MY SPONSORS

Monday, October 26, 2009

PBJJ Offers the G.A.P. Program - Free BJJ/Self-Defense Training For Women & Children


Weight: 230.6
G.A.P. Program
(Gentle Art Protection)

Pesadelo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (PBJJ) believes every woman and child deserves to be safe and secure. Every woman has the right to choose the methods of protection that suit her best, and here at our school she has the option to receive the training necessary to help her secure a more effective role in her own defense. We believe that organized participation in martial arts is a first-line character-building alternative to the destructive forces faced by kids with limited parenting and/or who are growing up in difficult neighborhoods.

Around the world at least 1 in 3 women has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Most often the abuser is a member of her own family. (John Hopkins School of Public Health 2000)
• Annually in the United States, 503,485 women are stalked by an intimate partner. (Patricia Tjaden and Nancy Thoennes, Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence, National Institute of Justice, 2000)
• A woman is beaten every 15 seconds.(Uniform Crime Reports, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1991)
• 40-60% of men who abuse women also abuse their children. (American Psychology Association. Violence and the Family: Report of the AmericanPsychological Association Presidential Task Force on Violence and the Family. 1996)
• Children exposed to wife abuse suffer low self esteem, depression, poor health, sleep difficulties, post traumatic stress disorder, poor impulse control, and are at higher risk for problems in school, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual acting out, running away, isolation, loneliness, fear and suicide. (Peter Jaffe, Davis Wolfe & Susan Kaye Wilson, Children of Battered Women, Sage Publications, 1990)
• Children who witness domestic violence were found to show more anxiety, depression, traumatic symptoms, and temperamental problems than other children. (Schecter and Edleson, Domestic Violence and Children, Open Society Institute, Center on Crime,Communities and Culture, 2000)


Our goal is to have success in empowering women to use the techniques they will learn to stop and prevent attacks. It is our objective to make women and their families safer through education and skilled instruction. We also strive to give children the self confidence, and peer-relationship skills needed to survive and excel in today’s turbulent world. Through thorough instruction in the “Gentle Art” of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the students in the G.A.P. program will learn to defend themselves, get in great shape, and gain self confidence, while mastering what has been proven to be the most effective self defense art in the world.

In the initial program, we will accept ten women and ten children (Ages 7 – 15). Applications are accepted from women from all walks of life, who have experienced or have been subjected to violence in all forms including sexual assault, stalking, mugging, or domestic abuse. The women must be recommended by a clergy member, doctor, social service worker, etc… Applications for the children’s program will be accepted from children from underprivileged, abused, and/or single/no parent or foster homes. The children must also be recommended by a clergy member, doctor, social service worker, etc…

Upon acceptance, they will receive one year free instruction in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which is tailored to meet their specific need of self-defense, a free uniform, and for the women, a can of mace. The students will be required to maintain at least three-day per week attendance to classes, and will be required to participate in one tournament in the local area within that year of training to exhibit the knowledge they gained in class. All of this will take place in a fun, relaxed, and supportive, family-friendly environment. When the students decide to continue their training, they will be allowed to do so for a drastically reduced rate!

We here at PBJJ are committed to making a tangible impact on the lives of those less fortunate, and hope that by providing assistance and encouragement to the underprivileged and abused of our society, we can make the world a little bit better -- for all.

If you or your company would like to sponsor a woman or child, please contact Stephen Hall by phone: (214) 264 – 6666 or (214) 630 – 4866 or email: info@pbjj.net. The entire cost to sponsor a woman or child for the program for the entire year is only $150! For your contribution, you will receive a certificate of appreciation and a receipt that verifies your donation for use as a tax deduction.

Pesadelo Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is located at 1607 W. Mockingbird, Dallas, TX. 75235 (Inside the DFW Gun Club Building).
It is owned and operated by Stephen “Pesadelo” Hall. Professor Hall is a well decorated competitor in the gentle art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Among the many titles he holds, he is the current World Black Belt Super Heavyweight, Sr. 1 Champion. He has been teaching the gentle art for several years, and his laid back yet detailed approach to instruction ensures that every student reaches his or her own personal goals. He focuses on teaching techniques that will work in the most serious of self defense situations, as well as in the heat of competition, in the tradition intended by the founders of the art.
See Our Website For More Information: http://www.pbjj.net

Though For The Day: If you move but one grain of sand, you have changed the entire world.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

PESADELO BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU ON NATIONAL TV







Weight: 230.8

Tonight on the Style Network produced reality show, Dallas Divas & Daughters, PBJJ made it's national TV debut! Two members of the cast came to the gym, and took part in a woman's self-defense course! It was a great blessing on the gym, and I look forward to being able to serve the community more by having more women learn the gentle art both for self-defense and for self-confidence, getting in better shape, and fun. You can see highlights from the episode below...If you want to catch it on TV, check your local listings to find out what channel the Style Network is on and the episode will re-air(the times listed below are Central Time...Please adjust for your time zone:
Sun - 10/25 - 10PM
Mon - 10/26 - 6:30AM
Tue - 10/27 - 8PM and 11PM
Wed - 10/28 - 2:30PM
Thu - 10/29 - 1:30AM
Fri - 10/30 - 8AM and 7PM
Sat - 10/31 - 10:30AM and 9:30PM
Sun - 11/01 - 12:30AM and 7:30PM
11/04 - 1PM
(many more times to come)

