Black Label Jiu Jitsu Ohio

Many people are asking for an update, as well as some negative whispers from other schools, & people I thought were friends. I’m not concerned w/ the negative, but I’m grateful for the positive & feel I owe them an update…I was a few days away from a fantastic location in the Boardman shopping district; I was thankful, stoked, proud, and confident - then the lockdown was announced, which then became the shutdown. I was bummed, but also felt like I dodged a bullet. Fast forward, and while the shutdown has now been eased, there are a plethora of factors – consumer fear, government regulation, high risk family, unemployment, well known gyms now shuttered - along with the normal hurdles of opening any new business, that present a concern that this is simply not the time to open a new school. However…Life isn’t all about wins & instant gratification. Sometimes we lose, or sometimes the wheels simply turn slower than we would like in our effort to reach our goal. The setbacks are discouraging, no doubt, but in the long run, they benefit us the most, b/c they motivate us the most, and thereby make us better, at a faster pace, than our wins. This Welter Weight Championship photo encapsulates everything you don’t want to see of yourself – a loser, bloodied & tired, w/ the look of embarrassment & disappointment, while the winner is belted, basking in all of his MMA glory. I could give you all kinds of reasons why I lost that fight, but they don’t matter, I lost and that’s all I’ll be known for on that night. I still use that feeling as motivation to this day, I hate it & I love it at the same time, and I believe it has benefited me as a person & a fighter in more ways than a win that night ever could. It’s not the same as losing that fight, but I feel like I took an L on the school’s first attempt, which further motivates me, along w/ the continued interest of supporters, and the chirps of sap sucker naysayers, to bring Black Label Jiu Jitsu to Ohio. I am speaking w/ other gyms, students, medical professionals, and family members to arrive at a new start date, and will provide updates as the journey continues.🏴‍☠️

com·po·sure
/kəmˈpōZHər/
noun
1. the state or feeling of being calm and in control of oneself.

Strengthen & sharpen the Mind like any other physical weapon. 🏴

Specials for Monday: Free Knuckle Sandwiches.

Living the BJJ Good Life, back on that ATT Lowcountry Saturday Vibe!
I can’t tell you how fantastic it is to see longtime friends, and make some new ones. So many people are getting better and developing their own games, and so many other people are just starting their journey, it’s gorgeous. I was able to share technique & conversation with a number of new students who are passionate, inquisitive, and willing to listen/learn - you’re on the right track, and in the best school possible to excel, keep hustling. I’m taking part of all of you with me, and I am more proud than ever to be a part of this growing Black Label Jiu Jitsu Family. Fly those Flags, Homies.🏴

TBT: Different jobs that required a move, families adding babies, fighters moving on to different gyms, different spouses, absolutely everything about this photo is different now. But on this night, supporting our team in some gnarly fights, we were 20 some people moving as 1 on the Charleston MMA scene. We were a proud team and a thick as blood family on top of the world with no thoughts of the changes to come. These are the days I love and will always smile about when the moment arises, this is the beauty of the martial arts community, and I know, no matter where anyone is, or how long it’s been, I’m hugging everyone of these people when I see them.🖤🏴