I DID IT!!!
So I Finally Did It!!! This is a picture of Animal Jiu Jitsu’s very first class! I started with 4 Amazingly cool and soon to be Awesome Jitz peps š All four of the people that started with me on this Blessing of a day are brand spanking new to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They are all newbies and I Love it!!! I get clean Jitz slates to work with, which will allow me to mold them into Fundamentally sound Jiu Jitsu Fighters.
It’s been a long long time since I spent time typing away on this fandangledĀ contraption called a computer! Truth be told, I Miss the shiznits out of writing! I have been soooooo busy getting my Fitness/Personal Training/Consulting business rolling that I haven’t been able to sit down and tap into the creative writing side of this crazy life I live š I have yet to put the final touches on my “Low Back Pain” book too! It will take me a total of 2-3 hours to polish that puppy off but I have other online endeavors that require my strict attention, at least for another month or two. I’ll tell ya what though, that book is going to help a LOT of people deal with low back pain and for that I am Truly Pumped!!!
Btw this pic was taken last week and I already have another person signed up for Animal Jiu Jitsu, so that makes a total of 5 peps that I get the Honor of Coaching š I have 1 more person coming in this week too and I am pretty sure he will sign up, so that will make 6 total!
If you are reading this I just want to say a very special “Thank You!!!” for your time and for joining me on this Crazy Journey called Animal’s life š I am Blessed beyond measure to be able to train and teach something I love! Thanks for being here with me for that!!! Until next time….
September 2, 2013 | Categories: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Entrepreneurship, Health & Fitness, Inspiration, Jiu Jitsu, Low Back Pain, Travel | Tags: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Faith, feed://feeds.feedburner.com/TVCSermonAudio, hope and faith, http://redroom.com/member/kent-zimmerman, http://www.adamcarolla.com, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Animal/293858253512, http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/, http://www.okbu.edu, http://www.punchbowlsocial.com/, Jiu Jitsu, travel, www.animaljiujitsu.com, www.daveramsey.com, www.fitnesswithanimal.com | 6 Comments
In the few years I have been on this earth I have been able to cram a TON of living into this crazy thing we call life! I have had many interesting and exciting experiences all over this planet. I am an American by birth and have lived in more then 10 states, and for more then a year and a half in each one. More importantly though, I am blessed to still have lifelong friends in the majority of those states! I have also traveled to over 15 different countries and will be using some of that travel experience to talk about various cultural differences in our society today.
My post today is about my experience in California, more specifically the Japanese culture I experienced while living in San Francisco, California. That amazing city Ā is saturated (inundated) with the Far East culture and I got a chance to enjoy some of that saturation first hand. Out of the all of the cities in this country, San Francisco has the highest per capita population of Asian American and newly immigrated Asians who came to this country in search of a better life. There are some Ā pockets of the city that have more Asians living and doing business in them then the rest. These neighborhoods tend to be located in an area known as the “Sunset” district. Ā This district is pretty much a miniatureĀ Asia because almost all of the residents are Asian. That is where I lived and spent most of my time in San Fran, which you can call San Francisco if you have ever lived there. At least that is what I was told by the locals. So I can honestly tell you from first hand experience what it was like being the only “white kid” on the block!
EDIT BELOW:
Today we are going to address a specific Asian culture that I had the honor of living in and around for the majority of my stay in San Fran. One of the things that the Japanese culture excels at is “Minimalism.” I have been to Japan twice and was once engaged to a Japanese girl, who was born and raised in Tokyo, so I have a decent understanding of some basic Japanese cultural traits. I have also studied the life of traditional Martial Artist’s and read many books about the Samurai life and culture. (CONTRADICTS???I am far from an expert on Japanese culture, especially since I am a Texan and have lived most of my life in the Southern part of the US.) But through my experience in this life I have learned to take the Japanese concept of Minimalism and run with it! This is a counter-cultural concept for almost all of the citizens of this country because America has literally built it’s economic strength on consumerism and it’s peoples desire and ability to buy things.
This is EXACTLY what the essence of my post is about. “Live Small so you can live BIG!!!” The falsehood that true happiness is predicated on consumerism is eating away at our country and our present day culture! The biggest and most deadly player in this arena is “debt”. The entire concept of debt is about buying something that you can NOT afford. I still remember getting my first credit card and thinking how great it was b/c I could buy and do things that I couldn’t afford (or at least afford now!) What a lie and false sense of reality.
