You Gon' Turn Me Back To The Old Me...The New Me Apparently Isn't Good Enough....

Latest Neck Procedure Pics Thanks To Dr. Holubec and all the great nurses and assistants there who make this so easy to go through...

Weight: 226.4

Well This one will be written and updated shortly(perhaps by this Sunday), but suffice it to say, I have a lot to work on. My game is feeling more intuitive as I have been studying a bit more philosophically and existentially the usage and application of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as it is intended to be. Also, through a multitude of issues in personal life which directly affect my progression through the gentle art, I have seen that I am simply not worthy enough as a teacher, competitor, and perhaps even as a person as of yet to have the respect I have worked very hard to command. That said, some things will change...
Health-wise, eating better and more stretching, yoga, etc will have to happen...after Procedures on my lower back, cervical spine, and removal of a cyst on my hand I need to make certain that I can meet my goals I have set from now until I turn the big four oh...I have a cyst/fatty tumor deep in the belly of my biceps muscle and under my triceps that may have to be worked on as well as an issue where I may have to have another low back procedure on top of my recurrent headaches again so I need to de-stress and get intelligent training in...
As for my style, I have worked hard to implement pressure in every facet of my game. When I was a brown belt and working intently on some direct goals, my aim was to pressure my opponent, improving my position, until they broke both mentally, emotionally, and in their game physically. I got away from that in trying to open up to some things but, it's allowed me to play something that was not me, and is not(IMO) how it should be. Back to the smash. Shutting down, incrementally, parts of the opponents' game even when they feel it to be open, is something necessary for me to get back to...Simplicity and aggression...NOT reaction, as reaction should be felt and done as a tool to cause a reaction from the opposition...anyways...
I have to work on not ever losing position, and to impose my will to the point in crushes the will of the opponent...I have allowed myself to not do things in a correct manner b/c to do so correctly would feel itself to be rude or mean to someone without this understanding. No more limitations...I will up my level of training and make sure I seek to sharpen my iron with iron as well as drilling to the level I must, even if I have to pay someone to do so to improve...I would like to have my BJJ be pure...that will take lots of fire to burn away the chaff colected in my being content with just doing enough to get by...
That said, as a teacher, it seems I am lacking in providing detail and results to the point that students can feel the value of what I give. I will work to gain a better respect from them in the way I present their steps to their goals and hope they feel finally that what I can bring to them is valuable.
Had the occasion to promote my first blue belt about a week ago...I felt even more happy than when I got my own. Will have pictures etc of the occasion soon as well...
I am also going to make due where I stand with the sponsors I have...I will work to ensure that going forward from my performance in upcoming tournaments that I can afford to make it to(even though well down from those I could afford to do to date), to my webinar/dvd series with www.bjjedge.com , to my performance in hopefully more invitational and superfight matches(I got invited to the Pro division at GrapplersQuest This upcoming weekend but cannot make it), I will prove myself both worthy of support that others get, but also that I am fine with what I can do and will do my best to excel at whatever that may be....I fight on...


Thought For The Day: Only an opponent can test your understanding. Reality will strip away your erroneous ideas. There is NO substitue for victory.

Conan...What is best in life?

Weight: 221.4

Had hand surgery yesterday...One more back procedure to go(Dec. 4) and I can get ready for next year! I should have my stitches out in a few days...If someone see's there way clear to sponsor me, I am looking forward to still participating in my first professional division at GrapplersQuest Dec. 12 in Vegas. If I can't find a sponsor by then, I'm out of it. Anyways, I got lots tot ype but my hand is KILLING me...2 shots of morphine yesterday didn't stop it hurting....just made me loopy as hell and I slept from 4pm until 1030 this morning...I am off to take a Lortab to be able to teach class tonight....I fight on...

Thought For The Day: Psalms 144:1---Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight

I CHOOSE...

