BJJ

My own teaching style is based on a very forensic-style approach - I like to examine all the components of a move, understand the purpose and ‘firing order’ of each part of the process - and then find the best choice of words that will successfully drive others toward the same level of understanding. My approach is very forensic and detail oriented.   On the other end of the spectrum is what I would call an impressionistic approach. My coach Rigan Machado’s coaching style is like this.   Think of what Monet, Cezanne and Van Gogh were trying to do through their impressionist works. There is something about their creations that an explicit photograph failed to convey - with less detail than a photograph, their art, in some ways, conveyed more.   Personally, I love both impressionism and high-detail … they both bring something different to bear on the subject matter. It is the perspective we get from both approaches that ultimately gives us true insight. JBW Starry Starry Fight …

More ‘wonder’ and less ‘I know this’ - is what I say. Curiosity and wonder are important. In fact, they are crucial to continued and deep learning. As I have been deeply infected by these things myself - I can only hope to transmit to others who dare come in contact with me. Patient zero …. come closer, I am highly contagious!

On the mat, such a simplification might look like this: Crucifix = Back Control done Sideways. A large part of a teachers job is, in my own view, to sufficiently simplify the complex so that it becomes more immediately and more easily digestible for those who haven’t the time, inclination or ability to hold the idea (in it’s fullness) aloft. Compress a complicated mess down into a more elegant form, put it in a box and tie a bow on it … this is the idea.   In Math: 1/2 (2X-10) = 5X - (6X+9) X-5 = 5X - 6X - 9 X-5 = -X - 9 2X = -4 X = -2 In life, we might want to own a house. But zero does not equal 10. We have to balance the equation … work = savings - then we borrow from the bank to buy that home - we then rent out the back room to re-pay the loan faster to more rapidly build equity - then we use the increased equity (over time) to convince the bank to lend us more money - we buy a second home that someone rents - we contribute the shortfall in payments ourselves, until inflatio

We look at others and tend think their lives are absent of drama and difficulty. We look at how others perform and think they don’t have the problems that we have ourselves. To be envious of another’s success is the sign of an insecure human being. But to be envious of a ‘mirage’ - is surely just a sign of stupidity. It is a common mistake to compare apples with oranges. We look but often   fail to see.   Most people have struggles of some kind in the lives, their relationships, their finances, their health - and yes, their BJJ Game. The struggle, though, is where the pay-off lies. In dealing with the struggle, in solving the problems, we become more adept; not only at BJJ - but at the living of life itself. Can’t even read my own writing without the use of glasses …

Freedom to think. Freedom to learn. Freedom to make choices. Freedom to speak our minds. Freedom to succeed. Freedom to screw up. Freedom to love. Freedom to live our lives …   Like air and water - here in Australia at least, we often take this most precious thing, for granted. We are very, very fortunate … and we live in wonderful times.   Gratitude for the wonder and circumstances of our existence   - a good way to kick off the day.

“With all due respect …” This almost always means precisely the opposite. “Honestly? …” Well, of course you idiot. What? You usually tell untruths? “95% of all …” Stats are funny things. Misquoted, miss-used and made up much of the time. “Trust me …” Trust, in my experience, can only ever be earned. And it begins by making small promises and keeping them. When someone asks for it … yikes!

This is regarding the math of life. I have long had this idea …. I shall try to reduce it to it’s simplest form here …   In words: We need to balance the equation. I am completely astounded at times, by the clearly obvious fact that some people live and act a certain way and yet they expect to achieve an outcome that should not (by any reasonable standard) be achievable by living and acting that way. Eg: someone wants to be financially independent, but they spend more than they actually earn. Or someone who wants to lose weight but they eat cakes all day and do no exercise. It’s just weird! It’s all basic math. I suck at math - but it’s still quite obvious to me. There are two sides to this equation - on one side we have what we do (the left side) - and on the other side we have what we want/expect (the right side). These things need to balance out.   Do less on the left side (what we do) and we will need to subtract from the right side (what we want) - or we will feel disappoin