Missing The Gym...

I hate missing Professor Pedro Sauer’s visit to Wisconsin. My coach and friend Eric “Red” Schafer received his first stripe on his Black Belt. Damn! Well deserved and it couldn’t have happened to a more awesome person. Red has always been awesome to me. He never makes you feel stupid when on the mat. Other coaches and Black Belts are so anal; you get intimidated by their arrogance and soon loose interest in training. Red gives you just enough to challenge you, which builds your confidence and pushes you to reach within yourself for that little more. If I were ever blessed to learn the art of coaching, I’d want to train my students just as Red trains me.

I’m currently going through the ups and downs of not being able to train. I nearly feel into a mild depression about not being able to train. I went to visit the gym last week and was supposed to go in the next day, but couldn’t. I couldn’t go back because I get that itch to train and being in the gym without training to me is painful. First it was my work schedule, but now it’s my shoulder. It seems as though everything is coming at me to stifle my growth and dreams for my Jiujitsu. I hear about what’s going on at the gym and how the team is smashing the world in competitions. I get jealous and just want to train. I’m that person who wants to win the lottery so I can quit working and train full time.

My doctor told me I have to wear my sling for three more weeks. Now I’m not saying he’s going to let me train at 100%, but I hope he’ll let me train technique. Training that way, I would be able to focus on my techniques and fundamentals. With that being said, Red would fully train me in that manner and help me develop those techniques to improve my game. At 41-years old, it’s tough for me a lot of times. I wasn’t an athletic kid growing up so I want to train my Jiujitsu as it was meant to be taught as a form of self-defense. 

TIme For A Road Trip...

I was just thinking it maybe time for a road trip. Yep, just as my family’s primary (living room) television set’s sound went mute for no apparent reason. I hope this isn’t something critical. I can’t spend money on this now. Dang it! I was just feeling comfortable.  Well, anyway, I need a vacation out of state. We have discussed going to El Dorado, Arkansas in the early part of next year, which is cool. I know Daniela wants to get away to a more relaxing get-a-way. That means we can look into going to Galveston Island, TX or somewhere in that immediate area.

I’m still on a desire to move to Southeast Texas and train Jiujitsu with Professor Draculino in Webster, TX. First there are more opportunities in Texas (Southeast, TX) than in Milwaukee right now, but transitioning is tough in this state of the game for us as a family. I guess you would have had to be there when Professor Draculino and the Captain opened up to my wife and I, embracing us simply because of Jiujitsu.

If we go on vacation to Texas, I would most definitely take my Gi and train while there. It would be so awesome. There are 4-Million people in Houston, TX. There being 4-Million people in Houston is the problem; too many people and not enough jobs to go around. We’re talking about a vacation though. I’m cool again!!

I would get to see my grandfather, uncle and aunt while getting some well-deserved R-N-R. I need to research Houston, but first try to figure out what’s going on with the sound on this television. I’ll talk with you soon.  

Tomorrow's Appointment...

I have an appointment with Dr. Gordon who did my Rotator Cuff Surgery. I hope he says something good because this waiting has gotten to be a tad long. I spoke with a friend and co-worker of mine who happens to be a Seventh Degree Black Belt in several different systems of Karate. We were playing with the idea to work together on a major life changing project. It sounds pretty interesting!

The key is to get a clean bill of health from Dr. Gordon. Keep your fingers crossed. 

Visiting The Gym...

I went to my gym, Red Schafer Mixed Martial Arts at 811 E. Vienna Ave. near Humbolt & Capitol Drive in Milwaukee, WI. A few of the guys were there training as they always do. It was super-cool seeing them and Coach Red. We spoke about his last fight at the UFC and the team’s upcoming competition with 360 BJJ for the NCGA Title.

The gym was looking great and everyday the gym and the team is growing. You guys who are at non-represented/affiliated schools need to check in with Red Schafer MMA and jump into the Red Army. I hope to see you all soon!!!!

Can I Get A Payday...

Tonight, I’m watching the CNBC Special “Ultimate Fighting: Fist Full of Dollars.” It tells a history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As I watch this special, I hunger more to try and find an opening to get into the sport industry of Mixed Martial Arts.

For the last nearly 15-years, I’ve worked in the non-profit sector with youth and family service agencies. I guess you could call me a “Goodie-Goodie” like my doctor does. I have an undergraduate degree in Human Services (like Social Work, but more frontline work) and I have an M.B.A. I received in 2007. As the industry of youth and family services began to have more restrictions on it, I began looking elsewhere to spend my time, experience and education. I received my M.B.A. from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI. I found out a new program was being developed in Sport Management so I began pursuing my M.S. in Sport Management at Stritch.

My goal was to get the degree and with the combination of my education and work experience, I could step into the industry during its developmental period. I had an opportunity to do some non-related work in Arkansas and decided to step away from my Sport Management Program for a while. Now I’m coming back, hoping to get back in the program and begin where I left off. There are some opportunities I’ve seen and believe I could squeeze through to the heart of the industry and find myself a warm snuggling spot for a career/business opportunity for myself.

I’m even interested in becoming a referee/judge for MMA. I would love to work with a team and be part of that team to help develop talent and the team brand.

Let me know if anyone has any ideas for me to see if you think it’s worth pursuing.   

Red Schafer MMA in Madison...

