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| Group shot after my seminar in Nova Friburgo at Academia Fight Co. |
I
am struggling to write out this weeks blog, not because of a lack of
eventfulness but because it is hard to put to words the amazing
experience of this week. It was truly a fun filled week with many new
adventures. This past Saturday (the 19th) I had the
opportunity to teach a wrestling seminar at Academia Fight Co. in
Nova Friburgo, a small city about 140 km north of Rio. The gym, ran
by Anderson Franca, is home to many talented fighters including UFC
striking phenom Edson Barboza. Nicole and I went up a couple of days
early to enjoy a mini-vacation and some R&R.
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| The view from Alex's farm. |
On
Thursday morning Nicole and I packed up our bags hopped a bus to the
Rodavario (Rio's main bus station) and took a coach bus about 2 hours
north to Cachoeiras
de Macacu, where we were picked up by Alex Davis and taken to his
farm. For those who don't know, Alex is a judo and BJJ blackbelt and
manager to some of the biggest fighters in MMA. Besides being a
figure in the martial arts world he is a strong advocate for
environmental conservation and has his property set up as a pristine
natural environment. His 7.8 million square yard farm, much of it
Atlantic Rain Forest, was breath taking. Nicole and I spent our
mornings laying in a hammock, reading, and sitting down to a
Brazilian style breakfast (breads, cheeses, fruits, granola, and of
course coffee). On Friday afternoon Alex's brother Andy, who is an
ecologist in the U.S., took us along a trail up through the jungle.
As we hiked he explained the wildlife and history of the area. One of
the more interesting things was their water system, which used a
piping and filter system working with the change in elevation to
bring water from the nearby mountain stream and into the house. So
the water we drank from the tap was pure mountain water, no chemicals
added. Our final destination was a large waterfall about 100 feet
high, that cascaded into a large pool. We took the chance to swim,
sit under the water fall and enjoy the refreshing mountain water.
Friday evening Alex and I went out into his outdoor dojo (yes that's
right Alex has an outdoor dojo) and rolled. We started first at a
flow and then picking up the pace. Being an accomplished judoka one
of the first things I noticed with Alex's game was his grip game. He
has a great feeling for changes in pressure and adjustments, which
made hand fighting and rolling fun. We spent the better part of an
hour transitioning from position to position and enjoying the arte
suave. I have to say rolling in an outdoor dojo, surrounded by jungle
and mountains was one the coolest and most fun experiences I have had
so far in my BJJ journey.
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| Rolling with Alex in his dojo. |
Soon
after we finished rolling a thunderstorm hit and after dinner we sat
out and watched lighting light up the night sky. The silhouette of
the mountains against the bright flashes of lightning was one of
those sights that makes you stand in awe of the world around you. I
went to bed listening to the sound of rain and the rushing river
nearby. On Saturday morning the sun was up bright and I got some yoga
in outside on their stone patio. After a relaxed breakfast Alex and I
headed down to the river for a swim. The water was cool and
refreshing, and so clean you could drink straight from the river. We
sunned ourselves on the rock, talking BJJ and life. Over the course
of the two days at the farm one of the best things was Alex's
stories. He had stories from the old school days of judo and BJJ in
Brazil, about the history of Brazil, and some far out stories of some
of the things he has seen living in the jungle. Next Nicole and I
packed our bags and took a bus to Nova Friburgo, a 30 minute ride
winding through the mountains. Alex's daughter, Michele, and her
husband Anderson picked us up and took us to their gym. The gym was
very nice. The upper level has a nice weight room and the lower level
has a large mat space and full sized boxing ring. After a quick lunch
we headed back to the gym for the seminar. The seminar went great and
I had 29 fighters show up. The seminar lasted around 2.5 hours, going
over positions for grappling and MMA, both attacks and counters.
Everyone seemed to pick up the techniques fast and the time flew by.
Afterwords we had a quick meal of fresh fruit and juice. That night
Anderson, who is a huge sushi enthusiast, made platters—yes
platters, of sushi. We spent the night eating sushi and watching the
UFC fights.
Sunday
afternoon we headed to the bus station and traveled back Rio. The
trip was an amazing one, one that is hard to describe. I made new
friends, had new experiences and above all had a chance to stop and
think about my goals and direction I want to move in. I am starting
this week with a new sense of inspiration and motivation, knowing
that if I continue to work hard many more great things are yet to
come.
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