Heading home from Norway

It's just before dawn here in Norway. I gave my last class some eight hours ago to kenneth Fjelds students just outside of Drammen. They are such a nice group of people - the friendliest you will meet. We ran through a load of MMA ideas - focussing on the connection between kicking and takedowns. it was well received and all had a blast.
My plane leaves in an hour or so, and I make my way to Heathrow in London - then it's onward to Singapore and finally, home to Melbounre. With some 24 hours of travel ahead of me, I am stockiong up on water and snacks before I begin ym journey.
I am very much looking forward to seeing my family - but will do so for only 15 hours or so before I board another flight to Perth this weekend. it will be great to see my friends over there - but I may be a little wobbly with jet-lag. There was no avoiding it ... as the Perth trip was planned long ago - and I had to re-schedule my UK/Norwegian trip due to the volcanic ash-cloud in Iceland. I may have to drink my 2nd ever RED BULL! Yikes!
Next week, I'll be back on my mat in Geelong - and I am really looking forward to seeing my students - I miss them!!
Gotta run - plane is boarding soon. Best wishes
JBW
PS: my Norwegian friends presented me with a traditional Viking helmet as a parting gift - very nice!

UK Generosity ...

I just finished teaching for Al Peasland and Mick Tully here in Coventry - we had a great session and everyone had a blast of a time. it was also nice to see Rich Green bring a few of his students along and get yet another dose of training; and some of them were fighting this evening on an MMA card - well done lads! That's commitment!
I have a few hours off right now and am kicking back in the wonderfully historic Coombe Abbey - this place is dripping with antiquity - I love it. Tomorrow morning, Al and Mick will swing by and drive me back to London for my midday flight to Oslo. I will be sorry to say goodbye to my UK friends, but must admit to missing my family a lot.
A huge thanks to all of my UK friends - everyone has been so welcoming and so generous - and I have to say, so completely engaged on the mat! A big thanks to my good friend Geoff Thompson - who was kind enough to present me with a 5th Degeree Black Belt Certificate under the auspices of the british Combat Association. Thank you Geoff (and to his partner Peter Consterdine) for the gesture - I humbly accept in the spirit in which it was given.
I very much look forward to getting back next year ...
Best wishes all
JBW

A walk in the woods ...

Well ... it's the end of a long day.
I have taught in Lincolnshire, Slough, Cheltenham, Coventry, Manchester, Macclesfield and Doncaster over the past seven day ... and have done a bit of driving to do so. A huge thanks to my friend Mark Collet, who played Chaffeur from Cheltenham to my present abode in Coombe Abbey. This morning, we set off from Maccelsfield,after a great two days with Adam Adshead and Dave Kari, and asked our TomTom sat-nav to lead the way. it took us on the shortest route )as the crow flies) from Macclesfield to Doncaster - which took hours longer than the drive up the freeway would have. We discovered many a backcountry lane as we made our way through the peak district national park ... a nice trip. After our MMA seminar at Doncaster, where I was hosted by a great Uk fighter, and friend, Danny Mitchell, we came back to Coventry where I settled into the converted 13th century Cistercian Abbey (Coombe) after seeing Mark continue on his homeward journey to Cheltenham.
My good friend Geoff Thompson arrived at five, and we walked until 6:30pm - strolling through the surrounding woods, chatting about life, the universe and everything in between. I don't know how my runners snuck past the dress-code police, but they did, and we ate in the conservatory and chatted into the night.
Geoff is living proof that we all have with ourselves the capacity for re-invention. From sweeping grime from the factory floor, and practising his passion, the martial arts, his first metamorphosis occurred when he underwent an apprenticeship in working the door of the roughest nightclub in Coventry. After hundreds of fights and thousands of violent encounters, he learned more about fear than most people will ever know exists. In understanding that fear was his friend - he went on to another metamorphosis, and wrote the best selling Watch My Back, which in in circulation to the point of some 500,000 copies. Not to stop there, Geoff has gone on to win a BAFTA award, and make several award winning films. The projects he has in the pipeline at present are even more proof that Geoff is a human alchemist of the highest order ... it's been a great end to a full day.
I am teaching for Al Peasland, Geoff's brother in law and a great martial artists, and his training partner, Mick Tully, first thing tomorrow morning. Al and Mick are first rate people - I am looking forward to it immensely. Then it'll be an afternoon of rest, before I head to Norway on monday. Time for some kip ... best wishes all,
JBW

Terranova's Tip of the day: Don't eat yellow snow!

