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| | | | BJJ Globetrotters Newsletter // May 2020 | | Dear Globetrotters,
Yet another month has passed in confinement and we're hopefully getting closer to return to some sort of normalcy. For those who has been asking, the camp schedule on our website is always up to date. All camps listed are planned to go ahead, but we are of course following the situation day-by-day. Should any changes in the camp schedule be necessary, the participants will be the first to know and be offered either a refund or lifetime credit voucher. Let's hope this is over soon and we’ll see you at one of our camps!
We are still working hard behind the scenes here, to improve the future camp experiences and work on new exciting initiatives for BJJ Globetrotters. We will very soon have some news and sneak preview of the documentary we're releasing this year, too!
Have a fantastic day,
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What you'll find in this month's newsletter:
- Featured Traveller: Jenn Carson
- Globetrotters Academy in Focus: Pui O'hana Grappling
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| | Last chance to pre-order limited edition gis! |
| Good news, the factory is back up and running! We will take another week or so of pre-orders and then start production. All orders will include a BJJ Globetrotters face mask! :)
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| | | | | Arizona camp moved to December |
| | Our first ever Arizona camp was a huge success, so we’ve decided to go back to the desert. All day classes, open mats and workshops, combined with on-site barbecues and breathtaking landscapes. |
| | | | Featured Traveller: Jenn Carson |
| | Age: 38
Belt: Blue, with some stripes, if that matters
Profession: Library Director, Author, Yoga Teacher
How many years in BJJ: Three and a half-ish
Other martial arts: Yellow belt in kickboxing when I was in high school, does that count? I also belong to the Woodstock Boxing Club, but I’m fairly rubbish at it. Have you seen how skinny my arms are?
Where do you live: Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada
Where are you originally from: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
Other fun or curious information you would like to share: I’m a physical literacy researcher. You can check out my work at www.jenncarson.com. |
| | | Tell us what inspired you to travel and train? I travel to teach people about physical literacy and to improve my own. I live in a small town where there isn’t much opportunity to train Jiu Jitsu, so I travel to take seminars and experience different gyms’ cultures. Currently the nearest BJJ gym is an hour away, so I train with friends on borrowed mats in my basement. I like bringing the BJJ friends I make while I travel back to my small town to share their knowledge with the handful of training partners I have here. I share things I’ve picked up while I’m away, even though I probably forget 99% of it. I feel like Indiana Jones bringing home treasure and bruises.
Tell us about your most recent trip and your upcoming trips – where have you been and where are you going?
This is hard to talk about due to the pandemic. I’ve had to cancel all my travel plans, which I was really looking forward to. I was supposed to present at a writer’s conference in May, teach yoga at the Arizona and Maine Globetrotters camps (which will hopefully happen later in the year... if not, next year), possibly train in Ireland in the fall, go visit a Globetrotters friend in Reno, go see a bunch of cool concerts with my kids and friends (I’m a major music nerd), take my kids on an amazing adventure this summer in the Berkshires (mountain range in the Northeastern US), give a keynote presentation at a library conference out west... all of which likely won’t happen now. Not only have I lost money over this, the anticipatory magic has died. I feel guilty and indulgent for being sour, because I’m healthy, my kids are healthy, we have food and shelter, we are safe and loved. And I’m totally privileged to be able to even have that sort of itinerary in the first place. It’s not so bad, but it still sucks. I think it is okay to feel conflicting emotions at the same time.
My most recent trip, before they closed all the borders (even between Canadian provinces), was in early March. I went to try surfing - for the first time - in the Atlantic ocean off the coast of southern Nova Scotia, as it was hovering near zero celsius, during a nor’easter with five and six foot waves. In a holey wetsuit. I figure if you are going to try something new, the best time is under the most impossible, frustrating conditions, because each time after that will seem so much easier and more enjoyable. Like starting an open mat rolling with the most grizzly, show-offy, pent-up purple belt you can find. After that, getting your ass handed to you by a graceful black belt, or being patient with someone who is just learning, comes more naturally. It also really teaches you whether or not you like something or someone quickly. If you can enjoy a person or activity at their worst, you know you are invested for the long haul.
