The Masters Division

Work, Work, and a little Steve Maxwell

The last couple of weeks have been a blur of 70-hour+ work weeks, some training during the day, and trying to fit in a few hours of reading before I pass out at night.

I've been studying for my ISSA Fitness Trainer Certification in the hopes of becoming generally more knowledgeable about training and nutrition.  I've had a lot of questions about whether or not I'm doing the right things in terms of diet and exercise.  Ideally, working through the various Fitness and Nutrition certifications the ISSA and other associations offer will help answer some of those questions, as well as provide answers to inquiries that people come here with.  In my mind, if it teaches me "to fish" instead of always being reliant on other trainers, it's money well spent.

The little bit of exercise I've been sneaking in outside of BJJ and the occasional Boxing class has been primarily based Steve Maxwell's 300 Kettlebell Challenge (and a few other Kettlebell and bodyweight routines).  A few other KB "300" routines are floating around on YouTube.  They're definitely worth checking out as well.  They include a mix of bodyweight (burpees, mountain climbers, etc) and KB exercises.  In all cases, the end goal in each case is to do 300 total reps by the end of the routine in as little time as possible.  So far, I've found the 300 Kettlebell Challenge to be the most complete KB only routine.

Steve Maxwell's 300 Kettlebell Challenge provides 18 exercises that can be used independent of the routine to create the foundation of a new routine or just spice up your time in the gym (garage).  The routine lasts for about 25-30 minutes and only requires one kettlebell, a surface to lay on, and maybe a towel towards the end.  I only needed to watch the video a few times to get the gist of the routine, but it was worth the money.  I got it directly from Steve's site, since the first two places I tried were out.  It was slightly more expensive there than the list price on Amazon, but it's not like I go to the movies or eat out and... well... Steve seems like a good guy.

As a bonus, here are some videos of Steve helping to train Xande Ribeiro.  Keep in mind that this is not the KB 300 workout, but there are some good exercises and interesting gear (such as the weighted KB backpack and training rings).

There are more videos of Steve's work, but I'll let you go to his YouTube page to check them out.  If you're not familiar with Steve Maxwell, the summary is that he was one of the first BJJ practitioners in the US to receive his blackbelt, he's an amazing strength and conditioning guru, and all around badass. 

Check out this interview with him here at the Fightworks Podcast.

Thanks! 

Do we need more blogs?

Do we need more BJJ, MMA, Grappling, Judo, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Combat Yoga, Female Fighter, Old Geezer Focused, Nutritional,Training Logs, Technique Focused, and other Blogs at the moment?

Yes please.

While I'll be the first to admit that I've yet to find the right routine to read even just my current favorite blogs as regularly as I'd like, there's still room for more.  But I'm working on it.  I've even dropped music for my favorite podcast on the way in to work.

I personally don't have aspirations in the area of creating a great blog.  There's only so much I want to say.  Instead, I'd rather create an aggregate site that focuses on getting the word out about the great resources that already exist. 

I'm also focused on community building for a specific set of demographics.  That's been the mission statement from the start and will remain so indefinitely.  In Gladwell terms, I'm more of a Maven, just happy to get the word out.

That's why it's so fun to run into new people and new blogs... or watch the connections form as people I know begin discovering this information and community for themselves.

A training partner of mine just started this blog: bjjtips.com  He's got a few posts up already that I've really enjoyed and I can't wait to read more.  It's the type of information that I know I wouldn't have thought to write, but feel a little wiser for having read.

Taking the time to blog or participate on someone else's site makes the world that much smaller.  Just recently I've met a few more people - Francisco @ DSTRYRsg and Dev @ Fueled By Fear - both have shown their generosity and I look forward to repaying them somehow.  We've got a small and very good community.

I've recently started a Masters Division page on Facebook because honestly, it looked like an easier tool to use to get people to participate.  It's got built in discussion forums, the ability for members to post pics and links, etc.  We'll see.  Swing by and post something - a link to your blog would be cool.  That's the direction I'd ultimately love to see this site go in.  Again, the idea is to become an aggregate - while encouraging others to blog.

When it comes to blogs, there's at least one more that I'd like to mention before wrapping this thing up.  Slideyfoot maintains not only a great blog, but also one of the most detailed training journals I've seen.  He's also a regular everywhere you can possibly look online.  Look for him on a forum near you.

So, all of this is a long-winded way of saying - if you're thinking of starting a blog. Do it.  If you have a question about starting a blog... ask someone.  And once you've started your blog, please let me know.  I'd love to check it out.

