Why I Train at 10th Planet
When I first stopped by 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Burbank late 2012, I was mainly focused on MMA and didn’t care much about jiu-jitsu. Several fighters that I’d interviewed for my sociological study had strongly recommended that I talk with Eddie Bravo and take at least one of his classes, but I didn’t understand what the big deal was. I’m glad I listened to them though because after spending a couple days there, I was convinced MMA can be incredible for children and if I lived closer to the studio, that is definitely where both my daughter and I would train.
Life went on and I continued my travels around the country trying to understand who MMA fighters are and why they fight. After visiting a hundred gyms and interviewing close to 400 fighters, I felt I had a much better understanding, but I still had much more to learn. When I stopped by Brown University to discuss my project with Professor Michael Kennedy who teaches the Sociology of Martial Arts, he pointed out the importance of comparing fighters to a similar group such as wrestlers.
Black belt Jared Carlsten who will be one of the featured fighters in the Unlocking the Cage documentary
I decided I would compare them to competitive jiu-jitsu players as many fighters first get bit by the fighting bug when training jitz. Plus, I was finally appreciating jiu-jitsu as an art instead of a tool and I wanted to begin seriously training for the first time in my life. I considered just dropping in at the fighting academies and jumping into their BJJ classes, but I realized I wouldn’t retain much. I needed one system, one instructor, and to be surrounded by positive people.
As an author and a stay-at-home dad with a baby boy and girl in kindergarten, my time to train is very limited. The closer I trained to home, the more time I’d have and the likelier I’d actually make it to the gym. I checked out Gracie-Barra three blocks from my house and although I’m sure they have quality instructors and students, they only train no-gi once a week. No thanks.
Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to training with a gi and I’ve had many convincing discussions with fighters, jiu-jitsu black belts and coaches both for and against training in the gi being useful for fighting. The good thing is that I’m 41 and will never fight again. I can do whatever I want and I’m not about to waste a moment training something I despise.
Despite the 45 minute drive, I headed to TapOut Training Center in Los Angeles to check out 10th Planet Headquarters. Again I was blown away by the skill and knowledge of everyone I rolled with. I’m a crappy white belt, but I’ve rolled with more people in the last two years than most and have become fairly decent at judging the ability of those destroying me.
After my second class at 10th Planet, instead of training for free at any of the numerous gyms around me, I decided to pay for a 6 month membership. Not only is the skill level ridiculous at HQ, but I truly dig the way Eddie teaches class and the talks beforehand. He’s incredibly positive and humble, signs of a true martial artist, a family man who values being a husband and father, and he’s a freethinker, not just about jiu-jitsu, but all aspects of life. Anyone who questions the status quo and doesn’t simply accept what accept what the mainstream tells them has my respect.
The more time I spent at HQ, getting smashed by everyone I come across, the more I appreciate the system and see how great it translates to MMA. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve said I wished this system had been around 15 years ago when I was trying to fight. And in case there’s anyone out there that still thinks the 10th Planet system can’t stand up against traditional BJJ then you should check results of local submission tournaments and watch the incredible performance Eddie had at Metamoris 3 against Royler Gracie.
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Not only was it a great demonstration of why the system works, but I enjoyed the lead up to it. It was inspiring to watch a guy in his forties dedicate several months to hardcore training all while continuing to teach classes, stay tight with his family, and put out his podcast. Definitely a good reminder for me that there’s no limit to what a person can do.
After having visited seven 10th Planet schools, interviewing owners, students, and fighters, I’m completely sold on the system and glad to be a small part of this ever-growing monster. There’s no telling how long I’ll continue to train, but as long as I do, it’ll be at a 10th Planet.
Back in December, Eddie was incredibly cool to have me on his podcast. I learned a hell of a lot about the JFK assassination, and enjoyed talking about martial arts and the difference between fighters and jiu-jitsu players (Starting around the 2 hour and 50 minute mark.) Eddie Bravo Radio Episode 42
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Click to watch EBR episode 42
