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My coach needs some votes!
6 month(s) ago • 1012 views • 45 replies
JBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
6 month(s) ago
Maybe there are other ways to skin this cat. If Mr. McSwain has a demonstrated competition record at various belt levels, In reputable and recognized tournament venues, against known skilled opponents, That could be an opportunity for members of the community to make votes, Based on that observable merit. Or, if he has rolled and trained with known, and confirmed black belts, maybe they could speak up for him, here. As well, some of us train armed professionals, with gunbelts, and kits, in force on force grapple fu, and that is another legitimate area of speciality. The black belts in those areas of grapple fu, and force on force, could stand for him, if they know him, and that is his background. Competing methods, in all things... Mifune Sensei said a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu can be given for any, or any combination, of these reasons: 1) Great Teaching ability 2) Great Competitive, or demonstrated ability 3) Through some great service to the art, and it's community (usually after death). So, there are competing methods, to simply paper lineage, and pens. Any of us, of the right rank to promote, can, and all here, may vote their consciences.
Let's start and see if we get any new information and perhaps also documentation from John Boltin, Josh Miller or Gracie Barra HQ in Irvine.
Unfortunately, even black belt diplomas signed by Carlos Gracie Jr seem not to be evidence that he actually was a promoting instructor, just evidence that you paid them 298 USD (including a web course that's smells very much like marketing which you pay to expose yourself to). The diplomas say that Master Carlos Gracie Jr (and your other instructor?) award you the black belt even if you've never met him in your life. Globetrotters were kicked out of IBJJF for less by the very same Carlos "Timmy" Gracie Jr and company.
See https://institute.gracieb[...]ertificate
So might very well end in a situation indistinguishable from John Boltin never having been promoted to BB by a legit 2+ degree BB.
In that case, I really hope someone from the community can evaluate Popdan and McSwain in person, even if it means resetting the BB date and degrees. Or that e.g. Joshua Miller retroactively confirms a BB date for John Boltin in 2014 or later, with black belt dates along the lineage are also moved forward accordingly (that could still result in both Popdan and McSwain getting current black belts).
Unfortunately, even black belt diplomas signed by Carlos Gracie Jr seem not to be evidence that he actually was a promoting instructor, just evidence that you paid them 298 USD (including a web course that's smells very much like marketing which you pay to expose yourself to). The diplomas say that Master Carlos Gracie Jr (and your other instructor?) award you the black belt even if you've never met him in your life. Globetrotters were kicked out of IBJJF for less by the very same Carlos "Timmy" Gracie Jr and company.
See https://institute.gracieb[...]ertificate
So might very well end in a situation indistinguishable from John Boltin never having been promoted to BB by a legit 2+ degree BB.
In that case, I really hope someone from the community can evaluate Popdan and McSwain in person, even if it means resetting the BB date and degrees. Or that e.g. Joshua Miller retroactively confirms a BB date for John Boltin in 2014 or later, with black belt dates along the lineage are also moved forward accordingly (that could still result in both Popdan and McSwain getting current black belts).
WMBlack belt 5th degreeVerified
6 month(s) ago
Also, any confirmed and well credentialed South Carolina senior blackbelts, out there, that might want to step in, for no money preferably (except travel, board, and meal costs), to give these people, a hand, for honest and fair evaluations, with as little bias as possible?
Invite them over, or get yourself invited over there, for a roll, and some BBQ?
Have some rolls, or a tournament, as you all work out.
If they were in my backyard, near me in Florida, I might do it, but States away, I am too old, busy like everyone else in this economy, and I have Parkinson's.
Somebody step up, and help this group out, not with free passes, but honest evaluations.
Surely there are lots of BJJ Globetrotters, in South Carolina.
Globetrot your butt over there, if they invite you.
Make some new friends, and report back, fairly.
Only by their invitation, and with good intention.
Or have a South Carolina BJJ Globetrotters shin dig, and invite them.
Invite them over, or get yourself invited over there, for a roll, and some BBQ?
Have some rolls, or a tournament, as you all work out.
If they were in my backyard, near me in Florida, I might do it, but States away, I am too old, busy like everyone else in this economy, and I have Parkinson's.
Somebody step up, and help this group out, not with free passes, but honest evaluations.
Surely there are lots of BJJ Globetrotters, in South Carolina.
Globetrot your butt over there, if they invite you.
Make some new friends, and report back, fairly.
Only by their invitation, and with good intention.
Or have a South Carolina BJJ Globetrotters shin dig, and invite them.
JJackOP
Purple beltVerified
6 month(s) ago
This may give some more evidence. I attended a seminar from Heidi Lozano at Chango this past October. I would like to think that high level black belts have some relationship before agreeing to do a seminar but definitely not a mic drop for this thread.
BMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 month(s) ago
... just evidence that you paid them 298 USD ... I really hope someone from the community can evaluate Popdan and McSwain in person ...
