In January 2009, after 5 years of off and on training, and still a white belt, I opened my first Jiu Jitsu academy... WHITE BELT UNDERGROUND JIU JITSU. We were bad asses! hahahahaha with very little technique
After about a month of business I received a phone call from BJJ CORAL BELT, CARLOS VALENTE!! He started harassing me about my lineage, and that I had no right to open an academy when he had 2 black belts within 7 miles of me. I told him, as long as students show up to class, I am going to teach! The next day, the owner of the studio I rented, said 2 men had stopped by, and they looked like serious martial artists..... with really messed up ears! I knew I was getting dojo rushed!!
It was like being hustled by the mob!! I felt I needed to affiliate with a large team, so I would have some backup...... so I searched...
Back then, 10th Planet only had 5 moons... but Eddie Bravo was all about No Gi and so was I. I emailed Mr. Bravo only to be disappointed with his reply... $2500 a year to affiliate, or $2500 for a seminar... I was like, bro... Im a white belt, that charges guys $50 a month for UNLIMITED TRAINING.. I cant afford you, so he offered a solution. He told me to contact one of his brown belts, and I could probably get a deal.... Riverside happened to be the nearest moon. I made some calls, and next thing I knew, I had Sean Bollinger scheduled to give a seminar! Sean was amazing!! I cant remember all that he taught, but there is one tech that has stayed with me to this day, the Samurai Roll.... which is still a big part of my game. Sean couldnt believe I hard started a school as a white belt, and a friendship was formed! I was amazed at how talented Sean Beezy was, so I instantly was hooked, and wanted to learn his ways. After about a year of training, and me trying to convince Sean to come teach in Vista regularly, it happened. Sean and I teamed up to start 10th Planet VistA... In a garage.. with some BREAKDANCERS...... and the rest is history
Heres the first in house tournament I ever held... organized, reffed, and everything else done by yours truly. enjoy
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