#1 Academy to become a pro bjj competitor

[Unr8dBJJ]

TS I admire what you want to do, sounds fun I would love to do that as well.

If you don't mind me asking I know you're young but are you set up financially to chase this dream?

I wasn't and I tried a lot of different things. I still wish I could go back and change some financial decisions I made when I was 18/19 but I can't so I made the best of it. Go for the experience if nothing else, I'm still able to go back to school and get a degree, I've travelled and chased some crazy ideas. Got told a few times I should try acting or modeling. So I did, went to Spain to teach English for a few months, stayed 18 lol. I've worked every type of job you can think of, Lifeguard, Cruise ship Bartender, Motivational Speaker, Retail, Sales, Video Store clerk, Transport director for nuclear supplies. (non of this is in order for you smart asses out there lol) The one thing I wasn't was happy. One thing I like to practice Do what you love in life. I'm going back to school because Jiu-Jitsu and my current workplace have inspired me to go back, get a business degree and open my own business. Will I ever be able to set aside the time to train full time, don't know but I will be happy when I put the work in, that goes for Training and Work.

As Far as the best Academy I'm sorry I don't have much first hand experience with a variety of teachers, I've had great experience going to see Ernest H. Estrada, Python Jiu Jitsu in California, Black Belt under Carlson Gracie.

Hope it works out for you man.

 

[jcandoitbig]

Not to nit pick the details but "Social WORK" is not a "liberal arts" degree, does not make 26,000 as an average, and is a pretty good field to get into.. you can do almost anything and work with almost anyone... Additionally the masters is super easy to get.

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm

not too mention your loans can be forgiven by the government after a certain amount of time

 

[jr jr]

not too mention your loans can be forgiven by the government after a certain amount of time

Edit:
I come here to talk Bjj not politics. I am out of this thread.

 

[jr jr]

The fuck? How is he going to ask you for support? Are you related to him?

Edit:
Repeat
I come here to talk Bjj not politics. I am out of this thread

 

[HEAVY GRAPPLER]

TS: Are you still training with Shane?

Because he is probably an awesome guy to ask for advice on this. He left his whole life to train with Rickson and make a run at becoming a world champion. He is a bit older now and probably has a lot of perspective on the good and bad.

 

[Thai Otoshi]

If TS is at all concerned about money, wouldn't he make more being a pro judo competitor... if he lived anywhere but the US?

 

[outonbail]

To be honest man do what you want to do but have a backup plan.

I trained fulltime since end of september 2013 until now. I don't know what my future plan is, I feel that my progress of training 7x a week or 10x a week is not that much different. it was just nice to not work, sleep until when the fuck I want..

If I can't get really really good training 7-8 times a week, it will not be worth it for now. I'm going to save up money now the rest of the year, just compete IBJJF tournaments and see what happens then and make a decision after Europeans 2015.

 

[Toothless King]

My training buddies and Mendes Bros brought home golds at SF Open. This is why you train at a competitive gym.

If this pic doesn't make you to train harder, then i don't know what is.

 

[Cris]

you're right. people should not talk about Brazil if they don't have a clue, but you should not talk about US/California if you don't have a clue either.

This is what we called pot calling kettle black

I dont have a clue ? Ive got a house in newport beach dude (my dad has).

I keep what i said, its a long way to California reach Rio in BJJ, first, California should try to be like Hawaii.

 

[soda_popinski]

You dont necessarily need to go to a 'big' name gym, rather you need to find a gym that has criteria that you set to achieve your goal. Some of these could include:

- classes offered 2-3x per day
- multiple black belts
- multiple guys your level and size
- strength + nutrition coaches
- competition classes
- Great teachers - a great competition record from someone does NOT mean that person is a great teacher. Sure it could buts its no way a given.

I would try to find a gym that meets your criteria for now as that criteria might change as you progress. Your whole thought process on bjj is going to change significantly as you advance and so will your goals and needs.

