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Introduce yourself - PART 2
6 year(s) ago • 39313 views • 161 replies
ELPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hi Everyone,
With our gyms shutdown due to quarantine, I have a lot of free time to explore the dark depths of our community on the internet. I've been training for about 2.5yrs now. My twin originally got me into to the sport since she's been training for about 6yrs, and her husband for just as long. I originally started at Performex ran by Justin Curtis in Brownsburg, IN and transitioned over to Naptown Jiu Jitsu under Eric Board in Indianapolis, IN. Both gyms are registered under James Clingerman (3rd degree Black Belt) who received his black belt from Anibal Braga. I've taken part in four competitions and placed in two, but the second doesn't count since both my competitors dropped out the day of and I received a 1st place participation trophy. I train about 4-5x/week at Naptown and assist with teaching the kid's class. I look forward to seeing the community grow and getting to know the rest of you.
With our gyms shutdown due to quarantine, I have a lot of free time to explore the dark depths of our community on the internet. I've been training for about 2.5yrs now. My twin originally got me into to the sport since she's been training for about 6yrs, and her husband for just as long. I originally started at Performex ran by Justin Curtis in Brownsburg, IN and transitioned over to Naptown Jiu Jitsu under Eric Board in Indianapolis, IN. Both gyms are registered under James Clingerman (3rd degree Black Belt) who received his black belt from Anibal Braga. I've taken part in four competitions and placed in two, but the second doesn't count since both my competitors dropped out the day of and I received a 1st place participation trophy. I train about 4-5x/week at Naptown and assist with teaching the kid's class. I look forward to seeing the community grow and getting to know the rest of you.
JPBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hi, my name is Jon Pagni. I started training in 2006 under Eduardo Rocha in Oakland, CA. I‘ve moved a lot for school and work so I’ve trained at about 8 different gyms in the USA, Japan and France, with a lot of layoffs, since then. I’ve trained off and on with Omar Kasdi at Pacific Ring Sports since 2010, and I’m hoping to get my black belt from him.
I started competing again at the end of 2018 after a 6 year break and had a pretty decent run in 2019 up until an unceremonious elimination in the second round of nogi worlds.
I’m hoping to make up for lost time (and make it back to F2W) in the second half of 2020!
I started competing again at the end of 2018 after a 6 year break and had a pretty decent run in 2019 up until an unceremonious elimination in the second round of nogi worlds.
I’m hoping to make up for lost time (and make it back to F2W) in the second half of 2020!
Edited 6 year(s) ago
LABrown beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hi Lucas here,
I train out of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Factory in Geelong, Australia. The Factory is affiliate of de Been Jiu Jitsu. While our academy is small we have great team and a great coach.
I have been training martial arts on and of since 1993, with my latest stint being about 9 years. I hold a blackbelt in a traditional based freestyle martial art and a BJJ purple belt.
Due to injury I have focused on BJJ over the couple of years. My understanding family supports my training schedule, although finding the right balance can be hard.
Fortunately I have the opportunity to travel and other than the family one of my travel essentials is my Gi. I have trained through Australia , parts of Asia and Europe. My favorite place to train away from home has been at Chiang Mai BJJ, pop in a see Bryan and the team if you get a chance.
As a white belt I had medalled at the Victorian Championships and Panpacs.
I train out of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Factory in Geelong, Australia. The Factory is affiliate of de Been Jiu Jitsu. While our academy is small we have great team and a great coach.
I have been training martial arts on and of since 1993, with my latest stint being about 9 years. I hold a blackbelt in a traditional based freestyle martial art and a BJJ purple belt.
Due to injury I have focused on BJJ over the couple of years. My understanding family supports my training schedule, although finding the right balance can be hard.
Fortunately I have the opportunity to travel and other than the family one of my travel essentials is my Gi. I have trained through Australia , parts of Asia and Europe. My favorite place to train away from home has been at Chiang Mai BJJ, pop in a see Bryan and the team if you get a chance.
As a white belt I had medalled at the Victorian Championships and Panpacs.
CHBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hi Lucas here, I train out of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Factory in Geelong, Australia. The Factory is affiliate of de Been Jiu Jitsu. While our academy is small we have great team and a great coach. I have been training martial arts on and of since 1993, with my latest stint being about 9 years. I hold a blackbelt in a traditional based freestyle martial art and a BJJ purple belt. Due to injury I have focused on BJJ over the couple of years. My understanding family supports my training schedule, although finding the right balance can be hard. Fortunately I have the opportunity to travel and other than the family one of my travel essentials is my Gi. I have trained through Australia , parts of Asia and Europe. My favorite place to train away from home has been at Chiang Mai BJJ, pop in a see Bryan and the team if you get a chance. As a white belt I had medalled at the Victorian Championships and Panpacs.
