I recently took a step back from training. After much thought, I realized that, I needed a break. There are several reasons (or excuses) for the decision, which I won't get into now, but I feel like all of us have gone or will go through this at some point. That's the bad news...
The good news is... I'm back. In a big way. I have been given an incredible opportunity. I was offered a couple of weeks ago to live and train at Tristar here in Montreal. For those of you who don't know, Tristar is the real deal when it comes to Mixed Martial Arts. The coaches and fighters here are world class. I moved into the Tristar Dorms yesterday. Everyone here is really welcoming. The dorms are basically like living on The Ultimate Fighter with total freedom and no competition, but it never ends, the cast is constantly changing with new or familiar fighter faces from around the world and it's nothing like a mansion (it's a dorm). One room can have an amateur up and comer and the next room can be one of the best professional fighters in the sport. It's fighters from all over the world with the same goal of becoming the best. I share this goal with them. I will always feel like it is my duty and responsibility to represent 10th Planet the best I can, and living and training everyday with the best will certainly help me achieve this. For example, already today I learned three great details on techniques from a couple of my new roomies. I'm confident I will soak up loads of knowledge to help me when I compete. I would love to try some Combat JJ and here is where I can begin to develop my ground and pound. Most importantly I will be living in the gym, this gives me the ability to train my ass off. One of the reasons for taking a break was the plateau I was reaching in my training. It was hard to find the motivation when it came to training even harder then I already was. Here at the dorms it is just normal to train. Training is all they do here so grabbing a sparring partner, or joining a wrestling private or class at any time of day is well... normal. It is also gold when you need to focus on training on your own time. The point is I'm very happy about this new opportunity in my life long grapple to the top of this Jiu Jitsu mountain.
Here's the interesting part... Somehow through Chill Dog Media http://vimeo.com/chilldogmedia I managed to get the offer to film the dorms and life of this crazy gym. I'm in the Lions Den basically and it's my job to film them for everyone to see. Apparently the videos I have made these past couple of years were appreciated. I film and photograph MMA promotions here in Quebec, I also film other combat training and competition. I also film a street magician, mentalist and hypnotist David Lion http://www.youtube.com/user/LionismTV check him out he's an awesome entertainer and great friend of mine. Anyway, my hobby has turned into a gig, I'm at the dorms to film these guys. Somehow I am now Tristar's filmaker as well as 10th Planets.
In closing I'd like to say that 10th Planet has given me all this incredible opportunity, it has made me who I am today. I'm very excited to, not only bridge the gap between our amazing system and Tristar's, but to become the best ambassador I can be for 10th Planet wherever my grappling career takes me. Please follow me while I jump head first into the hardest training of my life. I can't wait to share everything I learn with you guys. I will keep everyone here updated and informed on any developments or content I create immediately. I love all you guys, wish me luck, I'll need it. Being out of shape with these sharks is going to be brutal but worth every ache and pain along the way.
Fruits and Vegetables.