Y'all are only paying $298?! 😂
I live about 4hrs away in North Carolina. I'd be happy to make the trip down there sometime, and they'd always be welcome at my gym.
For me it's gonna be a minute: I may have broken my foot (not tapping out to a foot lock in a tournament like a dumbass) but even if not, I'll have limitations on my sparring abilities for probably the next couple weeks, at least.
One more option: we are running a camp in May. They could roll out here and I'd be happy to give my most objective evaluation along with a camp full of people with qualified opinions.
I live about 4hrs away in North Carolina. I'd be happy to make the trip down there sometime, and they'd always be welcome at my gym.
For me it's gonna be a minute: I may have broken my foot (not tapping out to a foot lock in a tournament like a dumbass) but even if not, I'll have limitations on my sparring abilities for probably the next couple weeks, at least.
One more option: we are running a camp in May. They could roll out here and I'd be happy to give my most objective evaluation along with a camp full of people with qualified opinions.
WMBlack belt 5th degreeVerified
6 month(s) ago
This may give some more evidence. I attended a seminar from Heidi Lozano at Chango this past November. I would like to think that high level black belts have some relationship before agreeing to do a seminar but definitely not a mic drop for this thread.
Thank you, for that.
Can you invite her on here, and ask to get her profile verified, and then to vouch, and vote, as her conscience dictates?
As an example, I go to senior homes, on invitation, to teach falling skills, for free, when asked.
They don't always know how to fall safely, before I show them.
I go anyway, when asked, as they are the ones that need that training, the most.
Thank you again, for your post.
Can you invite her on here, and ask to get her profile verified, and then to vouch, and vote, as her conscience dictates?
As an example, I go to senior homes, on invitation, to teach falling skills, for free, when asked.
They don't always know how to fall safely, before I show them.
I go anyway, when asked, as they are the ones that need that training, the most.
Thank you again, for your post.
WMBlack belt 5th degreeVerified
6 month(s) ago
Y'all are only paying $298?! 😂 I live about 4hrs away in North Carolina. I'd be happy to make the trip down there sometime, and they'd always be welcome at my gym. For me it's gonna be a minute: I may have broken my foot (not tapping out to a foot lock in a tournament like a dumbass) but even if not, I'll have limitations on my sparring abilities for probably the next couple weeks, at least. One more option: we are running a camp in May. They could roll out here and I'd be happy to give my most objective evaluation along with a camp full of people with qualified opinions.
Sorry to hear about your foot.
Thank you kindly, for inviting them to your camp.
Thank you kindly, for inviting them to your camp.
BMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 month(s) ago
FWIW, my students have competed against their gym's students in regional tournaments and there's nothing that gives me any red flags that they're a McDojo.
WMBlack belt 5th degreeVerified
6 month(s) ago
FWIW, my students have competed against their gym's students in regional tournaments and there's nothing that gives me any red flags that they're a McDojo.
Outstanding.
If your students have competed against theirs, and theirs did well, winning or losing, maybe you could look at them, for voting.
Up to you.
Maybe you have seen their coach, coaching, and can comment on that, too.
The idea of a mixer, sounds like a fine idea.
If your students have competed against theirs, and theirs did well, winning or losing, maybe you could look at them, for voting.
Up to you.
Maybe you have seen their coach, coaching, and can comment on that, too.
The idea of a mixer, sounds like a fine idea.
BMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
6 month(s) ago
Maybe you have seen their coach, coaching, and can comment on that, too.
I'm sure I did, but just don't remember it. I'd also hate to vote someone up based purely on how their students do in a little regional competition, as my team has won comps in the past when I wasn't even a black belt yet. I think there's more that goes into being a BB than just teaching/coaching ability.
JJackOP
Purple beltVerified
6 month(s) ago
I'm sure I did, but just don't remember it. I'd also hate to vote someone up based purely on how their students do in a little regional competition, as my team has won comps in the past when I wasn't even a black belt yet. I think there's more that goes into being a BB than just teaching/coaching ability.
I respect that. Chango has a Smoothcomp profile that shows the recent comps their students have competed in.
https://smoothcomp.com/en[...]statistics
https://smoothcomp.com/en[...]statistics
WMBlack belt 5th degreeVerified
6 month(s) ago
I'm sure I did, but just don't remember it. I'd also hate to vote someone up based purely on how their students do in a little regional competition, as my team has won comps in the past when I wasn't even a black belt yet. I think there's more that goes into being a BB than just teaching/coaching ability.
Eminently fair, I believe most of us believe the same.
DIBlack beltVerified
6 month(s) ago
For what it’s worth. I can't speak on Chris’s or John’s training record. I didn’t know them back then. I know the two men now and I think they are solid humans who love jiu-Jitsu and have done a lot for it in the area.
