I know everyone has their own reasons for why they love Jiu Jitsu. Whether it’s because the self confidence, physical benefits, or just overall infatuation. I am no different, I have a love for this sport/art that I have tried to explain to others but can’t ever seem to make sense. I am going to share my story to hopefully convince some of you to share your own as well.
A little over 3 years ago I had pretty much given up. I worked and watched tv occasionally I would go outside to the porch, exciting huh! Well here is where it gets serious, I smoked about 3 packs of full flavor cigarrettes a day, never done any sort of workout, and was rocking a blood pressure of 200/112. I was truly about to meet my maker! My self confidence was crap, I knew I was worthless and honestly didn’t care!
I then had a sleep study done to try and figure out what I could do to stop snoring so bad while I slept. The results of the sleep study was that I suffered from a severe case of sleep apnea. In 4 hours of sleep, I quit breathing 109 times! Some only briefly but others for as long as 30 seconds. I say again, with my blood pressure and the sleep apnea, I was on my way out!
A friend of mine told me of a local school that he was attending that did Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu. I had the same excuse as everyone else, “I am way to out of shape for Jiu jitsu!” He was adiment though, every week he asked me to come. Finally I caved, I said I would try it out.
I get to my first class, they hand me an A-6 Gi, and an A-5 belt (which was tight) and on the mat I went! I thought I was going to die! Couldn’t breathe, body was numb, every move I made felt like I was moving a house, but I fell in love!
I had to have more! I started going twice a week and still couldn’t get enough so I made it 4 times a week! Then after 22 years of smoking, I put them down! I knew my Jiu Jitsu would be better if I didn’t smoke! My blood pressure is holding steady a little above normal and my sleep apnea is gone!
I can actually say, Jiu Jitsu saved my life! I truly believe it was God’s way of saying do this or its the end. I have fought tooth and nail to get where I am. I am now writing for one of the biggest Jiu Jitsu websites in the world. I am sponsored by BreakPoint Fc because they believe in me! I was recently given a position on The Big Jiu Jitsu Show Podcast all because of my love of Brazillian Jiu Jitsu!
Don’t ever let someone tell you that dreams don’t come true. They do! Sometimes your dream hasn’t even really came to you yet!! Don’t pass up on something just because you’re unsure of the outcome. It can’t hurt to try! Oss!
My name is Jonathon Hale, I am a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blue belt under Clint Hooper/Nova Uniao Hawaii, I am a sponsored athlete for BreakPoint Fc and member of The Big Jiu Jitsu Show Podcast.
www.breakpointfc.com
www.hoopersmartialarts.com
www.bigjiujitsu.com
