Not sure about you, but I love Mornings. I guess you could call me a morning person. I never have to “Snooze” my alarm, I don’t have 50 different alarms set every 10 mins so I can gradually rise from the dead. Why would I purposely get up that early?

What could possibly motivate me to get up at 4:45 a.m. everyday with a smile on my face, Brazilian JiuJitsu. I started teaching a Morning Basics and Fundamentals Class a little over a year ago. I have to say, it has been the best change I have ever made. While others might not share my feeling or enthusiasm for early mornings, hear me out. Who knows, by the end of this blog, you may just be transformed from a Night Dweller to a DayWalker.

Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against our Brothers and Sisters of the Night. I too, was part of the Dark Clan. For a long time I kept the same routine. Wake up, work, jiujitsu, sleep, repeat. I did this everyday without fail because I didn’t know then, what I do now. I did not realize there was another way to get your training in. Just like most people that train, the daily routine included the norm. Waking up, making the daily commute to work, bust your chops for pennies all while racing to get home and start your Honey-do list, get the kids situated and homework done, trying to feed everyone something healthy instead of burgers for the 4th time this week, all just in time to try and make your evening BJJ class before you flip your lid. You made class, now you are tired as hell and the long ride home proceeds. You get home, throw your gear in the washer, you grab a quick bite maybe a protein shake to refuel, and now you shower. By the time you know it, it’s midnight if not close, you finally let your head hit the pillow and you’re dead to the world. Waking up 4 to 6 hours later to do it all over again. That just sounds exhausting. Can’t believe I did that for a long time. There were plenty of other schools that offered an afternoon Open Mat that I could hit occasionally, however work got in the way of that venture. Sure I got some great rolls in, but if the Academy I was visiting doesn’t have a shower, then it’s going back to work smelling like something that just crawled up from under the toilet. Not sure about yall, but in a Professional setting, hell any setting for that matter, it’s in poor taste to show up reeking of B.O. Besides that Smelly Factor, you don’t want to go hours without cleansing your body of the bad bacteria that lurks on the mats during training. Ask anyone that has had Ringworm or Staph how long they were off the mats and or work to boot. So again, I would revert back to the same routine and train solely in the evening with rest of Night Dwellers.

Later on in the year, my academy was seeing an influx of students and my Professor was getting stretched pretty thin. Being one of his Highest Ranking and Senior Students, he approached me with an offer to start teaching a morning class for him. This would relieve some congestion in the evening classes giving Professor a little breather all while giving me the opportunity to hone my teaching skills. Hours would be 5-6:30 a.m. 3 days a week. At first, I was thinking 5 a.m. comes pretty fast, this is going to leave me exhausted. 2 weeks in and I couldn’t be happier. The change has been truly amazing.

Since the class was scheduled early, it gave my students and I a chance to work some great technique and get some quality mat time after. Class usually ended about 615 ish which gave everyone a chance to get home, shower, and still get to work in a timely manner. Best of all, you already got your JiuJitsu in, which freed up more time in the evening. We finally had the opportunity to sit down together and eat like a normal family.

I was able to assist my daughter’s with their homework everyday, but more importantly, I was able to spend more quality time with them and my wife. Just like they say, “Happy Wife, Happy Life”. Not to mention the Amazing sleep I would get. Talk about a game changer. My energy levels skyrocketed, I was no longer dragging tail or drinking coffee midday to keep awake. I looked forward to getting up those days and teaching. I only wish now that I could teach mornings everyday. The amount of personal satisfaction I receive is priceless.

So in the end, the decision I made to switch from a Night Dweller to a Daywalker was the Best Decision I made. The limitless benefits I receive from teaching or just attending morning classes vs night classes is simply incredible. The amount of time it frees up for you is worth the switch alone. So next time you’re feeling tired and like you’re running out of time for yourself or family, consider making the switch to a morning class if possible. You may end up being just a fortunate as I am. Till the next time. See ya on themats. Oss.