Summer Odyssey 2016

Hello everyone!

If you've been following me on Facebook or Instagram then you probably already know I've been out and about this summer. For those that don't know I just got back form a two week vacation that saw me bouncing around seeing family and old friends and training all over the place. It was a great time! I have lots to talk about and a few pics to add in as well, so this is going to be a long one, hope you enjoy!

Canadian Armed Forces Combative Grappling Tournament

Before I get into it, let me explain. I grew up in Petawawa, one of Canada's major military bases, and since that's where my parents and childhood friends are, that's where I go for vacation a lot of the times. This time around it just so happened that the 4th Annual CAF Combative Grappling Tournament was scheduled for the same weekend. Although I'm still facing medical restrictions from being able to compete I had the luck of making into town the night before and being able to part take in some friendly pre-tournament rolls. The club, and the tournament itself, holds classes in the base gym, Dundonald Hall, but rather than the usual spot in the back corner they had an entire gym floor. The mats were all rolled out and set up for 6 competition areas, complete with bleachers around the mats. It was pretty aweosm to see my old childhood gym set up for a grappling tournament.

Shots of the gym set up for the tournament and the tournament itself, such a great turn out!

Seeing Major Steven Burgess, the head black belt at Evolution BJJ Petawawa and head co-ordinator of the event was a pleasure as always. We chatted about the tournament itself and the great things it is bringing along with it. I really do hope that the Canadian Armed Forces eventually get an official team together to represent Canada in the World's one day. One step at a time. I also got to roll with Prof. Burgess, and as always it was humbling and inspirational. I got to meet other members of Evolution BJJ as well as other Military members who were competing the next day. It was fun chatting with them and getting a few rolls in. The atmosphere on the mat was a lot friendlier than I was expecting. Sure there was a hint of tension as everyone got some last minute training and tips in but there was a lot of good-natured chats and rolls going on and the few rolls I had I was pleasantly not overly crushed. The big highlight of the night was hearing different people's insights of where they saw grappling and it's importance in their career. It's my believe that every and any service member should be trained in self defense and have a good basic knowledge and set skills in grappling. But then again, I also think everyone should do Jiu-Jitsu anyways.

Lee's First match, and his hardest one too, that guy was solid!

The next day was the tournament, I also had to meet with family so I couldn't stay for the absolute divisions but I did get to watch the weight categories including a friend and the sole West Coast Navy representative Lee Thibault. It was a pleasure watching him come all this way from Victoria BC to complete in a tournament all by himself, well, not totally alone, his family was there too. I loved watching Lee get his pep talks from his Dad in between rounds and stern words when he had to keep from getting too excited while waiting. With Lee's Dad giving him words of wisdom and his brother recording it all I was there watching a truly magical family moment and I was proud to watch Lee win Gold in his division.

Some action shots from Lee's last match, win my Americana!

Some pointers from his dad.

A pic with the Heavyweight expert gold medalist!

A Week In Toronto Training At Nova Uniao Clubs

After hanging out with the family for a short stay my brother and I were off to Toronto the next day. My brother lives in Toronto, so it's nice to have a place to stay when visiting, having lived there for 10 yrs myself I have a lot of friends to see, and I make more with every visit. As soon as I got into the city I was being asked out for some nachos with old friends, how could I say no?! The very next day it was back to training, visiting the Nova Uniao club at Xtreme Couture. My friend Mariya trains there and it's always fun getting to visit with her, we hadn't trained together in two years so I was looking forward to seeing the progress we each had made. That goes for seeing everyone I trained with at Nova Uniao the last time, it would be great to see who's around, and how we have all progressed with our own styles. The Xtreme Couture people have always taken care of me when visiting, it was the same this time. I would like to make a shout out to 'MMA Jay' Jay Taylor who was really helpful and sincere in making sure I felt welcomed during this visit. I only wish it was another week instead of the one I came on and was able to train with everyone more, with it being Canada Day on the end of the week and me being in town for a wedding reception I was only able to make it out to Xtreme Couture this once.

