Tag Archives: inspiration

Adults Jiu Jitsu

Reflecting on my jiujitsu journey by Frank

*2010 IBJJF Adult No-Gi World Champion Blue Belt

*2019 US Open No-Gi Champion Purple Belt (weight class/absolute)

*2019 US Open Gi Champion Purple Belt (weight class/absolute)

*2019 IBJJF Masters Gi World Champion Purple Belt

*2023 IBJJF Sacramento Open Gi Champion Brown Belt

*2023 IBJJF Sacramento Open No-Gi Champion Brown Belt

First of all, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Professor Eliot and every member of El Dorado Hills Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.  I could not ask for a more supportive group of people to train, learn, and grow alongside.  This moment is the result of 15 years of hard work, struggle, and improvement—not just on the mat, but in every part of my life. Writing here today, thinking about accepting my black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I can’t help but reflect on how far I’ve come and how much this journey has shaped me.

I first got into grappling when I joined my high school wrestling team at 14 years old. Growing up in an impoverished, dysfunctional family, with parents who struggled with drugs and alcohol, it often felt like getting their attention or admiration was impossible. I grew up feeling looked down upon.  I was undersized and bullied often.  But wrestling was the first thing I found that made me proud of myself. It gave me something to focus on, something to fight for. I worked incredibly hard, sometimes too hard. I felt like I needed to get good quickly—to earn a scholarship, to leave my family’s lifestyle behind, and to build a future that was different than the one I’d grown up in.

Through my training in wrestling, I was able to do just that.  I placed 3rd in the state of California in High School, and I was able to earn a scholarship to wrestle at the NCAA Division 1 level at UC Davis.  But it wasn’t just about winning matches or earning accolades—it was about proving to myself that I was capable of overcoming my circumstances. That mindset of hard work, persistence, and pushing through adversity carried me through the toughest times in my life.  Wrestling blessed me with so many great mentors and taught me so many extremely valuable life lessons and skills.

After finishing my college career with a body that had taken a lot of abuse, I turned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a way to continue grappling, but with less strain on my body. And I loved it right away. In my very first tournament, I won a IBJJF World Championship at blue belt in the adult division.  A testament to how great of a coach Eliot is.  The power of the mind is incredible.  I was very nervous about skipping white belt competition completely and competing at the highest level at blue belt in my first competition, but Eliot just kept re-stating that I was more than capable of winning the tournament.  I started to believe him and just went out there and competed with a level of confidence I never had before.  I then went on to train for the IBJJF Gi World Championships but at the US Open I injured my MCL and meniscus.  I received my purple belt just after this injury.  After surgery on that knee, they discovered I also had a torn ACL from my time wrestling in college.  I was forced to take a full year off from all athletics to recover from 2 knee surgeries that year.  

After my time rehabilitating , my body felt better than it had all through college.  I was able to lift and train at a level I hadn’t in many years.  With renewed hope my focus shifted from BJJ back to wrestling.  Although I had a very successful college career, it did not end the way I wanted it too.  And after graduating college, I did not have the financial support to continue to pursue Olympic level wrestling, so instead I entered the work force.  I became a teacher and a wrestling coach.  It was perfect for me, and I enjoyed being able to give back to the next generation of students and athletes.  But with each passing year the hunger to compete again grew.  I felt like I had a lot still to prove.   I began to compete in the age-level national championships initially as a way to challenge myself after recovering from my ACL surgery.  It went great.  I won my first national championship.  Then proceeded to win it for the next 3 years.  My training in BJJ was very limited over these 4 years as I focused on teaching and improving in wrestling.  Then here comes coach Eliot again.  Getting in my ear, building up the idea that I could be an Olympian after 10 plus years away from the sport.  He made me determined to make the 2016 US National Team and qualify for the Olympics. At 34 years old, I was no spring chicken, but I was determined to prove I could be competitive at the highest levels of the sport.  My training in BJJ was non-existent at this time and Eliot still stayed late in the evening after his BJJ classes to train with me in Freestyle wrestling and continue to offer training guidance he didn’t have to provide.  

Although I fell short of making the team, I proved to myself that I could compete at the highest levels of the sport. I may not have reached the Olympics, but the experience taught me the value of perseverance. However, my body was starting to give out. A nagging back injury made even walking difficult, and I realized it was time to step away from the competitive side of wrestling and focus on rehabilitating my body again.  My daughter was born at this time and my duties as a father shifted my focus to my family and recovery.  

Although it took a great deal of time, I once again felt like I could make a return to grappling and begin training in BJJ.  When I returned as a purple belt, I found great success once again, winning 4 gold medals at the US Open and following that up with gold at the IBJJF World Championship in the Masters Division at purple belt.  Shortly after, I was promoted to brown belt, and I was eager to continue my growth in the sport. But then, the pandemic hit. For a time, there was no training, no contact, and no competitions. My focus shifted to my family—my son was born during this time, and my kids became my primary focus. But I didn’t give up on my journey. Even though my mat time was limited, I studied more technique videos than ever, refining my game and developing a deeper understanding of Jiu-Jitsu.

Along the way, I dealt with more injuries—a bicep rupture surgery and a bad concussion slowed my training. But I kept going, and eventually, I returned to competition winning double gold at the Sacramento Open at Brown Belt.

