It has been about 7 patient months since my last post, and plenty has transpired during this time. I want the this particular post to be geared towards people out there looking for information and some sort of direction in coping with injuries and setbacks while on their Jiu Jitsu journey.

I left off the last post recovering from a training accident which left me with a knee injury back in October 2017. Through training, Icing and supplements I was preparing for NAGA Long Island that coming January, 20th. Though there were signs of improvement with strength, stability and flexibility the explosiveness I had in that leg was not there and I would periodically experienced a sharp pain with too much flexion. My body was clearly not 100 percent recovered, but mentally I felt ready. My issue was I did not have health insurance, so I did not get  my knee checked out when I should have. Looking back at it now If an MRI found something serious I would have sit out that January tournament, recovered and waited for the next one. However this was not the case I competed and with one wrong step re injured the same knee.

This was set to be my first tournament dropping down to compete at feather weight, which was a new and exciting challenge for me. Not only that, for the first time I would be competing outside of my 3 stripe white belt division solely by choice so I can pursue the covenant NAGA belt.

I was within the weight limit, mentally I was ready  my cardio and game plan was on point and my knee was war wrapped up for added support. It was game time.

The first match was going well until I shot for a double leg take down and felt my injured knee popped! I ended up losing control of the take down but secured guard.  The referee restarted us in the middle of the mat and my opponent at this time who was up in points held me down as I heard my coach screamed, “He is working the clock.” In a scramble to get some offense off I relieved the pressure on my knee by opening my guard and pealing my opponent off as I make it back to my feet. As I turned to break the grip he had around my waist, my opponent executed I vital take down which instinctively was defended by my leg. Unfortunately it was the wrong leg!

It was an instant, sharp excruciating pain which was met soon after with swelling around the knee. The take down It self was a clean one however not devastating to the point which would have caused this injury in fact I was able to defend these similar attacks before. However due to the fact that I went in to battle physically injured and competing against a high level opponent  I subsequently had put my self at a disadvantage.

Just like that, in less that 8 minutes I was out of doing what I enjoyed so much, training Jiu Jitsu. There were many things I should have done to prevent this from happening, but the fact of the matter was that I was now dealing with a re injury of my right knee. I needed to be away from the mat as I had to learn how to climb stairs, get out of the bath tub, be functional at my job and manage excruciating pain waking me out of my sleep at night.

A lot of Icing was necessary, as I took a list of supplements for joint health and ligaments. However it was a very slow process and this time I saved and spent my own funds to get my knee checked out. The MRI came back as a complete tear of the ACL and a Bucket Handle Tear of the Meniscus. The doctor then recommended surgery to repair my knee or cortisone shots to relieve the pain. Both of these options were out of the question for me. My path to recovery is with natural supplements, constant icing, time away from the Mat and as I carefully gauge the progress, begin stretching, passive movements and strength training.

Omega 3 fish oils,  B12, Hydrosalized Collagen, Glucosamine Chondrotin, Chlorella, Spirulina, Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc supplement and Amino Acids.

In addition to the above supplements, various research was done on what exercises were best for  someone with my kind of injury  and most of what I found were for people recovering from ACL surgery.  I implemented the exercises  of which many I found on YouTube focusing on regaining stability in the knee, building strength and stretching the muscles around the knee. Nothing explosive was done, just slow controlled movements especially in the beginning where it is very important to listen to your body as you recover. It is definitely important to take a break when needed as well.

Swollen Right knee after the injury. With a torn ACL, after the swelling goes down it is usually clear to see the injured leg’s quad muscles significantly smaller than the healthy leg’s muscles.

The Injury happened in January and we are now in July. Plenty has changed. While recovering I would still visit my teammates at Ronin United in Long Island Queens and help them prepare for some up coming tournaments. Then on the 23rd March,2018  my long time coach Chris Manuel blessed me with the ultimate surprise to date on my Jiu Jitsu journey. I was promoted to Blue Belt under, him who’s lineage stems all the way back to Carlson Gracie with that pressure style of JiuJitsu. I was taken back because it caught me by total surprise but I was absolutely honored, proud and humbled in the moment. Also being able to share this moment with my long time teammates of whom were there from the beginning at ATT Whitestone to our new home at Ronin United after the hardships added to the glory of this promotion. In this moment I felt the ought most gratitude and honor I could not describe in words.

Within those next three months I found my way back to the mat, and was able to very cautiously drill positions and work on fundamentals. I still had a torn ACL but I was at a point where I was able to be active enough to drill certain positions. This really boosted my morale because set backs due to injury can really send a person in to depression. This was something I was dealing with  as well however being on the mat, helping my teammates get better, and still learning new things  were putting my mind in a better place.

Then in June of this year due to life issues, I ended up relocating out of New York and in to Connecticut, leaving behind my friends, team mates and long time coach. Though I visit whenever I can, I vowed to not compete for the rest of this year and not until I feel physically 100 percent.  With a new home in CT my Jiu Jitsu journey continues at the Carlson Gracie academy in Naugatuck CT. The academy has a very positive vibe about it with a focus on detailed fundamentals and safety. The head instructor there is Vinni Brightman a black belt under Fabio Araujo and is very knowledgeable and understanding of my situation.

Later on I will do a full break down of the academy, but for now I am back rolling, however not much wrestling or take downs. My game has evolved to to be much more pressure with slower, methodical movements rather than high explosive transitions. I spend more time drilling and perfecting techniques rather than preparing for competition mode. Its all about getting better and preserving my body to do what I love longer at this point, and I enjoy it.

No longer a 3 stripe white belt, the journey continues through 2018 Oss!