At a crossroad

[Billy Paternoster]

I'm writing because I am at a crossroad at my life. I'm about to make 22 in march and have been doing 10th planet for about 8 months through a friend and we just use the dvds and books. He used to train under a purple belt in 10th planet in the new orleans area, but due to his job he is always out of town. Now I'm orginally from MI just moved to New Orleans about a little over a year ago, after moving down here I joined a volunteer fire department and thats how I met the friend that I work 10th planet with. I also pretty much work a dead end job, collecting money out of arcade games in bars and video poker.

The reason I'm at a crossroad is because I have the jiu jitsu bug and want to train as much as possible, but with really no schools around this area its kinda hard. The thing is I have friends that live all over the country, and in the cities they live in they all have a 10th planet school, I'm taking it as a sign. I have a friend in San Marcos, CA a Friend in Portland and another moving back to Sedalia MO which is about 2 hours from the school in Springfield.

I guess what im trying to get at is I have all the oppurnity to move out to these three schools, i just need advice, has any one left and moved some where to just soley train? I have a lot of worries about money and being able to afford to live and all that jazz?

If any of you that have moved to just trian, could you offer up advice and tell the stories good and bad?

[Scott Philips]

I think Rich Cleminti has a gym in the New Orleans area.

[chronic_jiujitsu]

Welcome to the club! lol. I live in ohio and we dont have any 10th planet here either. So I've made the decision to move somewhere with a 10th planet gym. I havent moved yet, but in march im heading down to Alabama to check that gym out.. and assuming i like it, i plan on coming back and getting things in order to move. Other than the gym.. i dont really have anything down there. I plan on filling out some online apps at a bunch of businesses so hopefully i can get hired on somewhere so i can begin working as soon as i get down there. But right now my sole reason for moving is jiujitsu. As for money, i plan on bringing enough to live for a couple months, and just hoping i find a job before it runs out. If not.. selling plasma and sleeping in a car never hurt anyone. haha. But I figure.. no matter where you move.. if you're willing to put in the effort.. you can always find SOMETHING. Even if it means working a fast food joint long enough to find something better. I wouldnt worry about it. If you want something bad enough.. you'll find a way to make it work.

[Billy Paternoster]

thanks man, well put

[leach_jeffrey]

Guys, I may get flamed for this, but whatever....

I've read a couple posts like this in the last month (guy has shitty job, nothing going on, money problems, etc. and likes 10th planet and will move across the country to train).

I encourage you guys to consider attending college in addition to training 10th Planet. You guys are young and have a long future ahead of you. It'll be very tough to make a living in Jiu-jitsu, even if you have the talent and drive to reach the top of the sport, an injury could derail you. If you get an education, it can never be taken away. Develop your mind and your body.

If you excel in jits, then a business degree will help you build a profitable school. If jits becomes more of a passionate hobby, then the education will allow you to pay for training while also supporting yourself and maybe a family. If you showed the same drive for your studies that you do for jits, then I'm sure you'd be successful.

And please don't cry about being too poor to attend school, get a loan. The additional money you make will allow you to pay them off.

You may be expecting too much from Jiu-jitsu if you think it's going to turn your whole life around.

[D.Stachovak]

Guys, I may get flamed for this, but whatever....

I've read a couple posts like this in the last month (guy has shitty job, nothing going on, money problems, etc. and likes 10th planet and will move across the country to train).

I encourage you guys to consider attending college in addition to training 10th Planet. You guys are young and have a long future ahead of you. It'll be very tough to make a living in Jiu-jitsu, even if you have the talent and drive to reach the top of the sport, an injury could derail you. If you get an education, it can never be taken away. Develop your mind and your body.

If you excel in jits, then a business degree will help you build a profitable school. If jits becomes more of a passionate hobby, then the education will allow you to pay for training while also supporting yourself and maybe a family. If you showed the same drive for your studies that you do for jits, then I'm sure you'd be successful.

And please don't cry about being too poor to attend school, get a loan. The additional money you make will allow you to pay them off.

You may be expecting too much from Jiu-jitsu if you think it's going to turn your whole life around.

Wow. I agree. Excellent Post!

[AJ Camacho]

If you excel in jits, then a business degree will help you build a profitable school. If jits becomes more of a passionate hobby, then the education will allow you to pay for training while also supporting yourself and maybe a family. If you showed the same drive for your studies that you do for jits, then I'm sure you'd be successful.

There's also the physical therapist/sports doctor education combo.

[BrianStuebner]

Come on up to Springfield! I have students that drive in 3 times weekly from Sedalia so its totally do able. We would love to have you when you can make it here in the MO!

[BrianStuebner]

I would almost disagree with giving a broad recommendation to someone that they should go to college unless thats the path they choose college isnt for everyone and some of the most successful people I know either didnt finish or do something totally unrelated to their degree.
Now if you think jiu-jitsu is gonna make you rich then think again but for me jiu-jitsu did change my life. I worked in a bank, made good money, but hated 80% of my daily life I found jiu-jitsu through a friend and it was over for me I was ate up with the jits sickness. I found 10th Planet a couple years later from Eddies Books( and HIGH TIMES)then met Denny P. and thats when everything got real for me. Denny really explained if you want something bad enough and are willing to work for it you can make it happen, and we is the perfect model for that.
I am nowhere near where i want to be as a grappler and coach but I was able to reach the level Im at now from here in Springfield,MO. We now have a very deep group of talented grapplers and a place that really can change your life in a great way if you let it!
Sorry for the length but in closing if you really want something do it but do it right !

[Billy Paternoster]

Thank you all for the support and differnt point of views, which is exactly why I posted this. I was in college and was kicked out for my grades, I was worried more about my social life and not school. That is why I moved down to New Orleans, I had nothing left for me in MI no place to live or a job or anything. I WANT to go back to school, and I'm planning on attending a Community College this summer for my EMT basic if I still live in New Orleans. I have been thinking about moving and training for a while, just always kept it to myself, but I finally put it out there on this forum for the exact reason that I know I will have very differnt views on this matter, which will all get me to think hardly for the decision. So thank you ALL!