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06 FROM THE MATS TO THE OFFICE
Is work a drag? Co-workers hard to deal with? Feeling like you’re in a rut? Read about how lessons learned on the mat, can help improve your mindset at work.
10 THE GRIND ABOUT COFFEE
Driped, pressed, percolated, or cold, coffee has solidified its place in our everyday lives. Find out more about the worlds most widely consumed “drug.”
14 INTERVIEW WITH JAMES “300” FOSTER
This 6’5, 285lbs 3rd Degree Black Belt has been compared to a Spartan, a Giant Yoda, and a Teddy Bear?.. Find out what makes James Foster tick and decide for yourself.
24 MORE THAN A MARTIAL ART
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Everyone has their reasons for stepping onto the mats. The Art of Jiu-Jitsu is a transformative. Its this shared experience that brings us together whenever
26 FALLING FOR HEALTHY TREATS
It’s FALL season and with so many sweet options to choose from, it’s easy to “fall off the wagon.” Here are a few recipes that will satisfy your sweet tooth without all the guilt.
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28 BELT STORIES
In this column we share some of the stories that our readers have submitted. We all have a different story to tell and lessons can be learned from sharing our experiences. NOV 2016 | ISSUE 002 | 5
From the Mats by David Greer
to the Office
M
any of us train jiu-jitsu not to win gold medals at tournaments or become fighters, but for the other benefits jiu-jitsu offers. There are the obvious benefits to training like staying in shape, being part of a team, and the simple fact that jiu-jitsu is a cool thing to know. But there’s another benefit to training that I saw take shape soon after I got into it. And it’s a benefit not often talked about.
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I realized that as I began to progress in jiu-jitsu, I also began to progress in my job. I work a regular 9-to-5 desk job. I sit at a computer, I have daily tasks, deadlines, projects, support my department, collaborate with other departments, and all that. It’s good work. It’s also very comfortable work, which makes it easy to fall into a rut. This happened to me and I saw it in some of my co-workers too.
We created our own little comfort zone and we stayed there. We didn’t take on challenging projects, we didn’t look for creative ways to make things more efficient, and we didn’t look for ways to improve ourselves.
Until one day my skills reached a level where I was able to keep my composure and defend his submission attacks. The guy twice my size wasn’t able to submit me. I wasn’t defeated and it felt pretty good.
We stayed in our comfort zone and worked just enough to still be considered good employees. The consequence is that we got passed up for promotions and were not considered when new positions opened up. We stayed in the same job and did the same thing. Things only began to change for me after I began training jiu-jitsu. Some of the things I gained on the mats began to carry over to my job. And things began to move forward at work. At the root of it all is confidence. Jiu-jitsu gave me a level of confidence I never had before. Those of us who train know the process. We start training, we get smashed, but we survive. And pretty soon we realize that surviving is a victory in itself.
I no longer stressed about rolling with a larger person because I was confident I could at least survive. And when the day came when I finally submitted somebody twice my size, I felt on top of the world. Suddenly, things that used to stress me out at work didn’t seem all that bad. Angry customers, difficult conversations, meetings with bosses, speaking in front of an audience, and everything else got easier to deal with. Being able to keep my composure and figure out a way to escape tough situations on the mats makes keeping my composure in every other situation in life a lot easier. I began entering sparring matches knowing I could survive and hold my own, and it began to feel the same way whenever I entered into a situation at work.
When I was a newbie, rolling with a guy twice my size was a stressful situation. I often found myself fully mounted by a massive beast of a human who’s smashing my face in the mat, halfway suffocating me with his gi, and intent on choking me out. I often panicked and ended up tapping out to a submission, usually a collar choke or armbar.
Jiu-jitsu also got me to train with different types of people, which is very useful for work. Every office has a person we tend to avoid. Whether it’s their temperament, job title, attitude, or lack of knowledge, there’s something about this person we don’t like and we consider them “difficult” to work with. We avoid any project or assignment that requires us to work
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with this person, and we dig ourselves deeper into our comfort zone. On the mats, we don’t often have a choice of who we train with. It depends on who shows up and who the Professor pairs us up with. When I first started training I quickly got to know a few people and preferred training with them over others. I would get a little nervous whenever I got partnered with somebody else. These nerves quickly went away though. I realized that no matter how different our personalities are, we’re all there to train, learn new techniques, and practice our skills. Eventually, it didn’t matter who I got partnered with because I felt comfortable with everybody. As I grew more comfortable training with everybody at jiu-jitsu, I also grew more comfortable with everybody at work.