Yes I am advocating that you have ZERO credit cards and debt, and that you do NOT buy things that you can not afford. But more specifically I want you to evaluate how you are living your life. Is it ok to live a life where you don’t own more then one computer/TV/video game console/etc… Heck is it even possible? The reality is that the things we own tend to eventually own us. I mean how often have you drowned out your day watching a television show instead of really connecting with your partner who is sitting right there in front of you? How often are you consumed with “the playoffs” as opposed to going out for a surprise meal with your family? For us single peps out there…when was the last time you stepped away from the computer/TV and just called one of your friends to see how his or her day was? (the last one is percisely what I am guilty of so please don’t think I am above reproach with this stuff;)
I want you to take a second here and reflect on my original thoughts on Minimalism and the Japanese culture. I have not lived in Japan and am not sure exactly how it works over there. I am not saying that it is the perfect or even ideal culture. But one thing I do know is that people in Japan generally don’t own as much stuff as we do over here, and their houses and cars are far smaller then the average American’s. I also got to see how the Japanese family I almost became a part of was not as affectionate as a typical American family, but they sure did spend a LOT of time together just hanging out. There weren’t nearly as many “things” to distract them from spending quality chill time together.
So living a more minimalistic life is definitely not the norm but I promise you that you will be happier and experience more joy in your life if you are debt free, own less things, and spend more quality time with the people you love! So my challenge to you today is to take a no-BS assessment of what “owns you” and spend some time time thinking through your days in regards as to what you actually do or spend time doing in your free time (tv, family, reading, connecting, etc.) I Pray you don’t get caught up in the cycle of buying things you can’t afford so that you can be even more “distracted” from the people and relationships in your life that truly matter:)
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February 27, 2013 | Categories: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Entrepreneurship, Health & Fitness, Inspiration, Jiu Jitsu, Low Back Pain, Travel | Tags: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Faith, feed://feeds.feedburner.com/TVCSermonAudio, hope and faith, http://redroom.com/member/kent-zimmerman, http://www.adamcarolla.com, http://www.elephanthouse.biz, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Animal/293858253512, http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/, http://www.okbu.edu, http://www.punchbowlsocial.com/, Jiu Jitsu, travel, www.animaljiujitsu.com, www.daveramsey.com, www.fitnesswithanimal.com | 6 Comments
Since my move to Denver I have been very sick two times! My body isn’t used to this mountainous climate:( This last week reminds me of my drive here, how I had to stop at a gas station in some small town in Colorado and chill b/c I felt dizzy as all get out and my body was telling me I was going to puke at any moment! Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE it here!!! but in all reality for almost my whole life my body has been at sea level. And this Animal’s body is definitely not used to the cold, at least being in it day in and day out. So where does that leave me? I recognize the fact that I am not accustomed to this environment and that it will take me this first winter to get used to the weather here…so I am willing to buck up and accept that fact and work through the doldrums of a Texan in Colorado:( All the while stoking the fire of excitement of next winter when I will be snowboarding, snowshoeing, and climbing these Beautiful & Majestic peaks:)!!!
Now off to the world of literary Beauty:) I just finished “Blink” by Malcolm Gladwell and was overall very impressed with it and more specifically how it broke down people’s ability to make “snap decisions” of people and/or situations that they are presented with. It is fascinating how a person is able to make split decisions about people and/or situations based on what Gladwell calls “Thin-slicing”. He defines Thin-slicing as “the ability of our unconscious to find patterns in situations and behaviors based on very narrow slices of experience.” Throughout his book he gives examples of individuals in various professions that are able “read” people or situations solely based a quick glance of saidĀ scenario. Throughout the book he covers subjects such as how to have a successful marriage, car salesmen, Vietnam vets, war games, facialĀ recognition experts, and many other unique and exciting subjects. He uses various studies and informational resources to back up his analysisĀ and description of how all the various individuals have learned to be “experts” in their chosen field throughout their many years of experience.
One of the things that hit home for me while reading this book was how relevant it is to my years of being a bouncer and doing club/bar security work. I even mentioned this book and it’s findings about Thin-slicing to the general manager of Punch Bowl Social, where I am currently the Head of Security. I explained to him that b/c of all of the various threat scenarios and all of the highly intoxicated and violent individuals I have had to deal with over the years I have developed a keen sense of what is truly dangerous and what is not. For instance, when I see someone walking through the crowd or through the front door in my bar/club I can instantly tell if they are going to be a problem later on in the night. Now if that person is sober, I will wait to see how they act after a couple drinks before I am 100% sure about my decision as to whether they will be violent or not. But this skill that I have obtained over the course of my many years of working in clubs and bars is almost always completely accurate when I see a highly intoxicated individual walking through the crowd and I get that “sense” that he is of bad character. I tell my security staff about how I am able to do this effectively, especially with drunk people, and I always quote Ernest Hemingway to give myself more published credibility. Hemingway said “you know the true measure of a man’s heart when you see him drunk. He becomes who he truly is at that precise moment of intoxication.” I am paraphrasing here b/c I remember reading that quote in college and it has stuck with me to this day. That quote and glimmer of truth is the exact reason I trust no man that is violent or mean to women any form when he is drunk. So now you see how Hemingway and Gladwell are all part of my daily duties as a Professional Bouncer!