I didn't get a pic of the gym but Xtreme Couture is hard to miss, it's right on the corner and it's huge! The front is a lot of desks for personal trainers and the smoothie bar, to the left is the weight area and to the right is the mats and ring for all the contact sports. The mats area is huge on it's own, easily twice and big as any other mats I've been on before, and I've been on some huge mats. There's usually 2 or 3 different classes on the mats at any one time, Wrestling, Muay Thai or Jiu-Jitsu. The energy in there is pretty high, everyone is there to work out and the coach's don't let anyone slouch. Getting on the mats with my friend Mariya and the other Nova Uniao guys was awesome, especially since the head Wagnney Fabiano was running class. I will say this, Wagnney runs one of the meanest warm up session I've done, definitely equaling that warm ups that Atos are known for.

After the warm up we did some pretty cool drilling techniques. It's always fun visiting different schools, and I'm sure I've said this before, but the different points of view and mindsets that come up with different counters and entries will always intrigue me. This particular Nova Uniao gym does a lot of no gi, coinciding with the MMA team at that club, so set ups are of course different than with gi but also the movements and counters are different. There was a particular armbar set up and counter, or rather counter to the counter, that was really new to me but seemed old news to them, I have some notes written down but I would have liked working on it a bit more. When it came to rolling time I was happy to find I didn't do too badly. Last time I trained with them I had very little no gi experience, this time around I was better prepared, which pretty just means I was able to defend and not get choked out as much, haha. Seriously though it was great rolling with everyone there, some top notch students at that gym, I was really tired by the end and almost didn't do the gi class afterwards.

A Panda Reunion with Mariya!

Gi class is a bit different at Xtreme Couture, they're usually more laid back from what I've seen. The warm up wasn't near as in depth and the drilling was more relaxed, given it's a much smaller class than the no gi, but the techniques were still just as great. After some good rolls, class was over and I was dead tired. As I was stretching out and chatting with Mariya, Wagnney walks by, gives a pat and says "Hey Spiderman!" as he walks out, commenting on my Spiderman rashguard I was wearing. Mariya then tells me she thinks he likes me, because he's not usually friendly with new guys, to which I tell her it probably has to do with my etiquette. I always address the head coach or black belt as Sir, or Coach or Prof, unless told otherwise, it's just good manners. With Wagnney I always addressed him as Sir when ever I talked to him, and of course thanked him for having me, again that's just good manners. This is something I do all the time, I'm forever grateful for being allowed on the mats and in their classes. I'll always be grateful for the teachings and experience where ever I go. I think that's probably why I've always been told to come back.

The man himself, Prof. Wagnney Fabanio.

The next day I was off to visit another club I was at last time, by the way all the clubs I trained at this trip were clubs I've been to before, no new clubs this time, just new people and new experiences. So the last time I was at this club it went by the name Budokan BJJ, they were always to my knowledge an affiliation to Nova Uniao but now have come more in line with the Nova Uniao banner and are now called Nova Uniao Toronto. In any case, it was run by the same people and still had the same old school BJJ gi class feel. The club itself is inside a Kickboxing gym so if you're checking it out for the first time you really have to pay attention since it's down a floor a from the main street and in the back of the gym. The mat area is small but so are the classes, but the Jiu-Jitsu is still gold, it's like finding a hidden gem. I met some new people, had some great rolls and some good technique drilling was done. The head black belt, Anderson, went over some fun butterfly sweeps, stuff I've seen before but love drilling. I don't know what it is but butterfly guard, or half butterfly, is one of the positions I just love drilling over and over. When it came to rolling these guys were pretty tough, I expected as much from this club, and as much fun as they were I wasn't able to keep up with their pace the entire rolling time. I'm pretty sure they just keep rolling until no one can roll anymore. One thing thought was pretty awesome was I was wearing one of my BJJ Globetrotter traveling gis, as I do when traveling, and got asked by several people in class if I've ever been to their giant seminars. The answer is regretfully no but one day I will be there! It did give me a great segue to talk about my travels and this blog, hopefully they checked it out.

Not the best pic but this is the sign for the kickboxing gym That Nova Unaio Toronto is hidden in.

Those two nights ended up being the only classes I made it out to in Toronto, I tried to make it out to Misha Cirkunov's noon time class but ended up not double checking the transit times and ended up missing it. One day I will make it to his class, the man's a beast in the cage but the nicest guy in training. I had the honour of being in his classes years ago and would love to again now that I have a better understanding of the sport. What I missed for good times on the mats I made up for with good times with friends.