 

[Cris]

I count 27 brown and black belts in this pic. And several of us have been black belts for years. This was at my boy Elias Gallegos' (Asel1) academy Gracie Eastlake.

Good to see it, but we all know its not kind the average gyms in US. Even in Brazil its not like that. Is it a competition camp train ?

 

[Cris]

What is the matter with Americans mind ? are most of you lobotomized ? USA is a fucking good country, the richest, coolest, a democratic leadership... but wait a moment, Rio de Janeiro has one century of jiu jitsu history.

Another day some dude said here in sherdog forum about the "American Supremacy" in ADCC, what the fuck ??? ALL the champions were Brazilians in ADCC 2013. Knock it off!

 

[nodferatu]

shut up you sound stupid. he's plenty young enough

I agree. Cobrinha started when he was 21ish yeah? 19 yo blue belt isn't bad of a start.

There are a dozen of medal chasers at my academy. They get by from working at part time job for the academy or outside employment, and they also get financial support from their family.

This is the biggest thing, financial/emotional support from their families. I'm guessing a lot of the lower belt medal chasers still live at home with their parents.

A guy from AOJJ Mason Monsevais parents seem super supportive of him living his dream. Not a lot of parents are willing to do that.

If TS has no responsibility at 19 and is financially and emotionally supported, why not give it a shot?

 

[nodferatu]

Good to see it, but we all know its not kind the average gyms in US. Even in Brazil its not like that. Is it a competition camp train ?

I don't think so, that gym is pretty well liked and people train there on a constant basis. E.G. comes off as an extremely humble and nice guy. Great teacher from what I've seen as well.

 

[soda_popinski]

This is the biggest thing, financial/emotional support from their families. I'm guessing a lot of the lower belt medal chasers still live at home with their parents.

A guy from AOJJ Mason Monsevais parents seem super supportive of him living his dream. Not a lot of parents are willing to do that.

If TS has no responsibility at 19 and is financially and emotionally supported, why not give it a shot?

I dont agree with the people here saying this kid shouldnt go for it etc...however, if my kid asked me to support him going pro in bjj I would kick him in the a$$. If he is that athletic, I would encourage him to play a sport that will actually pay out if he becomes pro. If he is not a super athletic kid I would tell him that I would support his dream by paying for his room/board etc as long as he was also working towards a back up plan (ie engineer, medical school, etc). I wouldnt tell him he couldnt do it but I would tell him that options are good.

 

[NSchoke]

ALL the champions were Brazilians in ADCC 2013. Knock it off!

The vast majority of ADCC medalists live in the US. If you're looking to train with them you don't go to Brazil.

 

[Cris]

I don't think so, that gym is pretty well liked and people train there on a constant basis. E.G. comes off as an extremely humble and nice guy. Great teacher from what I've seen as well.

sorry, i tried to say that there is lot of higher belts training, and its not too common.

 

[Cris]

The vast majority of ADCC medalists live in the US. If you're looking to train with them you don't go to Brazil.

i dont want to train with them (by the way, one student of them because they are too busy training theirselves for competitions) i want to learn from their teachers. Whose the majority still in Brazil. They are great fighters for sure, i dont know about their teacher skills tho.

Do u guys realize how pathetic is trying to compare US to Brazil in BRAZILIAN Jiu Jitsu ?

 

[Toothless King]

i dont want to train with them (by the way, one student of them because they are too busy training theirselves for competitions) i want to learn from their teachers. Whose the majority still in Brazil. They are great fighters for sure, i dont know about their teacher skills tho.

Do u guys realize how pathetic is trying to compare US to Brazil in BRAZILIAN Jiu Jitsu ?

Mendes Bros teach 90% of the adult classes and kid classes.

Andre Galvao teaches most of the classes. If not, Keenan or JT will take over.

 

[Aethyr]

shut up you sound stupid. he's plenty young enough

Maybe, but I've actually taught kids classes and I've seen the next generation of BJJ. There are 10 year olds that train every day and roll like mini black belts. As a sport matures, you have to start younger and younger to be competitive with the best.