To sum up my ranting…I think you will benefit substantially if you pick up a copy of “Blink” and I believe it will give you greater insight into your chosen profession!
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February 19, 2013 | Categories: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Entrepreneurship, Health & Fitness, Inspiration, Jiu Jitsu, Low Back Pain, Travel | Tags: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Faith, feed://feeds.feedburner.com/TVCSermonAudio, hope and faith, http://redroom.com/member/kent-zimmerman, http://www.adamcarolla.com, http://www.elephanthouse.biz, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Animal/293858253512, http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/, http://www.gladwell.com/blink/index.html, http://www.meadscorner.com/meads/, http://www.okbu.edu, http://www.punchbowlsocial.com/, Jiu Jitsu, life struggle, travel, www.animaljiujitsu.com, www.daveramsey.com, www.fitnesswithanimal.com | 1 Comment
I just finished a book I have read many times over the years yet first read when I was 17 years old. This book did and still directly shapes my life as a Fighter, Martial Artist, & Human Being! It is “Karate-Do My Way of Life” by Gichin Funakoshi. Gichin Funakoshi was the founder of modern day Karate, which was originally from his home island of Okinawa. His short yet powerful book is about his personal journey in life as a Martial Artist and how Karate came to be spread through out the known world. This book has totally helped shape me as a Jiu Jitsu, MMA, and Bar Fighter (Bouncer).
The title of this post comes directly from the final paragraph of Funakoshi’s book; “He who is aware of his own weakness will remain master of himself in any situation; only a true weakling is capable of true courage.” This is an extremely Profound and yet confusing statement all the same! This was and honestly is still a perplexing assertionĀ that I have over many years struggled to fully understand.
How can weakness make you strong? One of the most pertinent thoughts that comes to mind when I ask myself this question is an interview I heard with one of the greatest Fighters of all time, George St. Pierre. He was asked if he knows what fear is and if he has ever felt it before or during a fight. His response blew me away! He said as matter of factly as he could that “Of course I am scared! I am in the grips of fear the whole time leading up to my fight but when I step foot in that cage and that bell rings, I let my body and training take over and the fear evaporates” Now that was definitely paraphrased but you get the point;)
I have sat back and meditated for years on how to come to grips with Funakoshi’s statement that only a true weakling will ultimately be courageous. As a recent supplement to my reflections on Funakoshi’s words I have included what GSP says about his fear and how he has harnessed that fear to be one of the greatest Fighters of all time. The result of my many years of dwelling on Master Funakoshi’s words, my many experience in the Fight/Martial Arts world, and GSP’s thoughts have brought me to the conclusion that “Humility & Knowledge of Self = True Strength!!!” I have come to believe that Funakoshi’s words mean that as a Fighter one must access an ability to be Humble no matter how “good” they are or how well they perform. A Fighter must also know his weakness and be aware of that in a Fight, and in life, so as to avoid that area or allow that weakness to be taken advantage of. For example, in life, if you have a problem with alcohol it would not be wise to hang around at bars thereby putting yourself in harms way or even date someone who drinks a lot of alcohol. The same concept applies for a Jiu Jitsu practitioner who knows that he is weakest (in positional strength and in submission defense) while he is in his opponent’s side mount…that Jitz Fighter should at all costs, avoid being put in his weakest position, and play to his Jiu Jitsu strengths so as to defeat his opponent!
