Subject: [July newsletter] Photos from USA Camp Maine // Featured Globetrotter // Vienneau MMA

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BJJ Globetrotters Newsletter // July 2021
Dear Globetrotters,

After having postponed our USA Camp in Maine twice last year, we finally managed to host it. And what an experience it was! It was the first completely full camp since before the pandemic and I had a fantastic time. Good weather and a lot of training and laughs. We already announced the USA camp for next year and every single private room and house sold out in less than 24 hours. Can't wait to go back!


It is also next week that we will FINALLY have the long awaited premiere of our BJJ Globetrotters documentary that we filmed in 2019 and was planned to be released last year. We wanted to be able to host a proper event for it, so we waited a full year. And now it's finally time! We will be hosting premieres in full size cinemas at the camps in Iceland, Germany and Estonia this summer. We have been working on this for three years and are extremely excited to show it to the world.

Traveling and training restrictions are loosening up and we fully expect to host every camp we have planned, without issues. On our website, we have now made an easy overview of up-to-date status for each of the camps, go take a look at www.bjjglobetrotters.com/bjjcamps :)

Have a fantastic day,

What you'll find in this month's newsletter:

  • Featured Globetrotter: Katie Taylor
  • Photos from USA Camp in Maine last month
  • Globetrotters Academy in Focus: Vienneau MMA
More than 170 participants signed up for the Summer Camp in Germany! Quarantine-free travel from Europe and United States is possible with a test, vaccine or proof of recovery
* July 26th to 31st, 2021 *
* In Heidelberg, Germany *
* Full week summer BJJ camp *
* Our biggest camp of the year *
* One hour from Frankfurt am Main airport *
* Huge mat space in a beautiful old university town *
* Six-day training camp *
* Gi and no-gi classes all day long *
* Several daily mega open mats *
* Daily workshops and lectures *
* High-level international instructors *
* Yoga sessions every morning *
* BJJ Globetrotters documentary world premiere in cinema *
* Classic wrestling styles competition *
* On-site accommodation available *
* Meal plan available *
* Free professional portrait service/photo booth *
* Free beer at final open mat *
* All experience levels and affiliations welcome! *
Sign up for the free online premiere of our documentary!
The Gentle Art of Travel is following the BJJ Globetrotters camps behind the scenes over the course of one full year and 12 training camps around the world. Sign up now to receive an invitation for the free online premiere. 
Featured Globetrotter: Katie Taylor
Age: 28

Belt: Blue

Profession: Digital Marketing Analyst

How many years in BJJ: 4 years this July (I will actually be celebrating my Jitz-aversary at this summer’s Iceland Camp)

Other martial arts: I am a white belt in Judo. I do not train Judo nearly as often as BJJ, but it has been a ton of fun to explore a new side of the sport and incorporate a new focus on throws and sweeps into my BJJ gameplan.

Where do you live: Providence, Rhode Island, USA. I have lived here for just over 4 years, and I began BJJ shortly after moving here in hopes of connecting with new people in an unfamiliar city.

Where are you from: Oxford, Ohio - a small town an hour from Cincinnati.

Other fun or curious information you would like to share: I have a blog at messykatie.com where I like to write about grappling and life! It helps me reflect on the important lessons I’ve learned while training and I hope that others can relate to some of the experiences I’ve had.
Tell us what inspired you to travel and train? 
I moved to Rhode Island from a small town in Indiana over 900 miles away. I knew ZERO people in Rhode Island before making the move, so I was really on my own in brand new surroundings. I had to leave my comfort zone to thrive, and learning to do this independently has instilled a great sense of confidence to pursue my curiosity about the world.

I quickly realized I can really just “figure it out” in any new situation - I couldn’t just call my dad to ask him about what apartment would be best to rent or hang out with old friends from school on the weekends if I wanted to have a good time.

So I paved my own way. When I got into BJJ, I had no way of knowing what a vast community I would become a part of. Through studying such a complex and boundless art form, the individuals who continue to train BJJ share a bond - and though each of us expresses this in different ways, it becomes a beautiful representation of just how limitless the art can be. In one training environment, you grow familiar with your partners, so the first time you ever venture to a new school for open mat you will be stunned at the unexpected ways your new partners move with you and create never-before-seen flows.

Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?
Most recently, I attended the BJJ Globetrotters Maine Camp, which I wrote about on my blog. I loved being able to relive the experience of childhood summer camps, but with a grappling twist - plus I’m now (legally!) able to enjoy a beer by the lake!
What are the things you enjoy about traveling?
My daily life is such a routine - even more so now that I have started working remotely. It can be so easy to fall into a quite dull existence where you become consumed with work, chores, and the same conversations over and over again. Some consider travel as an unnecessary luxury; but it can be an opportunity to bring a splash of color, art, music, emotion to an otherwise ordinary life. Normalcy and comfort is so overrated.

Above all, I travel for the joy of learning. I am so curious about the stories behind a place - why their architecture looks a certain way, how cultures have blended their cuisines into flavorful dishes, and why one group of people says ‘y’all’ and another group of people calls it ‘pop’ instead of ‘soda’. It’s refreshing to have your expectations challenged.

Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training? 
Jumping from open mats among new schools was actually my first exposure to the aspect of playfulness that could be achieved in BJJ. I found large groups of women that would organize training sessions so we could finally have similar training partners (still a rarity to find more than a few women in one BJJ class), and I experienced moments with grapplers that had no preconceived notions about my skills or style of movement.

I traveled to an all-female Girls in Gis event as a white belt, and I had never seen so many grappling women in one room! It was my first time ever seeing female black belts, and best of all it was outside the context of competition. Many times, women who train only get to roll with another woman when they are trying to win a medal! Being able to take the pressure off and actually focus on making friends with women on the mats was really exciting, and I still have all those connections today.

I believe that traveling for BJJ is not only an important factor for exposing yourself to new techniques and methods, but it is a wonderful reminder that the art of Jiu-Jitsu is so much more intricate than we could possibly imagine. Each new roll is a gift.

What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
The kindness of humanity amazes me. Women are often cautioned when traveling, and with fair reason… but I don’t feel that the negative stories should hold us back from exploring. I have had multiple circumstances where humans I didn’t know at all completely saved my day, expecting nothing in return.

I remember one instance where I was driving outside Chicago mid-winter (which I can’t recommend doing to anyone, ever). My car skidded across the icy street and had a major part break. Meaning I was stuck basically in the middle of a cornfield nowhere close to home. A man who lived down the road spotted me on his way to work and together, we rolled my car up into his driveway and he called a friend of his over to tow it to a service shop - and refused to accept any kind of payment.

Another surprise is just how many little random connections you can find across the world. I mentioned to my good friend that I planned on traveling to Iceland, and lo and behold she had a friend willing to rent out his apartment in Reykjavik. It’s easy enough to post on Facebook asking for recommendations in a new city and you’ll always get a handful of comments with helpful tips and tricks (or gyms to visit!).
Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip? 
I believe there are plenty of things worth splurging on, and other areas where it’s wise to save your change. I would much rather spend money on a once-in-a-lifetime experience than on luxuries that won’t make a lasting impact on my life.

The biggest way to save is really to make a plan of activities ahead of time. What attractions do I need to check out? Are there restaurants or unique local cuisines that I must try on my trip? I make those my highest priority, and keep a tight budget everywhere else.

Buying groceries to make meals is a huge way to save cash… I have realized that I really don’t need to visit a restaurant for every single meal. Mostly, I want to stick to my plan. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement when you see signs for local tours and events, but if you do the research ahead of time, you can often find the coolest things to do at much lower prices (and it helps having a friend who can tell you which attractions are really worth seeing).

When it comes to accommodation, I try to find a really happy medium of comfort and cost. The most important aspect to me is LOCATION! Usually, the hotel room or hostel bed I am paying for is simply a place to rest my head at night - so as long as the accommodation is clean, safe, and (mostly) quiet… I don’t need much in the way of upgrades. With the exception; as a grappler, I’m always looking for a place with laundry machines.

While traveling solo can be a wonderful way to discover a new place freely, it can also be expensive. There are so many ways to share costs with other travelers, whether it is staying in a hostel with bunk beds or ride-sharing to the airport. I was really excited to see how fellow grapplers in the Globetrotters community really jump on these opportunities as well - there are so many generous people offering their couches to surf on and inviting others to their academies to train with no drop-in fees.

If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be? 
Giving off positive energy will open the door to so many joyful moments. People gravitate toward smiling faces and generous spirits, and as you make new friends across your travels, they will provide unexpected views of the world.