Great post, Lucas! Great to see you here, representing the team!
CSBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Nice to read your stories gents. I am 58 (59 in July 2020), Started training BJJ mid-2009 at a gym called Evolve MMA in Singapore and was awarded my black belt by Professor Leandro 'Brodinho' Issa on 3 Dec 2017 - Brodinho is a 4th degree black belt under Mestre Erivaldo Junior at Liga Jiu Jitsu in Brazil. He fought 5 times in the UFC and currently fights for ONE Championship. In mid-2018 I moved to Thailand and have been training since under Prof Morgan Perkins, a black belt under Pedro Sauer. Prof Morgan is also kind enough to let me teach a couple of classes a week.
Waslalso awarded a purple belt in 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu by Prof Rick Marshall. He was teaching 10P jiu jitsu at Evolve MMA alongside the regular BJJ classes in 2016-2017 when I was a BJJ brown belt and I think the belt was more of a recognition of the hard time I gave him when we rolled rather than my expertise in the 10P system.
I see one of my photos get used regularly in online articles about 'old man' or 'old guy' jiu jitsu - that photo was at the end of a training session sometime in 2015 when I was a brown belt. - https://evolve-mma.com/bl[...]o-can-you/
I was fortunate I guess that I had a background in other martial arts before starting BJJ so the training discipline was already there. I've had my share of aches, pains and injuries like we all do but fortunately nothing that has kept me off the mats for too long. I do nurse a bad left shoulder though and have accepted that I'll probably have to live with it - so I just do what I can to minimise the pain and maximise the range of motion. Also include (sporadically it must be said) some DDP Yoga in my routine and find that if I can be consistent with that then it does make a difference. I do like to spend a good 30 to 40 minutes loosening everything up before training though.
I am usually at the gym 5 or 6 days a week and try to get at least 8 x 5 min rolls in each time, as well as the drills/ technique training - but of course maybe only 1 or 2 of the rolling rounds are 'hard' rolls and for the others I try to focus on something specific.
My daughter is a brown belt under Prof Rodrigo Caporal at Espada in Hong Kong (she trained with me at Evolve in Singapore and got her purple belt there before moving to HK for work about 3 years back) - she is hoping to move to Los Angeles third quarter this year - Covid 19 allowing.
so finally - for now - if any of you guys want to have a look at my profile and verify me that would be awesome - as of today I'm at 550/1000 points
Stay safe, and let's hope we can all get back to regular training in the next few weeks.
Waslalso awarded a purple belt in 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu by Prof Rick Marshall. He was teaching 10P jiu jitsu at Evolve MMA alongside the regular BJJ classes in 2016-2017 when I was a BJJ brown belt and I think the belt was more of a recognition of the hard time I gave him when we rolled rather than my expertise in the 10P system.
I see one of my photos get used regularly in online articles about 'old man' or 'old guy' jiu jitsu - that photo was at the end of a training session sometime in 2015 when I was a brown belt. - https://evolve-mma.com/bl[...]o-can-you/
I was fortunate I guess that I had a background in other martial arts before starting BJJ so the training discipline was already there. I've had my share of aches, pains and injuries like we all do but fortunately nothing that has kept me off the mats for too long. I do nurse a bad left shoulder though and have accepted that I'll probably have to live with it - so I just do what I can to minimise the pain and maximise the range of motion. Also include (sporadically it must be said) some DDP Yoga in my routine and find that if I can be consistent with that then it does make a difference. I do like to spend a good 30 to 40 minutes loosening everything up before training though.
I am usually at the gym 5 or 6 days a week and try to get at least 8 x 5 min rolls in each time, as well as the drills/ technique training - but of course maybe only 1 or 2 of the rolling rounds are 'hard' rolls and for the others I try to focus on something specific.
My daughter is a brown belt under Prof Rodrigo Caporal at Espada in Hong Kong (she trained with me at Evolve in Singapore and got her purple belt there before moving to HK for work about 3 years back) - she is hoping to move to Los Angeles third quarter this year - Covid 19 allowing.
so finally - for now - if any of you guys want to have a look at my profile and verify me that would be awesome - as of today I'm at 550/1000 points
Stay safe, and let's hope we can all get back to regular training in the next few weeks.
JWBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hi all, I train out of Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu of South Bend, just a couple of miles from the beautiful campus of the University of Notre Dame (Go Irish!). I teach the morning classes here; 5:30a-7am. Consequently, the idea of training at night is abhorrent to me. Just kidding; I love training at all hours. But it's safe to say I am definitely a morning guy.
