New Kiwi BJJ Black Belt - Geoff Grant!

Geoff Grant is of the 'old school; - honorable, loyal, a man of his word - I like him immensely. It was an absolute pleasure for me to award him his BJJ Black Belt tonight at his school in Wellington. Thirty of his students were there to witness the occasion, which took place at the end of our two and a half hour seminar. Others in Geoff's class received blue and purple belts earlier in the evening - and so it was quite a seurpise when the award was made to Geoff at nights end. We even had cake!!
Geoff has been a driving force behind the growth and promotion of BJJ in New Zealand. He has a full and ever-expanding mat full of great students. Hi mat-culture is second to none. Geoff had a long involvement , at high level, in the martial arts before he turned his ful focus onto the art of BJJ. I consider him to be both an exemplary instructor, and a good friend. Tonight, I felt great pride in being there to witness and contribute to the next stage in his ongoing martial arts journey.
Earlier this trip, I also awarded purple belts to Steve Cockell and Karl Norton in Auckland, and the rank of Brown Belt to Shayne Cox in Napier. This makes way for new blues to move up into positions of responsibility as well as white belts - things are really accelerating in NZ with so many great mats acheiving a maturity that few could have predicted, even only a few years ago. Well done all - I am so very proud of how far you have come. My Kiwi friends are absolutely Rock-solid people. I love being here!!!
Best wishes and deepest respect,
JBW 2007

Eye on the Prize

For myself, I like to live a project-driven lifestyle. That is, I need to have one or two little goals/targets that I am planning/aiming for lined up in the near future. I don’t so much (never have in fact) have one huge, all-encompassing goal dominating the way I live my life. Small projects, short term stuff – that’s what keeps me interested and motivated. My next wilderness adventure, the next book in my series, the next technique I want to master on the mat, etc. My calendar for the next 6 months has those things plastered all over it – and more. It has always amazed me the way many people seem quite content to pretty much live for their ‘end of the year’ holidays. I’ve never been able (nor wanted to) do that. I like to look about 6 months out – at the most. I always like to fit two, three or four little projects into that period. Each one is exciting for me, keeps me moving forward.
In a few days when I finish ny round of seminars in new Zealand, I am hooking up with my long-time wilderness/adventuring partner for a ten day remote back-country flyfishing trip. So today I got out my maps, scanned the bits I needed and laminated them in readiness for some wet river-crossings. I did a little research on the net about river-crossing technique, to see if I could dig up something I hadn’t thought of – sure enough I did. Little things like this, small interesting projects, keep me happy and motivated.
In the martial arts industry for example – at one time there were pretty much only two ranks; white belt and black belt. Nowadays, most styles have included a range of colored belts in between. Why? To keep the student interested, Small goals, small steps – each as enjoyable and meaningful as the next. I like the idea. I love to live that way. Better go. Need to print out the gear list for my end of November trip.
Eye on the prize.
JBW

NZ Jaunt

Back at my usual Auckland haunt - the Quest hotel, after conducting seminars for my good friend Geoff Aitken in Christchurch, and then here for Mike Fooks and Glenn Tarrant today. Unfortunately, Glenn was MIA due to commitments up in the bay of islands (one of the blue belts - Mike Hendricks' wedding). So a few of the usual suspects were absent - still, we had a great time covering a variety of topics.
Tonight I spend making notes on what we covered today - before catching up with my family on video chat and getting some sleep. Tomorrow morning I'm running a session for Karl Norton, before heading to Hamilton in the afternoon to do a session for Phil Beale. Then it will be on to Napier to see Shayne Cox and gang, before flying down to Wellington for work at the Police Academy on Tuesday. After that, my last NZ seminar will take place at Geoff Grants school on wednesday night.
I love new Zealand - both the land itself and the people here. The students are passionate about their training and there are some absolutely great fighters here. This is one of my very favourite times of the year.
As I am on the orad - it may be a few days before i post again. probably will do so once I hit wellington (tuesday).
Train hard - train smart.
JBW

The Hunt Prep ...