I am at my friend Tony Terranova;'s house in the amazing Cotswalds - and we have just returned from the mat where I did some 'calibrating' (Tony's word: he's an engineer) of his students. A two hour break before I head back for the 2 hour seminar tonight.
Tony has a great little workout area at his house , where he has gone crazy with his many 'FUSION FITNESS' inventions. As mentioned, tony is an engineer - and he has put much thought into modifiying and tailor-making gear for his fitness traning. I have included a couple of pics here.
Tony is holding a couple of his cannonballs - used for grip training. The Jugglers challenge! He has pipe-sized barbells for over-hook and underhook training - a specially designed rack for deadlifts and al kinds of other weight work - and a zillion other interesting toys. it's a functional fitness freaks paradise.
I met Tony a few years back - when I conducted my first seminar in Coventry. An uglier room I had never been in. I have not seen so many broken noses and scarred faces on any mat, anywhere. Tony came up and introduced himself to me and I instantly liked him. Quick with a smile, and armed with an endless stream of jokes, Tony Terranova is a long time training partner of Geoff Thompsons. he has a wonderful family and it is always a pure pleasure to spend time with them. Well, time for a bite and a quick e-mail check before we head back to mat for more fun and frolics.
Best wishes
JBW

UK so far ...

So far my UK visit has been great. I met Dan Wait, and his students up in Lincolnshire and we did some great training; everyone seemed to have a blast and new friendships were formed. I spent time with Ken Pankeiwicz's team before our evening seminar back down in Slough, before being treated to a home-cooked meal by his lovely wife Anne-Marie. A nice treat! The next morning, Rich Green from Coventry came and picked me up and we headed back north to one of my favourite English cities. A packed seminar last night, in Canly, was a load of fun and that brings me to the present, where I sit in the Old Mill hotel eating breakfast and posting this blog before my friend Tony Terranova (if ever I write a fiction novel I am using his name) comes to take me back to the beautiful Cotswalds.
Featured pic - some of the Coventry boys. A hard and dedicated bunch!
best wishes all,
JBW

PS: My friend Mick Tully (far left) seems somewhat distracted ... proving once again he that he needs Al Peasland to keep in him in line!

While the Volcano sleeps ...

Earlier this year I was turned back from my seminar tour to the UK- by the icelandic Volcano god. Everyone has re-scheduled and now that the competition is over, I am off to finish what I started back in April. So tomorrow afternoon, I head to Singapore, run one seminar there on Saturday for my Singaporean BJJ friends - and then it's off to the UK on Saturday night. I am really looking forward to having dinner with my friends in Singapore on Saturday - the food there, just can't be beat! Awesome!
On Sunday, I arrive in London an hour or so before dawn. I will be picked up by the early rising Lincolnshire BJJ crew - and we'll head to the mat for a seminar around lunchtime. I am looking forward to meeting Dan Wait - who runs the school there.
On Monday, I'll be getting together with my friend ken Pankeiwicz and his lovely wife Anne-Marie. I'll work out with their instructors for an hour or so before I run a seminar for their larger student body. The day after, my good friend and blue belt from Coventry, Rich Green will come get me and we'll head north to one of my favourite places. After training there on Tuesday, I'll head to the beautiful Cotswalds to stay with the heart-warming Terranova family - (Tony T is one of Geoff Thompsons longest training students - a true gentleman and a natural comedian). On thursday my plan is to head up to Manchester with Tony's student MArk Collett and hook up with BJJ brown belt, Adam Adshead. Adam is a great guy and always hosts a great seminar. I'll hang with Adam that night as I will be teaching at Dave KAri's school in Manchester the next evening - this will be my first visit to Dave's school - although I have met him before at Adam's and he seems like an awesome coach. The day after (Saturday) I'll be teaching in DOncaster for MMA fighter and nice guy, Danny Mitchell - after which, I'll head back to Coventry for a late dinner with my mate Geoff Thompson. After my annual walk, talk and chow-down with Geoff, I'll catch a few hours sleep at the wondrous Coombe Abbey before hitting the mat with Geoff's brother-in-law, Al Peasland. Al and his partner, Mick Tully are great martial artists, who I spent some time with last visit. After that, it's across the pond to Norway to visit my friend kenneth Fjeld, who I spent some time with earlier this year when I was teaching for Chuck Norris in vegas. I am looking forward to visiting with my Norwegian friends again, and as a bonus, I have been promised a home-cooked meal by Kenneths lovely wife, Elin. The it'll be back home on the wednesday - arriving thursday - just in time for a 12 hour stint with my family, before heading to Perth for the weekend.
YIKES!
I'll post as I go - but there it is in a nutshell. My apologies for intermittent blogging on this trip - it will largely depend on internet access as I go.
Warmest wishes
JBW