I started training under Chet Schemahorn, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in LaGrange, Indiana. At the time, Chet was still a brown belt. It was about an hour drive each way, but I happily made the drive. Once my wife got pregnant with our son (who is now 12!) I had to find a school a bit closer to home. I talked to Chet about it and with his blessing, I started training under Ben Eaton at his school in Mishawaka. I still consider Chet to be a good friend and he will always be one of my great inspirations in jiu-jitsu. A true class act, all the way.
Training with Ben in the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association has been an amazing, life-changing experience. Ben is an outstanding teacher and a great friend. Eventually Ben moved to the Yorktown area and founded the Jiu-Jitsu Institute -- a truly awesome training facility. if you're ever in the area, you should definitely check it out. When Ben left, his senior student (and my jiu-jitsu brother) Gary Briscoe took the helm at RJJA South Bend. We've worked tirelessly since, continuing to make the school stronger and doing our best to carry on in accordance with Saulo and Xande's vision of jiu-jitsu.
Because of our proximity to ND, we have the great fortune to train with extraordinary jj practitioners from all over the world. Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu of South Bend is always open to visitors and welcomes members of the global jj family to train with us whenever they are in the area. I hope any and all of you who are ever in Northern Indiana / Southern Michigan will make it a point to stop by. We truly love rolling and making new friends -- it's what this life is all about.
Thanks for letting me be a part of the BeltChecker community. If I can ever be of service, do not hesitate to let me know!
I started training under Chet Schemahorn, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in LaGrange, Indiana. At the time, Chet was still a brown belt. It was about an hour drive each way, but I happily made the drive. Once my wife got pregnant with our son (who is now 12!) I had to find a school a bit closer to home. I talked to Chet about it and with his blessing, I started training under Ben Eaton at his school in Mishawaka. I still consider Chet to be a good friend and he will always be one of my great inspirations in jiu-jitsu. A true class act, all the way.
Training with Ben in the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association has been an amazing, life-changing experience. Ben is an outstanding teacher and a great friend. Eventually Ben moved to the Yorktown area and founded the Jiu-Jitsu Institute -- a truly awesome training facility. if you're ever in the area, you should definitely check it out. When Ben left, his senior student (and my jiu-jitsu brother) Gary Briscoe took the helm at RJJA South Bend. We've worked tirelessly since, continuing to make the school stronger and doing our best to carry on in accordance with Saulo and Xande's vision of jiu-jitsu.
Because of our proximity to ND, we have the great fortune to train with extraordinary jj practitioners from all over the world. Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu of South Bend is always open to visitors and welcomes members of the global jj family to train with us whenever they are in the area. I hope any and all of you who are ever in Northern Indiana / Southern Michigan will make it a point to stop by. We truly love rolling and making new friends -- it's what this life is all about.
Thanks for letting me be a part of the BeltChecker community. If I can ever be of service, do not hesitate to let me know!
Edited 6 year(s) ago
BWBrown beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hi. My name is Bhavish Woozageer hailing from the mother city Cape Town, South Africa.
My journey started off at Paul's Cave in 2015 where I did a mixture of martial arts including stand up, kickboxing and Jiu-jitsu. I stayed with Paul's Cave until September 2016. For roughly 3 months I trained with no mats but fell love for jiu-jitsu continued to grow.
I competed 4 times in the year that I was with them and sustained a few injuries during this time due to the lack of proper instruction on how to defend oneself properly. I threw myself in the deep end, with the intention of competing at the same level as other competitors based on my athletism. I didn't know much and the frustration set in.
It was then that my search for another gym started where I could receive the proper training and compete accordingly and improve. Little did I know, I'd find answers through a friend of my mom, who was a brown belt in jiu-jitsu at the time.
She posted about an open mat which was about an hour away. After painstakingly going through all the links, I eventually found their sister gym which was 20 minutes away from where I live: Rio Grappling Crucifix, the home of the Panda Shaun Vos at the time.
I made my way to the open mat on a Saturday sometime in September 2016 and haven't looked back since.
While I was at Crucifix, they had a change in coach and the name: Iron Grip was born.
Fast-forward to the year 2020, where I am living my life's dream: coaching kids in the art of jiu-jitsu and working for the academy full time.
My journey started off at Paul's Cave in 2015 where I did a mixture of martial arts including stand up, kickboxing and Jiu-jitsu. I stayed with Paul's Cave until September 2016. For roughly 3 months I trained with no mats but fell love for jiu-jitsu continued to grow.
I competed 4 times in the year that I was with them and sustained a few injuries during this time due to the lack of proper instruction on how to defend oneself properly. I threw myself in the deep end, with the intention of competing at the same level as other competitors based on my athletism. I didn't know much and the frustration set in.
It was then that my search for another gym started where I could receive the proper training and compete accordingly and improve. Little did I know, I'd find answers through a friend of my mom, who was a brown belt in jiu-jitsu at the time.
