Sincere apology to the forum

[Aiseop]

Good luck to you, then. I hope the trip to Rochester is productive. You still have a few ATT things on your website, including the logo and Joe Rogan's quote. But I'm sure you'll address that in due time. Again, all the best.

[VJ Bella]

I began training a bit over three years ago and since the second week, I have spent a minimum of 20 hours per week on the mats. Over 3900 hours at this point. I roll a minimum of 16 hours per week and teach 13 classes per week. I am self taught, because when I first started at American Top Team Franklin square, I was working from 230 am to 4pm. Because of my schedule, I never could take classes, so I learned through experience and youtube. I only rolled. But I rolled A LOT. So much, that I am still dealing with wear and tear injuries. By 9 months, I had golds in (locals, gq, Naga, good fights, pictures if needed) and began competing at purple or higher. I also began coaching then. In February 2012, I received a brown belt from David Martucci, but since I only do nogi, and have never worn a gi, I don't acknowledge it, and asked to not receive any more. I didn't want a gym rank. And joked about the white belt. It's a joke amongst me and a few other guys I know, that have never trained gi. We call ourselves white belts, and joke about competing as white belts. Pictures of that if you need it as well. I am not sure of Davids lineage, but I know he is a level 3 instructor under both pat militich and Ricardo laborious, and 6 years ago trained with and employed Sambo Steve. But Dave is more of a muay Thai specialist and the gym was more of an mma grappling school for fighting until I started teaching a more technical nogi. The gym Absolutely was an Att location. The relationship soured with him and Att a few months ago though (for unknown reasons) and I actually, bought the gym from him in July. I spoke with Bob delluca and was told that I couldn't do both 10p and Att, and static nice the relationship soured with the previous owner, i unaffiliated with the intent of becoming 10p, which I still would like to do, but will need to fix. I'll be headed to Rochester asap to go represent myself in person, rather than an Internet forum. I'm sure after which, my reputation will be more than fixed, since you can't fake it on the mats. As far as me coaching, go back and watch some of my videos on this forum. They are from like April of last year, filed in class, from when we were 1000 percent, an att location. Any other doubts, I invite you to roll with me. I love when higher belts from traditional bjj schools that train gi come to visit. The best way to clear this, is for me to go to Rochester and keep posting techniques.

I've been doing jitz for over 10 years now for a minimum of 20 hours a week (not counting the time I'm in the basement drilling with my son and daughter) but honestly what the hell does that prove? There is more to being a black belt then time on the mats. That being said I have never misrepresented myself as something I am not or tried to convince others I am a belt that wasn't given to me. In our neck of the woods that's a big deal and cardinal sin #1. Remember jiu jitsu is a small community an people get blackballed all the time for lying about rank, affiliations etc. This is not a road you want to go down. Glad you came clean about it. My only advice if you truly love the sport is to accept that belt ranks etc. Are out of your hands despite what you may think about your jiu jitsu. I made a conscious decision to concentrate on 1 sport 4 years ago (no gi only) knowing that I would no longer advance in belt rank at my school. So here I am... A jiu jitsu purple belt...I'm still growing my game everyday, still tapping guys an getting tapped, still learning from others an helping others learn in return. In fact the only thing I've lost in the process is an imaginary belt that's an imaginary color. My journey is my journey...and in the end I want to look back an be proud of what I accomplished despite what color my imaginary belt is. Just enjoy the ride man the rest will work itself out.

[Brent Smith]

The whole belt thing is a very touchy subject here. There's nothing wrong with you competing at black belt level IMO but the whole claiming to be something you're not is what hurt you. Just keep grinding man. A black belt is a white belt that never quit.

[RJ Encizo]

Thanks Brent. I'm actually clearing a few things up as we speak.

[RJ Encizo]

I've been doing jitz for over 10 years now for a minimum of 20 hours a week (not counting the time I'm in the basement drilling with my son and daughter) but honestly what the hell does that prove? There is more to being a black belt then time on the mats. That being said I have never misrepresented myself as something I am not or tried to convince others I am a belt that wasn't given to me. In our neck of the woods that's a big deal and cardinal sin #1. Remember jiu jitsu is a small community an people get blackballed all the time for lying about rank, affiliations etc. This is not a road you want to go down. Glad you came clean about it. My only advice if you truly love the sport is to accept that belt ranks etc. Are out of your hands despite what you may think about your jiu jitsu. I made a conscious decision to concentrate on 1 sport 4 years ago (no gi only) knowing that I would no longer advance in belt rank at my school. So here I am... A jiu jitsu purple belt...I'm still growing my game everyday, still tapping guys an getting tapped, still learning from others an helping others learn in return. In fact the only thing I've lost in the process is an imaginary belt that's an imaginary color. My journey is my journey...and in the end I want to look back an be proud of what I accomplished despite what color my imaginary belt is. Just enjoy the ride man the rest will work itself out.

Really appreciate the post. I'm a bit of a moron. I'll definitely be following your lead from here out

[Andrew Alexander]

Balls in your court, get to Rochester and meet up with Zog. We all make mistakes just need to learn from them

[Andrew Sarasin]

What did this guy do? Pose as a black belt but not?

[Andrew Sarasin]

True, I ve learned a thing or two about the importance of getting a belt colour. Just improve your game and the belt will come when it's time. U have less to prove when u r a lower belt than u think u are, less pressure and ect.

I've been doing jitz for over 10 years now for a minimum of 20 hours a week (not counting the time I'm in the basement drilling with my son and daughter) but honestly what the hell does that prove? There is more to being a black belt then time on the mats. That being said I have never misrepresented myself as something I am not or tried to convince others I am a belt that wasn't given to me. In our neck of the woods that's a big deal and cardinal sin #1. Remember jiu jitsu is a small community an people get blackballed all the time for lying about rank, affiliations etc. This is not a road you want to go down. Glad you came clean about it. My only advice if you truly love the sport is to accept that belt ranks etc. Are out of your hands despite what you may think about your jiu jitsu. I made a conscious decision to concentrate on 1 sport 4 years ago (no gi only) knowing that I would no longer advance in belt rank at my school. So here I am... A jiu jitsu purple belt...I'm still growing my game everyday, still tapping guys an getting tapped, still learning from others an helping others learn in return. In fact the only thing I've lost in the process is an imaginary belt that's an imaginary color. My journey is my journey...and in the end I want to look back an be proud of what I accomplished despite what color my imaginary belt is. Just enjoy the ride man the rest will work itself out.

[Andrew Alexander]

What did this guy do? Pose as a black belt but not?

See "Shoulder Guard" Thread

[Dylan Ehrnreiter]

Props for the openness, honesty, and desire to make things right. Best wishes. Looking forward to hearing how your trip to Roc goes.