new year...new school...new team.

So I'm officially a member at Team Shredder/Tropp BJJ. I went in for open mat training tonight with a few friends. For a snowy Friday night, it was on the quieter side. That's not a bad thing, lots of mat space to sprawl out on. What I did notice was that the people who were there all took the time to say hello and introduce themselves. When I introduced myself in return, some of them already knew who I was. Papagaio has a reputation! (and I'm also "the other" Yves Charette) Troop BJJ is growing and the quality of training partners is off the hook. I'm getting smashed and I love it. On a seperate note...how about last week's UFC?? Cain Velasquez might officially be the baddest man on the planet after that performance. Joe Lauzon vs Jim Miller was also unreal! (I'm a huge Lauzon fan...he didn't come out on top, but losing in that fashion is nothing to hang his head about). Stay tuned! It's gonna be an intersting year!!

the difference a year makes...

Wow...I've not posted an entry in a year. And what a difference a year makes! I've got some clean up to do on this page. For starters, my bio is now completely out of date. I'm no longer a married father of two. I'm a separated father of two working towards finalizing a divorce. Not something I ever saw in the plans for myself, but to echo my earlier thought, what a difference a year makes. I'm sure there will be people who read this blog and will say "he switched teams, he's disloyal etc..." Those people would be dead wrong. One promise I made to myself a year ago was that I was going to live my life as honestly as possible moving forward. My goal is not to talk any trash or make a joke of my previous experience. I learned my fundamentals at Sudbury BJJ and I'm thankful for that. I fell in love with the sport on those mats and made a few good friends along the way. But life goes on and a new start was required. Before I move on, I want to give a public thanks to John Cole. (owner and head instructor at Sudbury MMA). When John learned about my situation, he opened his doors and welcomed me to join his team. John is a very good instructor and a world class purple belt. (he has the resume and experience to prove it). The truth is (and I gave John the respect of telling him in advance) that a handful of the good friends I made at SBJJ had migrated over to Team Shredder's Troop BJJ learning under world class black belt under Sylvio Behring, Richard "Monkey" Nancoo. The experience I talked about earlier would not have been the same without some of these guys and the option to get back on the mats with my long time training partners was a big reason for my decision. I had also heard via "the grapevine" that I was talked about at the last seminar and the idea of being blackballed didn't appeal to me at all. It was time to cut ties with Team Renzo Gracie. Over the last few months, I've taken care of my work and family life. I also started dating what I believe could be the love of my life. Her support of whatever felt right for me has been hugely appreciated. A year that started off as poorly as it did took a turn for the better over the summer. The pieces are all falling into place to move on in every aspect of my life. My sons are still members at SBJJ. (due to my ex-wife being a member there). I'm not sure how I'll navigate that moving forward...but I really miss being able to watch them and help out on the mats with them like I had originally done. For now, I'm leaving it alone, but I'll tackle that when the time is right. Ok, enough about that...2013 is a few days away. A new year means a new start. I've been able to train a bit over on the mats at Nomdaa and next week, I'll be settling up my membership and renewed commitment to training on a regular basis. With that said, I'm really looking forward to it. Below is a video shot from earlier today during an open mat training session. I'm seen rolling with my old friend (and 4 stripe blue belt) Guy Poulin. In the background, you can see UFC fighter Mitch Gagnon in the black Tapout gi and Professor Nancoo at top left. I got to roll with both of those guys today. (both awesome guys!) Stay tuned for a weekly blog which will follow my training at Troop BJJ and following Mitch's training for his next fight which should be at UFC 158 in Montreal. (on the undercard to GSP vs Diaz) Stay healthy my friends!! Make 2013 the year you make that change for yourself! (in whatever aspect that fits your life!) Stay tuned...it's gonna be a fun ride!!

highlights from ADCC 2011 (England)

learning to escape the mount

hello my friends,

it's been a while...I know. life has been very busy and i was off the mat for nearly a month with a brutal chest cold and nursing a sore shoulder. i know you missed me, but rest assured, i'm back.

so i just saw this video online and had to laugh. how badly do you think the guy on the bottom wishes he knew how to escape the mount?! "i got pills bitch!!" haha! (warning, language not suitable for the workplace...and you can't unsee some of this either)

Slow Rolling aka, "S Rolling"

This is a great video on the art of slow rolling. I`m still learning how to do it properly, some guys seem to think it means going balls out either way. (which can be frustrating)

For those who roll...check out this clip.

mid-october random thoughts

So I got a nose bleed during randori tonight. I was rolling with the Bear and I`m guessing a quick crossface must have done the job. I noticed it on my lapel while rolling. I`m not a bleeder by any means, so I`m guessing it must have been a good forearm...stuff happens! Enough about that!

Both tonight and on Saturday, the warmups have been a bit tougher, which has been great. Jenn kicked our butts on Saturday and Steve kept the party going tonight.

The Ottawa Open BJJ tournament is this weekend. I`ve essentially decided against being competitive outside the walls of the club. I was hoping to make it down to Ottawa this weekend in support, but simply have too much on my plate.

I am hoping to make it to the nation`s capital for Wreck MMA at the end of the month which includes a seminar with Renzo Gracie. I`ve just got to figure out a way to make it happen.

Stay healthy!
Y.

2011 Fall BJJ Seminar

Wow...it's been a few weeks since I've posted a blog. I'm trying to think of what's kept me so busy that I've not logged in. I digress...

This weekend, we had our Fall BJJ Seminar with Professor Pat Cooligan and brown belt Matt "Hammer" Hache hosted by John Cole at Sudbury MMA. It was my first time at John's new location, a really nice place in New Sudbury.

Friday night, we trained for 3 hours working on attacks from the back. Saturday, Hammer taught the regular classes at Sudbury BJJ along with some private classes. On Sunday, we were back on the mat at Sudbury MMA for 3 hours of holding mount, knee on belly and chokes from those positions. I got to work with blue belt, Adam Gignac on Sunday. For anyone who's had the pleasure of rolling with Adam, you'll know that when he puts his knee on your belly or chest, it's not fun. haha! The guys' top game is crushing as it is...in 3 hours, it got even heavier.

Adam and I are pretty much the same size. 5'10-5'11 and roughly 215-220lbs. We match up pretty well from that perspective, but in training, his experience usually wins out. (and by usually, I mean 99% of the time) Even with that, it's never a bad experience (unless he's got his knee on your belly as previously noted). But it's in those sessions where I pick up bits and pieces for my own game...based on my body type etc. His game is not a bad one to model mine against.

Lots happening in October. In 2 weeks OAMA is hosting the Ottawa Open followed 2 weeks later by Wreck MMA at the Casino in Gatineau, QC. A few members of the OAMA pro team will be fighting along with Rolles Gracie in a co-main event vs Lee Mein. There's also a rumour that Renzo himself will be in Ottawa and hosting a seminar the following day at OAMA. Needless to say, you'll know where to find me at the end of the month!

Ok...back to the work week and training at the club. I hope to see you out on the mat and as always, don't forget to wash your gi (and yourself) after every session! (it also doesn't hurt to shower before class either...just sayin!)