She posted about an open mat which was about an hour away. After painstakingly going through all the links, I eventually found their sister gym which was 20 minutes away from where I live: Rio Grappling Crucifix, the home of the Panda Shaun Vos at the time.
I made my way to the open mat on a Saturday sometime in September 2016 and haven't looked back since.
While I was at Crucifix, they had a change in coach and the name: Iron Grip was born.
Fast-forward to the year 2020, where I am living my life's dream: coaching kids in the art of jiu-jitsu and working for the academy full time.
APBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
My name is Andrew Pardee I am 31 yrs old I train under 3rd Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Professor Shawn Hammond. I currently hold the rank of Brown Belt under Professor Hammond.
I own and operate an Affiliate Academy under Shawn Hammonds called Andrew Pardee BJJ Academy located in Weirton, WV.
I have been training for almost 12yrs just received my brown belt in February.
Feel free to add me and if you could vote on my profile to get points.
I own and operate an Affiliate Academy under Shawn Hammonds called Andrew Pardee BJJ Academy located in Weirton, WV.
I have been training for almost 12yrs just received my brown belt in February.
Feel free to add me and if you could vote on my profile to get points.
AVBrown beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hi Guys, my name is Alex Varney
I'm a BJJ blue belt under Roberto Barbiero (a combat base black belt who is a coach at AVT Leeds). I have been training at Fight Ministry Hull for 3 and a half years under; Sam Wilkinson (Pro MMA Fighter, Coach & Combat Base Purple Belt under Roberto Barbiero), Nathan Wilson (Combat Base Purple Belt under Roberto Barbiero and Competitor on the UK BJJ Competition circuit) and Ashley Riby (Combat Base Brown Belt Under Roberto Barbiero). I also have a YouTube Channel called "Frank The Rabbit", which contains BJJ & MMA Compilations. This Channel is included on my belt checker profile
I'm a BJJ blue belt under Roberto Barbiero (a combat base black belt who is a coach at AVT Leeds). I have been training at Fight Ministry Hull for 3 and a half years under; Sam Wilkinson (Pro MMA Fighter, Coach & Combat Base Purple Belt under Roberto Barbiero), Nathan Wilson (Combat Base Purple Belt under Roberto Barbiero and Competitor on the UK BJJ Competition circuit) and Ashley Riby (Combat Base Brown Belt Under Roberto Barbiero). I also have a YouTube Channel called "Frank The Rabbit", which contains BJJ & MMA Compilations. This Channel is included on my belt checker profile
LLBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hey everyone,
I have been training for 10 years in Tallahassee Florida under Shane Weinischke and Marcelo Cohen. I started training because I was entering corrections/law enforcement. This has been a long journey full of ups and downs; but I have grown so much because of jiu-jitsu. It has lead me on a path of true self expression. I am a better man from the lessons I have learned on the mats.
Belt Checker is a really cool and I’m glad to have found out about it from my instructor.
I have been training for 10 years in Tallahassee Florida under Shane Weinischke and Marcelo Cohen. I started training because I was entering corrections/law enforcement. This has been a long journey full of ups and downs; but I have grown so much because of jiu-jitsu. It has lead me on a path of true self expression. I am a better man from the lessons I have learned on the mats.
Belt Checker is a really cool and I’m glad to have found out about it from my instructor.
ACBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hi everyone,
Been training for close to 3 years - after having been nagged for a previous 3 more years by a buddy from back home (Romanian living in the Netherlands for a while now, after completing my studies in France).
Started a small club at work with another colleague, who was a blue belt already but hadn't train for more than 6 years.
It was soon not enough for me to have 3 sessions a week at noon so I joined the gym and team my coach was from -> 6x per week.
I am a bboy so a lot of the moves came naturally to me, especially when it comes to dynamic balance retention. Getting a stable/strong base was a tough one (since bboying requires one to be on their hands a lot :)) )
I've competed at both white and blue, but did so as challenges to myself and learning approach, mental trials basically, since (again, due to bboying) competing was not a new thing.
I have indeed changed and am welcoming of every new lesson and since I can no longer indulge in the hiphop lifestyle, I feel BJJ is the natural progression of "mens sana in corpore sano" - sure, all my former "almost"-injuries have come to light during rolls, but at least I don't postpone the healing now, or do it improperly.
I've never liked the strictness of some hierarchies found in BJJ so beltchecker was exactly what (IMO) was needed in the community: open, transparent, merit based.
Looking forward to getting back to training!
Been training for close to 3 years - after having been nagged for a previous 3 more years by a buddy from back home (Romanian living in the Netherlands for a while now, after completing my studies in France).
Started a small club at work with another colleague, who was a blue belt already but hadn't train for more than 6 years.
