Posts by: jspeight

Keeping it REAL in Martial Arts

Training MMA fighters and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioners for 14 years I have seen a lot over the years.

Looking back as being the first to bring Mixed Martial Arts and Reality Self-Defense training to Eastern North Carolina. Things has changed but at the same time things has stayed the same too.

You should always be looking for a place that you can train that is always keeping it real. That is always stepping up to the challenge. That is why all of our instructors have had competitive backgrounds in BJJ events and a lot of times Mixed Martial Arts events. But at the same time, I teach Grace Brazilian Jiu-jitsu as a base for self-defense. You can visit the Martial Arts Rochester MN if you’re looking for the best martial arts school.

I have seen over the years, where someone has only trained for the sport part of Jiu-Jitsu, and have done really well in those type of formats. But have had more problems converting over to other sports like Mixed Martial Arts.

People are more likely to say it is the Gi training that makes that happen, I say not. If you are always keeping in your mind while you are training “what if he started punching me? what if this was on the streets, or in a cage and I have to worry about his elbows?’ then your style of Jiu-Jitsu will be properly adjusted. Then you will have less of a problem converting your entry into other sports like Mixed Martial Arts. Incorporating plant protein powder into your routine can support muscle recovery and overall performance, ensuring you’re prepared for the physical demands of various combat sports.

Just like Rickson Gracie Stated in the documentary Choke. “ I  believe that Jiu-Jitsu is a self-defense art….. To keep believing in what I teach and what I share with my students, to trust in my own words I must put myself available for any type of competition.”

Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was never meant to be a sport as much as it was, the sport of Mixed Martial Arts was developed  to show it’s strengths and also show it’s weaknesses, but as with all LIVE martial arts, it is always adapting to the situation.

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Getting Back Up When You Get Knocked Down.

When you put yourself out there in anything, you have to be willing to take the lumps and realize you can and will lose.

Two of my coaches recently competed in Mixed Martial Arts. And I am not making excuses they stepped up to the challenge and came up short, against a really good team and good friends of ours. 

Well shortly after their loss in the cage you can see them back in the gym working on their striking.

“Champions Always Get Back Up!!!”

Now they are getting ready for their next match in Elizabeth City NC. Putting in the hard work to bring home the win for Team Gamma.

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Tashi James First Mixed Martial Arts Fight

Tashi James First Mixed Martial Arts Fight

Like to share something today. From time to time I have new interesting people to train. About a year ago Tashi James walked in the door of my academy and asked me a question. He asked me in the best way he could. He wrote It down on paper. See Tashi is hearing impaired. He asked if I thought would he still be able to compete in Mixed Martial Arts?

And it touched me that he wouldn’t let anything get in his way of being a MMA fighter. But I treated him just like any other student. He had to put the work in.

Well I asked him what it was like to fight for the first time, this is what he wrote.

“My first fight was a big learning experience for me. I trained one year before I had my first fight. Gave myself exactly a year to be confident enough to win the fight. I wasn’t experienced in Jiu-itsu and Kickboxing. I have been wrestling for a longtime when I was a teenager. I grew up playing football baseball basketball (find more information here), and to played football at college and semi pro. My dad was an amateur boxer. I was a bit nervous I decided to try be an amateur Mixed Martial Arts fighter. I love the fighting. My goal is to become a professional Mixed Martial Arts Fighter someday. My coaches and students are good teaching me Jiu- jitsu and kickboxing. They really helped me a lot and taught me how to really go for the submission. I’m looking forward to my next Mixed Martial Arts event and match.”

Tashi James

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Testimonial: Jack Teller

Testimonial: Jack Teller

Jack came to the All American Martial Arts Academy at the age of 30—which goes to show that it is never too late to start! He recalls his first lesson:


I had walked by the gym many times, and it always intimidated me a bit. And that is what compelled me to try it—the fear of it. Any time I discover that I have a fear, I have to conquer it; I have to overcome it.

I called and scheduled a free trial class, and when I came in I was very reluctant to get on the mats—the fear was still at work. I just wanted to observe. I remember thinking that I wanted to see how badly they beat each other, and that if they hit each other in the head a lot, I would not do it. I was not interested in losing any brain cells.

