Being a Black BELT
Being a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu isn’t about knowing everything, it’s about never stopping the learning process.
Every position, every adjustment, every small technical detail that once seemed insignificant now carries deep meaning. The more I learn, the more I realize how much there is still to improve. The black belt isn’t a trophy you earn for finishing something it’s a constant reminder that the path has only shifted into a new phase.
1 YEAR of the RAFA
A Year of Transformation: Celebrating Coach Rafa at Dino Jiu Jitsu
When we first opened the doors of Dino Jiu Jitsu, there was this euphoric excitement about creating something special. We had a vision of a thriving community, a place where passion for jiu-jitsu would flourish. But as with any journey, we faced our share of challenges and setbacks that made that initial dream feel a bit distant.
Women’s Self Defense
I remember the first time I walked into a Jiu Jitsu gym. Every guy looked like he was two fights away from the UFC—rocking their matching nogi sets, sweaty, serious, and so intense. The testosterone was almost visible. Like, you could feel it hovering in the air.
TODAY I MET RAFA
Today I met Rafa.
Crazy story. My good oil and gas buddy Ricky Menard runs the Battle Ground Championship. I’ve known Ricky since long before he got into the jiu-jitsu world. We used to work together at Premier Directional. He was the DD coordinator, and I was the MWD coordinator. We managed rigs across East Texas, West Texas, and the Northeast — probably 12 rigs total.
CHAOS: LOGO DesIGN
When I decided to open Dino Jiu Jitsu, it was the first time in years I’d launched something totally new from the ground up. No roadmap. No brand. Just an idea, a name, and a gut feeling that we were building something different.
Grand Opening: A Day of Controlled Chaos
The morning of Dino Jiu Jitsu’s grand opening was a wild ride. When we walked in, the only thing that was truly ready was the mats on the floor. That was our MVP—mats and a coach. Everything else was a work in progress.
Starting A Jiu Jitsu gym
It’s finally happening. After years of training, competing, and watching how things are usually done… it was time to do something different.
So I started my own gym.