It was soon not enough for me to have 3 sessions a week at noon so I joined the gym and team my coach was from -> 6x per week.
I am a bboy so a lot of the moves came naturally to me, especially when it comes to dynamic balance retention. Getting a stable/strong base was a tough one (since bboying requires one to be on their hands a lot :)) )
I've competed at both white and blue, but did so as challenges to myself and learning approach, mental trials basically, since (again, due to bboying) competing was not a new thing.
I have indeed changed and am welcoming of every new lesson and since I can no longer indulge in the hiphop lifestyle, I feel BJJ is the natural progression of "mens sana in corpore sano" - sure, all my former "almost"-injuries have come to light during rolls, but at least I don't postpone the healing now, or do it improperly.
I've never liked the strictness of some hierarchies found in BJJ so beltchecker was exactly what (IMO) was needed in the community: open, transparent, merit based.
Looking forward to getting back to training!
ACBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hey Guys, I am Adam from Delaware. Ive been training BJJ since 2008, and was awarded my Black Belt one day after my 39th birthday by Professor Carlos Catania. Im a OEF/ OIF vet and still serving in the NG. I am also an LEO in the civilian word, pretty much a desk jockey or POG. Feel free to check out my profile and drop a vote if everything lines up.
KLPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hello, I've been at it for 2 + years now and just earned my Blue Belt a few weeks ago. I enjoy competing and really look at each competition as a benchmark of my growth in the sport more than stripes and belts. My first was a cluster and I had no idea what was going to happen, I was nervous more than excited and after I lost, I wanted to get better for the next one. My single stripe butt had no idea what was happening and I got worked, but losing on points was a victory, just not getting tapped was the goal. My takeaway was, I did it! My last tournament as a 4 striper I went in looking for scalps! I ran through the round robin and easily submitted everyone I faced. Then in the finals I faced someone who I had more technical knowledge than but was a far better athlete(10 year younger former D1 wrestler) I watched him in the round robin and knew he was strong and fit, but i knew i that with technique that I could beat him. I tried and tried. I pulled guard, worked armbars, tried my trusty triangle, threw the kitchen sink, but he was powerful and had enough technique to get out of things, he passed my guard at one point and I got it back but the points were issued and when he stood up I did a tripod sweep but he went out of bounds and the ref stood us both up. I looked at the scoreboard and the time less than 2 minutes I'm losing 3-0... That got into my head and created doubt, lesson leaned... Then with 30 seconds left he passed again and secured side control. Moved to take the mount and secured an arm triangle, which I wasn't knowledgeable about, so in the end I was out played by technique. My take away was not to underestimate my opponent and to stay focused. Play my game and not let them pass my guard. Also I need a plan B, I've been working on becoming a better top player, developing new guard passes and transition from position to position. I want to get better so next time I will have a better technical arsenal and be able to outplay any physical deficit and never under estimate my opponent.
DWBlue beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hai Everyone, im Danang, i started training 4 years ago. I am not going to talk about how's my journeys of BJJ, since it might be the same with everyone, train, compete, win some lose some, training partner whos become closer than family etc etc, every amazing thing that we're all benefit from training..
This is another POV of mine: The BJJ community really save me from unnecessary spending as a fresh graduate workers that only spend money for girls and alcohol.. Later after BJJ founds me, i spend it on GI and supplement (healthier lifestyle) and this path bring me to my soulmate whos now become my wife. Noted that she's not from BJJ community, but the community helps me to be more mature and cope with stressful situation of everyday life. Those two is the main factors that hamper me to get into serious relationships. Thx BJJ.. Haha pardon my english..
This is another POV of mine: The BJJ community really save me from unnecessary spending as a fresh graduate workers that only spend money for girls and alcohol.. Later after BJJ founds me, i spend it on GI and supplement (healthier lifestyle) and this path bring me to my soulmate whos now become my wife. Noted that she's not from BJJ community, but the community helps me to be more mature and cope with stressful situation of everyday life. Those two is the main factors that hamper me to get into serious relationships. Thx BJJ.. Haha pardon my english..
PPPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hello everyone,
I train in Hamilton, New Zealand - well I was until today when the country went into a lock down due to Covid-19. We are expected to be in lockdown for at least 4 weeks so I am going to try and work as many movement drills and conditioning sessions at home in an attempt to fight the urge to be on the mats!
Very pleased to discover this platform which we can use to discuss grappling, and that I can also see facilitating training while we travel. (Once the world beats this virus)
Ngā mihi,
Peter
I train in Hamilton, New Zealand - well I was until today when the country went into a lock down due to Covid-19. We are expected to be in lockdown for at least 4 weeks so I am going to try and work as many movement drills and conditioning sessions at home in an attempt to fight the urge to be on the mats!
