Carlos Machado’s Post

🌸 Spring Training Camp Feature: Johnny Hernandez's No-Gi Mastery Excitement is building as we approach our Spring Training Camp, April 18-20th! We're thrilled to put the spotlight on a session that's set to revolutionize the way you view no-gi grappling. Introducing Johnny Hernandez's exclusive no-gi session on the "Ashi Garami Leg Lock Game." In the realm of no-gi grappling, mastering the Ashi Garami and leg locks can be a game-changer. Johnny Hernandez is ready to share his expert knowledge and techniques, diving deep into the strategies that make the Ashi Garami leg lock game so effective and feared on the mats. This session is a golden opportunity to refine your approach to leg locks, learn the subtleties of Ashi Garami, and add a new level of danger to your ground game. Whether you're aiming to compete at the highest level or simply want to expand your no-gi skill set, Johnny's insights will open new pathways to success. 👥 Why You Should Join: 1. Gain mastery over the Ashi Garami and leg locks. 2. Learn from a seasoned expert with proven techniques. 3. Enhance your no-gi game with advanced strategies. Don't miss this chance to dive deep into the art of leg locks with Johnny Hernandez. It's more than just a learning experience; it's an opportunity to evolve your grappling game and stand out on the mats. Join us at the Carlos Machado Jiu-Jitsu Association's Spring Training Camp for a transformative session that promises to challenge and inspire you. 📅 Save the Date: April 18-20th ✅ Enhance Your Grappling Skills #CarlosMachadoJiuJitsu #SpringTrainingCamp #NoGiGrappling #JohnnyHernandez #AshiGarami #LegLocks #AdvanceYourGame #10P #10thplanet #TeamCMJJ #CarlosMachadoJiuJitsu

A Jiu Jitsu academy is a great place to break my big toe. And breaking my big toe is yet another opportunity to test the depth of my commitment to Stoic philosophy.   I mean that first sentence both ways: 1) Statistically speaking 🤣 and 2) For receiving medical advice and immediate care. Yep, I broke the big toe on my left foot. It was a complete accident and wasn't even caused by my training partner. Within seconds, another student (who is a former Marine) had me assessed, taped up, and sent home with care instructions. Wow - I'm so grateful!   Then the anger set in. I'm probably in the best shape of my life because I'm training for the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation World Master Championship in Vegas at the end of August. If you read my writings, you know how much I love to compete. The Vegas tournament is a big deal. What will become of it? I drove home with my mind boiling over. Then I sat on my couch and once again called to mind the sage advice of Epictetus: "Welcome events in whichever way they happen; this is the path to peace." I started focusing on what I can control (following my care instructions) instead of what I can't (exactly how long the healing takes). I started focusing on what I can do to keep training (watch film, study technique) instead of what I can't do (live training). Thanks, Epictetus.   I'm going to Vegas. That's for damn sure. The experience may not be exactly like I envisioned, but it probably wasn't going to be like I envisioned anyway. I accept that, and by accepting that, I choose the path to peace.  #IBJJF #dailystoic #epictetus

Prepping for my upcoming jiu jitsu tournament is a lot like how I run my intensives for clients (...just on a longer timeline 😜) For the tournament, I signed up just over 5 weeks before the big day. Getting myself ready for the tournament basically entails training as much as possible up until the week before the event, when I will taper off and focus just on my technique, conditioning, and making sure my weight is on point. That means, when I signed up, I was looking at 4 hard weeks of training. And now, I'm 2 weeks down with 2 weeks to go. I've been going to class almost every day, often twice a day. I'm tired. My body hurts. But I've never felt better. Because I know that putting in this concentrated work now is going to lead to a performance I can be proud of on August 4 (whether or not I win). While the timeline is a little longer, my client intensives look pretty similar. We schedule 2 (sometimes 3) days on the calendar where we have 4-5 intensive sessions planned out. Within those sessions, I'm presenting the client's new brand and website to them, getting their feedback, and making changes in real time to make sure their vision is coming to life in a way that matches the strategic plan we laid out together. Leading up to those 2-3 days, though, I'm behind the scenes putting in intensive work to build the brand and website that will help my client get from where they are now to where they want to go. It's intense work! (There's a reason they're called intensives 😜) But, just like training for this tournament, I know that the dedicated work I put in will lead to a brand and website that's perfectly aligned with what my client needs — and helps their inner magic shine through. It's such a fun and rewarding process — both in my training and in my client work!

