Blue Belt

Last night I was awarded my Blue Belt by Andrew Smith. He has been my instructor and friend for almost three years. I feel very fortunate to have him as an instructor. When I met him, I was going through a very tough time in my life. I had just gotten divorced and laid off from my work. Andrew got me to come in and try a class out just to see if it might be something that I might want to take up. During my first class, I threw up; but I got right back to training and finished the class out. I was hooked! Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu allowed me to "let go" of the ouside world and just focus on training. You really cannot think about anything but training otherwise you will get hurt.

Over the past 3 years, I have trained pretty consistently; although there are times that I took away from training, but after some prodding by Andrew, I got right back to it.

I am by no means the greatest athlete in the world, but I have a pretty solid work ethic and will not quit on anything.

I was really happy that my great friends Trey Martin, Brian & Chrissy Linzy, Big Mark Pushinsky, Vince Newton, Lo, Greg Hoder, and others were there to share this great day with me.

Andrew, Trey & Vince each threw me as part of the traditional promotion.

It meant the world to me that Andrew and Trey each said very nice things about me. Trey is another one of my instructors, and I train occasionally at his school.

Through Jiu-Jitsu, I have found not only good instruction, friends, but also a family and I would do anything for anyone of them.