Congrats to my team for going up to Madison (WI) and dominating at this year's King Grappler Event. Big Chris Senner went all out and came home a true Spartan!!! This kid is amazing! We see "HUGE" things from him in the near future.  

UFC 137: Penn v. Daiz...Match Up of The Year...

On October 29^th, at UFC 136, BJ Penn will be facing Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Daiz at 170. This fight can be the best fight of the year. Honestly, BJ Penn and Nick Diaz, both are great strikers with great Boxing and high caliber Jiujitsu Black Belts. Both have wins from knockouts and from submissions. Due to their high level of Jiujitsu, I think this fight will be won on the feet. BJ has awesome wrestling and takedown defense, but Nick, when taken down is almost as dangerous as when in top position.

As the bell rings and the fighters meet in the center of the octagon, both square off with their trademark Boxing Stances. In my opinion, whoever gets the best of the stand up will dictate the pace of the fight. On the ground, I think it would be a battle for positioning rather than for submissions. Both are so talented, on the ground, it would be a near stalemate.

Let’s just hope, Nick keeps with this fight and actually shows up.    

UFC 136: Chel Sonnen's Post-Fight Comments...

We'll get things situated and more organized for future posts. The video portion is new and was the idea of my 10-year old daughter N'kya. Go check her blog out at: www.knitmeaheart.blogspot.com. Only 10-years old and she's created an organization to help less-fortunate youth in the Milwaukee Area. 


Happy Birthday to my firstborn child, Nasir. Today he turns 14-years old. Nas is a pretty cool kid and a great son. 


See you soon!!!


Fat Boy out.

Slow Recovery Process...

I had an appointment with Dr. Michael Gordon of MOGL yesterday (Oct. 5^th). After checking my shoulder, I’ve been cleared to return to work this coming Monday. I’m ready to get back in there. Sitting around the house got boring very quickly. He gave me some pain pills, but the pain is still there. I guess I just need to relax and do what I need to and let this shoulder heal. I’ve also been assigned to attend Physical Therapy twice each week for 10-weeks starting next week (maybe). I say maybe because I need to contact them and set it up.

He was very passionate about “NOT” training Jiujitsu for a few months. I figure, I’ll watch videos and videos to keep everything fresh then I can go in and train technique.

This is going to be a slow recovery process and I just need to understand and respect that.

Lacking Ground Game...

I just witnessed an amazing revelation a few blocks away from my house. A group of kids (12-to-16 years old) were in a ruckus, about twenty of them. The group of teenagers began yelling and cursing. They were acting so stupid.

Two of the teenagers began squaring off on one another then they started fighting. Both were swinging wildly with little to no technique. Both “Ghetto Champs” showed little form before the inevitable “Ghetto Headlock” came into play. They tangled for nearly 3-minutes. The guy who had the headlock hold was cranking and trying his hardest to twist the other guy’s neck. As most street fights do, this fight slammed to the ground. This is when the chaos turn hilarious. When they fell to the ground, they rolled around tiring themselves out ending up being broken up and being sent on their separate ways.

This was a typical example of two youth/teenagers knowing nothing about surviving/prevailing in street attacks. Makes you  wonder.  

In Recovery...

I’m only six days out of my surgery repairing my Rotator Cuff and I’m still in pain. My doctor said there would be pain, but this is pain like I’ve never felt. I try to reach for something using that arm, but it doesn’t move. I then realize it’s not going to. Sleeping in this sling and with this arm is nearly unbearable.

You guys have heard me say over and over again about my goals in Jiujitsu and my rocky road towards achieving them. Everyone knows about how my last two years economically and socially have been rough and very trying. Other than my family, Jiujitsu was my only friend. I talk about it so much because I truly love the art and the community Jiujitsu has developed around itself. After setting ground at Red Schafer Mixed Martial Arts earlier this year and conquering one of my greatest goals in Jiujitsu, I had a plan. We all have obstacles and roadblocks in life. There are things we enjoy doing, but find those roadblocks in the way of pursuing those passions. Well, for me, my job has been very unfriendly to my passion of training Jiujitsu on a regularly scheduled basis. I have a crazy schedule of 12:30 PM-to-8:30 PM, Monday through Friday. This schedule cancels out my attending the bigger classes in the evening and even in the earlier classes in the morning due to having to be at work at the time the class is still going on.

I, recently, made probation at my job and felt comfortable talking to my supervisor to ask for time on Tuesdays and Thursdays allowing me to come in a little later so I could train. Right when I spoke to my supervisor and she was going to “get back to me,” my arm began being a major issue. I had surgery and now…let’s just say with the time I’ll be on the sideline, I don’t have to wait for my supervisor’s response about those Tuesdays and Thursdays. Only six days out of surgery, I’m having a huge problem with “NOT” getting back to training soon. I fell like a failure. I fell like, “Here’s another excuse!” I achieved this major goal in my Jiujitsu and now it’s slammed on the breaks.

I don’t want my children and wife to see me as a quitter. They saw my hard work, my passion, and my dedication and they saw me achieve a great goal in jiujitsu. I liked how my family looked at me. I liked how my friends congratulated me. Now, I’m told to wait. I’m controlling my diet and managing my weight, but I’m told to wait.

I hope I can shake the fears I’m having about my recovery and not training for a few months. You have to do what’s needed to get back into shape. I’ll keep you guys posted!!!