With my time training at HQ coming to a close..
So after about 5 months training at HQ coming back from a three year absence, I just felt like writing this post about my feelings on the gym you choose to train at, and how it will effect your overall game.
A lot of guys tend to want to train with the biggest name guys, or those with the best competition records and/or reputation for having tough training sessions etc. I know that most guys on here are not of this mindset but it truly shocks me how many guys in the Jiu Jitsu community are still to this day.
Even with the loss of a lot of guys from our gym after the several strong, big name new Jiu Jitsu academies opened up in the LA/OC area, I believe 10th Planet HQ, and the surrounding moons have shown their heart by maintaining the feeling of old school 10th Planet while always evolving by incorporating the cutting edge techniques from the current grappling scene, and creating a deep curriculum of uniform warm ups that essentially can be picked up as go-to moves after a couple months of solid drilling. Regardless that the fact we lost a lot of guys from the old days, I could tell this way of training was effective after seeing some of our white and blue compete at Gracie Nationals last month.
As for myself, even after taking a year off Jiu Jitsu completely while training Judo in Japan, I truly feel that I have gotten better in the past 4-5 months than I had training for two years at another prestigious gym with several world renowned instructors. While there is the fact I have had more time to put into training recently, more importantly I truly believe that the environment, and the meticulous but caring attitude of Eddie and the instructors I have had the privilege of working with were the keys to motivating me to train and ultimately make these improvements. Simply put, I can be myself at 10th Planet and that is what makes me strive to improve. I still have a long way to go, but I have never have been hungrier and more confident in my game then now, even with the level of training in Jiu Jitsu having increased leaps and bounds in the past few years .For all those still searching for an academy, just remember this: you can train at the very best school with the most decorated coach and toughest training partners, but ultimately finding a place that you are most comfortable and truly believe in your coach and the game they teach will be your shortest and most effective path to achieving your goals. It truly sucks that I have to leave so early but I will definitely continue working to bring this mindset with me as I continue my journey!!
