This is my favorite bjj myth to combat. 

Why do you get to decide my therapy? Why can’t it be effective treatment for me?

I thought about trying bjj for 5 years.  I didn’t walk in til I lost my son. I can’t get out of my head. Except when I’m at open mat. 

When I’m here, I can be in the moment. I can accept reality. It grounds me. 

Beyond that, I can help kids in a way I can never help my son. They can be strong. They can overcome adversity. They can be better by being on the mat. 

I truly hope you never see the world from my shoes.  

Until the temps are above freezing, we will be switching “nogi fundamentals” to “SNOW Gi fundamentals.” Grab your parka and snow pants and learn to grapple with mittens!

Just kidding… 

Come warm up at nogi class! You might walk in shivering, but I promise you’ll be sweating before we are done. 

I hope everyone who showed up to ice skate had a fantastic time! We had nearly 50 people this year! After practicing break falls on the ice, the mats should be a pleasant change up this week!

This has come up a decent amount in our house. My daughter has trained year round for almost 5 years now. Despite scheduling regular time off after tournaments and taking off for special occasions, spontaneous extracurriculars, or occasionally recuperation, she still randomly doesn’t want to go to practice.

It’s the same conversation every time.

I’m initially devastated, but then she clarifies that she means like 2-4 weeks. I always say, “Ok, but you’re not going to see your friends.” She proclaims that’s unfair! I simply remind her, “Baby, all your friends will be at jiujitsu.” She realizes I’m right and changes her mind to 1 or 2 practices off. 

I thought people who would talk about “the jiujitsu lifestyle” were just nerds. But… It’s real. Even my wife has to live it. 

Tuesday nogi we will wrap up side control escapes and take some time to tie all the escapes together. Being comfortable to escape bottom side control will maximize your confidence in your jiujitsu! Thursday we will explore the kimura and simple ways to make it efficient and powerful! Sunday we are having open mat followed by an afternoon of ice skating - invite the family and make sure you work your break falls!!

If you’ve ever considered competing, I’d recommend checking out the Tap Cancer Out Tournaments. They will be back in October once again. It’s the best run tournament and you can help people in need. Last year we raised almost $20k!  

Who’s in?

https://wecan.tapcancerout.org/event/tap-cancer-out-2026-chicago-bjj-open/e751765

Coach Scott is back on the mats for the MOST FUN CLASS EVER: Kids Competition Class! This week we are playing for points! Join us to learn to secure victory by out scoring your opponent on the way to your submissions!

I’m back this week for nogi fundamentals! Join me as we work explore the family choke: Mata Leon! Then join me at one of the many open mats and see if you can execute it!

Including the gis I bought for my kids? I couldn’t possibly count that high. 

I’m trying to find a good time to take the family to visit my sister. She lives in Kane ‘Ohe. It’s a 14 minute drive from her house to Kailua… where Marcelo’s new place is…. Every time we mention it my family rolls their eyes and asks, “You’d take your family to Hawaii and spend all your time at jiujitsu still?!?!” No. Just the evenings. And yes. Yes I would.