It’s a commitment each individual has to make with themselves. The Professor and training partners help us out, but we have to be the ones to show up and keep trying. I began to take an interest in my development on the mats. I started training more, watched how my training partners pulled off moves I struggled with, and I asked my instructors questions about the techniques we learned. I even watched the occasional instructional video on YouTube. The point is I made an effort to get better.
As I grew more comfortable training with everybody at jiu-jitsu, I also grew more comfortable with everybody at work.
That “difficult” person seemed more approachable and instead of focusing so much on our personality differences I began focusing on how we could complete whatever project we were working on. The last thing I’ll touch upon here has to deal with personal progress. In jiu-jitsu, we only get better when we show up to train and attempt the techniques we learn. Going through the steps of a submission or guardpass is great but the technique is not fully learned until we can execute it in sparring. It takes a lot of diligence to show up and practice until we get it right.
Just like everything mentioned so far, as I began to take more of an interest in my improvement on the mat, the more I began to take an interest in improving myself at work. I sought out professional development opportunities, I attended webinars, began reading development books, I took on more difficult projects, and started to break out of my self-induced comfort zone. It wasn’t long until I went from the employee who got passed up on promotions to the employee my bosses were looking to promote. And when an opportunity to move up came along, I was the top candidate and was offered the new position. The benefits of training jiu-jitsu builds us up as individuals. The confidence we gain, training with different people, the focus on improvement, it all enhances our character. Whether it’s on the mats or at work, training jiu-jitsu helps us become better at what we do.
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There’s nothing quite like that first sip of coffee in the morning.
In an instant a bad morning or late night is quickly turned around, all from the taste of that first sip.
Noticeable or not, the sight and aroma give coffee lovers a genuine excitement, while holding that cup in their hand.
The Grind about Coffee by William Torres
As a result, the smaller metabolites have lower antioxidant effects than the original compound.
What makes up coffee?
Caffeine
Coffee contains three notable bioactive compounds: Chlorogenic Acid, Caffeine, and Diterpines
The most well-known bioactive compound in coffee, caffeine works as an antagonist in our body, blocking adenosine receptors in the brain.
Chlorogenic Acid Coffee has one of the richest sources of chlorogenic acid. In test tube studies (in vitro), chlorogenic and caffeic acid have shown to have antioxidant effects, but it still remains unclear of their effects in the human body (in vivo) because they are more extensively metabolized.
Adenosine is a compound which causes us to feel tired. Because of these antagonistic effects, our body increases adrenaline production and we get a spike in energy and alertness. Additionally, caffeine antagonism delays the reabsorption of dopamine which causes us to be in a good mood and feel good. Diterpines Diterpines are made up of two fat-soluble compounds called cafestol (caf-es-tol) and kahweol (kah-we-awl) which come directly from coffee beans.
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These compounds increase LDL cholesterol or the “bad” cholesterol in the body. Fortunately, most of these compounds are removed from coffee through paper filters. Other methods of coffee brewing such as Scandinavian boiled coffee, Turkish coffee, and French pressed coffee contain high levels of diterpines because these methods do not use filters. Espresso’s and ingestion of coffee beans/grounds contain high levels of diterpines as well. Although espresso contains more cafestol and kahweol than brewed coffee, it is consumed in small amount therefore and may not cause negative effects on LDL cholesterol levels. Diterpines aren’t the end-all-be-all for coffee lovers, there is ongoing research about the possible benefits of cafestol and kahweol which include anticancer effects and being good for the liver.
Coffee in Exercise Believe it or not, caffeine is a drug. In fact, it is the most socially accepted and frequently used drug in the world.
Did you know? Coffee is one of the most traded commodities in the world. It’s beaten only by oil.