I have known Sean for close to 8 years. I trained with him 4 to five times a week for approximately three years at Tick Tock Jiu Jitsu under Jacob McClintock, a black belt under Gustavo Dantas. I met Sean right before I got my blue belt. During COVID, I transitioned to training at Chango for a few months, as it was one of the few gyms available in my area for me at the time. Due to a new job and work hours. Chris was an excellent instructor during my time there. He also would have high level black belts coming in and teaching from time to time.
I relocated to Maine and began working with a company called Origin. While there, I trained under Pete Roberts 3rd degree black belt, Dedeco Almeida 6th degree black belt, and Alexey Pickerell 6th degree black belt( he gets his coral this Saturday from De La Riva). Pete is under Dedeco, Dedeco is under Ricardo Liborio, and Alexey is under De La Riva.
I was awarded my black belt last year by them 3, alongside Liborio and approximately 40 other black belts and 400 other ppl who train jiu jitsu. Over the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of training with and learning from several world champions who have become family to me.
I say all of that to say this.
I had the opportunity to roll in the Gi with Sean last year when he was a brown belt, and he demonstrated the skill, control, and composure expected of a high-level brown belt.
I was also in the room when Sean got promoted to black.
I have known Sean for close to 8 years. I trained with him 4 to five times a week for approximately three years at Tick Tock Jiu Jitsu under Jacob McClintock, a black belt under Gustavo Dantas. I met Sean right before I got my blue belt. During COVID, I transitioned to training at Chango for a few months, as it was one of the few gyms available in my area for me at the time. Due to a new job and work hours. Chris was an excellent instructor during my time there. He also would have high level black belts coming in and teaching from time to time.
I relocated to Maine and began working with a company called Origin. While there, I trained under Pete Roberts 3rd degree black belt, Dedeco Almeida 6th degree black belt, and Alexey Pickerell 6th degree black belt( he gets his coral this Saturday from De La Riva). Pete is under Dedeco, Dedeco is under Ricardo Liborio, and Alexey is under De La Riva.
I was awarded my black belt last year by them 3, alongside Liborio and approximately 40 other black belts and 400 other ppl who train jiu jitsu. Over the past five years, I’ve had the privilege of training with and learning from several world champions who have become family to me.
I say all of that to say this.
I had the opportunity to roll in the Gi with Sean last year when he was a brown belt, and he demonstrated the skill, control, and composure expected of a high-level brown belt.
I was also in the room when Sean got promoted to black.
CPBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
6 month(s) ago
-This is John Boltin and Eduardo De Lima at Joshua Millers school, Terra Guerra, in Augusta GA.
-Joshua was Johns direct Professor. Eduardo awarded Black Belts on his behalf, as Joshua had not yet had 2 stripes.
- The Carlos Jr. connection was a "Special Treat" They (Joshua, John, Eduardo) were at the Pan Am's. John was receiving his belt. Carlos doesn't know John. But, Eduardo is going to award the belt. Wouldn't it be a "extra special "memory" to have Carlos Jr. tie it on? That's the extent of the story.
This is 2013 and John just received his 1st stripe from Eduardo.
All that I have time (or energy) for, right at the moment...
-Joshua was Johns direct Professor. Eduardo awarded Black Belts on his behalf, as Joshua had not yet had 2 stripes.
- The Carlos Jr. connection was a "Special Treat" They (Joshua, John, Eduardo) were at the Pan Am's. John was receiving his belt. Carlos doesn't know John. But, Eduardo is going to award the belt. Wouldn't it be a "extra special "memory" to have Carlos Jr. tie it on? That's the extent of the story.
This is 2013 and John just received his 1st stripe from Eduardo.
All that I have time (or energy) for, right at the moment...
CPBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
6 month(s) ago
Also of note...
John Boltin was NEVER Gracie Barra affiliated. Joshua Miller is no longer GB affiliated. I don't know Eduardo's status other than living his best life teaching snowboarding in Alaska.
We only wore the GB Gi's out of deference for Edaurdo when he came to town a couple times a year for seminars.
John Boltin was NEVER Gracie Barra affiliated. Joshua Miller is no longer GB affiliated. I don't know Eduardo's status other than living his best life teaching snowboarding in Alaska.
We only wore the GB Gi's out of deference for Edaurdo when he came to town a couple times a year for seminars.
CPBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
6 month(s) ago
This 2019. Wild Haired Eduardo in the middle. John Boltin 3rd to the right from Eduardo. Joshua Miller 4th from the right from Eduardo. John just received his 3rd stripe. Again at Joshua Millers Terra Guerra in Augusta GA.
MBlack beltVerified
6 month(s) ago
Also of note... John Boltin was NEVER Gracie Barra affiliated. Joshua Miller is no longer GB affiliated. I don't know Eduardo's status other than living his best life teaching snowboarding in Alaska. We only wore the GB Gi's out of deference for Edaurdo when he came to town a couple times a year for seminars.
Actually Eduardo is no longer a snowboard or fishing guide in Alaska. He has moved back to Brazil. Eduardo was close with a ton of the professors in my area, promoted most of them, and did a seminar here just before he moved back to Brazil.