We have a special running at PBJJ...Anyone can come in and try a week for free!...Sign up in OCT, and receive 1month free, and a free GI(a $100 value)...Ladies, you also receive $25 off of your tuition in addition to the above! Our kids classes are starting in November! Kids receive a free GI as well when they sign up! Come in and check us out!!!






Thought For The Day: Do not let the devil chain your mind into believing you cannot get free! God IS enough for ANY problem...

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Joy In Repetition











Weight: 231.4

I have a LOT to improve upon. My technical skill, really is nowhere even in the same area code with how I wish it and need it to be. My passing is pedestrian, and I have much work to do to sharpen and make more efficient my submissions from the top. My pressure and control on top is much better but needs some drilling as well. Lastly, I need to work on NOT losing positions. Whether I get the sub once that position is lost or not, I need to maintain and improve positions until my opponent cracks. (I have much I am working on specifically but will cover these things as I do them as I will spend a couple months on each separately...)
I said all that to say, that as I teach, I realize within my own game, how much the depth of experience and knowledge is as opposed to what I truly have a grasp of and have implemented in my game. All that said, I am happy that I can identify, and be able to understand what needs to be done. Honestly, I am so very happy that I have found teaching as it gives me the same or even more happiness than competing at times. I have been blessed with good students who not only work hard, and are dedicated, but also good people. The same stress relieving I get from a good training session, I also get from teaching...Though they may not see it, my students are making GREAT stride in their personal games. I take great pride in being allowed to assist them in reaching their personal goals.
In as much, the fundamentals of the pressure game I was taught by Marcus, and the things I have developed on my own about the basics of attacking (even while defending) jiu-jitsu will be more emphasized in the coming months as I prepare my students for their first round of testing(Most will be testing for their first stripe on their white belt...The upper belts will be testing to establish where in their progression they stand....), which is coming the first or second week in November as well as for some upcoming tournaments. Hopefully, we will have some more students in in the coming weeks as I am really working to make this my life's work.
On top of all of this, my dream of medalling at the Adult Mundials next year requires that I find my joy, in repetition. The happiness that comes from drilling positions incessantly....The understanding that comes from constantly working to understand the philosophy of position and the ideas necessary to implement to shut down an opponents options until they are forced to present the end game scenario is what I am seeking.
Having some sort of cyst in my upper arm is causing me pain, numbness, and loss of strength in my right arm so I am certain it must be removed as will the cysts developing in my right hand which is also causing pain. That said, I received word that my monster in my head(the big C) is in remission and I can only thank God and everyone's prayers for that! No injury, and no hardship will hinder me form my goals. I may be slowed, and I may be held back at times, but I will not be stopped as God is driver!....So....I fight on...


Thought For The Day: Psalms 27 --- 1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. 3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. 6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. 7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. 9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. 11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. 12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. 13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

BLACK, GOLD, AND BLUE



PHOTOS BY Luca Atalla(Graciemag.com)




MY PHOTOS

Weight: 228.8

I know I know, I have been lax, but I promise I am back and will be regular once again with the blog! Just putting this up to show what happened this past weekend...Black Eye, Two Gold Medals(Weight-Pessadissimo and Absolute, Sr. 1, Black Belt), and a new outlook on life.
When I left, I was only one day out of treatment so it was not the smartest thing to do, but I felt I had to do it. I did not expect much, but with God's grace, I made it through and was very fortunate! I feel like crap, nauseous and weak, and now sore from this weekend, but it was very much so worth it.
The last submission I had came from a training session this past week where the 50/50 was the position I started in...Goes to show to drill live positions is the way to go as It was natural even though I have not had much experience with the position at all...Anyways, the weekend itself was really enjoyable despite being lost a few times, but the company and camaraderie with the guys from Alliance and all the other teams as well, was great, the jiu-jitsu was good, and life, no matter how trying, is great!....I fight on...


Thought for The Day: God is GREAT!


Videos:
2nd Match - Absolute - vs. Marcio Silva



Semi-Final Match - Absolute - vs. Sean Pulizzano



Final Match - Absolute - vs. Ray Casias



Monday, August 3, 2009

Blessed To Be On Graciemag.Com Again...Listen to me on BJJEDGE.COM TOO!...