Allergies and Saulo Ribeiro

Night before last I was out flat right after dinner.  Fortunately I had the good sense to order my own copy of Saulo Ribeiro's Jiu-Jitsu University (finally) before passing out completely.

Yesterday, after finding my truck covered in enough cedar pollen to make it neon green, I spent the day snotting and sneezing.  I haven't used that much Kleenex in a year or two. I'm actually dreading going in to work to examine my workspace today.  The horror.

Since most people seem to dislike being snotted and or sneezed on while attempting to pass your guard / having their guard passed, I decided to take my snotty ass home after work and rest (albeit at 10:40pm).  The Saulo book comes in today, and based on what I've read of it so far, I can't wait to read and reread it.  Maybe it'll provide an upside to this itchy, eye-watering week.  I'm just hoping the pages don't get stuck together.

Now, I'm just hoping I can get the fluids to stop pouring from my head before Thursday night's class.

Breaking the Routine

One of the things that may be easy to overlook or take for granted is the benefit of a diverse group of training partners.  If you train at a school or gym that offers a variety of class times, it would be worth it to switch up your routine from time to time and train during some of the sessions you don't usually attend.

I recently changed my work schedule and that impacted my entire routine.  One positive that's emerged from this change is that I can occasionally hit the afternoon session.  This gives me a whole new group of people to train with.  They're folks that I've rolled with before, but they're not necessarily body types, personalities, or technical styles that I'm forced to match up against in my normal sessions.

This occasional mix in training partners (even if it's a rare one), along with some time away from training, has also allowed for some introspection.  When you have a very well established routine's easy to just blindly follow it. But when you're not working towards your next belt or training for that next tournament / fight, how often are you creating goals and evaluating the current state of your game?

Personally, a break in my routine has allowed me to stare (daily... unblinkingly... omfg, why I'm I doing this) at some of the other habits I've allowed to creep back into my life.  Yes, I'm looking at you, 14-hour video gaming sessions (what can I say, I do it for work... honest).

For me, sometimes I need to binge and purge, but I can honestly say that BJJ is something that feels like a natural thing to come back to.

The fact that a normal weekly routine gets broken doesn't seem like a bad thing given the potential long-term nature of this type of training.  If you plan on doing this for 10-15 years of your life (or longer), don't beat yourself up over 6-months of less than optimal training. 

Being a slackass for a small percentage of your overall commitment to your training and then using that time to refocus, is much better than getting discouraged and stopping altogether.

Immediate Clarification on Matters Ego-Related

Immediate Clarification on Matters Ego-Related

Hopefully, no one feels that it's inappropriate for me to repost this video.  It's just that it's been... fun to watch and rewatch.  Partially, because I've met King and know him to be a nice guy - and partially, because I've seen situations like this time and again, and they make me wonder if something karmic isn't at work.

This situation reminds me of the first day that I decided, I mean really decided, that I would start training.  My wife and I stopped by this boxing gym one evening.  We were speaking to the only trainer on hand, who happened to teach Muay Thai.  He was watching some boxers spar.

A small posse from the bar next door staggered in and began heckling the guys that were sparring.  The trainer, a small, no bullshit kid named Sammy, looked over just as one of the hecklers said, "I can do that!" and responded with, "Okay, here -- just sign a waiver."  Mr. Mouth looked a little stunned, but signed.

Jabberjaws was in headgear and in the ring within minutes.  Less than a full round later, his posse was completely silent, and the kid was hunched over in pain.  Despite a few tears from a smashed nose, he continued to take his beating.  He never made it through round two. 

Head gear was removed.  He and his rowdy friends quietly left the gym.  I was enthralled. 

Sammy said that they trained Muay Thai in the mornings.  I knew I could get it in before work.  He said it would be more punishing than what that kid just took, but he promised I'd have a good time - eventually.  I couldn't wait. 

Looking back, I'm glad the loudmouth stumbled in there that evening and that I took Sammy up on his offer.  It's all led to BJJ and the friends / fun I've had.

So, this is slightly different - but watch King Webb take care of some guy that wants to prove... well... something.  The YouTube description says it all.  Enjoy.

Shaking the dust off

The Rolles Gracie Jr. Seminar at our school over the weekend was a nice way to shake some of the dust off.  Time to get back at it.  This last month has been a blur of work, sleep, and slack.

I'm looking forward to getting back on the mats a little more in the evenings, reading some of my favorite sites, and getting this site updated more frequently.

As always, if you're reading this and have ideas for a topic, please shoot me an email or post below.  The site is still in "figuring it out mode" - so feedback is welcome.

Thanks!