Now that the World’s are over, we’re starting on a new competition season.  I know Molly’s been working hard at getting you ready for an event coming up in August; that’s fantastic!  With little gi work, I’m impressed how well some of you did with it on!

With such a strong no gi background, I’m sure you all will continue to kick but in that area…I plan on having you become beats at both parts to the game!  As most of you know, I’m part of Team Lloyd Irvin.  I’ve been promoted entirely under Shawn Hammons, Lloyd Irvin black belt and No Gi World Pan American and 2x Gi Pan American Champion.  He’s an absolute beast on the mats and I can’t wait to introduce you to him.  I spent last weekend working on some basic gi technique videos with him that I’d like you to start working on now…just a few to get the ball rolling.

Take some time and work through each one, beginning with the grip systems, all the way through a basic toreando pass.  We’ll start with this stuff when I get there in August!  Not to worry, we’ll still focus our attention on No Gi training; I’ve got an 8-man pro invite tournament in October that I’ll need your help getting ready for too!

Don’t hesitate to shoot me an email or Facebook message if you have any questions about this stuff! davidgreilly@gmail.com.

See ya soon!

As many of you know, the past year has been a tough one for me. Numerous injuries, life threatening ones at that, forced me to take some time off training. And, if that weren’t enough, my fiancé and I broke up the night before I left for the Pan Ams this year. Trying to get my mind “right” for competition was next to impossible; or so I thought.

I lost my first round match at the Pans. I replayed it over and over again in my head. I didn’t perform even remotely close to my full potential. I’m not taking anything away from my opponents victory; Seth Smith is a GREAT competitor. In fact, he’s Ryan Hall’s top brown belt. He walked through everyone else, right up to the finals. But, that has nothing to do with my poor performance.

Looking back over my 7 years of competitive jiu jitsu history, no one would argue that I haven’t won my fair share of tournaments. I have 2 Pan American medals (bronze at the 2009 No Gi Pans and a silver at the 2010 Pans), I’ve beaten some of the regions top brown and even black belts at super fights and invite tournaments in KY, OH and IN. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that when a competitor sees my name in his bracket, he knows he’s in for a tough match.

All that said, I’ve also lost, a lot. I’ve experienced defeat as much as I have victory. I’ve gone through periods in my competitive career where it was months and several tournaments before I won even a single match! What kept me going? Why didn’t I quit?

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t prefer winning to losing. Anyone that says otherwise is crazy.

Thomas Edison made over a thousand attempts before he found the cotton filament used in the first lightbulb. I wonder how many times people called him crazy? I wonder how many skeptics he had?

The trick to making it in this competitive game–remaining emotionally smooth and steady…like a Cadillac. I literally repeat that sentiment in my head, over and over, before a match. I don’t allow myself to be overly joyous in victory or depressed in defeat. Smooth and steady, just like a Cadillac…

Psychological pressure can absolutely KILL an incredibly talented competitor. You CAN’T let the pressure get to you. When I watch the greats like Marcelo Garcea, Pablo Popovitch and even my team mate, JT Torres, I see them all living by this mantra…smooth and steady like a Cadillac baby!

This year has been abnormally challenging for me. A little over 8 months ago I contracted VRSA, an incredibly serious staff infection. I came dangerously close to loosing my leg, not to mention my life. The thought of potentially being forced to give up jits was absolutely daunting to say the least. What would life be like without mat burn, ring worm, athletes foot and cauliflower ear? A life not worth living!

Luckily, I had an amazing medical team that refused to give up. Most physicians said they would have taken my leg long before my infectious disease specialists waited and searched for a cure. Even though I escaped amputation, my hospital stint left me 20 lbs lighter and incredibly weak. The ONLY upside–I was able to compete at Pena (soooo not worth it!).

Coming back from that injury was tough; physically and mentally. But, I’m back to my normal weight now (Leve) and stronger then ever, ready to do damage again this year! Much like my doctors, I refused to let adversity stand in my way. I refused to give up.

Jiu Jitsu, with its love-hate, bitter-sweet relationship, teaches us so much about life. When trials and tribulations come your way do you stand up and fight, or, do you tuck your tail between your legs and run the opposite direction?

In the 2009 Pan Ams I was down by 5 points with less then 45 seconds to go in the quarter finals. I absolutely refused to quit and ended up coming back with a sweep, guard pass and buzzer beating knee on belly to take the win! Check out the match below…and remember, “Hard work always beats talent when talent refuses to work hard.” -Lloyd Irvin.

We have some big events coming up for Team Shawn Hammonds/Lloyd Irvin.  February 26th we’ll be at the Chicago Open where I’ll be competing in the brown belt, leve division.  In preparation, we’ve been pounding out two-a-days; strength and conditioning in the mornings at LAC (www.louisvilleathleticclub.com) and BJJ training in the evenings at Derby City MMA (www.derbycitymma.com).  Then…the World’s in June!  I’m still holding firm to my goal–bringing home some hardware, becoming a 2011 World Champion!