Pics From My Back Procedure The Week Before No-Gi World's

Pics From PBJJ Classes

Weight: 226.8

Jiu-Jitsu, like life, is about choices. I have had a lot of high highs, and low lows, in life in the recent months. the thing is though, God has blessed me with something I think few get in life; an occupation that they truly love. Teaching class has been so very rewarding lately it is ridiculous. Through my times where things are not necessarily turning in my favor, I come to class (at times not even sure I want to be around people), but the students there and watching their progress while sharing something which has blessed me so abundantly cheers me up to the point I am really joyous when it's time to leave. In Jiu-Jitsu one of my holes in my game is still to this day, working out of side control to escape and or reverse. I can prevent most from ever even getting to that side, but some like let's say Luiz "Big Mac" Theodoro can make any mistake I put forth into a chance to work from that position. The thing is, when in an c-uncomfortable position, to remember that you have options, what those options are, and to have trained your body to act on them with minimal or no thought is essential to survive and eventually turn the tide in your own favor. I've learned this and put it into my BJJ being to the point I am rarely ever flustered or feel threatened even if I an training and allow myself to start in a precarious position.
That said, life has been kicking me the proverbial stones lately. Money, people, work, health all been really just wearing on me. Haven't eaten in a couple days, the job not paying on time, and have to get my wrist operated on on Monday among a few other things happening have put me underneath the 100KG position and are looking to squeeze the breath out of me. The thing is though, I overlook the good things at times. Great students with potential who actually work, great friends who DO care about me and know the person I am today, good results for the most part in my competitions, and a better understanding of how to train and what's important in BJJ, along with a new found understanding of God and how He wishes me to be first and foremost all can give me the pressure release to escape the b.s. The problem with most people is they do not choose to see the door open in front of them because they make a subconscious choice to dwell on and expand on the negative. That energy can be transferred to others easily, but more importantly it can be transferred to other things and situations in your life causing a snowball of bad things to happen.
My philosophy of BJJ competition and thought process on how to proceed against an opponent was instilled and cultivated my Marcus Hicks...What I am speaking of is this: "To achieve the submission, I must go forward, and place pressure upon my opponent. I must increase this pressure as I improve my position, until the opponent cracks. Once the opponent cracks, then the end game must come for them swiftly, and in an overwhelming manner. In life, I am making a choice to feel good about myself and about things, though they may not come in an optimum manner. Also, I choose to place pressure upon these things until they crack. I choose to feel ok with who I really am inside and show it. With that, I can always feel good.
As for BJJ, at my gym ( http://www.pbjj.net ) I am very happy that I have a few new students. I am extremely fortunate to have students who are pleasant as well as hard working and who listen. They are all improving much and show a lot of promise! Also very happy that we have the first two ladies in our G.A.P. program. More importantly, they both train hard and are really taking to it.
I have been today told that I am selected to compete in my first Professional division (i.e. if I win the prize money is $1,000) at GrapplersQuest in Las Vegas in December. I am very honored and flattered to be included in such company. Very very humbled. That said, not only do I have to worry about how fast I can recover from the hand/wrist surgery I am going to have this upcoming Monday, but, with money as it stands, I cannot afford to get a plane ticket/hotel/rental car at all. In fact, it seems I will be missing being able to compete at European championships in for the first time as a black belt Jan in Portugal as well. Just do not have it as I did before, and though I have a sponsor who covers my entry fees into tournaments and does a few other things for me, as well as get products from another, I just seems I have not done enough to warrant anyone to sponsor me like they do the real high-level athletes to travel etc. I will do my best with what I have and God will carry me through to hopefully raise my level enough that someone takes notices and thinks my merits as a competitor enough to sponsor.
Also, check out the latest edition of Graciemag (with Braulio Estima and Andre Galvao on the cover) where I have two pictures, a small write up and a picture in advertisement for the sponsor I spoke of above (http://www.bjjedge.com) BJJ EDGE...
Anyways, I CHOOSE to be happy and it's making a big difference in my ability to function and focus. I wish you the same.....I fight on

Though for The Day: Please pray for a friend of mine "Brandon 'O-Soul' Medlock, as he lost his mother yesterday. He is a really good guy. I wish him and his family peace!

Campeao Sem Kimono 2009

Weight: 228.2

In the past few weeks, Had Staples in my head from a removed cyst, I've placed 2nd to Luiz "Big Mac" in Miami, had a back procedure done, Won a World No-Gi Championship(Placed Third in the absolute), had two tires blowout, and found out that I am in the current issue of Graciemag a few times(once mentioned in an article, one picture in an article, and one picture in a sponsor ad (http://www.bjjedge.com)...All in all, life is full, and God is great!...There is much pulling at me, but there is too much fuel to allow that to happen...More to write about all this and I will be adding pictures and video here in the next few days about all of this, but for now....I fight on...

Thought For The Day: "Everything I have ever done, was out of fear of being mediocre."

FINAL, Black Belt, Sr. 1, Pesadissimo


Semi-Final, Black Belt, Sr. 1 Absolute
I lost this match due to the referee not liking the fact I had him in my closed guard. Not much movement at all, for a few reasons I guess, but you be the judge as to who should have gotten the decision.

2009 WORLD NO-GI PICS

2009 MIAMI OPEN PICTURES

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.

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...

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.

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

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!"

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.