Humility comes into play b/c I believe Master Funakoshi means that is ultimately the way to truly know and understand your weakness. Once a Fighter & human being authentically humbles themselves they will be able to know and understand their on their area(s) of weakness…thereby becoming a “Stronger & More Whole Fighter/Human Being”
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February 13, 2013 | Categories: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Entrepreneurship, Health & Fitness, Inspiration, Jiu Jitsu, Low Back Pain, Travel | Tags: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Faith, feed://feeds.feedburner.com/TVCSermonAudio, hope and faith, http://redroom.com/member/kent-zimmerman, http://www.adamcarolla.com, http://www.elephanthouse.biz, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Animal/293858253512, http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/, http://www.okbu.edu, http://www.punchbowlsocial.com/, Jiu Jitsu, life struggle, travel, www.animaljiujitsu.com, www.daveramsey.com, www.fitnesswithanimal.com | Leave a comment
As a younger man I wrote for my college paper during my senior year at Oklahoma Baptist University. Soon after that I was a paid writer for the Lewisville News, which was a community based newspaper located in Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Ever since then I have owned a personal training studio in Seattle, worked for 2 of the largest internet companies in the US, taught Jiu Jitsu at one of the most prestigious MMA schools in the country as well as a couple other very good schools, I have traveled all over this country and visited 13 other very cool countries, and I have been a bouncer or Cooler/head bouncer in many a bars and clubs across this here country. I have Loved and been Loved by some of the most Beautiful, Sweet, & Awesome Asian women this planet has to offer:)Ā Yes I have lived a very interesting and different life then your average bear!
So here I sit in my favorite coffee Haus, not House, because apparently that isn’t cool enough of a word for this place;) I joke but seriously this spot is Awesome and it is my absolute favorite writing nook…much like J.K. Rowling’s favorite coffee house “The Elephant House,”Ā where she wrote her first Harry Potter book…http://www.elephanthouse.biz/
As I sit here feeling a little under the weather yet brimming with excitement I reflect on what I had just accomplished and how Amazingly easy it was to do it once I made the decision to get it done…I wrote my first book and just sent it off to my Editor:)!!! It is about Low Back Pain and it is a subject I am extremely familiar with since I had a year plus battle with mind numbing low back pain several years ago. Due to that horrendous injury I developed a system Bio-Mechanics and Functional movement that allows people to be free of this epidemic that affects 1 in every 4 Americans. I am soooooooo Pumped about being able to reach out to people via written word and help them:)!!!
Another very cool thing is happening next week along this vain of Inspiration…I will be Personally Training again:) One of my coworkers is getting married and after discussing his goals and physical aspirations he will start training with me next week:) As I have previously stated I have been a Personal Trainer for many many years and am currently working on a Fitness website that will go live in 6-12 months, depending on several extenuating circumstances. But either way this client is the first of many that I will be able to help and work with under the http://www.FitnesswithAnimal.com banner!!! I am beyond excited and am ready to get people Fit again!
So it seems as if all my experience with the written word, training folks, and my years of work in the internet field will all be paying off:) For all the people out there that have believed in me and have supported me along this crazy life journey I want to say a resounding “Thank You!!!”
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January 10, 2013 | Categories: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Entrepreneurship, Health & Fitness, Inspiration, Jiu Jitsu, Low Back Pain, Travel | Tags: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Faith, feed://feeds.feedburner.com/TVCSermonAudio, hope and faith, http://redroom.com/member/kent-zimmerman, http://www.adamcarolla.com, http://www.elephanthouse.biz, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Animal/293858253512, http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/, http://www.okbu.edu, http://www.punchbowlsocial.com/, Jiu Jitsu, travel, vacation, www.animaljiujitsu.com, www.daveramsey.com, www.fitnesswithanimal.com | Leave a comment
The quote “BEST Eva” is a reference to the movie “Fear”. I quote “4 Eva” instead of “forever” quite a bit so I thought it was fitting for this Blog post since 2013 is going to be my Absolute Best Year Eva!!!
So I finally have my “day job” figured out! We have a Great Team of Security guys that I have the Honor of managing and we do an AWESOME job of keeping people safe and putting a hurting on the bad guys! so everyone is able to have a good, violent free, and safe time at the bar:) I am also bar backing 2 days a week and busting my tail there! Bar backing is more of a bar workout then a job;) So I am pretty much doing the exact opposite of my first very financially successful corporate jobs that I had after I graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University. And Yes I would much rather be busting my tail behind a bar and Protecting people for a living then sitting in a cubicle at Yahoo, that is for darn sure!