Hanging Out With Friends

The main reason I timed my vacation for this week was for a friend of mine's wedding reception. Alex and I worked and partied together back in my late night bar working party years and I was happy to make it to the celebrations. The party was amazing, the decorations were perfectly matching their outfits that were awesome, and there was a never ending table of pies! While honouring her and her husbands' union I got to catch up with some other old friends, laughs were had by all, it was a double win, an all around good night out. One day I met with a friend for sushi who has also been pursuing their passion for traveling, and it was so great catching up and talking about seeing the world. Also met up with a fellow student from our club who now lives and trains in Toronto, it was interesting to see them again and talk about how it was living in Toronto and training at a different club. Afterwards we walked all around Toronto and I told her what buildings had changed in the short time I have been away, which by the way is all of them! My good friend James who's been there for me the whole time I lived in Toronto now has a family and invited me over for a Canada Day BBQ. It was great hanging out with him and catching up, as well as seeing his little man run around and cause shit, fun times! I met up with Mariya and her boyfriend downtown and was able to watch the Canada Day fireworks down on the harbour front with them, which was amazing. Also, the huge viking ship, the Draken Harald, that just rolled across the ocean was in at the harbour so that was awesome to see. The Hanging out with my brother, and other old friends, catching up, grabbing food, sharing stories, it was all fun, it made me miss Toronto but at the same time really realize I'm really not the same person I was when I left almost 6 years ago.

Viking ship in Toronto! There was also some cool Pirate ships too.

Old teammate Montanna, great time hanging out!

After a week in Toronto I bused back to Petawawa and hung out friends and family there. I hit the beach one day, had a BBQ another day and somehow ended up my all friends' kids' favourite person they just met, I guess I'm just good with kids, haha! Also got to chat with an uncle I haven't seen in a very long time. It was interesting talking with him because he's traveled all over Canada way back when backpacking and train jumping was a thing, 'before it become popular' as he put it. Was very cool hearing about how he was able to get around. I got to thinking though, without any technology like we have now, how'd he know how to get anywhere and find a place or a job? I mean, traveling must've all been on a whim, without any real information of if there was a job or a place waiting for him. I should've asked him how many times he got lost traveling around. People couldn't have been that good at giving directions back then and be as bad as they are now a days. The days of cold calling as the only way to find a job, or place, or ride. Funny how he also made it seem like people were way more open and friendly back then.

Some Rolling And Sharing Knowledge With Evolution BJJ Petawawa

While home in Petawawa for the second weekend I managed to get some rolls in with the Evolution BJJ club. I got up to the gym early so I could just hang out and stretch. There was a group on the mats going over some moves, it looked more MMA based, and as I listened I realized they were part of the Muay Thai class that was about to start. The techniques weren't being shown the best and after a few minutes I asked if I could help out. I meant no disrespect, I'm just passionate about Jiu-Jitsu and like to help out whenever I can. Luckily the group also saw it as such and were happy to have me show them a few techniques, admitting it's been a long time since any real Jiu-Jitsu class. They were very impressed with the few basic techniques I showed, mostly just sweeps or guard breaks, so much so that one even stayed back to chat with me. His name was Ali and we chatted a bunch about Jiu-Jitsu and grappling and after a few minutes he asked if I wanted to roll. I figured he'd have all the aggression that comes with Muay Thai and sure enough he really tested me, going all out after my arms. As it happens he knew how to do an Americana. After almost 10 minutes we sat and chatted again, he was a great guy with a really positive attitude, even profusely apologizing for being so aggressive during our roll that he had accidentally elbowed me in the face while going for that Americana. After a quick pic together the Evolution BJJ members started to show up and Ali headed back to his Muay Thai class.

Ali the Mauy Thai guy, I'm glad I didn't spar with him standing, I think he can kick my head off easy!

Once the Evolution BJJ guys showed up it was time to start rolling! Had some great rolls during the hour; a small woman who had the side control pressure game that made her shoulder feel like a 1000 lbs on my head, a big guy who thankfully did not have that same game, and a purple belt who was like glue on everyone he rolled with, that was just some of people there. All and all I think there was about a dozen of us on the mats and we all had a good time rolling with one another. I also had a fair share of chatting with everyone there, telling my plans of the big journey coming up. The group made me feel really welcome and were really encouraging. It's days like this, were I meet all kinds of new people, share a little, learn a little and make a bunch of new friends that keeps me so passionate about Jiu-Jitsu and planning out Panda's Odyssey, just over 3 months to go by the way!

