As I sit at my desk early early in the morning drinking my coffee before I have to go teach, I jump on Facebook, IG, and Gmail to check my emails as I always do. I glance at the upper right hand corner of my monitor where the clock on my computer sits. I notice we have only 11 days left in the month. I reflect back on December, notice, and realize there has been a shit ton of Belt Promotions this past month! Friends old & new, from CTA HQ, my affiliates, and BJJ Globetrotter Fam! I just wanted to say, congratulations to you all! It's so amazing to see Jiu-Jitsu grow!

I've always said this at my promotions I hold.

"Jiu-Jitsu isn't for everybody! But everybody can do it! Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most difficult things to stick with. It will test you physically, mentally, and emotionally! You will cry, you will laugh, you will want to quit, you will want to jump at every opportunity with passion! It's a crazy rollercoaster! If you're getting or got promoted, know that you are way stronger physically, mentally, and emotionally than the majority of the public out there and I congratulate you! I congratulate you for sticking with one of the most difficult of martial arts to partake in and stick with! Sticking with Jiu-Jitsu speaks miles about you and the type of person you are! Your drive, your discipline, your wherewithal, and your love for Jiu-jitsu and the people around you! To me, that speaks and means more to me than any gold medal anyone will ever win! Again, many congratulations and happy holidays to you all!"