Caffeine acts as an ergogenic aid, a type of substance that helps the body perform better during physical activity. The ergogenic effect of caffeine increases the effort a person puts into an activity because he/she perceives they can put in due to the consumption or
use of a product, in this case coffee or the caffeine in coffee. This perception causes the individual to push and work harder in the activity(s) they are doing. How much is too much? Healthy adults can safely consume 3 to 4 cups (300-400 milligrams of caffeine) of brewed coffee per day. Other forms of coffee, such as espresso contains about 75 mg of caffeine and energy drinks have a range of 47-163mg of caffeine per serving (usually 8 fl. oz. or 1 cup). High coffee consumption is associated with decreased nonheme iron absorption. Non-heme iron is a form of iron found in plant foods and meat. Chemical compounds that are naturally found in coffee called tannins, which give coffee its color, are the cause of the decreased absorption. Prolonged consumption of coffee in excess may lead to iron deficiency anemia, but there are many
Kick-Butt Caffeine -Chloe Fonacier
The Ultimate Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte Yields: 1 latte 1 cup (240mL) nonfat milk 1 tbsp (15g) pumpkin purée 4 drops vanilla crème stevia, or adjusted to taste ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon Tiny pinch ground nutmeg Tiny pinch ground ginger ¾ cup (180mL) extra strong coffee Sip & Enjoy! 12 | ISSUE 002 | NOV 2016
more factors that contribute to the deficiency as well such as a person’s diet. Other Factors An often overlooked factor associated with coffee and caffeinated beverage consumption is hydration. When caffeine is metabolized in our body it acts as a diuretic. A diuretic is a substance that increases urination (diuresis). Staying hydrated after consuming coffee and caffeinated beverages is not only important as jiu-jitsu athletes, but also important for our overall health. Without factoring in exercise, the adequate intake (AI) for fluids throughout the is about 13 cups (3.3 liters) for men and 9 cups (2.2 liters) for women.
Not your average Jiujitsu store
Photo: VisionHi Photography
Alliance bjj Athlete: Hinano Pascua
GoodTimes Jiujitsu Hawaii 94-366 Pupupani St Unit 209A Waipahu, Hawaii 96797
bjj culture, fitness, and the pursuit of happiness
photo Mike Calimbas
JAMES “300” FOSTER Interview by Glenn Calairo
James Foster began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 1996 and for the past 2 decades has dedicated himself to the art. He is a certified 3rd Degree Black Belt under world renowned Professor Giva “The Arm Collector” Santana of One Jiu-Jitsu. He is also the proud owner and head instructor of Foster Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Kent, Washington. Standing at 6ft 5in and strolling around at 285lbs, finding something or someone big enough to tower over James Foster is no easy task. However, as his friends would tell you, there is one thing that eclipses his larger than life frame, it’s his larger than life personality. We sat down with James to see what makes him tick. He shares with us his thoughts on BJJ, advice he’d give his “white belt” self, and much more. photo Hoong Giang
Q&A
How did you get the name 300, and who gave it to you?
I got the nickname because of my resemblance to King Leonidas in the movie 300 from my friend and founder of Submissions 101, Ari Knazan. What is your biggest accomplishment, or what are you most proud of in the art? Or in life? Building one of the largest and most successful academies dedicated solely to the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the entire Pacific Northwest, along with winning my first Black belt World Championship in 2015, and maintaining an amazing relationship with my wife throughout the past 15 plus years we’ve been together.
What one or two things do you currently do in your training that are keys to your success? Allowing my students to regularly put me in bad positions and submissions in
every day training to continually push myself and allow them to learn as well, along with making sure to listen to my body and rest more when needed.
What would be your ultimate achievement? Bringing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the masses so a large part of the population is able to experience all of the positive life changes and benefits that it provides. When you first started training, who did you idolized (or look up to) in the art? (Who do you hold in high regard today and why) I looked up to Royce Gracie when I first started because seeing him in the UFC was my first introduction to the effectiveness of BJJ. Today I hold my Professor Giva Santana along with Saulo and Xande Ribeiro in high regard, as well as Rafael Lovato Jr. for their fundamentally sound and efficient styles of Jiu-Jitsu.
photo Kristensphotos
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What is your biggest challenge (or hurdle when preparing for a match/when teaching/ when training) and what do you do to manage this challenge? Recovery and making sure not to spread myself too thin is a constant battle. I focus on proper nutrition and supplementation, along with gauging the intensity of my rolling depending on how I’m feeling that day or time. Do you have any recommended resources to share? (books, seminars, websites, coaches) Jiu-Jitsu University by Saulo Ribeiro still stands as the ultimate BJJ training book in my opinion. I highly recommend it to everyone! My friends Keith Owen and Henry Akins teach some of the most beneficial and game changing seminars you’ll ever attend, as well as Saulo Ribeiro. For supplemental instruction via video my top recommendation would be the BJJ Library online training site which features Saulo and Xande Ribeiro,
along with many other top instructors and competitors. You can’t go wrong with anything featuring my Professor Giva Santana (soon to be featured on bjjlibrary.com), Saulo, Xande, and Rafael Lovato Jr!
break them down into categories by whether it’s something you can control or influence, you’ll be surprised to find that the majority
on the items you can affect! Do You have a saying or motto that you live your life by?
