Student and Teacher

I've enjoyed thoroughly this road that i've taken. I believe that I have been able surpass any expectations I might have had in the beginning as well as set new goals and deeper meaning in what I do. The thing that allows me to stay energized as a teacher is a first and foremost a love for what I and secondly the need to constantly learn. I have been teaching now for about 5 years. The one thing i've noticed is that as an instructor you go up and down. In a bag class setting sometimes training becomes monotonous. There are plenty of exercises to do, but after a while I start yearning to teach technique. Unfortunately, I teach more bag classes than hands on classes. I enjoy teaching in all formats so I have to counter that feeling, and I do that by becoming a student again. I have made my way back to the mat and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and with that, back to humility.

It is exactly what the doctor ordered. By tying that white belt around my waist twice a week and getting choked or arm locked, it helps push me to teach better. It gives me purpose when i'm feeling like I lost it. For whatever reason, when I want to get better I want to make my students better, and right now, I REALLY REALLY want to get better.

Motivation must be found! It can sometimes come from people, or born out of necessity. I get my motivation from the looks on the faces of my students and making myself a student as well. Whatever you have to do to evolve to the next level of life, you should do such things. As I progress further, my mentality changes. I get a spring in my step, my chest pokes out a little further and there is a strength in my voice. I love how humility makes you stronger.