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| | What are the things you enjoy about traveling? At home I am very busy. I run an extremely active library, I participate in a number of sports, I am a single parent to two small children, I teach yoga and coach self-defense classes, I write books and do research, I grow a large garden and have chickens, etc… Travelling forces me to pause all that plate-spinning and just let myself focus on the task at hand: navigating a new environment. Ironically, I get a lot of good ideas for future research projects or artistic explorations when I slow down like that. So when I get home I have to be careful not to jump into seven new things to make me feel like I’m “making up for lost time” while I was gone.
Travelling also gives me a greater understanding, and therefore an increase in empathy, for how other people live. It also helps me appreciate what I have at home. I design and sew clothing for myself and my family, so I love seeing how people in different cultures dress. I love architecture and looking at buildings. I love being in different natural environments and learning about the flora and fauna. I can just look at things all day long.
Because my children are young and I don’t have a partner, I often travel alone. This is a wonderful break, because I don’t have to be responsible for anyone else for a few days, or even talk to anyone, except when ordering food, or at shops, or while training, or working (I often present at library conferences on the road). But mostly, I can just spend time looking and listening and... being. My nervous system takes a big sigh of relief. But I’m also very grateful to get home to “my people.” Introverts still need their humans.
Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
For the last few years at US Globetrotters camps, I have been the in-house yoga instructor. I’m also a positional therapist and will often give talks about that. I don’t go to a lot of the parties and social events around camp. I mostly show up, teach yoga, train all day, have fascinating one-on-one conversations, ask (probably annoyingly super-technical dumbass blue belt) questions, and then go back to wherever I’m staying (alone) to unwind from all the stimulation. People often approach me to help them with an injury, or to ask advice about their yoga or meditation practices. These connections last long after I come home from camp, as people continue to stay in touch through social media and keep me updated on their progress. I’m not the person at camp wearing an outlandish unitard or rallying everyone to do shots (but I appreciate the entertainment factor of those who do!). I feel like I offer a friendly, helpful, maybe even knowledgeable presence, and that makes me feel good about my work. And I benefit so much from everyone sharing their Jiu Jitsu knowledge with me. I like feeling physically and mentally full and exhausted at the end of camp - it is time well spent. And, of course, sharing knitting tips with Eric Bydairk.
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| | What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling? I am normally a very conscientious packer and planner when travelling, but last year, on my way to a writing workshop on Deer Isle, Maine at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, I did something really stupid. I stopped at a gas station about three quarters of the way on my four-hour journey to fill up. I was in the middle of the Maine woods heading for the coast. I went to grab my wallet to go inside to pay and realized...I didn’t have it. I had my passport, which is how I got through the US-CAN border crossing, but my wallet was nowhere to be found. I dug through my hatchback looking everywhere and then had a horrible sinking sensation as I saw in my mind’s eye how it was sitting on my windowsill at home, near the door, where I put it so I “wouldn’t forget it.” I didn’t know what I was going to do. I had no credit cards, no cell phone, no driver’s license, no health insurance card... nothing but two crumpled Canadian five dollar bills in my pocket, which wasn’t enough to pay for more than a couple packs of gum - if they’d even take my worthless foreign currency. I pictured myself selling ass on the side of a backwoods road to an old fisherman with no teeth and a smelly dog. I used my yoga breathing to calm my panic and that’s when I remembered I had a baggy of American change in the glovebox from camping trips with the boys. I dug it out and cried with relief to find eighteen dollars (!!!) of change. The boys always make fun of my “trash wallet”, but because I hate carrying change in my pockets every time we make a purchase in the US, I just throw the change in an old zip-top baggy and it has accumulated over the years. They were always mortified when I used it in stores. I ran inside and paid for my tank of gas with pennies and dimes and quarters. I had enough gas to either turn around and head back to Canada and retrieve my wallet (and be very late for my weeklong workshop) or else drive to the school but be stranded there with no gas to get home. I decided, as is my usual pattern, to do the hardest, most challenging thing. I figured I had an hour of driving ahead to formulate a plan.