Very pleased to discover this platform which we can use to discuss grappling, and that I can also see facilitating training while we travel. (Once the world beats this virus)
Ngā mihi,
Peter
TSBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hi! Just want to introduce myself. Tony Silva from New Jersey. Awesome opportunity with this website and fantastic community. Check Out my Location if your in the central jersey area!
SLBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hi all,
A little late to the party but as they say "better late than never". My name is Sebastien Lavoie I'm 42 yrs old was born in raised in Montreal Quebec Canada (sorry about that). I have lived in beautiful British Columbia for 22 yrs. I have a lifelong history of traditional martial art mostly striking arts.
I started my BJJ journey at West Coast BJJ in 2007 and never looked back. At the time WCBJJ was the place to be in Vancouver and many of its original members are now blackbelts with their own clubs. This gives us a foothold or a place to call home absolutely everywhere in a 50 mile radius. Some of the notorious athletes of WCBJJ are Shawn Albrecht, Micah Brakefield (also 10th planet BB), both Steve and Matt Kwan from the BJJ Mental Model Podcast are WCBJJ veterans, Former UFC fighter Jeremy Kennedy, and 2014 (?) #2 IBJJF ranked Cobrinah 1st Black Belt (then brown) Jason Gagnon.
If you're ever in the Vancouver, BC area, don't hesitate to DM me or Shawn Albrecht and we can assist with getting you oriented and make sure that you have a safe place to train.
For the LEOs or Military personnel visiting: our club has an astonishing ratio of first responders and Ascension Martial Arts is as safe as it comes.
Truly humbled by the amazing people on this site and looking forward to see where it brings us.
Be safe
A little late to the party but as they say "better late than never". My name is Sebastien Lavoie I'm 42 yrs old was born in raised in Montreal Quebec Canada (sorry about that). I have lived in beautiful British Columbia for 22 yrs. I have a lifelong history of traditional martial art mostly striking arts.
I started my BJJ journey at West Coast BJJ in 2007 and never looked back. At the time WCBJJ was the place to be in Vancouver and many of its original members are now blackbelts with their own clubs. This gives us a foothold or a place to call home absolutely everywhere in a 50 mile radius. Some of the notorious athletes of WCBJJ are Shawn Albrecht, Micah Brakefield (also 10th planet BB), both Steve and Matt Kwan from the BJJ Mental Model Podcast are WCBJJ veterans, Former UFC fighter Jeremy Kennedy, and 2014 (?) #2 IBJJF ranked Cobrinah 1st Black Belt (then brown) Jason Gagnon.
If you're ever in the Vancouver, BC area, don't hesitate to DM me or Shawn Albrecht and we can assist with getting you oriented and make sure that you have a safe place to train.
For the LEOs or Military personnel visiting: our club has an astonishing ratio of first responders and Ascension Martial Arts is as safe as it comes.
Truly humbled by the amazing people on this site and looking forward to see where it brings us.
Be safe
ADBlue beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hi guys.
I’m Anders, 34 years old, living in Norway (right outside of Oslo). I’ve been doing BJJ since january 2019, and i love it! Before that i trained mma and submission wrestling, but after moving out of the city, the commute to my mma-gym was a bit too much. I then found a BJJ-academy not far from where i live. I really like the training and the environment in the gym, and i look forward to keep training for many years!
Hi guys.
I’m Anders, 34 years old, living in Norway (right outside of Oslo). I’ve been doing BJJ since january 2019, and i love it! Before that i trained mma and submission wrestling, but after moving out of the city, the commute to my mma-gym was a bit too much. I then found a BJJ-academy not far from where i live. I really like the training and the environment in the gym, and i look forward to keep training for many years!
TMPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Bored and stressed out from the 'Rona as I am an essential employee (911) and so is my wife. Decided to check this out after seeing a friends post on Facebook. Been training for about 5 years at Ground Zero BJJ in Bridgeport, WV. Great group of humans at that place. I absolutely love it.
Edit: Below is my promotion photo from Blue to Purple. If you dont mind giving me a vote if you have the time it would be appreciated.
Edit: Below is my promotion photo from Blue to Purple. If you dont mind giving me a vote if you have the time it would be appreciated.
Edited 6 year(s) ago
SLBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Bored and stressed out from the 'Rona as I am an essential employee (911) and so is my wife. Decided to check this out after seeing a friends post on Facebook. Been training for about 5 years at Ground Zero BJJ in Bridgeport, WV. Great group of humans at that place. I absolutely love it.
Sorry to hear that bro, tough times especially for those that can't just bury at home and watch netflix.
Thanks for your service in whatever 911 capacity.
Cool photo and can't wait to roll again
Thanks for your service in whatever 911 capacity.