So what is in store for me this coming year? Well let’s break it down…I have a stable bar job that pays the bills and allows me time to work on my upcoming Animal empire. I have my very first book, about Low Back Pain, coming out in a month or so, depending on editing issues. I will be starting a Fitness and a Travel Blog within a few months as well as writing for my Animal Jiu Jitsu Blog as often as possible. Once I get all my Blogs set up and in place it will be time to devout a ton of attention to my online personal training site (www.FitnesswithAnimal.com) This puppy is going to ROCK!!! I’ll be able to help so many people get in shape through weekly workout plans, diet tips, and overall encouragement. I will also start taking on personal training clients in Denver:) Now after all of that is said and done I will immediately start working on my Fitness Seminars. More to come on these bad boys in the near future so be ready to see and learn some Awesome Fitness stuff:)
I just finished reading Tim Ferriss’ book “The 4-Hour Workweek” as well as another Malcolm Gladwell book, and I am already a third of the way through “Super Freakonomics.” This was all in the month of December. Point is I read a lot and these books, as well as another 2 selves full of positively mind bending and inspiring books, have Ā helped me develop a new attitude on work and wealth. I am choosing to build my life around being debt free, developing wealth that is not tied to a job in a specific location, and being able to use my gift of written word to build my Animal Empire. I am in the infancy stages of these Goals but am working daily so that I will be able to fully realize them asap! Animal Jiu Jitsu is still alive and kicking…it’s just taking on a more “free spirited” attitude:)
As always Thank You for your Time & Support of this Crazy Animal’s life! If you have not officially joined my Blog by clicking the “Follow” tab on top of this page please click that bad boy…I would Greatly appreciate it!!! Thanks again and see you all online again soon!
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January 3, 2013 | Categories: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Entrepreneurship, Health & Fitness, Inspiration, Jiu Jitsu, Low Back Pain | Tags: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Faith, feed://feeds.feedburner.com/TVCSermonAudio, hope and faith, http://www.adamcarolla.com, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Animal/293858253512, http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/, http://www.okbu.edu, http://www.punchbowlsocial.com/, Jiu Jitsu, travel, www.animaljiujitsu.com, www.daveramsey.com, www.fitnesswithanimal.com | 4 Comments
This is one of my favorite pictures since I moved to Denver! It is me and my crew chilling at work after a long night of keeping people safe and hurting bad dudes:) I am Blessed to be surrounded by a group of such solid Bro’s!!! Everyone of these guys is a trained Fighter and/or Special Forces Operator…basically some Tough Ass Dudes:) I wanted to give props to my Bouncer Family on this here Blog…to many many more nights of safety and fun Boys!!!
Ok here we go…looks like it’s time to Shift Focus and Drive Forward!!! I am working so much at this new bar/club so I can establish myself as well as put together money for bills and paying off all debt. I do NOT buy into the lie of having debt so I am almost completely out of debt…just a few thousand to go:) Point is I am working a TON and trying to shift my focus at work from doing purely Security work to doing both Security and Bartending. Bartending is better money and is more effective for long term employment. Another thing is that this brand new bar is going through so many changes with staff and procedures. This means I am having to be extremely flexible on my days/hours worked, which keeps me off the mat and away from getting my school up and running. Point is I am going to have to Shift my Focus…temporarily.
What is it you Truly Love Doing? What do you find yourself thinking about when you are stressed at work or when you are getting some well deserved time off for a few days? How do you connect with the world in your own very private and special way??? Think long and hard about this b/c I want to know what you LOVE doing! Reply on this here Blog and let me know!
Personally I feel connected to this planet and this life when I am rolling on the mat BUT my soul also feels connected to this world in a uniquely Beautiful & Special way when I am writing…when it’s just me, my thoughts, and paper/computer there is something magical that happens inside my head and Heart that calms my soul like nothing else can:) Sometimes I feel caged inside this body and writing allows me to escape to a place of Solice & Peace…it’s hard to put into words but hey isn’t that the point;)
So there ya have it. A small glipse into the Heart of Animal;) So how does this effect Animal Jiu Jitsu? Well the reality is that I am extremely limited on time right now and find myself with free hours from 3am-5am so what to do? I am going to be Shifting My Focus to writing more in my off time as opposed to constantly searching for a spot to start teaching Animal Jiu Jitsu. I have NOT given up on the Dream of having my own school…I am just re-shifting my focus towards putting more words on paper:) So with this new Focus I will be finishing my book on Low Back Pain this week. I will also be spending more time working on a Fitness Book, a Fitness website, and a Homebrew Beer website, all of which have taken a serious back seat to opening Animal Jiu Jitsu, but that will be changing as I Shift Focus & Drive Forward!
Thank You all for taking time out of your lives to read my Blog:)!!! If you can please make it official and join Animal Jiu Jitsu by clicking “Follow” and registering with WordPress. Thanks again for your support and Take Care Blogosphere!
