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| | | BJJ Globetrotters Newsletter // July 2024 | | Dear Globetrotters,
This newsletter is a bit delayed but the last period has also been a bit crazy, to say the least. After Camp 100, I flew back home to the Caribbean to pack up my entire life in a few days, flew back to Europe, dropped everything off in the airport in Denmark and then directly back through security to catch a flight to Iceland for the camp here. I just woke up, body hurts from rolling all week and I'm teaching in 1.5 hours but I wouldn't have it any other way!
Camp 100 was something very special. It's been a few weeks since it ended but I am still not entirely sure how to describe the experience. I am very grateful that so many of you came out to Italy to celebrate this big milestone of the camps. I'm leaving some photos here in the newsletter and you can watch a highlight video here, but they won't do it justice to be honest.
Also, I am moving to Europe after eight years in Saint Barth. The club continues (go visit any time!) and I'll still do the camps there, of course. But for me, it's time for new adventures. So starting now, I will be traveling Europe indefinitely, trying to live in different countries there with my family for a few months at a time. Denmark, Sweden, England, Austria and Spain are planned for now - then we'll see where that takes us!
Anyway, I gotta get out of bed and head to the gym to teach at camp. Hope you'll enjoy this month's newsletter!
Have a nice day, | | | |
What you'll find in this month's newsletter: - Featured Globetrotter: Eveleen Soroko
- Photos from Camp 100
- Globetrotters Academy in Focus: Sociedad Secreta
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| | | Less than 10 tickets left - biggest mat space of the year! |
| | The first two Beach Camps in Pärnu were a tremendous success, so we’re once again heading off to this summer gem on the Baltic coast. A full week of sun, sea, sand, and all the Jiu Jitsu you can handle. Hope to see you there!
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| | | | Featured Globetrotter: Eveleen (Eevie) Soroko |
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| | Age: 36
Belt: Purple
Profession: Full Time: Maintenance Logistics Supervisor for V2X (Contractor) Part Time: Army Reserve Officer (CPT- Captain in US Army, Commander for the 530th MCT - Movement Control Team).
How many years in BJJ: 10 years total thus far, and until the grave for me now.
Other martial arts: 20 years in Judo (Judo coach for 10 years, with a focus on children with special needs), Goju-Ryu Karate for 5 years, boxing for 5 years.
Where do you live: Germany.
Where are you from: USA (all over), mainly Texas and New Mexico.
Other fun or curious information you would like to share: Jack of all trades, master of some. |
| | Tell us what inspired you to travel and train? The moment I had my first “adult” time off for a vacation, I wanted to explore the BJJ gyms around Texas and share some Judo to blend with BJJ. I was invited by a few coaches from other gyms in Texas, and after that I just started contacting other gyms via Instagram or Google Maps and would get invited to come visit and train in exchange for some Judo tips. It was a remarkable experience. I always take my gi with me everywhere in case I can stop by a new spot to train and integrate with the teams. There is so much to be shared in the world of BJJ and martial arts. It is truly magnificent. Most gyms are delighted to and encourage cross training. I have noticed that those gyms tend to have the happiest members and most successful competitors.
Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?
My most recent trip was to Tallinn, Estonia for Spring Camp 2024. Next trip will be for Camp 100 in Italy!
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| | What are the things you enjoy about travelling? Exploring new places and socially mingling is a great dopamine boost! Especially trying new foods!
Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that make it worth traveling and training?
Yes, absolutely! Finding your “tribe” all over the world, with so many people from all over the world, with the same love of martial arts, is magical to me. Being in the military, we have bonds so close they are kinda gross on a funny level, and BJJ is very similar. Who doesn’t love someone else’s armpit sweat in your mouth and eyes? Science-wise, that exchange actually keeps us healthy.
The global level of camaraderie is a nourishment on a spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental level. Only those who experience it will understand it, and it cannot be felt on the sidelines of life.
What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling? Being overwhelmed in a positive way versus a negative way. Heavy workloads, the standard life "F-U's” that get thrown at all of us, can be negatively overwhelming in some aspects. Coming to these BJJ camps have been on the extreme side of the happy spectrum. I was mentally paralyzed in the best way because all my favorite people were all in one room together at the same time. With me having ADHD and a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), I have some executive processing delays that occur (like when your phone signal is ‘buffering’), so I quickly learned to pace myself throughout the camp process. I was surprised at how spiritually healing my first camp experience was (Beach Camp, Pärnu 2023), and how it both enhanced and humbled my BJJ capabilities at the same time. I am forever grateful for that.
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| | Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
It varies. I am not an exuberant spender, but I have healthy spending and budget habits to stay out of debt. Take a small course in budgeting! Knowing "how" to spend is important.