When I arrived I immediately sought out the school’s office manager, explained my situation, and asked if there was a computer with internet access I could use and if it was acceptable to have a piece of mail sent to the office. She said it was, and told me, “Don’t worry, you aren’t stuck here, one way or the other we will get you home”. But I didn’t like the idea of accepting help from strangers. I didn’t want to be a burden on anyone and was deeply embarrassed of what I’d done. I ran to the school’s tiny library with its dial-up internet, to slowly log into Facebook and message my best friend - who was visiting his brother in upstate New York - and ask him to mail me some concealed cash and just hope it got to me in the middle of nowhere by the end of the week. He agreed. Luckily I’d prepaid my room and board using a credit card, so I didn’t need to worry about eating or accommodation. I could settle in and focus on writing poetry, which is why I was there. I didn’t even tell my roommate I was completely broke. When everyone went to town to visit galleries and farmer’s markets, I’d take long walks in the woods or swim in the frigid Atlantic.
Near the end of the week, there was a group exhibit for which we needed to buy supplies at the school’s store. I suggested alternatives to the project that did not cost anything, which was met by indifference from my classmates. So I quietly explained my situation to the professor and why I couldn’t participate in the group project. This was overheard by another classmate in the dining hall. The student said, “Is that why you haven’t signed up for the lobster dinner?” (a tradition at the school). I insisted that no, I just didn’t need a lobster, as I’m from the east coast and could get them at home. He told me he was buying me one. I balked and argued. He laughed and signed me up anyway. Again, I didn’t want to be a burden on strangers, but he wanted to help and he needed me to let him. He told me stories of losing his wallet or passport while travelling in foreign countries and how other people had helped him. It was a moment of shared humanity. He said, “I like how you are flawed but also not afraid to still be a challenging human.” My professor told me to buy anything I wanted at the supply shop, and if I needed anything else during my stay to let him know. I silently vowed to mail them both a thank-you present (and cash) when I returned to Canada (which I did). Every day I checked the office anxiously to see if the mail arrived, and it finally did near the end of the week, with enough American money to get me home, and also buy me some lunch on the way. I was overjoyed with relief. It was enlightening to watch how uncomfortable depending on others made me.
My roommate, who was supposed to leave a day early, decided to change her plans and was worried about how she was going to make it to the airport since her ride was no longer available. I told her it was no problem, I’d drop her off at the airport on my way back to Canada. She was so happy and thankful, she told me she’d pay for my gas and lunch on the way in return. I was incredulous. Here I was, in the middle of the woods, with no wallet, and now I suddenly had more money that I’d ever need to get back home, with a lobster dinner in my lap, all because I’d taken a chance that it would all work out and I’d figure it out as I went. I was shaken by how deeply generous and caring humans can be, and how - like Christian Graugart often remarks - a stranger might just be a friend I hadn’t met yet. It renewed my trust in humanity. And gave me a deep lesson about how perfectionism is overrated. People still like me even when I fail. It’s okay to make mistakes.
Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip? I guess it depends on your idea of “cheap.” When I fly somewhere I rarely rent a car; I usually walk, bike, or take public transportation. I do this because it is cheaper, it is better for the environment (to help offset my guilt from flying), and because it lets me see more of the local culture. I also like the challenge of figuring things out at street level, especially when I don’t speak the local language. I also hate navigating traffic in unknown places. Other people’s driving terrifies me. I often stay in hostels or rent rooms from people, rather than in hotels - again because it is cheaper, but also because I get more of a feel for the place. A generic chain hotel looks the same almost everywhere. I rarely shop when I travel, except for unusual art supplies, books, or interesting things for my kids or friends. I try to find a local seamstress or fashion designer and purchase one piece from them. That is sometimes my most extravagant cost, besides the flight. But I have built a very interesting and exotic wardrobe because of it. It feels like visual storytelling when I get dressed, knowing where all the articles came from, who made them, and how I felt when I bought them.
