The Blue Belt, the Rottweiler, and the Community That Changed Everything

I have been thinking about how blessed I am to be part of Karma Jiu Jitsu Colorado and the BJJ community as a whole. Why does this community mean so much to me? Well, let me share a bit of my story.

I started Brazilian jiu jitsu in 2019. Shortly after starting BJJ the world was hit with a pandemic. After taking a little over a month off I realized, as many others did as well, the importance of social contact with friends and family. So, like many others, we got back to training. Behind closed and locked doors, windows with newspapers over them, and silly circles mapped out on the mats - six feet apart of course.

As the years went on and things slowly went back to normal, and then back to a pandemic, and back to normal and back to a pandemic and… I think you get the point. The original school I was training at shut down. Here I was lost, homeless (in the BJJ gym sense) and not really sure where to go. When asking for recommendations for a new gym I heard stories of abuse and misconduct, schedules that wouldn't fit, and people that aren’t friendly.

Then I heard about this gym, Solflo Jiu Jitsu. I heard good things, but walking into a new gym the first time can be scary. There was something even more frightening when walking into a new gym as a blue belt, especially when you are met in a dark, wintery parking lot by a 120lb Rottweiler that goes by the name Earl.

After thinking of my escape plan and how on earth I was going to outrun this dog - I was met with a calm voice, “He’s super friendly.” *whew - I HATE running. The calm voice belonged to Zac, who has become a good friend.

As I walked into the gym I was met with smiles, welcomes and an instant connection based on values, humor and hunting.

This was it. This was my new home. *sigh of relief

Shortly after becoming a member, I said to Erica, “I’d love to help coach kids.” She welcomed me joining, however, when I showed up the very next day to help coach, I definitely caught her by surprise. I always have been one of those people who do what they say they are going to do and sometimes it surprises people.

During a very turbulent and tumultuous time in my life, Solflo, Erica, Ryan, Dave, Mike, Michel, Zac and so many others were there with love and support. However, they never gave me an inch on the mats. At the time I had left my wife, quit my job, bought a one way ticket to Europe, met & married a Canadian and while being one of the hardest decisions of my life, I left Colorado to go to Canada.

As many felt when Solflo shut its doors. I was heartbroken. Even though I was in Canada, I still felt a huge connection with the community.

Somewhere in between all of this my wife Raechel, and I opened the first Karma Jiu Jitsu. After being open for over a year and successfully growing to over 150 members, I was incredibly excited to hear that people wanted to get back on the mats in Colorado. I was even more excited when I realized we could be a HUGE part of this.

So here we are, Karma Jiu Jitsu Colorado. Many of the same familiar faces with new, revitalized energy in running what will be the best Brazilian jiu jitsu gym and community in Colorado.

While I plan my next visit to Colorado, I am excited to have many of our friends back on the mats. Ryan teaching adults two days a week. Erica training with our ladies. Lots of training options for both adults and children.

Jiu jitsu means a great deal to me as it has given me confidence, friendships all over the world, a community like no other, a new wife, and children.

To say I am proud and thrilled to see Karma Jiu Jitsu taking the next steps towards a major international presence is the understatement of the year. Thank you to all who join the dream.

Always feel free to reach out to Raechel or I. We are a FaceTime call or 4 hour flight away.