Competition, my harsh reality.

[Mick Broster]

i feel for you Chris. I'm in a similar position although with only one torn bicep and two very dodgy knees (and about 100 little annoying sprains and strains) i haven't given up on competing completely, but at 44 i have to except the fact that this is a young mans/womens sport where competing is concerned. but that doesn't mean that i have nothing left to offer my students.

your an inspiration and proof that there is life after your competition career is over

[PatrickBJJ777]

Good luck on the way to recovery, and I just want to say, that was very well written.

[Tyler Woolsey]

You're the man Zog. Anybody that doubts you will suffer the wrath of Zog!.

Fixed. LOL

[Enrique "Kiko"]

Much respect for sharing this coach Zog. Injury sucks, but I think that it's a part of life for everyone, let alone combat sports players.

[Chris Herzog]

LMAO!!! Fuckin Awesome!

[Chris Herzog]

Damn that all sounds very painful, but I'm happy to hear that you can still grapple and teach! Any advice for some younger guys who don't want to end up with so many injuries or were they more or less unavoidable?

Here a copy of a post where I answered a similar question. The questions was If I could change anything what would I do differently and what would I recommend for others:

"For myself, I wouldn't change a thing. I have no regrets, just experiences, the path I've taken to better my understanding of human physiology & kinesiology is a result of of the training and injuries I've accrued over the years. Most due to football coaches whose only concern were winning, and under educated martial arts instructors ignorant to modern coaching and training methodologies.
However I educated myself on those things and continue to do so for my students and fighters. I don't want them to go through what I did, and now they don't have to.

So how can you help yourself? Buyer beware. Research your coach/instructor as you would a house or car before you buy it. Its your body and you want someone to guide you along this journey that has the same amount of respect for your health as you do.

*I came from a traditional martial arts background*, the truth is most are fucking horrible for your body. Why? Because most "instructors" only know their martial art, they are not students of the human body. They don't evolve as does our knowledge of the human body. Even with confronted with the evidence they continue to teach it the way they were taught regardless of the consequences to their students. I'm sure I'll hear, "well at my school we evolve and change things", maybe so, but that’s not the norm. Most Martial Arts instructors are not Doctors , physical therapists, etc. Hell most of the ones I've trained with were mechanics, cooks, shop teachers, etc., they just didn't have the knowledge or desire to educate themselves further, as a result the wear and tear adds up.

Some things that can help your longevity:
1) Listen to your body, if you have something that hurts, address it, rest and rehab it.
2) Become a student of your body and mind, its all part of the Jiu Jitsu journey, its not just technique and rolling!
3) Ask questions! If the answer you get doesn't satisfy your concerns, keeping asking until it does, or until you realize they don't know the answer.
4) Ask yourself this, Is your coach/instructor as concerned with your safety as much or more so than you are? "

[Anthony Herrera]

I dislocated my hip in competition this last march, fuckin sucks man and the worst part was the on site EMT tried to tell me that I just pulled my groin. How do u deal with the pain of getting it done once a week, they literally had to put me under to get it back in. I wouldn't wanna be awake for that anyway lol

[Griffin Lambert]

I'd love to see some of your Sambo competitions if you have them on video.

[Chris Herzog]

I'd love to see some of your Sambo competitions if you have them on video.

I have some Judos ones, I can post later. I didn't get into videoing stuff until later. So I don't have any Sambo footage on tape. Me and one of my old trainging partners from Detriot had over an 1.5hr of footage from us competeing at the Swiss Sambo Open in 2006. I took 3rd in Sambo, 1st in Combat Sambo and 3rd in Submission Grappling (I lost in the semi finals due to an ankle injury, I rolled it sprawling). My buddy Dom (who is the King of the Cage 155lb champ) took first in combat sambo and I think 2nd in submission grappling. He bought a brand new video camera just for the trip before we left, It was stolen while we were getting changed and I was being attented to by medical staff.

[manny]

Thanks Coach for sharing, This is really inspiring for me as I have some limitations also. I have thought many times if I should stop or continue with BJJ. Thanks to the Team here at the Miami HotBox / Lotus Club. They all know how messed up I am and do the best to keep me in the path. The only bad thing from this is that I will not be able to compete, in which I really wanted to. Thanks again..