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.
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.