🥋💪 Been debating all day whether to post this or not, but everything is a life lesson. Last night, I participated in my first Jiu Jitsu tournament. I was super nervous and jittery, but I couldn't back out. I knew I had to go through with it. I've worked very hard on my JJ for the last six months and also put in a ton of work on my conditioning and strength training. Still, the nerves and jitters got to me, made a stupid mistake very early in the match, and got tapped out in seconds. Damn! So frustrating... My family showed up to watch, and I felt super embarrassed. 😅 Been watching this video over and over, and it's crystal clear what I did wrong. Ugh! Still mad, but hey, there are a ton of lessons I learned and some I can teach my kids. That's the whole point. So, after I gathered myself, I made sure FJ (my son) saw me find my competitor, shake his hand, and congratulate him. Woke up this morning early, called my coach, and asked him to meet me at the gym to go over the mistakes. Life lesson is "get back up! learn! try again!" 👊 Takeaways: It was a super fun experience. Still enjoy the heck out of sharing my Jiu Jitsu adventure with my son. It's our thing; it's our quality time. I need to always carry myself gracefully because he is watching. #whitebeltforever #JiuJitsu #getbackup 🥷🥋

My wednesday afternoon soundtrack 🎶. 16 x 6-10 year olds trying to throw each other around and strangle each other. It's less violent than you think! We have the Grading coming up soon and it's going to be a great time to display *beautiful* 🤌 Jiu Jitsu. These kids are hard at work getting ready for the big exam. Our martial arts program gives clear and concise goal setting for parents and kids alike. The key is being super open and clear about the goals YOU have and outcomes WE achieve. That's different for every student/family but we use the same events (gradings, competition, outdoor adventure challenges) to guide those outcomes. Being a coach is so much more than the moves and exercises. You gotta understand the whole journey! #gratitude

On Competition: When is the Right Time to Start Competing? We value the idea of fostering a strong foundation and love for Jiu-Jitsu before encouraging students to enter the competitive arena. For those in the early stages of learning Jiu Jitsu, our priority is to create a safe and welcoming environment where they can build a solid foundation and develop a genuine passion for the sport. This approach allows us to focus on helping new practitioners feel secure and confident in their skills before considering competition. Put another way, if you want to use competition as a way to test your skills, you need to have some skills to test. This approach allows you to enjoy your training and develop a deep connection to Jiu-Jitsu. Then, typically, after attending around 100-150 classes (we assume 3 classes per week, or 8-12 months in), you will have gained enough experience and confidence to consider competing. By this time, you are equipped with a solid understanding of the basics and are prepared for the challenges of competition and enthusiastic about competing when the time is right. This method allows you to dedicate your focus to your long-term growth, where you can evolve with the sport and enjoy the journey rather than just trying to survive the early competitive stages. Clarity on Our Approach: 1. Safety and Enjoyment: Ensuring that students feel secure and enjoy their training sessions with no other notion in their mind except getting better at jiu jitsu. 2. Solid Foundations: A strong foundation in the basics is essential. It prepares students for the challenges of competition without overwhelming them. 3. Long-Term Growth: Students who ease into competition tend to stay with the sport longer. They grow with Jiu Jitsu, rather than just trying to survive it. If it’s not for you, it’s not for you. By helping you grow at a comfortable pace, you ensure that you are ready and eager to compete when the time comes. #bjj #martialarts #brazilianjiujitsu #competition #thailand #judo #ohana #bangkok

