The Gorilla Press Issue 81

Another Incredible SBG Fall Camp

October in the SBG calendar means only one thing; the arrival of another amazing SBG Fall Camp! This year, like every other, the SBG community expanded in knowledge and deepened in connection as students and coaches came from the world over to learn from each other in Berkeley, CA. This year’s Fall Camp was hosted by Lily and Alan Pagle, of SBG NorCal, and the amazing hospitality, beautiful setting and unprecedented levels of coaching excellence made this the best camp to date. What made it so special, was, like all things SBG, the focus on fundamentals. This meant that, despite three days of intensive learning, the material covered was never overwhelming. As SBG Portland Coach Cane Prevost put it:

“What struck me most was how little (in terms of material) that everyone taught and how much (in terms of knowledge) I gained. As simple as possible but no simpler. This was a giant step forward for the tribe. You will see the effects of this focus on the why instead of the how ripple throughout the organization with astonishing results. It’s the next step in the evolution of SBG and I’m ever grateful to have been there to see it blossom.”

The camp saw segments taught by SBG royalty such as the Singer Brothers, Steve Whittier, Chris Conolley, John Frankl, Salome Thornton, and, of course, SBG Founder Matt Thornton. Matt’s challenge to all coaches before the weekend was to boil down their sessions to the fundamental elements, ensuring a new and special experience for everyone involved. If you missed this year’s Fall Camp, start preparing yourself now for the 2017 Spring Camp. The location has already been announced: Niagara! Hosted by SBG Niagara in partnership with SBG Toronto and SBG Scarborough, on March 31 – April 2, this will be another moment in SBG history not to be missed!”  -Cane Prevost

 

Two New SBG Black Belts, And Three Black Belts Promoted

One of the biggest moments at the 2016 SBG Fall Camp, as with any camp, was the Saturday evening Ironman event. The SBG Ironman tradition is always an exciting moment filled with anticipation, but when they occur at a Camp, they usually mean an extra big occasion. This time was no different, and the Ironman event saw the promotion of two new black belts! SBG Ireland’s Aisling Daly, and SBG North’s Hamilton Ash. Daly, already a highly decorated pioneer of women’s MMA in Ireland, became Ireland’s first female BJJ black belt. She said on Facebook:

“The proudest moment of my martial arts journey, becoming Ireland’s first female BJJ black belt. BJJ has been the most enthralling, difficult and rewarding aspect of martial arts for me. It requires much patience, quiet commitment & resilience. I was first introduced to the art 14 years ago and have had many ups and downs with it since, which only made tonight all the more sweet. I have become an SBG Calibre black belt within this fantastic organization which is not only a reflection of my technical skills but also me as a person. I have grown into a decent, positive, inquisitive, critical thinking human.” -Aisling Daly

“SBG literally made a man of me. What an honor it was to share the experience with my Irish teammate and UFC fighter, Aisling Daly, who did incredibly! Matt Thornton, my big brother, has given me every belt I’ve ever earned in BJJ, and he has been one of my biggest and most important role models since the age of 17! Love you bro…” -Hamilton Ash

Both athletes went on to thank everyone who has taught, trained and encouraged them over the years, and it really goes a long way to showing the significance of the moment for both of them. They endured over two hours of sparring with over 80 training partners on the way to being presented with their new belts – a chance to roll with each member of the tribe in the room and share in a moment that was only made possible by the hard work of the entire team. Congratulations to Aisling Daly and Hamilton Ash!

Alongside the two new black belts, Matt Thornton also gave new stripes to three of his long-established black belts. SBG Coach Cane Prevost, and Adam & Rory Singer of SBG Athens, Georgia, were presented with new stripes by the SBG Founder in another truly memorable occasion from the SBG Fall Camp weekend.

“These SBG coaches are the best of who we are. It was a true honor to award each a second stripe on their BJJ black belt tonight.