If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
Be open and curious. Have autonomy.
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| | | | More than 100 already signed up for next year's Maine Camp |
| | This will be our 10th anniversary for the USA Camp! As always, we take care of absolutely everything – food, accommodation, laundry, and Jiu Jitsu. All you need to do is show up, get in your gi or shorts, and get ready for the experience of a lifetime.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Last 15 tickets left for next Zen Camp |
| | * Full week training camp *
*Monday, October 7th to Sunday, October 13th *
* In the middle of nowhere, Poland *
* Accommodation in traditional Japanese houses *
* Huge mat space *
* Gi laundry service *
* Free use of spa and sauna *
* All meals included *
* Bottled water, tea, and coffee included *
* Daily sauna therapy sessions *
* Board games *
* Daily workshops and lectures *
* Mushroom picking in the forest *
* Morning yoga classes *
* Everyone welcome, regardless of experience and affiliation *
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| | | | BJJ Globetrotters Academy in Focus: Sociedad Secreta |
| | Where is the gym located?
Sociedad Secreta BJJ gym is located on Jacinto Dávila and Tnte. Hugo Ortíz streets in downtown Puyo, a beautiful city in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Its warm weather, breathtaking landscapes, and tourist attractions like rivers and waterfalls create the perfect setting to be in contact with nature and BJJ.
How many people train there?
The training team consists of approximately 25 people - including kids.
Is the gym growing - if so by how many new members each month or year?
Sociedad Secreta is the fastest growing academy in the province. Despite being a relatively new academy, after just four months since our opening we have had great acceptance among people. Actually, we have on average 5 new students per week.
What are the highest and lowest belt grades training? Of the people currently training in Sociedad Secreta, purple is the highest belt, and we have several white belts. Additionally, we often receive visits from Joaquín Gavilanes, who is the black belt in change of the academy.
When did the gym open?
Sociedad Secreta BJJ opened on February 14th 2024. However, our official opening event was on March 9th, where people who attended watched Ecuadorian Chito Vera’s fight for the UFC bantamweight championship.
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| | Some facts about you:
Name: Ivan Esteban Diaz Age: 30 Belt: Purple Profession: Dentist Years in BJJ: 8 years approximately Other martial arts: BJJ was the first martial art I got interested in. However, I have also tried kickboxing and Muay Thai. Currently living in: Puyo city, Ecuador Originally from: I was born in Puyo and I currently live here |
| | Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence It all started with a group of four friends - me being the leader. We started practicing in my living room. At that time I used to live and train in another city, but I had the idea of creating an academy for many years due to the lack of BJJ gyms in my hometown.
Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they? The people training in Sociedad Secreta are part of my friends group, as well as other people who have joined this martial family, and we have created a solid group of friends full of good vibes and energy.
What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general, and in your area specifically? One of the biggest challenges of running the academy was starting and positioning ourselves, but excellent marketing, good vibes, and love for Jiu-Jitsu have put us on the map, not only within the city, but the country.
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| | How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
We work hard every day to give BJJ visibility within the city, because a short time ago people didn’t know a thing about it. Our objective is to prepare athletes for national and international competencies. That's why I remain active participating in competitions, to practice what I preach.
We take advantage of visitors like Joaquín. He supports the academy with workshop activities where students can learn and practice new techniques and, most importantly, have fun while doing what they like.
What’s the best thing about your gym?I believe that the best thing about Sociedad Secreta is the friendly environment we have. We try to instill the BJJ lifestyle to every new student and make them feel part of this family.
What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym? The Ecuadorian Amazon is the hometown of strong and capable people. This is a place full of potential to prepare world-class athletes just like Roberto Jiménez, Johnny Tama, the Iturralde brothers, and many others who put Ecuador in the BJJ map.
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Thanks for sharing! If you'd like to visit Sociedad Secreta, you can contact them here. |
| | | Less than 65 tickets left |
| | Our week long camp in Arizona has quickly become a staple for the BJJ Globetrotters community in the United States. Come enjoy the desert air, BBQ, and some proper frontier rolls with us!
There’s a huge Globetrotters community in North America, and this is really turning out to be an ideal gathering point for them. If you’ve ever been eager to try one of our camps, but haven’t been able to due to the time or distance involved, this could be the one for you. Consider it your gateway to the Globetrotters camp experience!
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| | | | * From April 14th to 19th, 2025 *
* In Tallinn, Estonia *
* Less than 20 minutes from Tallinn airport *
* Huge mat space in a beautiful medieval town *
* Six-day training camp *
* Gi and no-gi classes all day long *
* High-level international instructors *
* Yoga every morning *
* All experience levels and affiliations welcome! *
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