Success Stories
Kamaran Ali
I remember the very first time I started tradional ju jitsu after having trained for several years I thought I was quite Adept on the ground. Whenever I attended any seminars the standard was never particularly impressive, unfortunately this had the result of me having a belief in my ability that was unjustified, to put it mildly. I had heard about gracie ju jitsu but never actually been to a class. I had never rolled with anyone that was profecient in brazilian ju jitsu. So one day my bubble as with so many other people was going to be burst.
As it happend a good friend of mine had been training at acocks green and had been improving at a rapid rate. However at the time he had not metioned that he was training in BJJ and I could not fathom where the improvement was originating from. Finally after telling me the secret of his success he took me along to a seminar one weekend. To say it was a relevation would be an understatement. I remember quite clearly rolling with a white belt and not being able to tap him out as well as getting easily beaten by the blue and purple belts. I have quite a vivid memory of being helicopter arm barred by Braulio in a few seconds (obviously that last part still hasn’t changed). I remember being amazed at the difference in the levels between the belts. I think for me that seminar sealed the deal. When I could see how good it was possible to become from doing the right sort of training in a particular dicipline such as BJJ I decided it was definitely something I wanted to do and was going to give it my best shot.
When I started training in BJJ it was like a drug, you quite literally couldn’t train enough, there just aren’t enough hours in the day. Unfortunately due to injury I stopped for nearly a year and at the time after putting on someweight and losing alot of condition I thought I better get back to it, I deeply regret not getting back to training sooner, as I recall on the first day I came back I was armbarred 3 times in 5 minutes by someone I could beat just a year ago. All that did is to drive me to train harder. As I think the great thing about BJJ is that no matter what else is going on in your life for that hour and a half or 3 hours it all fades away, regardless of how distracted you may have been at the start of the session.
Over the years the venues have certainly changed but the style and great atmosphere to train in remains the same, with great techniques being taught in an open and friendly environment.
It is strange how you will always try and fit in extra training where you can and every time you train you will be thinking of the next time you can train, if you lose you will want to get back to mat to see if you can work out why you lost and how you can correct your mistake and if you win you want to get back to the mat to see how many other people you might be able to get the technique to work on.
Training gives me a feeling of satisfaction that you cannot normally get, It is different from going to the gym, playing tennis, swimming or infact anything else you may think off as it is so physical in nature and very direct in the outcome which is also very dependent on your oponents ability, size and strength.
It’s great that because of the addictive nature of training, the people you meet who you may see week in week out and then month in month out to year in year out. The same faces with a new mix of people continually coming through. How over time you can go to training partners to friends.
I would definitely recommend BJJ to anyone it is a great support, excellent for you physical and mental well being as well as giving balance to your life, ensuring you dont work too hard without training equally as hard.
It is definitely something anyone who trains will understand, but anyone who hasn’t stepped onto the mat would wonder what an earth I am talking about?
Thanks
Kam
Nandip Khera
“I joined Gracie Barra Birmingham, approximately 1 year ago at that time my reasoning behind joining the gym was to lose weight and learn some martial arts. I never imagined that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu would have changed and improved my life, so dramatically. After 2 months of joining the gym I have become healthier, fitter, stronger & confident.
With the support and guidance from the instructors I was able to lose approximately 6 stones, after the first couple of months. They all helped me improve my diet and fitness regime.
Furthermore, I have been able to participate in competitions across the UK. My personal trainer and Nutritionist, Jamie Harper, has greatly supported & prepared me mentally & physically for these competitions. To date I am proud to have achieved a silver medal & a bronze medal with the support of everyone at the gym.
Everyone at the gym were really friendly and helpful to me from day one. I do not feel that I would have be able to achieve what I have done to date without the support from the instructors and other gym members. ”