I have more teaching strategies than marbles in my marble collection. Many of them have evolved out of special circumstances or situations in which I had to find a creative way to impart a specific skill to a specific group of people.; but sometimes, I tend to overdo things when dealing with ordinary people, under ordinary circumstances. One of the simplest and most powerful communication models that I have come up with for getting ordinary people to do extraordinary things I call the Hunt prep approach.

It goes like this:
I imagine that we are all about to head off together and I need to prepare the group for the hunt. First, I give them the ‘lay of the land’. I tell them where we are going. I let them know we’ll be heading through the pass and then travelling along the west side of the valley. I let them know we’ll probably be crossing a couple of streams along the way. I tell them what to expect. The walking will be easy, but some of the stream crossings will be difficult and we’ll need to work in pairs. Then I tell them what I expect them to do. I clearly outline their tasks. This group will be carrying the gear; that group will be throwing the spears, etc. Finally, I like to let them know the kinds of things that will most likely happen; so there will be fewer surprises and therefore fewer distractions along the way. I tell them what they will notice. You will notice the water flows will be strong this time of year; that’s okay, etc.

Hunt Prep 101

- Here’s what we are going to do (give them the overview)
- Here’s what you can expect as we try this (prepare them)
- Here’s how we are going to do it (give them their tasks)
- Here’s what I want you to notice (this will happen)

I have often been guilty of over-teaching; of laying out too much detail, too early, for students who are not ready for that level of instruction. On those occasions, the first symptom that the class wasn’t going as well as I had hoped was always the same: FRUSTRATION. Frustration for me, and frustration for the students. Now, when I see that symptom appear, I usually try to dial it back; take a simpler (and in those circumstances) more effective approach by going into Hunt Prep 101 mode.

Sometimes, simple is good. Don’t misunderstand though, I like to have my student’s develop a technical mindset and technical learning habits; but sometimes, when we want them to slow down, we don’t need to explain all the reasons why it is good to slow down; we just need to show them a big sign that says SLOW DOWN – in big clear letters.

JBW 2007

Hope - is not a strategy!

I remember earlier this year, when I had just come home from a trip to England, hoping that I could write the book that Geoff Thompson was encouraging me to write. The moment I found myself hoping, I shook myself out of it and actually got to writing. Four months later, I have completed two books - in my spare time. If I was hoping - I'd still be thinking about it.
In hoping that this thing will happen or that thing will happen, we are essentially relinquishing control of our fate or destiny. If we wait – the problem will go away. I don’t think so. I hope the situation will resolve itself – this is not a good strategy. In my experience, things do resolve themselves, but the outcome isn’t always good or beneficial to us. Hoping that the reserve bank drops interest rates and therefore more people will want to buy a house, and therefore prices will go up, is simply not a good strategy if you are an owner of property. Instead, doing up the house a bit, fixing the yard or putting a coat of paint on it – these things will drive the price of your house up; independent of market forces, or the whims of the reserve bank. Hope is not a strategy. Someone is in your face, screaming at you and obviously committed to doing you physical harm – hoping that they will just go away, is not a strategy; the time has come to DO something. Pretty much, the earlier we act, the bigger edge (and leeway for further action) we have. Acting too late, can often produce the same result as not acting at all. Hope is not a strategy! If I hope to catch a ten pound trout but continue to fish where everyone else fishes (within four or five kilometres from the road), then I will most likely be HOPING the rest of my life. I need to do something different, take action and make it happen. Hope is not a strategy. All my worries will be over if I win the lotto – I hope I win this week. NOT A STRATEGY!
Hope not – take action.
JBW