Cane Prevost is a coaches coach. I can’t say enough about how much I admire his teaching. And much of the terminology we all use and share, comes from his creative intelligence.

Lily Pagle is also an excellent coach and Jiu-Jitsu player. She was my, and SBG’s, first female black belt. But as I said tonight, I’ve never thought of her as a “female” black belt. I’ve always thought of her simply as a really good one.

 

Annual SBG Ladies Camp Was A Huge Success

This year’s annual SBG Ladies Camp was an enormous success. Held at the SBG Headquarters in Portland, OR over three days, it hosted a record number of attendants. It is an amazing testament to the quality of coaching and strong team spirit that is present throughout SBG, that ever increasing numbers of women make it to these camps from across the globe.

SBG Portland’s Salome Thornton, had this to say of the event:

“After spending a few years trying to build and connect the community of SBG women world wide, seeing the result this past weekend was so rewarding it is hard to express adequately without sounding all soppy. A vision that started small, shared amongst a few friends, is now so big that it encompasses a global tribe of women. There were 43 women at this years SBG Ladies camp, and we received notes from so many more that wished they could have been there with us. We missed you, you know who you are! Making all this happen has been a community effort, and as such, I have a few thank yous to throw out there.

To all the new coaches that participated in the coaches corner this year. Teaching at camps can be quite stressful, especially when you are new to the scene, but all of you did a wonderful job, representing your organization well, and we are all very proud of you. To our two teen teachers, Stella and Ella, it fills me with such joy to see you both sharing what you love with such confidence and grace. You are great role models for all the little girls that follow you. To Destiny and Viva, who selflessly gave their time to make sure that every single little detail was covered, so all of our guests felt welcome and well taken care of. You two are the best support system a lady could ask for, solving every problem before it arises. To my friends and teachers, Lily, Leah, Amanda, Aisling and Kisa. It’s been quite the journey! I am so stoked that we shared this vision and then, we actually made it a reality. Thank you for your time and dedication to this venture, but beyond that, thank you for being in my life. I could not ask for better women to share the journey with and also learn from.
And at last, a huge thank you to all of the lovely ladies in attendance. There is no tribe without its occupants. Thank you for showing up, putting the effort in and being an integral part of the community. I hope all of you left having learned a bunch of valuable new techniques and more than a few friends richer” -Salome Thornton

If you weren’t fortunate enough to make it to this year’s ladies camp, as mentioned, the event will now be held annually! Don’t make the same mistake next year and be sure to sign up early when the time comes!

 

James Gallagher Returns to Dublin for Bellator 169

It was announced this month that SBG Ireland’s most exciting young prospect, James Gallagher, will fight his next contest in his hometown of Dublin, Ireland, at Bellator 169, against Anthony Taylor. It will be Gallagher’s fifth professional bout, having won all of the previous four outings into the cage. It will be Gallagher’s second fight with Bellator, having won his debut bout by decision after three rounds back in July. Just twenty, the excitement around Gallagher is such that he will be the co-main event of the card for one of the world’s biggest MMA organizations. The featherweight bout will take place on December 16th, and the whole tribe will be eager to cheer on James as he competes in front of his hometown crowd. Best of skill to James, Coach John Kavanagh and the rest of the SBG Ireland team in preparation for this huge fight!

 

Eryk Anders Wins At Bellator 162

October 21st saw SBG Alabama/Spartan Fitness athlete Eryk Anders make his own Bellator debut, and he did so with aplomb! Anders took on fellow Bellator debutant Brian White and made very short work of his opponent indeed, knocking him out in a mere twenty-three seconds. It was Anders fifth pro fight , and fith pro win, in just over a year. Including amateur fights, Eryk Anders in now undefeated in ten contests, and the step up in competition for his Bellator debut was the most emphatic win of the lot! Alongside the incredible start to his MMA career, Anders in a coach at Spartan Fitness, an SBG affiliate in Birmingham, AL. There, he coaches students from foundation level up, alongside Spartan Fitness Head Coach and BJJ black belt, Chris Conolley. If you are in the Birmingham area, before to check them out. Congratulations Eryk on your incredible victory!

