Everyone has a first day. And that first day you walk into a Brazilian jiu jitsu academy can be a life-changing experience. Some people are confident and cannot wait to get on the mat. Others are scared, ... Continue Reading
Interview with MacKenzie Arrington of Grappler Gourmet
I recently interviewed Chef MacKenzie Arrington and he shared with me his journey to creating one of the hottest new online resources in the BJJ community - Grappler Gourmet. Being the chef at the gym ... Continue Reading
Telltale Signs You’re Dealing with a Grappler
Writers who grapple frequently discuss the “jiu jitsu lifestyle.” You also see mention of it on t-shirts and hear practitioners talking about how much they love it. There is definitely a subculture to BJJ, ... Continue Reading
In The Course of Grappling Events: Certain Unalienable Rights in BJJ
This is the first of a two-part essay on the rights and responsibilities of a BJJ practitioner. At my college graduation, which took place on a beautiful Sunday morning in June, I mostly remember ... Continue Reading
When Trust Is Broken: How to Pick Up the Pieces
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article was co-written by Valerie Worthington, Emily Kwok, and Lola Newsom, the principals in Women’s Grappling Camp, an organization that supports women in grappling and Brazilian jiu ... Continue Reading
Product Review: Inverted Gear White Panda Gi
In February 2012, BJJ gis got a lot more adorable with the debut of the Inverted Gear gi. The custom-embroidered pandas on each sleeve are not for “tough guys,” but it may be time to clear out some space ... Continue Reading
Is That Excellence I Smell? We Need the Funk, Gotta Have That Funk
To get to my grappling academy, I enter a door and walk up a narrow flight of stairs. Since I usually arrive in time for the second of two classes in a row, upon opening the door at the top of the stairs ... Continue Reading
7 Articles to Make You a Better Grappler
If you're a serious grappler, you're in for a treat this week. Whether you're a long-time grappler or new to the sport, these 7 articles by our athletes and coaches will help you train, compete, and build ... Continue Reading
Befriend Your Body: Say No to Overtraining and Say Thank You to Your Body
“Love thyself as they neighbor.” Frequently, I think we should word the old adage this way instead of the way we normally read it. Most of us tend to be kinder and more forgiving to other people than we ... Continue Reading
Jiu-Jitsu Kryptonite: Is It a Real Phenomenon?
One of the great things about writing about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is that it gives me an excuse to chat with practitioner friends and acquaintances who can share their perspectives on technique, ... Continue Reading
To Gi or Not To Gi: Differences Between Gi & No-Gi Grappling
Ever heard a grappler talk about going to “gi” or “no-gi” class? What does that mean? How do they compare? Do they differ in ways that make a difference? There are three main ways that gi and no-gi ... Continue Reading
10 Survival Tips for Visiting a New Grappling Academy
One of the many cool things about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling is if you travel to a different city for work or pleasure, chances are you’ll be able to find an academy to visit during your ... Continue Reading
Women’s Grappling Camp Features Multiple-Time World Champion Guest Instructor
On November 11-13, 2011, Women’s Grappling Camp hosted a weekend camp at Princeton BJJ in Princeton, NJ, featuring multiple-time world champion and seasoned black belt Hannette Staack as guest instructor. ... Continue Reading
