(In BJJ) "Either You Win or You Learn. H Gracie.
That famous quote is from one of the founder of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and it applies to my situation today.
I went to compete for the first time in 10 months and unfortunately I lost OR should I say FOTUNATELY.
I had to think the whole day to find an answer to that difficult question.
I got the answer in a form of a quote from a motivational speaker call B Alsbrook: Champions don't make excuses, THEY MAKE ADJUSTMENTS!
I am a champion who is now experiencing one of the biggest challenge he can face, to "officially win in a mediocre wa OR TO TAKE THE RISK TO GROW AND EVENTUALLY LOSE BECAUSE OF THAT.
The second option is an official LOSS, BUT IS THE STEPPING STONE OF WHAT I AM ON THE VERGE OF BECOMING.
I explain myself, as a White & Blue Belt I won all the major BJJ competitions in England and was twice European Champion. It was good and my skills and mind set at the time led me to achieve these goals.
As a Purple and now as a Brown belt, I want MORE! I want to be remembered for my technique my style, my knowledge of the ART, NOT FOR MY PHYSICAL PROWESS or passed achievement at a lower level.
So I made a choice, I decided to train to polish my technique and skills and to fight according to my philosophy with no regard to the possible consequences.
Today is one of this day that I feel 1/3 UPSET, ANGRY FOR THE LOSS and 2/3 SATISFIED WITH ME.
SATISFIED??, I am not crazy and haven't smoked either!
I am satisfied because I had a game plan and I executed it, last January I took the decision to be PROUD of doing the right thing, no matter the results.
I want to be risk taker, NOT THE ONE WHO "just" WINS OR WINS BY LUCK.
This is what I did today, I took riskS and it half PAID, On one hand I LOST THE FIGHT, BUT on the other hand I learn very valuable things.
In other words I know what I have to work on in the future and I also know that I improved in my defense, which is a MASSIVE point for me as MY OFFENSE IS MY MAIN ASSET.
Today is one of this day that you can sit and appreciate all the good things you have, how you impact on people, how you are perceived and what else you have to achieve.
Massive thanks to Andy H, Chloe and all the guys who were at Andy birthday meal for the support.
Thanks to my training partners at Icon, Michael D, Dan, Luke,
Charlie, Grace, Tom and my coach Steve...and the others.
Massive thanks to Chris P MY TRAINING PARTNER and congrats for the progress you are making.
BIG, BIG THANKS to Michael F, you are a man of your word, thanks to drive to London with me and support me. In challenging times you get to know people, you are definitely someone to keep close.
OF COURSE BIGGEST THANKS TO MY WIFE SUSANNAH AND MY BOYS MILO AND NOAH. EVERYTHING I DO IS FOR US. LEADING BY EXAMPLE IS THE ONLY WAY TO LEAD AND I UNDERSTAND THAT I NEED YOU TO BE A BETTER, FIGHTER, HUSBAND AND FATHER!
I lost today but I am MOVING FORWARD...
