the blackbelts that are available in larger cities.
I’m excited to be attending the Austria Camp next month in August, and then from September 1-19, I’ll be travelling throughout Germany and am currently in the process of planning my route and am contacting different smaller academies offering to volunteer to teach a seminar at their academy. I find planning my travels, learning about the local cultures, food, and music is part of the enjoyment of the entire travel experience.
Glenn Lambdin – BJJ Globetrotters
What are the things you enjoy about travelling?
I enjoy getting a sense of a local culture and the people. On some trips, I’ve taken a guitar, and although I might not be able to speak the native language, I’ve been able to play music with local musicians, using our music to communicate with one another. In some ways, it’s an intimate connection that connects people differently than words can connect them. I find a similar connection happens with Jiu Jitsu; we can communicate and connect using Jiu Jitsu as our language.
Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
A week ago, while on my motorcycle trip, I decided I wanted to experience “mat-surfing” from one of the hosts on the BJJ Globetrotter website. I stayed with a host that has mats spread out in his living room. After training at his regular academy, he invited a few of his teammates back to his home for additional training. After some delicious pizza and conversation, we trained until 12:30 am sharing many of our own favorite techniques. I find that the friendships and camaraderie we build in Jiu Jitsu are as much a part of the art as the techniques themselves.
What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
The most surprising experience, I suppose, was getting mugged at knife-point by three guys on a beach in Rio de Janeiro. Note to myself: “be aware of your surroundings!”
Glenn Lambdin – BJJ Globetrotters
Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
In many ways, I am a budget traveller. I don’t really care for large fancy hotels or pretentious locations. I prefer smaller towns and villages over large cities. I feel like I get a better sense of local culture and local flavors in smaller towns. I prefer to spend my money buying from local shops and independent businesses over corporate businesses. I will sometimes use Airbnb and will often tent-camp. I try to take the advice of the travel expert, Rick Steeves, by packing as little as absolutely necessary but always having a credit card available in order to buy my way out of any trouble that I may encounter.
If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
We live on a magnificent planet with so much to see and experience. Don’t live your life so that someday you’ll regret never pursuing your passions.
To quote the marvellous Mae West: “You only have one life to live. But, if you live it right, one is all you need…”
My wish for everyone is that they live their life “right.”
