So it has been a week since the promotion at Gracie Barra New England, and I have been quiet about it since I had to let the dust settle. I have so many people to thank, the list the goes on and on. First off, I want to thank Professor Carlos Terrinha and my Gracie Barra New England classmates for the dedication and energy they bring week after week and month after month. Professor Terrinha, not only is extremely skilled and talented as a competitor and a teacher, but he is a great human being. I have always felt at home and comfortable learning under him. I want to thank my classmates and my seniors, especially Greg Andreola, Darren Hohn, and Nick Prarie, who have I have been training with for almost 8 years now. They have been my training family and have taught me show much, always willing to share what they learned selflessly to improve everyone. I would like to thank my instructor Sifu Greg Pichardo of Phoenix Martial Arts in NY, who is the sole reason for staying in the martial arts and making it a lifestyle. He showed me martial arts can be more than just a hobby, but a lifestyle. He taught me to use no way as way and seek out. Also want to thank my my mom and dad, who always been supportive of me going to karate through the years, and most importantly my wife and kids. Going back to when she was just my girlfriend, then fiance, than wife I have been training. It has not always been easy on the relationship, but I have learned an important lesson of maintaining a healthy balance, and without that I would not be as happy as I am today. I am still trying to figure out why Professor bestowed on me with such an honor. I have definitely paid my dues on the mat, I have been tapped out countless times, but I have been training consistently for coming on 8 years really without stopping. I am not a BJJ instructor or teacher yet, I know a lot of hungry blue belts who can teach me things. I havent seriously competed in a few years because of the addition of my wonderful kids, and spending quality time with them. Perhaps, if it is anything, it is the mentality given to me by Sifu Cass Magda, that I try to maintain. His motto is, Show Up, Dont Quit! and that is all that I try to do. I still have a lot to learn, but am extremely humbled and grateful, that Professor Terrinha trusts in me to represent him and Gracie Barra with a blackbelt, and I will not let him down. I will continue to show up, learn, and improve!....Ossssss
Posted on: Sun, 03 Aug 2014 14:35:39 +0000
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