OG Testimonial of the Week
August 22,2008
This week's OGTOW is from OGTT Member Dan M that checks in with me from time-to-time and it's always good when he does. Unbeknownst to a lot of the OG newbies that joined the Nation within the past year, Dan WAS the guy that the young punks at his academy used when the grappling dummy needed a day off from training. But in the nearly two years that he's been a part of the Nation, Dan's made remarkable gains with his mindset, mat performance, and asked what I considered to be a very provocative question at the end of his testy. So, check it out for yourself, see what ol' Dan's been up to these days, and enjoy!
Paul,
Thanks for the tips, every bit helps in protecting our guard. As each day goes by I realize my guard always needs better protection. It's never good enough.
The day before yesterday, I had a training match with a much younger opponent (11 years) and found myself almost falling victim to both the nerve and pressure point applications. I know this opponent enough to realize I should expect something like this from them. I was watching for it.
At the beginning of the match, he put himself in a vulnerable position. Of course as a good BJJer, I applied the correct techniques to gain control of the match. He became very upset and it was like someone going for the throat in retribution. The cheap tricks immediately came out and were initially effective.
After I recognized his new moves and gained some self-control, I shut him right down. Wow, it sure hurt, but you may surprise yourself at your ability to apply self-control to gain control and avoid anything more serious coming about of it.
I won the match and expressed my lack of respect for that behavior. I didn't wait until after the match. I did it during the match and I didn't do it with words either.
Sometimes, it's not what you say but rather what you don't. I didn't say a word, instead maneuvered and controlled the match in spite of his employment of those methods. I know he was hurting after the match, but only because I beat him good. Not using his techniques, but using the higher road techniques.
I wanted him to know he can't get away with that anymore and he knows it!
FYI - this opponent used to kick my butt all over the mat 2 years ago... all the time! Back then, it was like I never stood a chance and I was helpless. I have mixed feelings that it was good for my confidence....it was good to win, but man did it hurt, just not like it used to hurt.
It's funny because the pain he caused me was nothing like before, but it was almost enlightening. Not in the sense as to how far I have come from 2 years ago, but rather how far I still have to go.
This brings up a question. Should we always think the worst in people? Should we always expect the worst of people? Certainly, we should be prepared to overcome the worst, but perhaps if we just looked at everyone as though they're total aim is to win at any cost to us, perhaps we can avoid our own pain. It goes against my grain when I think I have to think the worst of people, but then again this is not a game based on kindness, is it.
Dan M
Dan,
Reading this testimonial was very satisfying because you've been in the OG Nation since the beginning, bro! I remember your emails from back in the day talking about how you were literally tormented by some mat punks at your academy every training session. Fast forward two years later and you're a different OG on the mat. You're mentally tougher, more confident in your grappling abilities, and willing to meet the every day challenges that OGs (regardless of age) face from mat punks (both young punks and old punks) head-on.
As for your questions about always thinking the worst of people, I had to change my initial response from yes to no. Initially, I said yes, but as I thought about it, I think having that kind of mat paranoia isn't good to have while you're waiting for each and every partner to do something cruddy on the mat. Being prepared to expect the worst of every partner might take away the pleasant experiences that you get from training because you're constantly on the lookout to crack someone's head before they crack yours. And training that way can't be fun.
What we do need as OGs (regardless of age) is the ability to shift mindsets for each opponent as the training dictates (just like I talk about in my "9 OG Mat Attitudes/10 Common Grappling Mistakes" CD/DVD Package that goes on sale in September 2008). That way, you won't overreact and start dismantling some unsuspecting training partner that unintentionally knees you in the crotch, as opposed to some punk giving you several "planned accidental" knees below the belt!
Overall, you've done a fantastic job and have made tremendous improvements with your mat attitude over the past two years. Keep up the good work and you'll be on track to reach all those training goals that we discussed last year!