Cool photo and can't wait to roll again
SABlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hi everyone,
My name is Shawn and I co-own Ascension Martial Arts in Port Coquitlam BC. I started jiujitsu 16.5 yrs ago and had an incredible journey so far.
Full disclosure, for the longest time my focused was on MMA both for fighting and coaching. I retired from MMA with an 11-7 record having held a professional title in Fivestar Fight League. I competed in BJJ mostly locally at all belt levels including black and have won NAGA on a few occasions.
As some might say, my love for the GI game was certainly "aquired" over time. My passion for teaching and mentoring led me to take over what was once the club led by Ricardo De La Riva Black Belt Don Whitefield (my instructor).
Aside from our comprehensive adult and kids BJJ and Kickboxing programs, our primary focus is fostering a welcoming, respectful and cohesive community.
I was reluctant to sign up to BeltChecker as I am slightly technologically challenged but I'm glad I did.
Very nice to meet you all
My name is Shawn and I co-own Ascension Martial Arts in Port Coquitlam BC. I started jiujitsu 16.5 yrs ago and had an incredible journey so far.
Full disclosure, for the longest time my focused was on MMA both for fighting and coaching. I retired from MMA with an 11-7 record having held a professional title in Fivestar Fight League. I competed in BJJ mostly locally at all belt levels including black and have won NAGA on a few occasions.
As some might say, my love for the GI game was certainly "aquired" over time. My passion for teaching and mentoring led me to take over what was once the club led by Ricardo De La Riva Black Belt Don Whitefield (my instructor).
Aside from our comprehensive adult and kids BJJ and Kickboxing programs, our primary focus is fostering a welcoming, respectful and cohesive community.
I was reluctant to sign up to BeltChecker as I am slightly technologically challenged but I'm glad I did.
Very nice to meet you all
SLBlack beltVerified
VSBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
The other topic got a bit long, so we'll continue it here! (PART 1: https://beltchecker.com/f[...]bcb15b9139) *** While we wait for the site to mature and verified user base to slowly grow, let’s hear some introductions here? What’s your training / competition career been like? Would be nice to get to know the serious early adopters here a bit! :) This is also a good opportunity to connect with people here on the site, who might take a look at your profile and chose to verify it or not. Please note, that we kindly don't allow 'please verify me' topics in the forum as there will be too many of them.
Hello everyone.
My name is Vitor Sousa and i am running an affiliate in Portugal under my Masters Julio "pudim" Lima and Sandro "bala" Lima from Brasilia,Brazil.
I start training in 2003 and it has been an amazing journey.
I would like to congratulate everyone involved on this site and project this is a very good way to get the jiu-jitsu community together and strong.
My name is Vitor Sousa and i am running an affiliate in Portugal under my Masters Julio "pudim" Lima and Sandro "bala" Lima from Brasilia,Brazil.
I start training in 2003 and it has been an amazing journey.
I would like to congratulate everyone involved on this site and project this is a very good way to get the jiu-jitsu community together and strong.
RMBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hey everyone! I got started doing no-gi grappling back in 2008 or so at what was at the time an MMA gym.. Kept at it sort of off and on for years. Was never super consistent and would go for a few months or a year then get sick or injured or just distracted and be gone for a year. Never did any gi until the gi instructor at my school saw me rolling no gi with a friend and finally talked me into trying it. Spent the first few months getting viciously collar choked but have never looked back and have found the consistency I lacked before. I've been training gi with my current instructor for somewhere in the area of six years and this pandemic is the first gap I've had in that time.
Competition wise, it's never really been something I enjoyed. I have social anxiety, and competing just compounds it. I have done some tournaments, mostly back at white belt, just for the experience but it generally gives me a level of stress and anxiety that I don't need in my life. I'm happy just training to be better than I was and I visit other local gyms from time to time just to experience other styles and games. I have hit the point where I know I'm going to be doing this forever. It's just a part of my life and, even though I am never going to be a world champ, I never regret time spent training. Now hopefully this pandemic subsides so we can all return to the mats. If not I am going to start heel hooking random family members and that can't end well.
Attached a picture of me getting my purple since I am way more visible than my brown belt pictures
Competition wise, it's never really been something I enjoyed. I have social anxiety, and competing just compounds it. I have done some tournaments, mostly back at white belt, just for the experience but it generally gives me a level of stress and anxiety that I don't need in my life. I'm happy just training to be better than I was and I visit other local gyms from time to time just to experience other styles and games. I have hit the point where I know I'm going to be doing this forever. It's just a part of my life and, even though I am never going to be a world champ, I never regret time spent training. Now hopefully this pandemic subsides so we can all return to the mats. If not I am going to start heel hooking random family members and that can't end well.
