This week we bring you an interview with BJJ Black Belt Steven Patterson. Steven is training under Comprido, and he is a 14X Chicago Open Champion and he took 2nd at no-gi Worlds. We have a great conversation about training, competing, and teaching.

We talk about:

What got him started in BJJ

His first tournament

His odd experience training BJJ with his first instructor

Being asked to try Ayahuasca

Evaluating an opponents stance

What to do if you have a tournament you are not happy with

His match in fight to win on Sept 24 vs Chris Hartwig

His experience as being a IBJJF referee

University of Ground Fighting

Starting his gym as a brown belt

His gym in New Lenox, Illinois

Developing a kids program

How teaching kids changed the way he teaches adults

Why people start BJJ

How BJJ is like skateboarding

Links:

Quote of the week: “If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.” Lao Tzu

Article of the week: Sharpening the Ax

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Gary’s audio book this week is called “story time with Gary, time to sleep”

Catch us next week for another episode of The BjjBrick Podcast

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