Everyday hardworking individuals just like you are starting to train jiu jitsu and having LIFE CHANGING results! Check out Oscar's story!
“BJJ isn’t about being better than someone else…it’s about being better that you used to be.”
The first time I heard of jiu jitsu was from my brothers, they started doing jiu jitsu before me. They would ask me every day to go try it with them, but I was like, "No. It's lame. I don’t want to be looking dorky." After 2 years of my brothers doing it I noticed they looked happier and had more confidence. They kept asking me to join, but I still refused.
After the passing of my father I moved to Odessa, Texas for work. I was driving a diesel truck and the money was good. When summer rolled around, I noticed how much hotter is it here then back home. So, hot that I almost had a heat stroke, a doctor told me that not only was it the heat but also my weight that contributed to the heat stroke. I was weighing 354 at the time. I knew I was a big guy but I never thought I was that big!
Amazing transformation!
A little later, I started having chest pains! And, ridiculous knee pain just from trying to keep up at work. My body couldn’t handle it. It was reaching its limit of having a large pizza by and 4 - 44oz Pepsi’s a day. Looking back, I don’t see how I could do that to myself. I couldn’t handle it anymore, I decided to go on a diet and join a gym. I was doing 2 or more hours on the treadmill and managed to lose 77lbs in 6 months but MAN, walking in one spot can get old after a while.
Meanwhile my brother competed in a jiu jitsu tournament and won first place!! Seeing the video, when I came to visit, peaked my interest. I visited their gym and watched them work moves and saw how much fun they were having. I WANTED THAT! So, I asked them. “Can jiu jitsu really help me lose weight?” I saw how they lost weight but I was still skeptical. They just kept telling me all the benefits. I was still on the fence about it. My brothers had enough of my hesitation and said that if I gave it a real try they would pay for my first two months. Since I wasn’t paying I agreed to try it out.
We did some research and found two gyms that offered jiu jitsu. We chose Vagabond based on the information that was online, the customer service and, they have the only Black Belt in town! I met Professor Clay and told him that I wanted to sit and watch today. After just watching that first class, I was hooked and signed up on the spot.
On my first day of practice I didn’t have a uniform so, they game me one! By the time, I got to the middle of class, I was sweating like crazy. I could barely talk or walk! Clay had me sit against the wall. While I was sitting there I thought to myself. “Wow! This is hardcore!”
The next day I was sore in places I didn’t even know could get sore! As the weeks went by I kept working hard and putting my all into each class. I started to get use to drilling and learning techniques. My self-confidence was growing!
I get to see the difference between a beginner and a black belt at Vagabond and it's humbling! I still remember the song that was playing when I first ever sparred. It was Sail by AWOL Nation. When I hear that song, it pumps me up for class. When I would roll with Clay or the higher belts, they would give me great advice, like learning to protect myself and body control. When I first started rolling I would use up all my energy in 1 minute. I slowly learned how to breathe and focus instead freaking out and getting gassed.
I not only learned to focus and concentrate on the mat but at work too. Jiu jitsu helped me a lot in my everyday as well, if work or relationships are stressing me out jiu jitsu makes it all fall away. I always leave class happy and in high spirits. I was so addicted to it that I started going 2 times a day, in the morning before work and in the afternoon after work. After a few months with proper dieting and going to all the classes I could, I noticed that weight was dropping quick. Jiu jitsu has changed my life for the better. As my weight dropped, my confidence rose along with my ability to socialize more. I made friends with everyone at the gym. It’s now December and gone down to 235lbs, and that’s only the beginning of my jiu jitsu journey.
I just want to thank everyone that’s cheered for me the past few months. Steve my main man, for giving me good advice and never quitting on me. Isiah and Caleb for being super patient when showing me moves and continuing to push me to come class. Everyone there feels like family. Big thanks to Professor Clay for pushing me the hardest and getting my confidence to the highest it’s been.