PS: Rigan Machado has been here at my house all week - he and I go back some 23 years - he is really family - and the only person who seems to scare him, is my wife Melissa. In fact, he is my back-up for class tonight, as I have to take my boy Felix to his annual school speech night. Nice back-up. Thanks Rigan. What a pal!

The BJJ Black Belt

I am often asked what it takes to be a BJJ Black Belt? My guess is that people see the BJJ Black Belt as an iconic martial arts achievement – worthy of serious respect and admiration. When I am asked this question, I am sure that most are enquiring largely about the physical and technical requirements – but for me, this is only a part of the puzzle ….
For me, the complete answer to this question is not a simple one – but one thing is certain; a Black Belt in BJJ, or any system for that matter, is not, in and of itself, something that should automatically engender respect or admiration. I have known Black Belts who are rude, obnoxious, ego-driven people; who in my opinion do not deserve anywhere near the amount of respect they themselves think they deserve. On the flip side, I know many white belts who are courteous, thoughtful, respectful and considerate of others. A belt shouldn’t engender respect or admiration – that is a misguided concept; ultimately, it is the person wearing the belt that earns or fails to earn, respect and admiration.
As Rigan Machado re-iterated to me yesterday – the Machado credo is simple: “Leave your ego at the door.”
From my perspective, the Black Belt should be a mark, not only of physical prowess and understanding but of good character and good standing in the community. Martial art training, and in my view BJJ training in particular, should engender a well-rounded, wholesome and fulfilling lifestyle; as well as a fundamental respect for other people. The archetypal warrior, has at his core, a desire to serve and protect; a credo that is born out of his respect for others.
Personally, and in the simplest of terms, I think a Black Belt should leave the world a better place for having had he or she living in it. In a ideal scenario, a Black Belt should be the complete package. A Black Belt should be someone who sets a higher standard – in all things. In short, a Black Belt should be personify a standard of excellence.
JBW

BJJ All-Blacks

Two decades ago, it would have been almost impossible to imagine this scene - Rigan Machado, myself and sixteen 2nd generation Black Belts all together in one room. Nice.
It was a joy to be on the mat with such a pool of talent. Rigan ran a very informative seminar and all went away with much food for thought. He focussed on the dismantling of an opponents grips and controls, before initiating the guard pass. On the flip-side, he trained everyone in repid guard transitions, designed to keep the opponent from establishing a pre-pass control. Feedback from the Black Belts and other high grades has been excellent - thank you all who took the time to send the positive e-mails.
Rigan and I hit the mat this morning for a bit before heading out to get another interval-training session under my belt. I am still wobbling on my knee a little, after my recent op, but have managed to get through most of today without too much trouble. Time for a quick bite - and an attempt to let my 'still racing' metabolism settle a bit (after the work-out) before we head into my school for the Novice BJJ class. With the competition behind us now, my household can take a bit of a breather ... more to come.
JBW

That time of year again ...

What a day. Even though registrations for our annual Gathering (the Will_Machado Asia Pacific Championships) officially closed this morning, I am still getting requests for late-entry ... as a result I havn't been able to head to my class tonight and must stay home and manually enter the late-comers into a draw that has already been done. Running tournaments for a living is not a choice I would willingly make. This is a load of work.

On a positive note though - this years Gathering is turning out to be our best yet. We'll have six mats running - and are highly organized with the brackets, the referee teams and the division starting times. Hopefully, it will all ru smoothly. Every year we get lots of feedback from people commenting that it is the best run tournament they have ever attended ... this year, we hope to improve it yet again.