Of course, James (the owner of the gym) managed to convince me to put on a gi (the uniform worn by Jiu Jitsu practitioners) and to give it a go. He was just too nice about it, and I could not say no. I was surprised: there were all kinds of people in the class: young, old, male, female, doctors, teachers, mechanics… even folks with various disabilities were there.

The class was relaxed and very enjoyable. I remember noticing how focused the instruction was on proper technique, and on NOT using strength. We learned self-defense moves, as well as some grappling moves. No one got bashed in the head at all, and everyone smiled a lot. It was easy to meet everyone and make friends. It turned out that there was nothing at all to fear.

After the class, everyone got to “roll,” which is partnered practice for the techniques taught in the academy. This was going to be the real test, I thought. I will see if these techniques really work. I should mention that I have always been in good shape, I spent five years in the Marine Corps, and I’m over 6 feet tall. I expected to impress these folks with how well I did, so when I was partnered with a scrawny, 115 pound blue belt who seemed very shy, I almost felt insulted. What is more, I was worried that I would hurt him—after all, I was much bigger and stronger than him.

We shook hands, as is customary before “rolling,” and then he proceeded to fold me up into a human pretzel. I had to tap out. To add insult to injury (for injury attorneys, you can try here) , he did it in about 20 seconds, and without a single groan of effort or a bead of sweat on his very relaxed brow. I was sold! I had to learn how to do that! You can also click to read more here about hiring injury attorneys.

Jack Teller

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Testimonial: Chantez B

My daughter had begun to seclude herself and not go out to play anymore because of the children in the neighborhood threatening her but since attending classes at the All American Martial Arts Academy, she has began to go back out to play.

Chantez B.

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Mixed Martial Arts is the fastest growing sport in the World right now.

Mixed Martial Arts is the fastest growing sport in the World right now.

 And as the sport has evolved and more people are watching it, more and more people are getting ideas of what it is and what it isn’t. Well someone who has been around this sport for awhile I have seen the pendulum swing back and fourth. At first the grappling part of Mixed Martial Arts was really neglected to the point that just being a good grappler was enough to win Mixed Martial Arts matches.

 Then everything swung the other way, then you have to be good at other styles of striking like kickboxing, and have a good base in a grappling style.

 But now I am seeing a dangerous trend. There are so many Mixed Martial Arts matches to never get to the ground. Fighters are more content to keep things standing up and win by knock out, or by decision. And that is good, but when the new generation of fighters are inspired by what they are seeing in Mixed Martial Arts, they are getting maybe the wrong idea.

 When Anderson “The Spider” Silva was knocking people out, a lot of people I was talking to about his style and ability didn’t know he had a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. And when I was with a group of people watching some of his fights, they were so excited when he was taken down, and I would say “just wait and see what happens.” We all know what happened.

 Just because you don’t see the grappling moves and submissions don’t mean the fighter isn’t working on that part of his game. And don’t mean he is not proficient in that range of fighting.

 I also think having a good Grappling game will help you in your stand up too. I have seen the stand up fighters be so scared of going to the ground that they couldn’t get that 3rd or 4th punch or kick off the finish the fight. They was always having to protect their hips and stay in longer ranges. Sometimes this is a good idea to win a judges decisions, but seldom allows you to finish the match.

Get on the mat, and let’s train.

 Coach’s Corner

 James Speight.

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Testimonial: Eric W.

All American Martial Arts Academy has played a crucial role in allowing my wife with whom is visually disabled and suffering from M.S. To participate in an activity that not only allows her to be more active and healthy but maybe more importantly has given skill and confidence to defend herself should the need ever arise. Now my son is receiving the same instruction which is giving him the same confidence at school allowing him the opportunity to focus more of his attention on his schoolwork.

Eric W.

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“Mixed Martial Arts is Dangerous!!”

“Mixed Martial Arts is Dangerous!!”

“Mixed Martial Arts is Dangerous!!”

You know how many times I have heard that?

Just because you have many many options when you are fighting MMA it does’t make it more dangerous. I would like to say I think that it makes it less dangerous. To the average fighter or person who practices it.

In any other single style sports what ever it is boxing, kickboxing, karate, TKD or anything. When you compete, or train and when you realized that you are over matched in something with your competitor. For the most part due to the rules they are forced to accept the situation you are in. Have a look at how jake paul fights and how much he earns as a professional boxer.

