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The Super Bowl is on and I’m working on logos. Passion pushes us in all sorts of directions and today it pushes me away from the T.V. I’m actually working on two logos, one academy logo and one specifically for jiu-jitsu that will feature the octopus.

It’s funny how when you enjoy doing something, it doesn’t feel like work. We need to make our lives like that–at least I do. I’d like the life where nothing seems like work, and you accomplish all your goals while playing to your passions.

I’ve been using this blog as a kind of sounding board; a way to get what’s inside my brain, out, so I apologize if sometimes things are disjointed and all over the place, that’s basically an insight into the inner workings of my brain–sad huh?

Once the West Side Classic Tournament is completed and I have some time, I would like to dedicate some of my attention to getting the Tap or Die company off the ground. I’d like to do the whole T-shirt thing, but I want it to be much more than that. One of the ideas I had was to do an on-line comic book featuring some of the jiu-jitsu characters I’ve created like the TOD Squad and also MatRat (a rat who discovers jiu-jitsu and how it changes him).

I’m posting the mission statement I wrote for Tap or Die when I first started this blog as a reminder of where we’er going:

1. Tap or Die will make cool shit for jiu-jitsu guys/girls
2. Tap or Die will represent jiu-jitsu
3. Tap or Die will always be anti-meat-head
4. Tap or Die will respect technique first and foremost
5. Tap or Die will always support humble fighters
6. Tap or Die will not follow the pack
7. Tap or Die will promote jiu-jitsu at all times
8. Tap or Die will be respectful, but never afraid to choke a mofo
9. Tap or Die will only employ jiu-jitsu practitioners
10. Tap or Die will win by submission, not by points

With jiu-jitsu I feel like one of these guys with the hyenas. I feel powerful, I feel like a badass, but unlike these guys I feel humble. My jiu-jitsu is hidden, not paraded about to intimidate people, not chained and muzzled because it may become unruly. My jiu-jitsu is a lap dog with sharp teeth, one that’s docile, but dangerous.

I have a problem with people who use jiu-jitsu like a pet hyena, who brandish their jiu-jitsu like a wild animal on a chain. Jiu-jitsu is not a weapon of intimidation; it’s freedom—freedom from fear.

Vision: I here you’re supposed to have one for your business. When I think of visions I think of Tahca Ushte, a Lakota medicine man who died in 1976; he had a vision, more than one I think.

As far as my business goes, I have a vision, but it has nothing to do with eagles like Tahca Ushte’s. My vision has more to do with people. My vision is to have a jiu-jitsu school that helps people re-invent themselves.

I know it sounds a little cheesy, but I think that’s what we do when we learn, especially jiu-jitsu, or MMA. We get broken down, our ego is systematically taken apart until we are left with a core so to speak, and then slowly we start putting ourselves back together. The beauty of it is: we are the ones restructuring ourselves; we are the ones who can re-invent us.

So my vision is simple, I want to create a place, a sanctuary, a safe spot, where people can come, and through jiu-jitsu re-invent themselves. That’s it, that’s my vision, to create a space where people can come to make themselves greater than they already are.

Heel Hook Harry: everyone thinks he’s dirty, but he’s really sophisticated and intelligent (kind of like the heel hook).

*Is it me or does Heel Hook Harry remind you of Chris Anderson–Sorry Chris.

These dudes are turning out a little scarrier than I intended, but my son likes them so hey, I’ll just keep going.

Tonight after class, while changing out of my gi, I witnessed the most frightening, and horrific sight that these eyes have ever witnessed, something that will haunt me for the rest of my days, something so disturbing and grotesque I can barely bring myself to write about it. There, in the finely sewn crotch of my gi pants, lie a shit stain. Yep, a Hershey squirt, a skid mark, the chocolate inch-worm. I couldn’t believe it, I thought for an instant to smell it to make sure, but I just couldn’t do it.

What the hell? How did this shit happen? (pun intended). In twelve years of doing jiu-jitsu I have never had a poop stain on my gi—never. The irony is, during class, we were talking about poop stains and lo’ and behold unbeknownst to me, I had a poop stain of my own. I must have had a tremendous wedgie or something because how in the hell could I get a poop stain through my boxers?

Now that I think about it, it must be karma. Yes that’s it, it’s karma for mocking the sacred sloth and it’s month long poop-a-thon. I know that’s it. Sorry Mr. Sloth.

Why am I writing about this? Why am I putting my shame out to the universe? Well, because I’m human and humans sometimes leave poop stains on their clothing and also to remind myself that shit happens, and when shit happens we have to deal with it.

*I’ve got to go down stairs and add more bleach to my load.

I would also like to let my students and training partners know that I will make sure that I have a clean bum before I step a foot on the mat. God bless, and all hail to the sacred sloth.

Yep, Matt, he’s a devil. He’s a red devil to be more percise. He’s also known as Rear Naked Choke, but he prefers Matt. It’s more traditional than Rear. Matt A. Leao, he’s a devil when he’s around your neck.

The other day my daughter told me it takes a sloth one month to poop–no wonder the sloth is so slow, they’re full of shit.

I always use the sloth as a example of how fast I want guys to train.
“Be like a sloth; slow down,” I say. The slow sloth, technical and full of poop will always slay the tiger.

Go slow, use technique, be like a sloth, and when it’s time to face the tiger you’ll be ready.

This weekend West Side’s kids’ are participating in our Mat Monkey Tournament. It’s basically a practice tournament we have against our friends at Foley’s MMA. It gives our kids a chance to train against other kids and a chance to feel what a tournament is like–it’s invaluable, and more importantly it’s fun.

In February will be hosting a major kids’ jiu-jitsu tournament (The West Side Classic) and our Mat Monkey’s Tourney is a chance to tune up.

Kids’ are amazing to watch, they are the worlds most humble teachers; they teach us by what they do and how they act. if you come, you may learn something–something priceless.

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