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December 19, 2012 | Categories: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Entrepreneurship, Health & Fitness, Inspiration, Jiu Jitsu, Low Back Pain | Tags: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Faith, hope and faith, http://www.adamcarolla.com, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Animal/293858253512, http://www.punchbowlsocial.com/, Jiu Jitsu, travel, www.animaljiujitsu.com, www.daveramsey.com, www.fitnesswithanimal.com | 6 Comments
How many of you travel? There are a good amount of my Blog readers out there that travel for work or travel to see friends and family BUT what I mean by “do you travel” is how far away do you go and how often do you get culturally challenged in a completely foreign environment and/or how often to you get to meet people that have a completely different idea of how to approach life then you do?
That is a tough question to answer! It’s tough b/c it’s usually an easy answer of “never” or “I dream of being able to go to a foreign land and explore but…” That is EXACTLY why I am purposing this nearly ominous question! I want to challenge you to GROW!!! Life is hard, very hard, and sometimes even extremely hard for some of us on this planet! And life sometimes seems like it is impossible and just “paying the bills” is too much…I get it, trust me I do! I have several tattoo’s on my body to attest to that very fact! BUT what I am asking you is very specific in nature…have you stepped out of the “life struggle” we all experience and taken a chance on being “uncomfortable” and/or gone to a place that you know is completely different then what you have ever experienced before? Point blank, have you stepped out of your comfort zone with the express intent of “trying something completely new geographically and culturally?”
I have done this exact thing several times in my life and to be completely honest it was Extremely difficult! and Challenging at first…heck for several days it straight sucked! I specifically remember my first trip to Brazil and being in Sao Paulo and boy was I excited, at first! but little did I know that my Brasilado friend that I knew from San Jose, California that told me “not to worry about anything when I got there” was going to COMPLETELY leave me hanging:( Let’s just say I am Blessed to have even gotten a ride from the Sao Paulo airport from him! He promised me that I had a place to stay and that he would take care of all my travels, nightlife, and accommodationĀ worries while I was in his country…boy was I mislead! Turned out he had his girlfriend was there at the same time and this girl was 15 or 20 years older then both of us and a total bitch! (and that is putting it kindly) Thank God he had secured me a single room in an apartment in a relatively safe part of Sao Paulo…I mean the “cold only” water worked and I could wash my clothes by hand and the toilet worked sometimes! but hey I had a very very hot roof over my head…in the building I was staying in there was no air conditioning on the 16th floor and it was 100 degrees plus! outside (that’s in fahrenheit of course;) but other then that I had a place to stay:( Honestly I would have been better off staying at a hostel!
Point is my first trip to Brazil SUCKED! I do have to say that my 2nd trip there was AWESOME!!! I stayed with my girlfriend at that time, Bianca, and her family and honestly that was one of the BEST times of my life:) Bianca’s Mom, I call her “minha MĆ£e” was AMAZING to me as well as Bianca’s entire family:)!!! Point is I had a BLAST and felt Loved and Taken Care of while I was in Brazil with Bianca and her family!!! That trip was AMAZING and I felt Loved & Cared for the entire time…Thank You to Bianca, MinhaĀ MĆ£e, and her entire family!!!!
To the point of my Blog today…Do You Travel? Here’s my challenge to all you readers out there…set aside 2-3 weeks of your life over the next 3 months specifically for traveling to a place that you have never been to before, and honestly the more different the better! And just let go! I’ve done it before in other countries and it was very difficult at first but it was WAY worth it in the end!!! Just go and be you and connect with a part of you that you have never connected with before! Just “go with the Flow” as I say in Jiu Jitsu:)
Btw my next trip is going to be either to Thailand, Vietnam, or Brazil again…we will see soon enough:) There are several factors involved with that decision but I plan on being inside an international plane within 3 moths FO SHO!!! I will keep you all updated as to which destination I will travel to Fo Sho!
I Pray that you find the courage andĀ wherewithal to give it a shot and if you do Please post your trip Awesomeness on here so we can all take a peak at your own personal Adventure & Growth:)
As Always I appreciate your support for and reading of my Blog!!! more then I can say on paper/internet, it means the world to me!!! If you can PLEASE officially join my Bl0g by clicking on the “Follow” tab and registering with WordPress b/c I would LOVE to have you on here and able to connect with me anytime you can!
Thank You all for your support and now it’s your turn to take a chance and LIVE Life to it’s fullest and get somewhere Amazing & Cool!!!! Keep us all updated!!!