Have you been staying true to your goals?  Are you preparing to hit them?  Remember, hard work always beats talent when talent refuses to work hard.

As always, if you want more information on private lessons and you live in the Louisville, KY area feel free to email me at davidgreilly@gmail.com!

Unfortunately, it seems that lethargy keeps most BJJ competitors from reaching their true potential.  Every athlete hits “walls” or “humps” at some point in their quest to make black belt (or win the worlds/pan ams/both).  The question is, what pushes some to over come those hurdles and press on towards the goal ahead?

Shear determination; an absolute refusal to quit.  For a coach, nothing is more frustrating than seeing someone with god-given athletic talent but refuses to work hard.  This sport is a difficult one.  At some point, defeat WILL come.  How you handle that defeat ultimately is a statement to your true character.

Will you quit at the first sign adversity?  Maybe not.  Will you quit at the 100th, or 1000th sign of adversity, however?  This is where your drive and true determination are put to the test.

It took Thomas Edison over 1000 attempts before he found the cotton filament for the light bulb.  Would you have blamed him if he quit after the first attempt…probably.  But, what about after the 800th attempt?  I think most would agree that they probably would have thrown in the towel and thought they were crazy for even trying.

Adversity didn’t stop Edison, or Einstein, or Jordan (who admittedly missed WAY more shots than he made in his career).

My challenge for you in 2011 is to pick a BJJ goal (get your blue/purple/brown/black belt, win a local tournament, win/place at the Pan Ams/Worlds, etc) and stick to it.  Let it be the driving force for your classroom training.

I’ll go first: my goal for 2011 is to place as a brown belt in the World’s this year.  My 2010 goal was to place at the Pan Ams as a purple belt…and I did it, taking home a silver medal.

I’d love to hear what some of your goals are.  Please feel free to reply back and share with me so I can help keep you accountable!

And remember, if you need a little help and you live in the Louisville, KY area feel free to contact me at davidgreilly@gmail.com for info on private lessons.  If I’m not easily accessible, sign up for our online BJJ program at www.bjjschool.com and get your first 30 days FREE!

See you on the mat!

David

Even though the trip was long–and the jet lag was fierce–it was well worth the voyage. We spent several days just exploring the beautiful, serene countryside that Oz is famous for. We even had the opportunity to take a Vineyard tour! If you’d like to see some pics feel free to check out my facebook page by visiting this link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=6082&id=100001878661914&l=ab056d0807

I also had the opportunity to train with Michael Toyoma, Pan Pacific brown belt champion.  He was a beast!

I have a super fight scheduled October 16th against a great competitor, Justin Christopher, at the Bluegrass Open!  The format on this match is a little different but will be exciting to watch; no points, no time limit…submission only!

The two of us are going to battle it out until one of us gives up!

The event starts at 11 AM and is at the Basketball Academy (on Stanley Gault Parkway).  Only $5 for spectators.  If you own or run a business and are interested in sponsoring me, email me at davidgreilly@gmail.com!

Hope to see you there!

Here are a couple helpful pointers when it comes to taking privates:

1. Bring a notepad.  Treat your BJJ/MMA game just like you would any other educational activity.  Could you imagine a college student that went to class every day but failed to take any notes?  Sounds stupid doesn’t it?  The same goes for the BJJ student that shows up to class everyday empty handed.
2. Keep a consistent routine.  Take as many as your pocket book allows.  The more you immerse yourself in BJJ knowledge and practice, the better you’ll become.  Try not to take any less then 1 private per week.
3. Work with a credible teacher.  Nothing’s worse then seeing someone teach privates that has absolutely no business doing so.  If your head instructor has a free-for-all management technique then pick someone (if not the main instructor) that is AT LEAST a belt level above you.  Keep in mind, the higher the belt level, the more it usually costs.
4. Don’t skimp.  Like everything else in life, you get what you pay for when it comes to private lessons.  Good instructors will charge anywhere from $30-$100 per session depending on skill level, duration of training and amount of sessions purchased.  Personally, I charge $500 for a package of 10 sessions or $60 per session if you purchase them individually.
5. Don’t share.  Unlike playground rules, sharing privates is bad.  If you and a training partner want to set up privates together then tell your instructor and see if he minds that you attend together.  Odds are he’ll cut you a deal and probably keep the payment structure the same…I know I do.  Don’t be “that guy” and sign up for private sessions with the intention of showing your closest friend for free (or charging him half of what you pay).  Odds are you’ll show him wrong and you’ll both end up making bad habits.

If you live in or around Louisville, KY and would like more info on private lessons or to schedule a session, feel free to contact me at davidgreilly@gmail.com.

P.S. If you want a less expensive alternative to one-on-one private lessons then check out our online training program with hundreds of hours of BJJ curriculum at www.bjjschool.com.  It’s only $9.99/mo…and we let you check it out your first 30 days FREE!

Keep on rollin’!

David