A Good Talk With The Coach

The flight I booked got in a later in the evening and I was fearing I wold have to pay a $50+ taxi ride to my place, luckily my Coach volunteered to pick me up. Being a bit of a drive we had a lot of time to talk. I told him of my travels and experiences, which he's always interested in hearing, and we discussed different topics such as rolling and training styles and philosophies. One thing that always comes up with anyone I talk to is how I compare to other clubs, and I always say it's difficult to tell. I for one roll rather light compared to most out there, just as a safety precaution, I don't want to get hurt or hurt anyone while visiting and traveling. With that I do get tapped a lot, the running joke is I travel around the world just getting my ass kicked. But seriously I have noticed that clubs that are more focused on competing are more aggressive and usually have some pretty neat tricks up their sleeve. This brings up the topic of training with the mindset to win and be the best now versus training to be still on the mats when you're older. In my experience the clubs with the more aggressive way of rolling, with all their wins and medals and trophies, also don't have many students that are 35+ yrs old. I will say this, from either camp there is always something new to learn, be it a cool move or some knowledge bomb to get you through life, and I see the benefit in training in both camps. Talking with Coach about this really helped find peace with where I am in my Jiu-Jitsu journey, as a senior blue belt. It was a good car ride home, thanks again Coach!


Visiting The Sunshine Coast 

The next morning I was off again to travel to the mainland and head just north of Vancouver, to the small town of Gibsons BC. Gibsons is a pretty famous town in Canadian history, being home of the long running Canadian TV show The Beachcombers which ran from 1972 to 1990. Gibsons is also home to my Jiu-Jitsu brothers at Ribiero Jiu-Jitsu Gibsons, formally Tidal BJJ. I visited them last summer and we've seen each other at tournaments or they've come over for seminars, and whenever we meet up it's always a great time. This time around I stayed at Yoshi's who happened to have a pretty nice den set up in his garage, I felt like royalty being set up in there. Yoshi was such a great host, every day I was blown away by his generosity, I don't think I can repay him enough for letting me stay with his family and looking for me the 4 days I was there.

Molly's Reach, The Persephone and from The Beachcombers and other shots of Gibsons.

More great shots of around Gibsons Landing.

The host and good friend, Yoshi, such great times on and off the mats!

I was lucky to get on the mats everyday I was there, some classes and some open rolls, all lots of fun. It had been a year since I last rolled with the guys in Gibsons and I was really looking forward to seeing how they had progressed, especially with the new affiliation change, being under the guidance of the Ribiero Jiu-Jitsu Vancouver club they were bound to learn all kinds of new tricks. I was not disappointed. We went over some great techniques during class, I was especially fond of their warm up drills, they were very simple yet worked a lot of areas for Jiu-Jitsu and helped getting mobile for class. The rolls were tough, the guys sure brought their A-games to me. They have definitely been working their side control as I've yet to meet a club that had every member capable of creating that much pressure in side control. It sucked, haha. I have to make a shout out to Adim, he's in the progress of having both shoulders completely overhauled, for lack of a better term, and currently can only use one arm if rolling. During our roll he tied his bad arm to his chest and rolled like that, but that didn't slow him down. The things he does with his legs totally make up for a tied up arm, it's more like I was fighting three arms. I think this whole situation has made his Jiu-Jitsu much better, I look forward to seeing how he progresses, keep up the hard work Adim! 

Nice shot of the Gibsons Guys, with Adim in the middle.

The one thing I love about visiting the Gibsons guys is the love and respect, every roll started and ended with big hugs and cheers. We would roll and talk during the roll, laughing and commenting on each others game. There was no place for seriousness and ego, it was all fun times there. Off the mats we got together and watched UFC 200 and it was like watching a show with family. There was all sorts of snacks and witty put downs on each other, just like back home. The guys there will always be brothers to me, and I look forward to seeing them again in the future. Thanks for having me guys!

So much love in these pics, can't wait to see them again!

And with the end of the second week it was time to head back home and start unpacking, writing this really long blog, and get back to planning the Odyssey. I'm sure there's some things I left out and I'm sorry if I did, but please know I loved every minute I shared with my friends, new and old, and family members every place I went, on and off the mats. What an awesome summer vacation, the Summer Odyssey of 2016.