Attention all affiliate teachers.

It is part of your duty as an affiliate to show your face at headquarters. I don't think you should be able to run an affiliate and not be coming in at least once a year. This is not Eddie's opinion: this is my opinion.

You want to fly our flag. But you need to pay in order to do so. And I am not just talking about the affiliation fee. How are we supposed to engage in quality-control if we don't see you roll with us. Test yourself and earn that flag.

Now I know that many of you will talk about the expense and the effort. However, if you want to McDonald's you pay franchise fees. If you own a Quiznos you pay franchise fees. These fees are usually exorbitant and a percentage of your gross income. I know what you pay and it is nothing for the advertising you get from flying our flag. So you've got to show up money is not an excuse.

I see guys like Frank fly halfway across the world from Australia and I see the guy from New Zealand come in a lot. Then we have guys who live a two hour plane flight away and I never seen their face. To me there's something wrong with that. Flying our guys out for a seminar is great. But testing your self in front of all of us is far more important.

Our flag isn't simply a monthly fee. It's more than that and I think many of you need to remember that. Sorry if I've ruffled some feathers.

You can call me John ;) hahaha

I love you, Brent Littell.

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Originally Posted by John Alighieri

You can call me John ;) hahaha

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that guy all ways that guy

great point brent

Thank you Brent for the props brother. I like to think that I attend hq twice per year because I want t be as best prepared to rep the system, and be the best representation with as much authenticity as possile, rather than I "have to".
I want nothing more than my level to be honest and rightfully earnt so I have to agree. It's the only way in my opinion
:)

Am surprised that isn't a requirement. As you said, if Frank and that NZ guy, John :), can make one of the longest plane trips possible, no one has an excuse.

If peoples feathers get ruffled it's cause you are speaking the truth and they know that deep down but are trying to ignore it.

Awesome post, can't wait to see you guys in October and November

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Originally Posted by brent_littell

how are we supposed to engage in quality-control if we don't see you roll with us.

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qft.

I'm in no position to give an opinion, but I definitely understand where Brent's coming from. Also, isn't the flight tax deductible? That's gotta count for something, right?

I attempt to make it at least once a year and have since I affiliated. That and having BB's come to do seminars. The seminars themselves arent quality control, but making sure you get some rolls in with the BB visiting should also count for something. As for my visits, every time I have been down to HQ Eddie has stopped class and got me to spar for 2-3 7 minute matches per class (with the class watchin), in most cases twice a day for the duration of my visit and on the days that HQ didnt offer 2 classes Id visit one of the other close by affiliates :)

+1

Word! Went in April and already have plans for next spring.

Huh, i always said good QC was a cornerstone to a good business.

You would think this is a requirement already. Def should be required

See ya in October ;)

Or at last a representative....but the head instuctor makes sense for sure.

Brent I can not agree with you more... What bothers me is the politics that sometimes keeps people from training at one 10pjj school or another. It befuddles me that some affiliates actually discourage people from training at other affiliates (HQ included). I understand their are politics but sometimes you just have to be the better person and step up.

Everyone should make it a point to train as many different schools as possible and as a 10pjj member of course HQ should be at the top of your list be it in Hollywood or Burbank.

Just my humble opinion
Cade

FRANK "THE MAN" JAMES SAYS BULLSHIT!!! Kevin silently agrees with him!

Brent makes super solid points, but I would rather have moon heads come out because they want to, because they are excited to not because they are forced to. That way I see who is hardcore 10p and who is not. I love you Brent :)

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Originally Posted by cade

Brent I can not agree with you more... What bothers me is the politics that sometimes keeps people from training at one 10pjj school or another. It befuddles me that some affiliates actually discourage people from training at other affiliates (HQ included). I understand their are politics but sometimes you just have to be the better person and step up.

Everyone should make it a point to train as many different schools as possible and as a 10pjj member of course HQ should be at the top of your list be it in Hollywood or Burbank.

Just my humble opinion
Cade

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Really????? Affiliates discourage there students from training at other affiliates???

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Originally Posted by Chris Herzog

Really????? Affiliates discourage there students from training at other affiliates???

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I was a little confused by that as well. Why in the world would this be going on?

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Originally Posted by Chris Herzog

Really????? Affiliates discourage there students from training at other affiliates???

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I had no idea that was an issue. I thought we were supposed to be learning from each other and sharing knowledge. I just sent one of my guys to Rochester for a whole freakin' month to train with Herzog and his crew.

excellent point brent, but eddies correct. you should want to go to hq. just went in july and am already planning a trip for next year. if you are representing the system you should always be striving to take it to the next level. iron sharpens iron. so going to the place where the system is best represented is only going to help you. for those of us out here really pushing its become a need at this point. love you guys :)

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Originally Posted by cade

Brent I can not agree with you more... What bothers me is the politics that sometimes keeps people from training at one 10pjj school or another. It befuddles me that some affiliates actually discourage people from training at other affiliates (HQ included). I understand their are politics but sometimes you just have to be the better person and step up.