When I finalize the draw, hopefully by late this evening - I'll hit the hay, before getting up at dawn to head to Melbounre to pick up Rigan MAchado from the airport. I wil then try to convince Rigan to come and join in my 30 minute 'tabata protocol-styled' workout, before getting down to the last minute pre-comp details. This will be my last blog until after the comp is done.

Saturday: Competition
Sunday: Rigan is conducting seminars in Melbourne
Monday Morning: Tabata workout - then on the mat with RIgan.
Monday Night: Hitting the mat at my school.

That's all for today - best of luck to all competing this weekend. My advice, have fun and 'be yourself' -learn from the experience and make a few new friends.

Best wishes
JBW

Adaptation is the Enemy

I heard my good friend TAHI REIHANA, say this last week ‘Adaptation is the Enemy’ – and I agree completely. This is an interesting notion. My friend was talking in the context of athletic performance – meaning (in the broadest of terms) that once you adapt to a particular exercise your mind/body will cease to make those changes that allow you to better cope with that exercise – so in short, if we want to keep changing (improving) then we need to change the demands to we cannot easily adapt (and get comfortable).
I think the same mechanism is in play in other aspects of our lives. In an exercise regime – most everyone ‘settles’ they do not continue to look for more and different challenges that keeps them in a state of growth (adaption). I think most people buy their house – get used to paying the mortgage – sigh with relief and remain in that situation for a very long time. Perhaps the same thing can be said of employment and many other things.
Now I am not saying that ‘settling’ is necessarily bad – I think that there is a lot to be said for being ‘content’ – especially when it comes to being happy – but it is just worth noting that we all put in effort (outside of our comfort zones) to achieve a certain level (in anything) and then we settle. It is very much worth noting, that if we have put in that effort, whilst being uncomfortable, before, then if we choose/want to – we are capable of doing so again – and moving on from where we are.

I didn’t put this across as well as I could. I only have a few minutes this morning before I need to be somewhere. But I hope you glean the idea. Of course, the same thinking applies on the mat. Adaptation is the Enemy – think about it.

JBW

The GATHERING Looms ...

it's been a pretty busy week this week - at least in my household. Melissa and I are pulling together to complete the last tasks in the lead-up to the 2010 Will-MAchado BJJ GATHERING. A lot goes on behind-the-scenes to bring an event like this into being; and although, it's hard work, the fruits are certainly worthwhile. We are closing in on 300 entries so far - and are expecting a lot more this weekend. The cut-off for our new online entry system is 0800 thursday morning (September 9th).
I spoke to Rigan Machado two days ago and he is excited about making yet another trip downunder. He will be conducting his GAME-KILLER seminars at Dominance Academy in Richmond on the Sunday following the competition - a 10:00 am start for blue belts and higher - a 12:30pm start for white belts, finishing at 2:30pm. We are all very much looking forward to it.

I myself have two operations in the last five weeks but am making a strong recovery. I did some Tabata-style training this week and seem to be holding up. I am doing rehab work and am looking forward to increasing my level of mat-activity over the next month.

On another personal front, my eldest son Ronin, has just left hospital after a 20 week stay. He is doing very well and getting fitter in preparation for another open heart surgery in two to three weeks time; when he will go a valve replacement, that he needs, due to an infection he caught whilst in hospital. Thanks to all those people who sent us their best wishes; your thoughts were much appreciated.

I'm really looking forward to this years Gathering and the chance to catch up with the many friends I have made over the past 25 years of spreading BJJ throughout Australia and New Zealand. This year is my 23rd anniversary of BJJ practice. Back when I started, no-one thought (myself included) that this art would enjoy the growth and evolution it has. Back in '87, when I was the first and only non-brazilian training in Rio, I remember thinking 'no-one will want to practise this art' - how wrong I was! For me, back then, it was a purely personal decision that drove me to the mat. I fell in love with the art and immediately recognised how amazing it was - but I was still living in a martial arts landscape almost wholly inhabited by stand-up fighters. It was a battle; a real fight, to bring about awareness and build interest in BJJ - and although I had no money, no plan and no idea how I would convince others to take up this wonderful style of training, I pushed on and have never once regretted doing so.

So here we are, 23 years on - and the 2010 Gathering is growing in leaps and bounds. Old friends and new friends alike, I'll see you there.
Best wishes
JBW

PIC: With good friends Renzo GRacie and Renato Magno back in Rio - late 80's.