I didn’t forget about you. I just find it difficult to write pages when I’m out of the gym. Most of my words are insights into my classes, more than curriculum itself. So I’m taking pause while my hip heals. I’m now one week post op and feeling pretty good. The pain is manageable during the day, but sleep has been rough. I guess that’s to be expected when they saw through the largest bone in your body.

If you didn’t know, one week ago I had a full hip replacement. I’ve dealt with hip pain for several years now and over the course of the last year its gotten significantly worse. I had lost most of the range of motion in my left hip and had gotten to the point where even demonstrating techniques was impossible. So it was definitely time. Through the amazing BJJ network I was connected to a hip surgeon who also happened to be a bjj purple belt. So I knew I was in good hands (though I’m sure he skipped warmups). The surgery went very well and I was up and walking on crutches the same day. I spent 3 days in the hospital while they checked for infection and made sure everything was on track. Then made the trip home. Now I just wait for the healing. Today I’ll start my physiotherapy, which is great because I have the patience of a 6 year old. I’m so ready to get back into the gym and back to normal training. The doctors say I’ll be on crutches for 2 weeks total, then I can get back to coaching. 3 to 4 weeks after surgery I should be able to do light drilling. Then 6 to 9 weeks after surgery I should be back to sparring. All in all a very fast recovery time given the severity of the surgery.

I have been keeping busy though, for years I have wanted to put together a short book/pamphlet for BJJ beginners. A welcome guide really. Something that I could give to people when they first come in to visit the gym or something that people could download to read through before their first class. I wanted it to be welcoming and warm and generic enough that it worked for any academy. Most importantly I wanted something that would set the tone immediately for gym ethics and culture.

My booklet will show the main positions in Jiu Jitsu, with quick tips, no techniques. Guidelines and concepts that will hopefully allow the new students to not feel so lost on day one. It starts with basic gym rules, hygiene, what to bring, what to expect. The basics of walking into a gym for the first time. Most importantly I want prospective students to understand they are playing a game, not getting into a fight.

I still have a lot of work to do, but I’m hoping to have it finished in the next few weeks, then I’ll publish it here on the site for everyone to download. The goal is to always keep it free and available for anyone to use.

If nothing else it keeps me from going crazy as I heal on the couch…