Everyone should make it a point to train as many different schools as possible and as a 10pjj member of course HQ should be at the top of your list be it in Hollywood or Burbank.

Just my humble opinion
Cade

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Wow.

I have to admit... I did encourage one of my guys that was traveling NOT go to 10th Planet Decatur. I was afraid that Brandon would seduce my student with his sexiness and I would never see him again. True story. (not really)

I actually find it bizarre that this would happen.

It is crazy that some instructors get so upset at guys training elsewhere. However IMO students should be expected to be 100% honest about things. I am certain 'some' of the time instructors are more upset with the dishonesty, and guys being sly (often unnecessarily too).
From day 1 my 2nd degree black belt Brazilian professor has known i am down with 10p and the 10p family. Also that i train around. Although i do 90% of my training with him, and i represent him in competition etc, he understands i have many friends outside of our team (Checkmat) that i like training with too. Plus my instructor still competes and trains at a couple other places in the UK and Brazil as well.
Guess all i am saying is fellow students, honesty is the key. Always be honest with yourself and your instructors. And if being honest with them doesn't work out then most likely your instructor is putting their needs before yours.

To affiliates not allowing their guys to train at other affiliates schools, well i don't know what to say to that. It is fucking insane! :-)

e2a - sorry for going kind of off topic there with my ramblings. :-)

Yes.. I will not name names but I know of several instances where people have been discouraged from training at affiliates due to petty politics... It is really quite sad...

It must be nice to have so many schools in your area that you even have the option to train elsewhere. Sometimes we take things for granted.

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Originally Posted by Jon Helton

I have to admit... I did encourage one of my guys that was traveling NOT go to 10th Planet Decatur. I was afraid that Brandon would seduce my student with his sexiness and I would never see him again. True story. (not really)

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That is a legitimate fear. I dont know that I could step foot in 10th Planet Decatur for the same reason

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Originally Posted by cade

Yes.. I will not name names but I know of several instances where people have been discouraged from training at affiliates due to petty politics... It is really quite sad...

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Thats crazy. Shouldnt be the case at all. I thought we were all family

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Originally Posted by cade

Brent I can not agree with you more... What bothers me is the politics that sometimes keeps people from training at one 10pjj school or another. It befuddles me that some affiliates actually discourage people from training at other affiliates (HQ included). I understand their are politics but sometimes you just have to be the better person and step up.

Everyone should make it a point to train as many different schools as possible and as a 10pjj member of course HQ should be at the top of your list be it in Hollywood or Burbank.

Just my humble opinion
Cade

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Wow, never heard of this going on.. When our goal is growth in the system, and as people.. How open minded is that ?

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Originally Posted by Jon Helton

I have to admit... I did encourage one of my guys that was traveling NOT go to 10th Planet Decatur. I was afraid that Brandon would seduce my student with his sexiness and I would never see him again. True story. (not really)

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So true I've seen the charm first hand. It's almost impossible to defend. It's like when you look at Medusa and you turn to stone. Luckily Josh Passini was there to help free me from his grasps.

But on a more serious note it's hard to think that we've been founded on an open minded ideology , but the close minded behavior of some is going to be the downfall of the system. If its one thing I know and really I don't know fuck all about jiu jitsu it's that we don't ever stop learning unless we close out minds. And I think in order to progress especially at the higher belt ranks you've got to train with the best.

So that being said South East warriors watch out for Brandon's gaze, don't look into his eyes unless you want to be paralyzed by his love spell...

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Originally Posted by Jon Helton

I have to admit... I did encourage one of my guys that was traveling NOT go to 10th Planet Decatur. I was afraid that Brandon would seduce my student with his sexiness and I would never see him again. True story. (not really)

I actually find it bizarre that this would happen.

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I was hugging him the first day we met face to face....

2 things upset me about this thread:

1. The fact that this has ever happened. That's not the way that growth is achieved and it's not the way that a confident instructor runs his show. It's disappointing and dumb.

2. You guys aren't supposed to KNOW that you're under my spell; you're supposed to be mesmerized by my glory and never be privy to my evil plans. I gotta work on my technique.

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Originally Posted by Brandon Mccaghren

1. The fact that this has ever happened. That's not the way that growth is achieved and it's not the way that a confident instructor runs his show. It's disappointing and dumb.

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Seriously disappointing. The entire reason I started the east coast camp was so we could all get together to train.

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Originally Posted by Chris Herzog

Seriously disappointing. The entire reason I started the east coast camp was so we could all get together to train.

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I notice you didnt address point number 2..You must be deep under B Mac's spell

You had me at "monoplata".

You've all created a monster....