If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be? Just once, to challenge yourself, try travelling without a cell phone. I don’t have one, and never have, and so it makes for a really wonderful and sometimes maddening experience trying to navigate the world without technology in your hand. But it is also amazing, because it forces you to really be present when you talk to people, to rely on them for help and kindness, and it takes you out of your self-absorbed, seemingly self-reliant bubble. You appreciate how interconnected we all are. And you look up and see things you would miss if you were staring at a phone. It also means I don’t take pictures when I travel. My memory becomes my camera. I have to really look at your beautiful face so I remember it. I have to pay attention because I’ll never get to live in this moment again. |
| | | Castle Camp Italy moved to October - a few tickets have become available |
| | Candlelit open mats in the gently shifting shadows of a 1000-year-old altar. Cosy evening dinners under the starry sky. And an entire ancient castle all to ourselves, with a private staff on hand to take care of our every need.
The most exclusive and luxurious of our camps is back, and all it’s waiting for is for you to come and join us!
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| | | Check out the teaser for our upcoming documentary! |
| | | | | BJJ Globetrotters Academy in Focus: Pui O'hana Grappling |
| | Where is the gym located?
The gym is in Lo Wai Tsuen, which is a village in Pui O on Lantau Island, Hong Kong. If you remember that movie Contagion where the local Hong Kong guy kidnaps Marion Cotillard and takes her to a village. It's near there.
So it's not your typical idea of Hong Kong. We are a 5 minute walk to the beach, surrounded by hikes, paragliding and little surf shops/beach bars.
How many people train there?
We were getting close to about 20 regulars split between the kids and adults. This was before the whole Covid-19 thing started. The gym has quite a few expats so at any session we would have people from all over the world training, different languages and cultures just meshing together. It’s quite a sight to see.
Is the gym growing – if so by how many new members each month or year?
We were. And we hope to be soon. Right now the government has shut down all the academies to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. When this is all over we really hope to have a lot of new members. Our goal is to get the kids in the village to train and create a nice Jiu Jitsu community here in Pui O.
What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?
Highest rank is brown, lowest is brand new no stripe sub-human white belt :)
When did the gym open?
We opened last November. It was the perfect time to open a gym, right before a huge pandemic broke out 500 miles away and the government shut down all the gyms…<🤦🏻facepalm🤦🏻>
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| | Some facts about you:
Name: Alika Wong Age: 38 Belt: Brown Profession: Airplane pilot Years in BJJ: 10+
Other martial arts: MMA, judo, some wrestling Currently living in: Pui O, Hong Kong Originally from: Wahiawa, Hawaii, United States
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| Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence:
We opened the gym as a way to give back to the kids in the community here on South Lantau Island. The cost of living, and the cost of gym membership, is so high here. We noticed that kids don’t get into Jiu Jitsu because it’s just too expensive. So we started a donation only gym. Now if anyone says they want to learn Jiu Jitsu they can’t use cost as an excuse. You just lazy!
We have kids and adult classes now. Our coaching staff consist of two former Division I athletes, a Pro Muay Thai and up and coming MMA fighter, and me - the guy who can catch Pokémon with both hands simultaneously.
Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they?
We have a pretty diverse group of people at the gym. Being in Hong Kong, it’s a huge melting pot of cultures. We have Hong Kongers, Americans, Canadians, Filipino, French, Irish, Russian, Aussies, Pakistani, I’m sure I’m missing some. It’s really cool to see how everyone interacts with each other with Jiu Jitsu being the common language.
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| | Why do they train?
Some have aspirations to fight/compete professionally. Some come to work out and learn a new skill. But the one group of people that have a really special place in my heart are the parents who put their kids in Jiu Jitsu then decided they also wanted to learn. They had no interest to learn Jiu Jitsu at all, but when they saw their kids getting into it they wanted to share that experience with them.