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

At last, 'tis done!
I have just this minute completed my second book in the ROGUE BLACK BELT series, entitled challenge & ownership. Don't worry - the smiley faces are not a part of the book, nor will you find them on the cover, they are just a reflection of my mood this afternoon. It's been intense going this past few weeks, and I am just feeling good about it being done. The printer will have it by monday and so it is now out of my hands. Hopefully it will be printed before Christmas. I am pumped about having written this one; it goes to the very heart of my martial arts training - covering excursions to India, India, Thailand, Japan, Brazil and the USA. Again it's filled with the life lessons I gleaned from those experiences and has several dozen pics to go with them. Some of the pics are less than flattering, but the key to my style of writing is utter and complete honesty; and so they must be included. I know you will love it.
I have to thank the hundreds of people who after reading my first book, sent me e-mails of encouragement and thanks. I feel honored and humbled by all of your sentiments. I also feel a great sense of responsibility as I continue to write - knowing that so many people are reading and benefiting from my experience. Still, I do not let those feelings of responsibility allow me to 'over-polish' too much, I am writing from the heart, and so I let it pour out fast and un-edited. That's the way I need to do it.
Anwyays - I'll have it available on the site the second i get it from the printers. I want to be able to sign each and every copy I send out.
best wishes all,
JBW

Head down ...

My apologies to those people log on regularly to read my blog. This past week I have been totally absorbed in getting the next book in my series all done. I think I am on target to have it completed by mid next week. That is, it will be out of my hands and at the printers by that time. If all goes well, they should give me delivery before Christmas. Quite a few people have suggested I include a couple of pages of pics with this next one ; so I have decided to do just that. This time around I will be including 24 pics, taken in Indonesia, India, Japan, Brazil and the USA. It just means a bit more work to squeeze it into my deadline. The good news though, is that for those who enjoyed my first book, I'll guarantee you will enjoy this one even more. It includes action, adventures and lessons learned on three continents. This stage of my life and training was far more broad-ranging than the period covered in the first book. I'm super happy with the way it's all coming along. I'll get back to my more regular blogging when it is done. I hope you understand.
best wishes,
JBW

Knuckledusters & Luck

Here's a small excerpt from my next book in the ROGUE BLACK BELT series: challenge & ownership. it pertains to an event that took place in the state of Gujarat in the desert region of India. It's fresh off the press, written a few hours ago.
I hope you like it ...
JBW

"On many occasions I have been accused of being lucky. There are two types of luck at work in this universe. The luck we associate with pure chance with the roll of the dice or the whims of the gods. Then there is the type of luck that is born of smart decisions and the ability to notice things that others do not notice. The latter is the only type of luck we have any control over; the only type that I am interested in.

I had acquired in my previous visit, a very rare book from the state reference library in New Delhi. The book had no real monetary value, but as only 500 copies had ever been published, and those back in the 1960’s, it would be difficult if not impossible to come by for any who sought it. The name of the book was the Mallapurana. I have copy number 174 and have a corrupt security guard to thank for it. In my defence, I do treasure it and am convinced I have saved it from a dusty and lonely existence in an unvisited room in the bowels of the New Delhi state reference library. Enough said.
This special book, the larger part of which is written in the ancient Sanskrit language, describes an art called Vajramushti. This is an art that was once practised by a family known as the Jesthimallas. What makes this art so distinct and so very special is that it even survived at all. Vajramushti is a grappling-based art but differs from other styles in that the combatants are required to employ the use of knuckledusters during their contests. There are very few rules in the Vajramushti contest. It is a no-holds-barred affair that that at one time was declared illegal in India, because of it’s singularly brutal nature. Wrestlers would fight with knuckledusters tied to their right hands and could deliver blows to any part of the adversaries body. The contest was over, only when one fighter was rendered unconscious or gave a verbal admission of defeat.
The art is unique in that it combines grappling and striking techniques with the use of weaponry in a no-time-limit no-rules contest; a brutal art by either ancient or modern standards. I was determined to talk to someone who was at one time connected with this amazing form of combat.
I had two leads to go on. The first was the fact that I knew the Mallapurana was originally published in the city of Baroda; albeit back in the 1960’s. The second was that I knew that the members of this clan were known as the Jesthimalla, an unusual name by all accounts. Ron and I stepped off the train and onto the dry, dusty streets of Baroda with a strong sense of excitement.
At that time, the city of Baroda had more than one million inhabitants. I had the name of the family I was looking for as well as two old photos that were published in the original book. The photos of these fighters showed them to be perhaps in their late forties or so; knuckledusters strapped to their hands, competing in front of a crowd of cheering onlookers. If they were still alive, they would have to be mid to late seventies by now. I was not put off however, as I did seem to have some knack for ferreting out the things that other people seemed to difficulty in finding.
Challenge.
With Ron in tow, I went straight to the university. I walked about the university for half an hour until I found a young student that had both the time and inclination to accompany me for a day in the capacity of translator. He spoke excellent English, was intelligent and seemed fascinated that a foreigner had come to his home town in search for something he assured me did not exist. In fact, when I showed him my treasured copy of the Mallapurana, he was astounded that such a thing could ever have existed. And so we had our team.
The other thing that I had guessed at was that this Vajramushti fighting family were originally Vaishnavas; worshippers of the god Vishnu. I ascertained that this was the case because in both photos the Jesthimallas had their heads shaven excepting for the ponytails that Krishna and Vishnu worshippers usually sported. It was the only other clue I had. So I asked my translator to take me to the oldest, most renowned temple of Vishnu in the city. After an hour or so, we found our way there. The temple was old and dusty, as most everything else seemed to be in Baroda. We took off our shoes and went inside; the cool interior was a relief from the oppressive desert heat that we had been baking in for the last hour.
Upon my request, my translator asked one of the old priests if he had ever heard of the Jesthimalla family; the old man looked at me, didn’t seem to happy about the whole thing and in turn told us to go and ask at the house across the street. So out we went and knocked on the old green door of a small house not forty yards from the front of the temple. A few seconds went by before it was opened by a large man; a man in his late seventies; a man with a lot of scars on his face.
My translator made a gurgling noise and I wouldn’t be surprised if my own mouth hadn’t dropped open. There he was; the man in the photo!"

