You may remember a few months ago, I wrote about my experiences working with a real strength and conditioning coach and how it’s improved my BJJ game.
Now let’s discuss how it’s improved the rest of my life….
I woke up this morning with my left knee an absolute mess. It didn’t get injured in practice last night, and it didn’t hurt before I went to sleep so the only thing I can imagine is that I slept with it twisted in the sheets or something.
Too much information, I know.
But it reminded me of the days when I used to gave to take 1000mg of tylenol and 800mg of ibuprofen just to let my dogs go outside in the morning.
Any BJJ athlete who is long in the tooth has been through a number of serious injuries and if you are a purple belt or above and you haven’t had a serious injury (like me), you likely have 100 small things bothering you. For me, it used to be:
- both ring and pinky fingers
- my left knee
- my right hip
- my left hip
- my neck
- both big toes
It was absurd. But now I don’t have any of those injuries. The heck with improving performance on the mat. I just wanted to improve performance walking the dogs.
BJJ isn’t worth living a life like this. I’ve come to realize one of the best things about working with a professional coach is improved health.
I know the video is a bit long, but in it you get to see my dungeon of a basement, and more importantly you’ll get a solid understanding of why certain things are best left to professionals.
Working with William Wayland not only improves my health, but working with a professional coach also saves me time.
No more wondering what I should do or reading articles online or buying books. He does all the legwork and all I do is follow the program.
Keep your eye out for William on an upcoming episode of the GiReviews podcast.
“You may own books, ebooks and video’s by some great trainers but actually structuring training and following them is a different kettle of fish. How many of actually honestly apply this stuff? Especially if you have a full-time job, responsibilities and play a sport.”
Tired of wasting time, being injured, or being weak? Get ahold of William via Facebook, his site, or on Twitter (@WSWayland).
Still want more? See William in action here:
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Followed you from SPI. Interesting site. I too am into fitness, and grappling/MMA. I have a big surfing background. My surfing regimen has kept me somewhat injury free.
That’s so cool Moe! Thanks for the comment. Dig your site name and I like the article about teaching the internet to children. Super important.
I’ve also been thinking about getting back with a strength and conditioning coach. It’s been a while since I last had access to one (high school/college soccer) and the minor injuries tend to pile up for me. Interesting that you mention big toe pain…I get that all the time. Was it shot-related for you? I feel like if I don’t change my level enough when shooting, it hurts like crazy.
Mine isn’t from shooting at all, in fact, a lot of my standing game doesn’t involve shooting low at all.
It happens passing guard or preventing a sweep where I slam it into the mat.
Ah, that makes sense. I don’t typically shoot too much either (judo background and all) but I still end up practicing it in class and sometimes it hurts. The passing/basing thing doesn’t bother my toes at all, unless I’ve already messed them up with shooting practice.
I would definitely agree. It’s one of those injuries that never goes away completely and it’s super hard to regain flexbility / mobility in your toes without working on it. A LOT.