by Fogel BJJ member: Billy Gordon
My name is Billy Gordon and, as a white belt, I am a small part of the new Jiu Jitsu program at the Sugar Hill E Center. Please let me tell you about it.
If you are bored by your workout, if you don’t enjoy the typical gym environment, if you feel as though “community” wouldn’t describe your fitness journey or are interested in learning a self-defense through functional fitness, I’d like to invite you to visit our program.
There are several reasons I got into Jiu Jitsu. I’m 48 years old and can’t do the things I used to. I’ve run everything from 5K’s to marathons and Tough Mudders to the Half Ironman. I simply can’t run anymore so I was looking for a new way to stay in shape.
Gyms are not my thing. I’m easily bored by lifting heavy things and putting them back down (that’s just me!) and don’t get me started on all the grunting. Aerobics and spin classes are too repetitive to hold my interest for long (that’s just me!) and swimming laps in a pool, though great exercise, always made me feel like a hamster stuck on a wheel (again…maybe that’s just me!).
So…why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and specifically Fogel BJJ?
- A community of people I enjoy being around is a high priority for me. We’re all in the same boat regardless of size, athleticism, age and ability. Fogel BJJ “felt” better to me. I went to other Jiu Jitsu schools and they were very clique-ish, or didn’t laugh and play around, didn’t have a good vibe or frankly weren’t very welcoming. Being a part of something bigger than myself is how I’m wired
- I want to learn something about myself. What are my weaknesses and strengths? What can my body do and not do? Am I a good winner or a bad loser? Can I learn to stand up to negative self-talk? Jiu Jitsu teaches you about yourself and provides a pathway to the person you want to be personally and even professionally. I find myself thinking more strategically, accepting my circumstance more and complaining less, finding ways around obstacles rather than through them and understanding what others are trying to do or where they are coming from. As a manager at work or a dad with teenagers, Jiu Jitsu has actually made me better at both jobs. Weird…I know!!
- I want my workouts to be interesting, to differ day to day and to engage me physically and mentally. Running mile upon mile, riding stationary bikes, ellipticals or doing laps in the pool were only fun depending what distracted me through my waterproof earbuds. I was hardly engaged in my workouts back then. Now, every session is different. I’m focusing on different techniques and trying new moves every day while my partner is doing the same with his “game.” Jiu Jitsu is different every day, mentally and physically engaging every day and, when the lightbulb moments happen, it’s so freaking great!
I haven’t been in a fight since the 6th grade. Again, I’m 48 and not planning on getting into one now. I am glad to know that I am capable of handling an aggressive human should the occasion arise…even if it means pushing the guy away long enough to run. Self defense is about survival NOT beating up someone, but I haven’t talked about the self defense aspect of Jiu Jitsu.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu descends from Japanese Judo. It was developed by Helio Gracie because he was too small and too weak to execute some of the techniques his larger brother, Carlos, was able to do. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu techniques were specifically designed to allow a smaller, weaker person to overcome a larger, more aggressive opponent. It’s ALL about technique, not strength, size, athleticism, age or gender. I’m 185lbs and have tapped out to a 130lb woman…multiple times. She actually giggled at me once when she got me in an arm bar. We both laughed about it afterwards and then she taught me what I needed to correct in my technique. What a great learning experience for me! Technique matters the most, learn from each other and laugh with each other while you’re trying to tap the each other out. Again, weird…I know, but so much fun!
Come check us out if you’re interested in something different, something hard but fun or want to be a part of a true fitness community rather than someone else’s tagline. We have a free trial, so come check it out!