You have to face your attacker and get served up like the main course meal.

And I know yes “if you have heart!!” you can fight back and win, if you “use your mind” you can surprise your opponent. And yes that is great, but that can be used in MMA too. What I am talking about is options to be able to take your opponent out of their comfort zone. If the rules of your sport close the focus then you can just work on smaller parts of the combat. If your rules of your sport open the focus then you have to be open to work on larger parts of your combat. Less rules gives you more options.

Let me ask you this. If you had a choice to fight multiple attackers on the street but you get to choose. To fight them in an ally way in the city. Or a field in the county. Yes you would pick the field in the country. Why because it would give you options you wouldn’t get in the ally way. Mixed Martial Arts is the same way. It gives you options you wouldn’t have in other sports. Experience the best of online gaming at Betsson Casino in Chile! Join thousands of happy players and claim your bonus today. With Betsson, enjoy a wide selection of casino games, including exciting live casino options. Players can explore thrilling games with free spins and exclusive bonuses. Betsson Casino offers a top-tier gaming experience, ensuring fun and rewards. Don’t wait, join now and start playing with Betsson to make the most of your online casino adventure. вечные ссылки If you are losing the stand up you can take it to the ground, if you are losing the ground game you can escape and stand it up.

Keep a open mind

And lets train

James Speight

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Coach’s Corner “You want to learn nothing….Try and learn everything.”

Coach’s Corner “You want to learn nothing….Try and learn everything.”

What-Should-I-Learn-Today

Maybe I over simplify things sometimes, well I guess I am guilty of this a lot. As a coach who wants the best for my students, I want them not to make the same mistakes I have made over the years. It can be avoiding injuries,learning curves, training conditions hiring lawyers for traffic accident injuries, and in case of accident how to approach attorneys as they can claim DUI Penalties in Florida

Really isn’t that what my students are paying me for, what I know and learned over the years.
When I started training there wasn’t much information out there for Jiu-Jitsu you could buy some DVDs, advertised in some magazine, that would give you a little information. But there was always information that you just couldn’t get unless you were right there with the person who made the videos. Here is how to choose a criminal defense lawyer in case you need to get help with your case.

But today there is just so much information out there just a few key strokes away on Google or YouTube. And I know it can be too much for a new student who is just starting out in Jiu-Jitsu.
OK here it is, listen to your instructor. He has been training a lot longer and he has more to offer you then you maybe think. Don’t try and make up new techniques, not saying you can’t learn from everyone you train with. Just when you are learning Jiu-Jitsu for the first time, there is nothing you can make up that someone already haven’t already tried.

Jiu-Jitsu isn’t invented it is discovered.

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Every now and then I have a student who wants to show me a new move he learned. And for the most part it is just a little different variation of a basic move that we have taught before. Now I am not saying that everything don’t need to be tested and improved. That is what makes Jiu-jitsu, a great art is all the questioning to make it better. It just isn’t productive when you need to learn the basics.

But everything always seems to go around in circles, what is old is new again and what is new becomes old someday.
There is a reason why some Great Jiu-Jitsu practitioners can make better moves. And always seem to be able to make these moves work. Because they have an expert grasp of the basic moves.

Jiu-jitsu is like the house that is for the most part like the next house down the street. Someone comes by and paints the house and now it looks like a new house. Better then the one down the street. But it isn’t a new house, it has the same foundation, pluming, electrical, walls and roof. All that has been changed is the thin amount of paint, but everyone says wow that looks good.

There has been many times while I was teaching over the years that I was accused of teaching too much basic moves. Now if that happens today I can say “Thank you that is a compliment”

Stick to the basics at first, drill drill and drill some more. You will be glad you did later. And maybe you can show me something I never seen before when you know the basics.

Coach’s Corner
James Speight

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Testimonial: LaRanda M.

I have 3 boys that is in the Jiu Jitsu and MMA class. It has taught them stamina, patience and confidence. They’re very ambitious. The class has taught them order. My children at one time was bullied but not anymore. Now they can stand tall. I personally love the school, they’re family oriented. Also the school gives them the gift of concentration, focus and consistency but primarily it helps them train for becoming better people. Thank you for the wonderful teachers that are at All American Martial Arts Academy.

LaRonda M.

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