During a lot of the Question and Answer sessions, private conversations, and previous class time I am often asked about proper mindset.  Now sometimes the question relates to training mode and sometimes the question relates to competition mode, and after some thought I realize that my […]
A favorite exercise of mine is to ask people, particularly people who are deeply involved with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, what exactly is their definition of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The variety of answers astounds me.  The lack of a coherent answer astounds me even more. The better […]
This article on Heroes Head Instructor Gumby’s thoughts on belt promotions originally appeared on Reddit in 2016 and can be viewed here along with commentary https://www.reddit.com/r/bjj/comments/402vgq/my_thoughts_on_belt_promotions/ Belts are a highly subjective matter at best. Where to the outsider what your ranking is a cut and dry […]
Article originally appeared http://onthemat.com/gumbys-column-the-ways-jiu-jitsu-has-changed-my-life/ Sept 6, 2016 I’m writing this on my 20th anniversary of my own appearance on a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu mat, and on the eve of a new Fundamentals cycle at my gym Heroes Martial Arts preparing for an influx of new students […]
The article originally appeared on OntheMat http://onthemat.com/gumbys-column-my-least-favorite-thing-ever/ and this rule is still enforced at my gym. At the risk of sounding like the crotchety old man telling the kids to get off my mat, I have to get this off my chest: As much as I […]
IBJJF Logo
This article originally appeared on http://onthemat.com/gumbys-column-a-suggestion-for-the-ibjjf/ April 5, 2012 Since writing this article the IBJJF has essentially implemented everything I suggested in this article.  I have to give credit where credit is due, the IBJJF really has become a world class competition organization and has stepped up in […]
Cameron Earle Blue Belt
I wrote this article somewhere around late 2012, describing events that happen prior to 2006.   In 2023 I still haven’t had any direct contact with Cameron.  I see his mother occasionally and his brother sometimes trains with me, who wants nothing to do with him. […]