Legendary US black belt Chris Haueter famously said:
“It’s not who’s good, it’s who’s left.
You’re going to be somewhere in ten years, why not be a black belt?
You just can’t quit.”
It’s been a little more than ten years for me, and I’m still not to black just yet, but it’s been a hell of a ride.
In many ways, my experience with grappling (especially now in my 40’s) has been a lot like some of the more gnarly, month long motorcycle runs I’ve made:
Excitement gets you to the starting line, endurance keeps you going when the feelings fade. Moments of exultation, long stretches of grueling boredom, nearly constant pain, and experiences that can’t be taken from you and you’d never trade for anything.
I’ll never be a world class competitor, or one of the greats at this, but it’s taught me a lot about grit, patience, mental toughness and just not being a quitter.
I’m still here, and still game, and hope to be for some time to come.