Weight: 217.8

Started treatment Friday...Working through my nausea and fatigue but in spite of it all I feel pretty good. Things are still OK! Had to work to day and was hard to focus...b/c on top of the live interview I was blessed with on Http://www.bjjedge.com last night (Go and become a member as there will be a LOT of great things happening there!!!) CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW I also saw where I have an article that was on the FRONT page of http://www.graciemag.com (thanks and nice meeting you to the reporter Gabriel) ... Here is the link: http://www.graciemag.com/news/144/ARTICLE/15178/2009-08-03.html I am very honored and humbled by this...
I meant to say if you guys didn't know, I have been sponsored by GOMGI(www.gomgi.com) for some time now and believe they have the best GIs anywhere...But I picked up a few new sponsors...One of them is Athletic Body Care (www.athleticbodycare.com). I had been a fan of their defense lotion for a while and I am happy to be a representative of their products and I must say the soaps and especially the bath salts are GREAT...Check them out...I am also sponsored by Kelly's Lawn Service and by the great guys over at http://www.jiujitsuforums.com Make certain to go become a member and see the great things going on over there...
Will talk more later but have to run for now...I fight on...

Thought For The Day: "Do or do not. There is no try!"

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Black Belt Masters & Seniors World Champion!









Weight: 209.8

International Masters & Seniors World Championships
Preta Senior 1 Masculino
Super Pesado
Primeiro STEPHEN HALL Alliance
Segundo PAULO RODRIGUES CURI Peposo Team
Terceiro NICOLAU MÁRIO Reação
Terceiro LUCIANO GOULART Ataque Duplo


Rio International Open
Preta Adulto Masculino
Super Pesado

Primeiro ANTONIO BRAGA NETO Gordo JJ
Segundo RODRIGO CAVACA Check Mat Bjj
Terceiro THIAGO GAIA Nova União
Terceiro STEPHEN HALL Alliance



100 Picture Slide Show







MY FIRST MATCH AS A BLACK BELT
Pesadelo X Rogerio Oliveira



Preta - Sr. 1 - Super Pesado
Semi- Final And Final






Thought for The Day: This should be one of the happiest times of my life, but it isn't.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

PRETA!...Updated





Weight: 218.4

Update...
I honestly have thought of this day, dreamed of this day, and fantasized about what it would be, how it would feel, and what it meant...I honestly still don't know what or how to feel! I am numb. The biggest thing, is that I always held and still hold the wearers of the Faixa Preta in such high esteem as to have them be akin to super heroes in my eyes. As much as I have been confident in my abilities, and confident in my skills, I just never felt I could live up to being seen in that light. Jiu-Jitsu has kept me alive. It has given me incentive to do things that are conducive to living well, healthy, and with good peace of mind. Anyways, Coach Allen and Coach Marcus felt I was worthy and I even had Professor Jacare' tell me that my belt was well deserved, so who am I not to feel that I am?
A good and bad thing about milestones in life, is that they present an opportunity to see what people really feel about you. People harbor opinions of you within themselves which become their reality. No matter what you do, say, or how you act, they feel that this is the truth and how it really is, no matter what is evident in the contrary in reality. It is really hurtful to find this out from people you care about. Especially painful is to find out they already were doing things behind your back because of their incorrect ASSumptions and opinions. It's even hurtful when you work really hard to do or be something and find out even total strangers have negative opinions of you. All that said, I guess it is a good thing, because it allows you to rid yourself of those who care not enough to get inside of you to see what is really there. Take the time for someone you claim to care about, to listen and understand what they need or want even if it is not how you think it should be done. This is something Jiu-Jitsu has taught me that every situation can be approached and handled differently...You can see and assume something is a certain way, but until u approach it on it's own terms and merits (NOT under what you ASSUME it to be.) you will most certainly always make the wrong decision about it.
Jiu-Jitsu has been a guide in changing my life, in helping me to be a better person, in allowing me to express myself to the world. I'd always believed that between this and my attempting to be a good father to my daughter, I could be at least a decent person. Well, my daughter is gone to be living with her mother now, and I truly feel as lost as I was as a white belt. I can not concentrate, I can not focus, and I can not deal with the things good or bad as they should be dealt with. I hope that I can find focus again. As in jiu-jitsu when things go wrong, even a tad bit, they go horribly wrong in a downhill spiral, but there is always a chance, if you keep fighting, that you could snatch victory from the precipice of defeat at the last minute when you feel you can take no more. I hope that comes back to me.
I have a few more goals to add to my list now.....One of which, is to compete two more years (I would be 40 in 2011)at the Mundials. Another is to go down to Masters&Seniors in July and to win my division...The others I will post later but to live up to the trust has been placed in me...I fight on...


Thought For The Day: "One day, I will wake up and no longer be able to do this: Today is NOT that day!" - author unknown

Thought For The Day2: "Cultivate the poise of a dead man. The samurai should be incapable of being emotionally aroused, particularly by lust, greed, pride, jealousy or anger."

Thought For The Day 3: "If you are not with me, you are against me."

LIVE VIDEO OF PESADELO