Why Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Techniques Should Be Taught in Combination In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), techniques are best taught as interconnected sequences rather than isolated moves. Here’s why: 1. Flow and Transition: BJJ is all about fluidity and transitions. Learning techniques in combination helps practitioners understand how to smoothly transition from one move to another, which is crucial in live sparring. 2. Contextual Learning: Understanding how a technique fits within the larger context of a match is key. When techniques are taught together, students grasp the situational context and strategic application better. 3. Muscle Memory: Repeating sequences of moves builds muscle memory, making reactions in a match more instinctive and efficient. Practicing combinations reinforces this. 4. Adaptability: In a dynamic environment like BJJ, the ability to adapt and chain techniques together is vital. Teaching in combinations prepares students to seamlessly switch strategies mid-match. 5. Efficiency: Combining techniques can make learning more efficient. Instead of drilling isolated moves, students practice realistic scenarios, improving both their defensive and offensive skills simultaneously. In our advanced sessions we explore different situations and we study the actions and reactions of our opponents to be able to be precise in our attacks. Taking about the video I started in a One leg X situation, my opponent started to defend the movement so I took his balance off kicking him forward coming back to a modified x guard, then changing straight to a K guard to a matrix back attack. All of these guards are interconnected so it makes super easy to change from one to another. Feel free to join our sessions and do a trial with us from Monday to Friday 7 pm. #bjj #brazilianjiujitsu #jiujitsu #wellfitmeydan #wellfit #training #positions #coaching #oss

🥋 My Journey in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu 🥷 Over the past few months, my venture into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has been nothing short of transformative. What initially began as a quest for a new physical exercise quickly unfolded into a rich journey of personal development. Here's a glimpse into the enriching aspects I've discovered so far: 🤝 **Power of Rituals**: Embracing the rituals of Jiu Jitsu has woven a strong sense of belonging, aligning me with values like respect, passion for the practice, and the significance of repetition in mastering techniques. It's more than just a sport; it's a community that fosters growth on multiple levels. 🔍 **Learning from Scratch**: The journey of learning something entirely new is both humbling and empowering. Starting from scratch in BJJ has not only sharpened my physical skills but has also instilled a sense of accomplishment with every move mastered. The thrill of progress is unmatched! 💪 **Mental vs. Physical Strength**: Jiu Jitsu is a unique blend of mental and physical strength. It challenges not only your body but also your mind, teaching the importance of strategy, patience, and adaptability. The mental resilience gained on the mat seamlessly translates into everyday life, making challenges more approachable. 🌐 **Beyond the Mat Benefits**: The benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu extend far beyond the training mat. Improved focus, enhanced problem-solving skills, and a heightened sense of discipline are just a few examples of the positive impacts I've noticed in various aspects of my life. 💪🥷 #BJJ #PersonalDevelopment #JiuJitsuJourney #MentalStrength

Do you know what is the hardest belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? WHITE! Most people don't even bother to enter the gym. So if you are a white belt, congratulations! 🙌 Last month was huge for my BJJ journey; I got promoted to blue belt. And so what? You'd say, and you are right, nothing has changed. However, hard work, dedication, discipline, and love for the sport were rewarded. Basically, I still have to go to practice, I still don't know much, but the good thing is that now I see the horizon at least. There are more colors and belts to reach, and I know if everything is all right, I'll stay on the path. Since BJJ is an individual journey for everyone, it's important not to compare yourself to others when working towards your next promotion. 🤙 Key takeaways! Don't do anything if you are working towards the end goal or a promotion; do it because you love it; do it because you see yourself as the person doing it. Don't compare yourself to someone else's journey. Don't put pressure on yourself if you move slowly; when the time comes, you'll know, show up every day and do the work. Lower your expectations and increase your patience; good things take time. SHOW UP! #bjjlifestyle #bjj #grappling #graphicdesign #lifejourney

🥋 Starting your journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with the white belt is like laying the foundation for a strong building. Each technique learned is a brick in that foundation, paving the way for future success. Let's inspire each other to keep building towards our goals! #JiuJitsuKids #YouthMartialArts #WhiteBeltLife #TechniqueTuesday