 

 

Hamilton Ash Wins Lightweight Title

Fresh off his promotion to BJJ black belt at the SBG Fall Camp, SBG North Coach Hamilton Ash returned to winning ways in MMA by taking home the lightweight title for local MMA promotion Backflips & Beatdowns. It is the second fight in a row that Hamilton finished his fight within the distance, having won at the Kalispell Kombat event in September by third round submission. It is great to see Hamilton back and winning again. After the fight, Hamilton had this to say:

“I got the W, and even better, walked away with zero damage taken. However this was a very challenging and important fight for me against an extremely tough opponent. If you’re serious about fighting professionally you need to be prepared and ready to step up to any challenge on a minutes notice and that was the real win for me. Of course I had a little help from my better half @rebekka88ash to help me make the decision I knew was right for me when accepting the fight. That said here’s a picture of the “Dream Team” on display. I can’t express how grateful I am to have friends/coaches who take time and money out of their busy lives to drive me 7hours one way to hopefully win a fight. Thanks boys!”  -Ash

 

“I could have been a contender!”

 

SBG Joins Jiu Jitsu Global Federation

September saw Matt Thornton announce that SBG will be joining Rickson Gracie’s Jiu-Jitsu Global Federation, an organization dedicated to spreading the art of BJJ to new students, organizing competitive events and educational programs, and developing the industry as a whole, to make BJJ the biggest martial art in the world. Matt had this to say about the announcement:

“As many of you know, I’ve long supported Rickson Gracie’s vision of what Jiu-Jitsu is, and how it is best taught. I was drawn to BJJ in the early 90’s because I was interested in the truth as it relates to fighting – not MMA or BJJ tournaments per se, those didn’t exist yet – but fighting itself. And to that purpose, I’ve long believed that holding to the core fundamentals of the delivery system, as Rickson has, is the way to go.

That’s why I am proud to announce that SBG has joined Rickson’s JJGF organization.

 

 

Rave Reviews From Matt’s Seminars In Emonton and Berkeley

Matt Thornton continued his seminar tour last month, visiting Edmonton and Berkeley amongst others. See what SBG Edmonton Winjet, and SBG Norcal Norton have to say about his seminars.

“If you train jiujitsu and are dedicated to functional concepts that work, Matt Thornton does not disappoint. Matt has an unwavering aptitude for articulating jiujitsu concepts and fundamentals that are plug and play. Every time I take a seminar with Matt I leave with a better understanding of jiujitsu and a growing awareness of the importance of a sharp mind on and off the mat. Thornton is the real deal and his dedication to the martial arts has changed the face of functional combat in an authentic and very tangible way. Not to mention he is one of my favourite people in life period.” – Steve Winjet

“One of my first concerns with any BJJ seminar is that I am going to be overwhelmed with so much material that I won’t be able to add anything to my game. Or, I worry that things won’t be explained well and that I’ll need to try to fill in the pieces myself – never a good idea. I’ve taken three of Matt Thornton’s seminars and I am happy to report that neither worry has come to fruition. What separates Matt from other instructors is his innate ability to distill what’s critical about a posture, pressure or possibility so that anyone on the BJJ journey can grasp it. You will get it whether you’ve been training a month or a decade. I am also a fan of Matt’s writing and his jiu-jitsu seminars have a similar strength as his prose: everything is explained in a way that is smart yet still accessible.

This year, Matt broke down specifics of the mount game. In particular, he showed us how to fine tune sweeps while mounted. With just a few adjustments I’ve managed to make this tool much more seamless when I roll. And his tutorial on pressure and essential posts to maintain the position were worth the cost alone.