What point did you realize this was going to be your life? When I started teaching part time as a Purple belt.
photo Kristensphotos
What was the best advice you were ever given? There have been so many wonderful pieces of advice over the years it’s hard to pick just one. I guess one that everyone could photo Kristensphotos benefit from is to only put your time and energy of the things we worry (both mentally and about are completely out of our sphere of physically) into the things you have total influence, yet those are what we dwell on the control or influence over. If you make a list most. Make a choice to of all the things that push those out of your head and take action are bothering you and
If you have the ability to help others you should, in any manner you’re able to, no matter how big or small the gesture is. We have the power to make positive changes in NOV 2016 | ISSUE 002 | 17
people’s lives through our actions and the words we choose, more so than most of us will ever realize. What is the one thing you think every practitioner should go out and buy immediately to improve their training. (Food, equipment, electronics, watermelon juice, etc...) The most effective item to improve your training isn’t one that can be purchased. The principles of consistency and determination are priceless and they’re inside each and every one of us should we decide to utilize them. To tap into those principles I would recommend a few physical items in the form of books on mental training. It’s the most under-utilized aspect of any BJJ practitioners training program, and ultimately one of the most important! My recommendations would be The Art of Mental Training, The Compound Effect, and 10 Minute Toughness. If your nickname had to be changed for some reason, what new nickname do you
think people would come up with. I’ve been called “Giant Yoda” on more than one occasion, lol.
John Kreese from Karate kid yells out, “finish him!” what is your go to submission? The one that’s available with the least amount resistance.
What’s one song that always gets you in the zone before training Going back in time, or competition? you’re walking into the gym for your very I don’t listen to music first Jiu Jitsu class, before training or comwhat does Black Belt petition. I do however James Foster today usually watch a movie tell white belt James that gets me pumped Foster back in the up before competing, day? such as 300 or Tombstone. You chose the right path. If you could spar with anyone in the world Favorite Movie that doesn’t train Too many to just name jiu-jitsu, who would one, but I’ve watched that be? Guardians of the GalChris Pratt, he seems axy countless times like a great guy and I think he would start Favorite Cartoon training after getting to Transformers roll with me. Star Wars or Star Trek Hidden Talent Both I’ve been an artist longer then I’ve been doing Jiu-Jitsu. One thing no one knows or very few people know about you. I used to ride and show horses.
Your Kryptonite? BEE STINGS Rapid Fire: Quickly say the first thing comes to mind when you hear these words or phrases: 50/50 Stalling Berimbolo Fun Backyard training Unstructured Acai Delicious Fake Black Belts Pathetic Any shout outs? As always I’d like to thank my beautiful wife for always supporting me, along with my sponsors: Shoyoroll, Albino & Preto, BJJ Library, Tape Armor, Nous Defions, Mission 22, We Defy Foundation, Kristens Photo, and Ultra Heavy Squad!
You are a fictional character, who are you? The Hulk Cats or dogs? Cats although I love all animals
James and Professor Giva Santana
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When asked to briefly describe James in one or two words, here’s what some of the people he holds closest to his heart had to say about him “Big guy, Bigger Heart” - Giva Sanatana, One Jiu Jitsu, James’ Professor
“Amazing Human”
- Bear Quitigua, Owner of Shoyoroll
So it is safe to say James is an overall class act, a black belt on and off the mats. I am also proud to call him my friend. If you want to host James “300 “ Foster for seminars, please contact him at: coach@fbjjonline.com For more information about Professor Foster and his academy make sure to checkout his websites and follow his social media accounts
Academy website www.fosterbjj.com
“Enormously dangerous teddy bear, wait, that’s four words... Role model”
Personal website www.james300foster.com
- Michelle Wagner, Black Belt, Foster BJJ/One Jiu Jitsu
Official Facebook page
“Complete Selflessness”
Official Instagram
- Bryant Pangelinan, Owner of Sabre Jiu Jitsu
“Generous and Authentic”
- Rich McKeegan, Brown Belt, Founder of Black Belts for Butterflies
photo Hoong Giang
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www.facebook.com/james300foster
www.instagram.com/shoyorollplayboy
Official Twitter www.twitter.com/syrplayboy
More Than a Martial Art by Ronny Smith
The phrase “Jiu-Jitsu saves lives” is often expressed because BJJ encourages us to improve our lives by gaining a deeper understanding of family, friendship, health and morals.