As a parent myself, this is the one piece of advice I wish I could tell new parents. Whatever your kids get into, do it with them. It gives you a common ground to talk to them. When they grow up you will always have that bond. And it’s really fun choking your kids!
What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general and in your location specifically?
Right now it’s the Covid-19 and government shutdowns. But that’s hopefully a short term problem.
In general in Hong Kong, I think it’s that Jiu Jitsu is just not a known thing. A lot of people here know about traditional martial arts and Muay Thai/boxing. But Brazilian Jiu Jitsu isn’t very well known. It’s very different for me because I grew up in Hawaii where we had Relson Gracie spreading Jiu Jitsu in the early 90s. Everyone in Hawaii knows what Jiu Jitsu is and knows someone that trains. I have found myself explaining what Jiu Jitsu is a lot more than I expected.
I am hoping to help change this though. Jiu Jitsu is really exploding here, and I can see some high-level competitors coming out of Hong Kong in the near future.
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| | How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
Hong Kong is at a very pivotal time right now when it comes to Jiu Jitsu. Let me explain. Back, back, back when Jiu Jitsu was first starting to grow, it was dominated by Brazilians. I think one of the major factors was the language barrier. A native Portuguese speaker wasn’t able to communicate the intricacies of techniques to a non-Portuguese speaker. So an English speaking/non-Portuguese speaking student wasn't able to understand as well as them and didn’t learn as fast.
I remember the first instructionals I had from Brazilians were just English dubs, “push here, pull, grab, see, tap.” Like yeah ok, then me and my simple-minded, single-language-speaking friends would get together and try to figure it out.
Remember the first time you saw that Robert Drysdale DVD?
Or Ryan Hall.
That was a game changer. I understood those techniques before I even drilled them.
Having an instructor that speaks your language just elevates the game so quickly. When the US got our first wave of American black belts is when we finally had instructors that could teach us in our own language. There was no lost in translation. The students of these black belts are the killers of today.
That’s what’s happening in Hong Kong right now. There are local black belts who are able to explain Jiu Jitsu to Hong Kongers. And these students are going to be the most competitive Jiu Jitsu athletes Hong Kong has ever seen. It’s a very exciting time for Jiu Jitsu in Hong Kong.
What’s the best thing about your gym?
Standard answer, but it’s gotta be the people. The people make the gym. We have some hilariously outspoken kids and some very shy ones. But they all help each other. We have serious competitors and complete novices. People from all over the world. We still BBQ in front of the gym, watch UFC together, and just all get along great. I’ve learned a ton about the world just from talking with the people here. And I’ve got to share my favorite American holiday, Thanksgiving, with a few locals. For those that don’t know, it’s eat, sleep, tell stories, eat more, drink, eat, eat dessert all day.
What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?There is so much history here it’s a great place for tourists. Check out Kowloon, see the Bruce Lee museum, ride the Star Ferry, tram up the Peak. Eat some street food, check out the night markets, hit up LKF. Ride a ferry to Lamma Island, Cheung Chau or Peng Chau. We are on Lantau Island, so you can take the gondola up Ngong Ping, see the Big Buddha, and check out Tai O village.
We have a bunk bed in the gym, so if anyone wants to check us out just let me know. You can spend a night or two and we can show you around our village, take you surfing, go on some hikes.
Thanks for having us in the newsletter! It’s an honor. BJJ Globetrotters till the wheels fall off!
Thanks for sharing with us! If you'd like to pay a visit to Pui O'hana Grappling, you can find them here. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | Make your custom gis, patches and rashguards at our dedicated BJJ Globetrotters factory |
| | | It can be a mess to try and find a manufacturer of BJJ gear that you can trust on quality, delivery and attention to detail.
You can burn a lot of money going through samples from the many thousands of factories in Asia, trying to find one that will provide you with the product as you’ve imagined it. We know, because we’ve been through it all, ourselves! |
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