Animal out…
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December 12, 2012 | Categories: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Entrepreneurship, Health & Fitness, Inspiration, Jiu Jitsu | Tags: bill griffin, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Faith, hope and faith, http://www.adamcarolla.com, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Animal/293858253512, http://www.punchbowlsocial.com/, Jiu Jitsu, life struggle, martial arts fitness, san jose california, sao paulo airport, travel, www.animaljiujitsu.com, www.daveramsey.com, www.fitnesswithanimal.com | Leave a comment
My Hero
My express goal of this whole Jiu Jitsu Blog is to inspire and motive anybody and everybody to just get out there and “Live Their Dream” I am using this internet medium as a vehicle to reach out and touch your life, in a Totally Awesome and Exciting way:)
The picture you see before you today is my Hero, Bill Griffin. He is my Grandpa. He is the only earthly Father figure I have ever had in my life that has been around longer then a couple years and he is a serious Entrepreneurial Pimp! Today I am going to tell you a little about him and how he has influenced my life and helped me be the crazy start a business out of nothing kinda guy I am:)
Bill Griffin came from extremely humble beginnings. He literally had to shoot his food on the Oklahoma grassland just to eat as a youngster. He ended up receiving a full ride scholarship to the Naval Academy and was in line to be a commissioned US Navy officer when he decided it was not for him. He “got feed up with people telling him what to do.” Back then you could opt out of the school and officer program. I still remember hearing those stories and being amazing that someone could walk away from a totally free college tuition and a guaranteed military career, as an officer at that! He went back to civilian life only to work 50 plus hours a week selling shoes in Shawnee, Oklahoma AND going full time to college (paying for it all on his own). After years of grueling work and study he ended up getting an engineering degree from Oklahoma University and is to this day a proud fan of OU football:)
For time and space reasons I will fast forward to Bill & LaDawn (my Awesome Grandma and another Hero of mine:) living in Shawnee with my Grandfather working his tail off building everything his little company could get a contract for. Back then there was no money in building things, at least nothing like there is today! I remember hearing about how hard my Grandpa worked during the day (12 plus hours a day), only to come home and work on building specs and plans on the kitchen table. Then he would wake up and do it all over again. Regardless of how hard things were and how much money wasn’t coming in, there was always that quiet spark in him that would never quit….that Entrepreneurial Spirit was always dreaming of and searching for that one opportunity that would set him and his family financially free…and at the ripe old age of 39 it happened…
When asked what is the one thing that he would tell an aspiring Entrepreneur to help them realize their business dreams, his simple yet elegant response was; “Look, Look, Look and Latch On…when you see something that will work, you gotta go for it” Bill Griffin is the proud builder and owner of the very first Sonic in the world. Sonic now has more then 4,000 locations in the US and is going to do nothing but get bigger and better, all because Bill Griffin kept searching looking for that one opportunity to realize his personal and family dream of financial freedom and success!
There were many many years of personal and family sacrifice that Bill & LaDawn endured to make Sonic a reality, and they weren’t the only ones that were part of the first Sonic, they had several partners. But regardless of the personal and financial setbacks they encountered, and believe me there were many! along the way, they kept listening to that quiet spark inside that said “Never Quit” and they realized their goal and I thank them both, especially my Grandpa for working all those years so I can wake up everyday and say to myself “I can do it!” because my Grandpa did it first:)
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November 11, 2012 | Categories: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Entrepreneurship, Health & Fitness, Jiu Jitsu | Tags: bill griffin, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Faith, hope and faith, http://www.adamcarolla.com, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Animal/293858253512, shawnee oklahoma, www.animaljiujitsu.com, www.daveramsey.com, www.fitnesswithanimal.com | Leave a comment
So I am PUMPED more then I could ever possibly write down on paper/Blog:) I was out tonight with my former student at Guy Mezger’s Combat Sport Club (www.guymezger.com) for some Amazing Denver Brew and chill time. He will be in and out of town for work until November 1st when he moves here for good…that’s when the training will beginning!!!!!! His name is Mitch and he has been training Jiu Jitsu/grappling for a few years here and there and has learned a lot from the time I was able to work with him. We’ve been talking about my move up here and him being the first Animal Jiu Jitsu student for several months now, almost a year actually, and it’s Finally Time:)!!! We downed some tasty Denver Brews and talked to some cool ass people at a local Denver bar where the bartender seriously almost got a F’ing beatdown from me for being a total dick! Either way, we had a Blast and talked about how we are going to build Animal Jiu Jitsu into a force to beĀ reckoned with!!! I will have to find a place to start teaching 2 times a week and just build my business from the ground up, the old fashioned way;) I will also be competing around town and nationally as well as busting dumbasses up in the clubs so through all those avenues I should grow my business slowly but surely:) I am feeling the itch to fight in the cage again too and once I get my job situation settled that will most likely happen, which will be another avenue for me to build my business:) I just realized I do a LOT of smily faces! Who cares, the people that really know me know that’s my style and they dig it so there you go;)
I will be posting the very first “Official Animal Jiu Jitsu School” picture once Mitch makes the permanent move and we get on the mat for our very first AJJ teaching/training session…it’s gonna be an AWESOME DAY!!!! So if you are paying attention and you are supporting this Crazy Animal’s dream please get ready for some Awesome training pics:)
Hopefully this coming week I will start training with some local Black Belts and will have to fight hard to earn my nickname….looking sooooooooooo forward to that!!! so I will let you know how that goes, hopefully my arm or neck doesn’t get broken;) hahahaha
Thank You sooooooooo very much all of you out there that are reading this right now…YOU are what is keeping me going and driving towards my goals…THANK YOU and a Huge Animal Air Pound:)!!!