Although we all come from different walks of life, we share a common bond when we’re on the mat together. The environment here is free of social differences and provides a way to avoid destructive influences by offering us a place to share stories and engage in one of the most dynamic forms of meditation. 24 | ISSUE 002 | NOV 2016
Learning Jiu-Jitsu requires us to employ a growth mindset in order to improve, and the lessons we learn stretch far beyond
the mats. High level problem solvers often view struggles as an opportunity to grow and this translates well into our everyday lives. In the most positive light, Jiu-Jitsu teaches us to look beyond ourselves and understand the impact we can have on our community. Whether you are an
Organizations like the We Defy Foundation contribute by utilizing JiuJitsu to provide combat veterans a means to overcoming challenges associated with life-disabling injuries and/or PTSD. Recently, Professor Alan Shebaro of the Tier 1 Training Facility shared somber news of his father’s battle with cancer and the extreme cost of treatment. Members of the JiuJitsu community quickly joined arms to help ease the financial burden. Notable BJJ athletes such as James “300” Foster, Jared Weiner, JT Torres, and scores of others raised $60k dollars in one week through seminars and donations.
individual or belong to a group, giving back with a purpose could be the little thing that makes a big difference.
Anne Frank famously said, “No one has ever become poor by giving” and the Jiu-Jitsu community has delivered on an opportunity to give to a family that has spent a lifetime serving others. Further proof that Jiu-Jitsu is more than a martial art; Jiu-Jitsu saves lives. NOV 2016 | ISSUE 002 | 25
FALLing for Healthy Tr by Chloe Fonacier
A
hh how lovely it is to wake up to a tender lovin’ cup of Pumpkin Spice Latte, or inhale the aroma of fresh pumpkin crunch cake lingering throughout the house. Oh how the comfort food that accompanies autumn is so splendid.
to pumpkin patches that you haven’t had time to enjoy “sweater weather”. Maybe a guilt free fall treat would do just the trick!
Whatever the case may be, here are some quick, protein packed, healthy eats that will keep you charging through the workday, Giving you the feels of family, home, and school grind, or training session; while still good company. Or, maybe you find yourself giving you the taste of the holiday season. on the constant go this season from parties Enjoy!
Wake Up & Smell the Buns Heat a frying pan on low heat and spray with cooking oil.
Cinnamon Bun Pancake Ingredients:
3 T coconut flour, sifted 1 T gluten free flour (or oat flour or oat bran) 1 scoop of vanilla or cinna mon protein powder (optional) 2 tsp Saigon Cinnamon ½ tsp baking powder 1 T granulated sweetener of choice 3 large egg whites 1/2 tsp vanilla essence Directions: ¼- ½ cup almond milk (or In a large mixing bowl, combine milk of choice) the sifted coconut flour, gluten Oil/Cooking spray for frying
Cream Cheese Frosting:
2 T cream cheese, softened 1 T sweetener of choice (adjust to taste) Pinch of Saigon cinnamon (adjust to taste)
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free flour, baking powder, natvia natural sweetener, cinnamon and protein powder. Mix well. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg whites and vanilla extract and add it to the dry mix. Slowly, add the almond milk 1 tablespoon at a time until a thick batter is formed.
Once pan is extremely hot, pour spoonfuls of the batter and then cover the pan. Once bubbles appear and the edges go brown, remove cover, flip the pancakes and cover again for approximately 1 minute. Repeat until all the batter is used up. In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the sweetener and cinnamon and mix well. Layer pancakes evenly with the frosting and dust with extra cinnamon. Notes:
Do not add any sweetener to the pancake batter if using a sweetened protein powder. Use less liquid if you omit the protein powder. * For a vegan version, sub for 1 flax egg and sub for dairy free cream cheese!