Reflecting on my journey, one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that, due to my upbringing, I always felt I had to rush to get good. I was driven by a sense of urgency—if I didn’t make it quickly, I feared I’d miss my chance. That mindset worked for a time, and it helped me to get to a high level, but it also came at a cost. My body paid the price for that intensity. But Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has taught me a better approach. It has shown me that “consistency beats intensity.” I’ve learned to train with a longer-term view, to pace myself and focus on sustainable growth. As a result, my body stays healthier, I miss less training, and I am able to continue learning and improving.

This black belt is not just a reflection of my abilities, but a reflection of my journey—the struggles, the injuries, the setbacks, and, most importantly, the lessons learned along the way. I have come to understand that Jiu-Jitsu is not just a sport; it’s a way of life. It’s a journey of continuous improvement, a journey that doesn’t end at black belt but continues for the rest of my life.

I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has been part of my journey. To my coaches, thank you for your unwavering belief in me, for your guidance, and for pushing me when I needed it most. To my training partners, you’ve been my teachers, my challengers, and my motivators. Every roll has been a lesson in perseverance, and I am thankful for each one. To my family, especially my wife and children, thank you for your support and understanding, for your patience during the times when I wasn’t able to be fully present because of training.  And thank you most for the unconditional love you give me.

And to my friends, my teammates, and the BJJ community at large, thank you for the camaraderie and for inspiring me to be better every day. We are all in this together, and that spirit of community is what has kept me going through the toughest times.

As I approach the day of accepting this black belt, I know that my journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is far from over. This is not the end—it’s the beginning of a new chapter. There is always more to learn, more to teach, and more to share. I look forward to continuing this journey, to passing on the knowledge I’ve gained, and to helping others grow as I’ve grown.

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for being part of this incredible journey. It has helped me to improve as a father, a husband, a teacher, and a coach.  I am honored, humbled, and grateful to be in the place I am here today.

Thank you.

Adults Jiu Jitsu

Jon’s Journey to Gold: Triumph at the IBJJF World Masters

At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, perseverance, hard work, and resilience are the core values that define our community. These principles were exemplified by Jon’s remarkable achievement at the IBJJF World Masters, where he captured gold in the brown belt Master 5 division. This victory is not just a testament to his skill on the mats, but also to his unwavering determination and the obstacles he overcame to reach this pinnacle.

Last year, Jon’s journey at the World Masters ended in disappointment as he fell short of placing. For many, such a setback might have been disheartening, but for Jon, it was a spark that ignited an even greater fire within him. Instead of dwelling on the loss, he used it as motivation, returning to the gym with renewed focus and dedication.

The road to gold was anything but easy. Jon faced numerous challenges, both on and off the mat. Injuries, personal setbacks, and the relentless grind of training at a high level could have derailed his progress. But with the support of his family and teammates at El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, Jon pushed through every obstacle. His journey is a reminder that success is not about the absence of hardship, but about how we respond to it.

Jon’s victory at the World Masters is a proud moment for all of us at El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu. It’s a shining example of what can be achieved with persistence, hard work, and a never-give-up attitude. For our members, especially those who may be facing their own struggles, Jon’s story is an inspiration to keep pushing forward, no matter the odds.

As we celebrate Jon’s incredible achievement, we are reminded that every victory, big or small, is a step towards becoming the best version of ourselves. Congratulations, Jon, on your well-deserved gold medal! Your success is a beacon of what’s possible with heart, grit, and the right mindset. We’re all proud to have you as part of the El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu team.

Adults Jiu Jitsu

Jiu Jitsu Black belt promotion at El Dorado Hills BJJ

We had a chance to do a short Q&A with Kunk and reflect on his jiujitsu journey over the years. Kunk has been a “big” part of edh jiujitsu. Not only does he train regularly 2-3 sessions a week but also he has contributed to the peewee, kids, and jiujitsu classes as a volunteer coach. Kunk is an open book of grappling knowledge and finds every opportunity to share with his team what he knows and what he is developing in his game.

When & how did you get started:

I started doing Jiu Jitsu in 2010ish.

I began doing Jiu Jitsu because I loved wrestling in high school and college, but when I stopped I didn’t have a physical outlet I enjoyed, got out of shape and gained weight. After wrestling was over, I fell into the old man trap of eating and drinking whatever I wanted, with the mindset that I would just work it off at practice. I continued to work out but nowhere near enough to counteract some of the unhealthy habits and I ended up weighing over 330lbs.

One day a friend of mine told me he had started going to EDHBJJ. I had watched MMA and the UFC shows and always thought that Jiu Jitsu would be fun to try. So I got permission from my girlfriend/ now wife, to join my friend in a trial class. The first thing I noticed was how much hard work people were putting into learning Jiu Jitsu. A few classes into starting at EDHBJJ, I finally got to roll with Eliot. During this roll I had turtled, turned into him grabbing his inside leg and did a sit out. In wrestling I would have scored five points and possibly a pin. In Jiu Jistu, Eliot having a wealth of knowledge, took advantage of this position and did a crucifix choke. I was forced to tap. This was the first time I was submitted by anyone in the school and I instantly fell in love with Jiu Jitsu from that moment forward.

What are your goals?

My goals in Jiu Jitsu are to keep learning new ways to improve my technique, help people learn, be the best training partner I can be, and most importantly have fun.

What are some quotes or phrases you like?

– Winners never quit and quitters never win.
– If it was easy everyone would do it.
– Embrace the grind.