Challenge & Ownership

After writing my last blog - I have decided to take my own advice and 'pull the trigger' on starting my next book in the ROGUE BLACK BELT series: challnge & ownership. I am into chapter four today and hope to have chapter five done by tomorrow night. It will be a tight fit to get it done before the new year as planned, as I have a full schedule with lots of work and things to do. Still, I will give it a good shot. Worse case, I'll get it done by the end of January.
For those who have read 'fear & the engine' - my next book follows on from where I left off. For those who liked the first book, I guarantee that you'll like this one more. More lessons, more challenges, more action and more paradigm shifts in thinking. I am excited writing it.
And many thanks to all those people who have e-mailed me and expressed their appreciation of the 'fear & the engine'. I am overhwhelmed by how enthusiastically it has been received. totally amazing.
Anyways, I am back to it. I am taking tomorrow off from teaching - and so I should hit the 25% through mark. Best wishes all,
JBW

Pulling the Trigger

Sometimes, it’s not what we do that matters; it’s what we do not do.
Inaction is just another form of action; there are also consequences for doing nothing.
This may be one of the things I like most about the martial arts; they are all about action. Sometimes, our intelligence gets in the way of ‘pulling the trigger’. I have friends who are like this, and I am like this on occasion. When one of my friends starts acting this way, I call him Captain Permutation. In any given argument, he will consider every single viewpoint, from every possible angle; even creating new viewpoints in the process. At the end of the discussion, it is sometimes difficult to determine whether or not he was for or against the idea, such is the length of his pros versus cons list. On one hand, I enjoy that process, it appeals to the intellectual part of my mind; but I am also aware of the dangers. If it is a philosophical discussion, there is no problem, we get to reveal the big picture and possibly even modify our original viewpoint or stance; but if we need to DO something, and DO it quickly, sometimes long-winded back and forth discussion of the hundreds of permutations will just serve to stall our ability to ACT. For example, should we invest in shares, or invest in property? There are hundreds of books written on each subject. Should we read them all before deciding where to put our money? And once we read them all, are we any clearer on what to do? After all, both sides have made hundreds of excellent points. I know plenty of very smart people, who simply fail to ACT. Their lists of why they should do this or that, or why they shouldn’t, are simply too long and to convoluted. In the end, they do nothing. Meanwhile, the simple-minded guy next door, just kept putting his savings into property (or shares) and made a killing.
Don’t misunderstand, I do believe it is better to see all sides of an argument, but not if it causes us to STALL. In the end we need to pull the trigger if we are to stay true to our warrior nature. The warrior is a being of ACTION. Think, yes – but then DO!
JBW