Well, after first stepping onto the mats for my first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class 13 years ago, this past Sunday December 27th found me standing in front of my BJJ instructor Joe Moreira, while he wrapped a black belt around my waist.
I can still remember this little 16 year old kid who I was matched up with for live rolling at the end of my first class ever in West Los Angeles. I felt bad for him… poor little guy. He probably barely weighed 130 lbs. I would destroy this little kid in any fighting situation. I would surely take it easy on the kid so I wasn’t seen as some big new guy bully in class. I don’t think it was 30 seconds into the match before a strange feeling of desperation came over me. A feeling like swimming in a tar pit. I couldn’t move where I wanted to or how I wanted to. He shut me down completley. He didn’t tap me out but he tired me out and put on numerous submission attempts and completely dominated me. I had black belts in Chinese Goju and Aikijitsu plus a brown belt in Kenpo and a whole lot of boxing and kickboxing training under my belt. How in the world did this 130 lb kid totally dominate me? It baffled me. It embarrassed me. It humbled me. I was addicted to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ever since.
I have always loved the “truth” of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Unless you are rolling with a brand new person with zero prior grappling experience, you can feel right away that if a technique is working or not. My instructor Joe Moreira has continually shown me how important the basics are. He reminds me to constantly learn new things but more importantly, sharpen the basics as well as your awareness on the mats. Thousands of hours on the mat and many, many great training partners later… here I am with a black belt around my waist.
It would take much too long to sit here and thank everyone that deserves it that has played a role in me getting my black belt. However, I would love to give a brief nod to some of the major players.
My Dad… the first man to ever teach me any martial art and for being the best role model a little boy could ask for.
Luis Heredia and Mauricio (last name?)… my first official BJJ instructors in West LA.
Oleg Taktarov for introducing me to the wonderful world of Sambo and how well it flowed with my BJJ game.
Demi Barbito for showing me the no-gi side of BJJ and how to effectively strike within the BJJ game.
Paul Vunak for showing me the even dirtier side of street grappling.
Aaron Blake for being the first real BJJ instructor to shape my outlook and how I approached my training. I still emulate his teaching style within the class structure. He was the first guy I rolled with who could truly turn into an indestructible little ball that was impossible to tap. Aaron also introduced me to Joe Moreira.
Trent Lewis for always pushing me and becoming the second instructor to shape my outlook and how I approached training. Thanks especially for also loving leglocks so much! When I opened up Simian Martial Arts back east, Trent became my main instructor and poured a lot of information down my throat. I hope I have retained at least 25% of all that you threw my way.
Mike Tomacelli for being the first guy I knew that I could roll with and tap out that I then watched as he progressed past me and started tapping me out. It was impressive to see someone start later than me and pass me by in such a graceful manner. Then when he went out to California I knew his game shot way ahead of mine. Thanks for always appreciating my leglocks and showing a great example of big guy jiu jitsu and how it can be graceful too.
Rick Webber for being an amazing student and training partner. My first student that truly kept me on my toes and made me watch my every move when we rolled. A wrestler who had no problems letting his wrestling go until it was time to bring it back into his game plan. He was the first student of mine that started with me in the JKDC/MMA realm that really got “it” when it came to BJJ.
… and last but most definitely not least,
Joe Moreira for showing me the way, the Tao of BJJ. I trained with Joe many times back east and was always amazed at the little details he showed. How a simple twist of a wrist or minor placement adjustment would change an entire leverage point or momentum of a match. But it wasn’t until I moved back out west and trained directly under him on more of a regular basis that I really got to see how much of a giving instructor he really is. Thank you Joe for not only being a great instructor, but a great friend and truly a part of my family… and without a doubt the single most biggest influence in my BJJ path. I still get amazed at what easy access I have to an 8th degree koral (red and black) belt with a “just one of the guys” attitude. Thanks for everything Joe!
Also, thanks to my wife for not only putting up with this lifestyle of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but also for encouraging it. For all of your continued support of my craziness, I love you!
Thanks as well, to the best students, training partners and friends that any instructor could ask for. The fact that you guys all showed up in force the day after Christmas, really means a lot. (I won’t hold it against you that I know some just wanted to see big, bad mean “coach” get his butt kicked for his test). Thanks for all the mat time and support you give to me and my family. Thanks for helping to keep an eye on the kids, for your words of encouragement and your dedication to this art that we love so much. I really feel lucky and blessed.
We were definitely in the house and represented well.
See you on the mats!
Simian Martial Arts – Team Moreira
Los Osos, California