Next Arizona camp is selling out fast: Less than 50 tickets left
* November 15th to 20th in Tempe, Arizona *
* 15 minutes from Phoenix International Airport *
* Now FULL WEEK of training *
* Gi and no-gi classes all day long *
* Daily workshops and lectures *
* Outdoor BBQ in gym’s back yard *
* Yoga classes *
* Extra mat space for all-day open mat / drilling *
* Free professional portrait service/photo booth *
* All experience levels and affiliations welcome! *
Photos from USA Camp in Maine last month
A beautiful BJJ summer holiday in the Alps! Families welcome :)
* August 18-22 in Wagrain, Austria *
* One hour from Salzburg airport *
* Beautiful location in the middle of the Alps *
* Five days of training *
* Four nights accommodation *
* Families welcome *
* Daily class and open mat for kids *
* Yoga classes *
* All meals included *
* Daily workshops, lectures and movie nights *
* 24-hr free fruit and non-alcoholic beverages *
* Extra mat space for all-day open mat / drilling *
* Free laundry service for training gear *
* Free access to water park next door *
* Garden party with BBQ & beer on last night *
BJJ Globetrotters Academy in Focus: 
Vienneau MMA
Where is the gym located?
Tracadie, New Brunswick, Canada.

How many people train there?
We have over 110 members and we plan to have more than 200 by next December.

Is the gym growing - if so by how many new members each month or year?
We started in September 2020 and had 40 members in total. Then we moved to a bigger place and almost tripled the members. And we're moving again this week to another bigger place!

What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?
We are training mostly MMA. But i’m a blue belt in BJJ and have a guy with over 7 years experience in no-gi BJJ.

When did the gym open?
September 2020.
Some facts about you:

Name: Gabriel Vienneau
Age: 27
Belt: BJJ blue belt, Karate black belt, Taekwondo black belt, Tema-Jujutsu black belt
Profession: Crisis Intervention worker
Years in BJJ: Two years in gi BJJ, three-four years in total
Other martial arts: I've fought in MMA and Muay Thai. And I’m a black belt in 3 different martial arts.
Currently living in: Pont Lafrance, New Brunswick, Canada.
Originally from: Pokemouche, New Brunswick, Canada.
Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence
When Covid-19 hit, I was planning my rematch for the heavyweight belt in Muay Thai. And I decided to start my own gym since everything else around was closing. So I started to clean my small garage. Then I bought tatamis, bags, and other gym equipment. I then decided to try a few classes with friends during the summer. Then I decided to open to the public in September. And the rest is history.

Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they?
I have three different classes right now. We have the Little Warriors (4-7 years old) who train MMA in a friendly and playful environment, then we have our 8-16-year-old group. We have a Monday and Wednesday group, and then a Friday group which is different people. And we have our adult group, which is called the Acadian Fight Team because it's mainly a competition class. We have amateur fighters, upcoming pro fighters, and people who have the desire to just train in an intense environment.
And we're also starting a gi BJJ group soon, as well as a women's cardio-boxing class taught by my girlfriend.

Why do they train?
For the kids it's mostly for self defense and helping them with their confidence. For the adults, mostly it's for competition and some come just for the fun of it.

What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general, and in your area specifically?
For myself for an MMA gym, the only challenge I've faced so far is being able to fit all the people without breaking restrictions due to Covid. And having enough parking for everyone haha. That’s why we're moving to a bigger place where training space and parking won’t be a issue.
Our current location. We'll be moving to an even bigger space this week.
How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
BJJ and MMA is a growing sport all around the world. So it will be bigger and bigger every year.

What’s the best thing about your gym?
We accept anyone. Were friendly and we take care of our members. We believe in the approach that everyone who has the dream to fight deserves our time, and is treat as an equal. It doesn't matter if you're a 5-0 fighter or a new guy who never fought. We will help you reach your goal no matter what it is.

What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?
There are a few good things to see around here. We have a historic village of Acadian people that is like 20 minutes' drive from the gym. We have the best seafood, and in our new spot we will have the best conditioning gym just behind us that is run by my conditioning coach and good friend Marc Godin. His gym name is l’Asile Athletique.

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Thanks for sharing! If you'd like to visit Vienneau MMA, you can find them here.
 
 
 
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    This is an online snapshot of a newsletter created by the owner of BJJ Globetrotters (BJJ Globetrotters, Quartier du Roy, 97133 Anse des Cayes, Saint Barthélemy) and sent via GetResponse on 2021-07-09. Report abuse