Attached a picture of me getting my purple since I am way more visible than my brown belt pictures
SLBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hey everyone! I got started doing no-gi grappling back in 2008 or so at what was at the time an MMA gym.. Kept at it sort of off and on for years. Was never super consistent and would go for a few months or a year then get sick or injured or just distracted and be gone for a year. Never did any gi until the gi instructor at my school saw me rolling no gi with a friend and finally talked me into trying it. Spent the first few months getting viciously collar choked but have never looked back and have found the consistency I lacked before. I've been training gi with my current instructor for somewhere in the area of six years and this pandemic is the first gap I've had in that time. Competition wise, it's never really been something I enjoyed. I have social anxiety, and competing just compounds it. I have done some tournaments, mostly back at white belt, just for the experience but it generally gives me a level of stress and anxiety that I don't need in my life. I'm happy just training to be better than I was and I visit other local gyms from time to time just to experience other styles and games. I have hit the point where I know I'm going to be doing this forever. It's just a part of my life and, even though I am never going to be a world champ, I never regret time spent training. Now hopefully this pandemic subsides so we can all return to the mats. If not I am going to start heel hooking random family members and that can't end well. Attached a picture of me getting my purple since I am way more visible than my brown belt pictures
Welcome Ryan, and thanks for sharing. This is an important perspective to keep in mind when encouraging people to compete. Competing and the associated stress inoculation can be extemely beneficial, but for some folks the benefits do not outweigh the downside.
JIBrown beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hello Jiu jitsu brothers and sisters. My name is James Isom, and I’m currently a brown belt under Mark Stefanac in the Relson Gracie Affiliation. I began training BJJ in 2013, and became obsessed, putting in 9-10 sessions a week in during my blue belt and purple belt tenure. I’ve since scaled back to 3 or 4 sessions a week mostly for recovery time, and time with my family. It’s amazing how much of a difference I felt in my body from age 38-40. I’ve been an instructor at the academy I attend for approximately 1 year now, and that experience has helped my game grow quite a bit. I have a modest competition history. It’s always been my goal to compete a few times at each rank, and I’ve done that with the exception of brown belt due to lack of opponents at one tournament, and the most recent tournament I was signed up for having been cancelled like everything else. I look forward to getting to know more BJJ people on this site. Please don’t hesitate to add me as a friend, and if you’re so inclined after Viewing my profile and credentials, throwing a vote my way. Thanks. (I’m the guy on the lower right in the photo)
Edited 6 year(s) ago
MBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hi everyone,
My name is Matt D’Aquino I’m a bjj black belt under Felipe Grez, judo 4th degree and a 08 Olympian.
I have tons of content on YouTube at beyondgrappling and run my own bjj and judo club.
If you have any questions please ask away. I am looking forward to being a part of the beltchecker community.
My name is Matt D’Aquino I’m a bjj black belt under Felipe Grez, judo 4th degree and a 08 Olympian.
I have tons of content on YouTube at beyondgrappling and run my own bjj and judo club.
If you have any questions please ask away. I am looking forward to being a part of the beltchecker community.
CHBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Hi everyone, My name is Matt D’Aquino I’m a bjj black belt under Felipe Grez, judo 4th degree and a 08 Olympian. I have tons of content on YouTube at beyondgrappling and run my own bjj and judo club. If you have any questions please ask away. I am looking forward to being a part of the beltchecker community.
Welcome aboard, Matt. You will be a valuable addition to the community.
GDPurple beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Goodmorning all,
I train for around 3 years now. The first 2,5 years I trained at a gym further away from my home, so I maybe trained 2 or 3 times a month. This year a new gym started at my hometown, called DFC Dordrecht (the Netherlands). I started training here and now I train 2 or 3 times a week. It feels good to train a lot more and it feels like I've made more progression in this last half year than in the 2,5 year before that.
Can't wait to be back on the mats !
I train for around 3 years now. The first 2,5 years I trained at a gym further away from my home, so I maybe trained 2 or 3 times a month. This year a new gym started at my hometown, called DFC Dordrecht (the Netherlands). I started training here and now I train 2 or 3 times a week. It feels good to train a lot more and it feels like I've made more progression in this last half year than in the 2,5 year before that.
Can't wait to be back on the mats !
SLBlack beltVerified
6 year(s) ago
Goodmorning all, I train for around 3 years now. The first 2,5 years I trained at a gym further away from my home, so I maybe trained 2 or 3 times a month. This year a new gym started at my hometown, called DFC Dordrecht (the Netherlands). I started training here and now I train 2 or 3 times a week. It feels good to train a lot more and it feels like I've made more progression in this last half year than in the 2,5 year before that. Can't wait to be back on the mats !
Welcome brother,
And yes hitting the mats again will be sweet.
And yes hitting the mats again will be sweet.