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September 27, 2012 | Categories: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Entrepreneurship, Health & Fitness, Jiu Jitsu | Tags: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Faith, hope and faith, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Animal/293858253512, Jiu Jitsu, travel, www.animaljiujitsu.com, www.fitnesswithanimal.com | 2 Comments
So the good news first…I have 2 jobs!!! I’m bouncing again and walking door to door telling people about some random dude who is running for the Colorado legislature. The door to door job is extremely weird and different from what I’ve ever done in my entire life! It’s a job and I am beyond Thankful for both of them!!! That is the good news, the bad news is that I am barely making my bills and I have to find another job or jobs to supplement my bouncing gig and door to door gig in a few weeks, or asap! But I have work and for that I am sooooooooo Thankful:)!!!
I’ll tell ya what though I really can’t understand how people in this country can complain and whine about not being able to find work. I talked to one of my former roommates here about this a few weeks back and I told him that people absolutely HAVE Ā TO work more then 40 hours a week in almost every career to get ahead and not spend money that don’t have. He looked at me like I told him he had cancer, utter and complete shock and a huge “are you serious” look. It was Amazing how easy it was to get work when I just put my mind to it and started Huslin’ by dropping off resumes at random places, answering job ads on http://www.craigslist.com, driving around and writing down places to call about a job, and telling EVERY SINGLE person I ran into up here that I am looking for work asap! People are inherently lazy and stupid, at least that is my view on people that are not working as hard as they possibly can but whining about how they are “behind on payments” or “they hate their job” or “I want to start my own business” but they never do a thing about it…these people are just plain Stupid and Lazy!
Sorry to rant there but I have had the WORST 2 weeks since Feb. 17th of yesteryears and all I did to get out of it was Pray my soul out and wake up and start moving/Huslin’. The job part search sucked and it still sucks Hard b/c I have a college degree and have owned my own business before (which made a lot of money for a little while) and I also worked in some of the biggest companies in the US (and had extremely well paying jobs at them) BUT here I am going door to door bugging strangers about something I don’t care about as well as throwing dudes out of bars/clubs (btw got to very Intensely throw a guy out on my first night at the club=Happy Animal:) So here I am just doing WHATEVER it takes to pay my bills and Praying like crazy that Jesus will change my Extremely Proud & Haughty Heart so I can be humble enough to walk door to door and bother people, and have doors slammed in my face, etc… And you know what I am a living example that His Grace is enough in all of these situations b/c I was literally laughing out loud today while I was jamming to the Bee Gees and texting with my Lil Sis (whom I Love very very much) about how miserable it was talking to random people at their doors when it is pouring down rain and I have my jacket and umbrella barely keeping me and my work papers dry…HAHAHAHA…I was Totally Miserable!!!!!! and I couldn’t stop having fun with it!!! God is Good in our most miserable times…at least that’s what I’ve been experiencing for the last few days after I went through my 2 week desert…I just Pray all day that He keeps showing up during this journey like he has in the last few days…Thanks Homie:)!!!
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September 26, 2012 | Categories: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Entrepreneurship, Health & Fitness, Jiu Jitsu | Tags: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Faith, hope and faith, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Animal/293858253512, travel, www.animaljiujitsu.com, www.fitnesswithanimal.com | Leave a comment
Looks like I’ll be driving to Denver around 9:00pm! Gonna drive through the night so I can avoid the sun and traffic:) Time to get started on my life up there Baby!!!
August 12, 2012 | Categories: Jiu Jitsu | Tags: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Faith, Jiu Jitsu, travel, vacation | Leave a comment
Animal Jiu Jitsu 