I remember hearing Marcelo Garcia answering a question about why he does Jiu-Jitsu.

He responded with, “because it’s fun”.

When I heard that I was training with him helping him prepare for the 2007 Abu Dhabi Championships. That year he finished every opponent in his weight and every opponent in the Absolute besides Robert Drysdale.

He proved once again that he is the greatest pound for pound Jiu-Jitsu fighter in the world!

His impact on my life has not only been because of his achievement however. More so it is his attitude.  At Seminars I started using that line, “because its fun” to give my students a closing thought.

I have been on the mats for 28 years learning both Judo and Jiu-Jitsu. And I have had a tremendous amount of fun in my lifetime. I remember the feeling of joy I would get as I threw an opponent in a competition or Armlocked someone for an exciting win in BJJ. I remember the after parties following the events I would do well in. I remember getting my Black Belt in from Sensei Imamura in Fresno, Ca. I also remember getting my Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu from Ralph Gracie. Those are some of the most enjoyable days in my life. But that’s not because they were fun.

Without preparing for tournaments there were no after parties. There were no victories. Without smashing up my body in practice there would have never been Black Belts in my future. Without the years of hard work, bloody noses from sparring sessions, aching pains from Koschek and brutal fight camps I would have never become the MMA coach I am today.

My point is simple: Without being uncomfortable there would be no achievement.

Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.

 

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882 – 1945)