Treats Power Protein Caramel Apple Pie Protein Shake Ingredients:
1/2 cup Fat free cottage cheese 1 Scoop vanilla protein powder 1/2 cup Apple chopped fine, or 1/2cup applesauce 1/2 tsp Caramel extract (or 2 tbs sugar free butterscotch pudding mix) 1/2 tsp Apple or pumpkin pie spice Dash of Cinnamon 5-10 Ice cubes (Preference) 1/2-1 cup Water (Alter this according to desired consistency) 2-3 pkts Stevia (or 1/4 tsp sweetener of choice) Optional: 1/2 tsp xanthan gum 3, 1/2 tsp butter extract
Directions: Blend all ingredients until desired creamy consistency is reached! Top with light whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon if desired.
Savory Snack Carrot Cake Protein Balls Ingredients:
1 cup raw cashews 3/4 cup rolled oats 1/2 cup dates 4 ounces unsweetened applesauce 1 serving vanilla plant-based protein powder (about 35 grams) 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon cloves 1 carrot, grated 1/2 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts) 1/3 cup rolled in unsweetened coconut
Directions: Add the cashews, oats, dates, applesauce, protein powder, and spices to the food processor. Turn on until a choppy dough forms, several minutes. Add the grated carrot and pecans until thoroughly mixed. The dough will appear slightly sticky. Pour unsweetened shredded coconut into a bowl. Roll dough into balls, roll each one in the coconut, and place on a clean cookie sheet. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to set. Store uneaten protein balls in an airtight container in the fridge. NOV 2016 | ISSUE 002 | 27
BELT STORIES In the Field, On the Mats FORD JACOBS After spending 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and putting my body through 20 years of harsh treatment, I am left with some pretty tough nagging injuries. Now that I am in my mid 40s those injuries are starting to affect me in my daily life, I find that exercises I used to do with ease, are now difficult. One thing for me that has worked and kept me fit was training Jiu Jitsu. Not only has it been great for the body but it has been great for my mind. It can be a great stress relief. The movement required in my jiu jitsu game is to be limber and mobile. I play a lot of x guard and spider guard and it helps to be flexible to get into some of these position. That flexibility has been important in providing relief from some
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of the pains I have and the one constant thing all of my doctors tell me is, “Do not quit training because it is having a positive effect on your body.” Of course I didn’t need a doctor to tell me not to quit, the passion for the art and the freindships with other students which has developed over the years of training is what motivates me to stay on the mat. The people I meet on the mat are all amazing in their own right and I enjoy the comradery we have on the mats. Jiu Jitsu is something different for everyone, some people want to be world champions, others want to use it to step into MMA, for me is a way to stay fit and healthy. My teacher always told me, “Jiu Jitsu is different for everyone” I have come to learn he is right. The gentle art has given me 11 great years of training, and I look forward to training and teaching for years to come.
From the Ashes Melissa Rimoldi March 12, 2015 - I still remember the day vividly as if it were yesterday. I was a blue belt at the time and had been training extra hard, as my coaches had recently talked me into competing at Master Worlds. It was around 5:15 am when I woke up, contemplating going to my normal 6 am training session. I was flying out to Colorado later that morning for a snowboarding trip, but thought I could maybe squeeze one more training session in on my way to the airport. My boyfriend at the time assured me I was crazy, while convincing me it was not a good idea and that I should just stay in bed for another hour before taking off for my trip. As I laid there, unable to fall back asleep, I picked up my phone and saw I had a text message. It was a photo of my gym…on FIRE!!!!! I just looked at it for a few minutes in total disbelief. Thankfully everyone made it out of the gym unharmed, but our space was destroyed.
The next several months were definitely hard. We trained on remnants of mat that laid over the plywood subfloors in a building that had been plagued with smoke. The place we all called “home” for so long looked and functioned nothing like it once had. Eventually, we were able to move to a new location, but the whole ordeal cost us a lot of training time, gym members/teammates, and even coaches. All this on top of unimaginable heartache. However, the silver lining is that this horrible experience brought our remaining team closer together and made us realize that we could endure much more than we ever imagined. We trained through it, we still competed, and we still won. We were the Pheonix! Sometimes, bad situations occur that you can’t control and that you may not be able to imagine getting through. Remember, you can always rise from the ashes and chances are, you’ll be stronger than you were before.
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