Every now and then we go through our training process whether it be BJJ, MMA or boxing, what ever your art of choice is and we ask our self how we have progressed. It’s reassuring to know that you’re heading in the right direction. You put hours into the gym, sweating and drilling moves over and over and you’re rewarded with your retention and dedication and more importantly your increase knowledge and combat skill. In jiu-jitsu our ranks are belt color based, varying from white to black. Along the way of your progression through the ranks you get a number of stripes on your set belt before ultimately being promoted to another higher rank. It’s a pretty cool rush when coach calls you all up against the wall and he starts ripping up a piece of tape to let you know you’re progressing. He usually says a few nice choice words and gives you that next step towards a new belt. Most recently, I got watch a young dude who most definitely earned his stripe that he was awarded last week. I had the honor of training with him almost every morning class I attended during the month of January, even though compared to him that wasn’t many classes attended at all. Mike McPartland was the attendance winner for the month of January. He crushed the everyone who participated. From the beginning of the month to present day you can tell he retained plenty of information and sharpened his skill set. Props to him! It was cool watching him reap the benefits of his hard work. Stripes and belts aren’t just handed out. They’re all earned. It’s why we respect Depo and his journey because we all know the hard work he had to go through to earn that prestige. In this sport you get out what you put in.
-Pat Rivera