If you are training at an SBG gym you already get great coaching that focuses on the fundamentals. But when Matt comes to visit you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to add to it. You’ll leave feeling like you learned essentials and, at the same time, received a window on what makes BJJ a special art with universal applications.”  -Justin Norton, SBG NorCal

 

 

The Tribe Continues To Grow

 

Matt Thornton Back on the BJJ Brick Podcast (Click To Listen)

Topics covered include:

 

– Developing a healthy relationship to violence.

– Addressing the “street versus sport” fallacy.

– The use of “boy-speak” in RBSD.

-Why it isn’t the conclusion, but the method used to arrive at the conclusion, that matters most.

– The importance of meritocracy and competition.

– Aliveness and the epistemology of functional martial arts.

– What separates SBG from many other organizations.

– What all SBG coaches have in common.

– What defines a fundamental – that which is most important.

– Is violence getting worse, or is it becoming less frequent?

– The problem with pacifism.

– The role combat sports can play in working through issues related to violence – even at a meta level.

– The importance of critical thinking – and the 3 step process used to teach it.

– What kills most Americans – prioritizing threats.

– Why manners betray your class.

– Appropriate Response Training – A.R.T.

– Why a lack of maturity is the #1 problem as it relates to the majority of violence in the western world.

– The importance of out of wedlock birthrates as it relates to predicting violent crime rates.

– The truth about what is often labeled a “gun problem” in the USA.

– Why poverty doesn’t explain the majority of violent crime.

– Defining maturity.

– The role pre-frontal cortex damage plays in low impulse control.

– The vital role fathers play in reducing violent crime rates.

– Race and crime in the United States.

– The #1 killer of under 35 African American males.

– Why the scary stranger in the alley isn’t your biggest threat.

– What is a Character Disordered Individual – CDO?

– Teaching kids to deal with bullies.

– The distinction in tactics between boy and girl bullies.

– Developing skill in assertiveness and banter.

– Primal Instincts/ Primal Knowledge.

– Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for fighting and self-defense.

– Training striking for self-defense, the healthy way (updating software and not damaging the hardware)

– My thoughts on Krav Maga, and other similar “RBSD” arts.

– Dealing with multiple attackers.

– The importance of physical fitness.

– Do American police have an excessive force problem?

– Why don’t police officers get additional training?

– The speed at which violence occurs.

– The difference between MMA and self-defense.

– Detailing the M.I.N.D. method.

– The single most important thing, as far as staying safe.

– The root cause of most violent crime in America.

 

You’ll also find mention of my coach, Chris Haueter; as well as Rickson Gracie, Paul Sharp, William April, John Kavanagh, Karl Tanswell, Adam Singer, Ray Price, Conor McGregor, and SBG as a whole.

Again, listen to the full interview here: Matt’s Oct 2016 Violence Interview Podcast,

And if you enjoy it or find it useful, please feel free to share it.

 

 

25th Anniversary Gi Released!

This month, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the incredible organization that is Straight Blast Gym, SBG has released a very special limited edition gi. It comes in both adult and kids sizes, but if you want one, get in touch with your coach fast, because they are extremely limited.

 

 

It’s been a hell of a month and there’s more just around the corner!

 

SBG is going stronger than ever and each generation is becoming better than the last. From couples sharing their love wit the tribe, to the new generation of leaders being raised from within. SBG is truly unique. In a world of Mc Dojo’s and martial art associations that are bought and sold as if they were a subway franchise, SBG stays true to it’s founding. Growing the tribe from within, helping people realize their goals. Losing weight, becoming confident, becoming better human beings, and in the process, creating athletes, coaches, and above all else Strong Leaders, and life long relationships.

“This 7-year old Submission Samurai taught escapes from mount bottom to a class of peers today. His presentation, engagement, and enthusiasm is enviable by many adults. I love my job.“ -Kisa Davison

-Keep your eyes on the prize and your ear to the ground for-

– The Gorilla Press –

-And Click Here For Matt’s New Article On Tradition, Truth and Belief Revision-