In the morning advanced BJJ class we started off with the guard passing game.  Then Master Lloyd had us start from closed guard and do live matches, getting our minds ready for competition.  The guys drilled sweeps today for an hour today and the evening class was hard!  We had 4 groups, each group with the same weight/skill level pushing hard, and doing foot sweeps, just completely trying to ware your opponent out.

Also, a friendly reminder for students at any Mixed Martial Arts gym, cleanliness is very important.  Make sure that all of your MMA equipment is kept clean and aired out.  As for gis, make sure to wash them, hang dry, or put in the dryer.  When at the gym, always wear shoes to the bathroom, wash your hands.  Stepping on the mat with dirty feet is very unsanitary.  If you have an open cut, put a band aide on it, and make sure to clean it before and after you train to prevent any infections.

Here is a video put together from BJJ advanced class.

We are 8 days into hard Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Training for the Pan American Games and for Mundials as well.  The next couple of months are going to be busy, busy, busy.  We have Brandon “The Truth” Vera fighting on March 20 and Phil Davis fights in the first ever UFC event held in Abu Dhabi on April 10.  At 11 am in this morning, the guys did their lower body strength and conditioning workout with D’ Angelo.

Check out this video of the guys Training!

This Sunday has definitely been relaxing and tomorrow we do it all over again.  Pan Ams and Worlds are getting closer day by day.  Here is my surprise for you Jiu-Jitsu fans, an interview by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt JT Torres.

Interview with JT Torres:

1. When did you first start Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?

I first started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when I was 15 years of age.

2. Was it always a hobby, or did you always know Jiu-Jitsu was your passion?

When I first started BJJ I loved it from the start so I always knew it was going to be a major part of my life.

3. What other sports did you do as a kid?

I did Karate which I got a black belt in, I also played baseball and basketball.

4. Is your family supportive of Jiu-Jitsu?

My family is super supportive, which I am so happy about! At first they weren’t but now that they have seen all the different parts of the world where this sport has  taken me and all the success I have had with it.

5. When did you recieve your black belt in BJJ?

I received my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black belt in June of 2009, from Master Lloyd Irvin and Jared Weiner.

6. What are some of your goals for 2010?

My main goal for this year is to win the Pan American Games next month and the Mundials!!!!

7. What do you like to do on your free time?

On my free time I like to relax and go to the movies.

8. Do you ever plan to compete in Abu Dhabi?

Yes of course! Next year I will concentrate on the trials for these tournaments.

9.  Who are some of your biggest influences?

Some of my biggest influences are my family, Ronaldo Souza and Master Lloyd Irvin.

10. Where did your get your nickname, JT “Spider Man” Torres?

Messing around with Master Lloyd one day

Master Lloyd took off to Ohio to support Dominick Cruz who is fighting for the bantamweight title vs Brian Bowles in Columbus, Ohio just after jiu-jitsu training. They are showing the WEC event live on Versus starting at 10 pm.  We will also be showing the fights at Lloyd Irvin Mixed Martial Arts, so stop by if you wanna watch the fights with the team.

I also want to say Congrats to the guys from Crazy 88 who flew out to Texas for the Houston Open this weekend.  BJJ blue belt Evan Gideon placed 1st in the middle heavy weight division, Tye Ryan Murphy placed 2nd in the middle weight class, and Al Washington bjj white belt placed 2nd as well.  Another Congrats to the guys from Third Law BJJ down in Florida.  When I was down in Florida competing for the Abu Dhabi Pro Trials, the Third Law guys were very supportive.  Congrats again!  All these tournaments are really helping everyone prepare for Worlds and I can’t wait.  Up next will be Grapplers Quest in New Jersey, March 20.  Brandon “The Truth” Vera also fights on March 21th. vs Jon Jones, so catch it on SPIKE!

Lately people have been commenting on my blog, and I just want to say Thank You to those of you who actually take the time to read it!  I hope you enjoy it and enjoy this video as well!  I got some great footage from last night’s Jiu-Jitsu class!  Everyone was pushing, and they did live rounds, over and over and over!

Don’t forget tomorrow night, LIVE on Versus, the WEC event will be held in Columbus, Ohio.  Dominick Cruz will be fighting Brian Bowles for the bantamweight title, it’s starts at 10:00 pm, so don’t miss this MMA fight.  Dominick Cruz, originally from Tuson now trains in California at Alliance with Brandon “The Truth” Vera.  Mike “The Hulk” Easton is out in Ohio right now with Dominick helping him prepare for his fight.

When the BJJ Competition Team class ended early last night, I thought that would give me more time to rest and straighten up my house.  It actually just gave me more time to clean, during the week I feel so busy!  I am typically at the gym from 11 am to 10:30 pm Monday-Thursday, on Fridays I get out around 9:30.  Saturdays, I am at the gym most of the day as well.  So throughout the week, my house gets cluttered with training stuff and on Sunday I have a chance to clean!  Tonight I will definitely be soaking in epsom salt, it really helps my body recover.

In the advanced class this morning, Jon Delbrugge and Malcom, both brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belts came down from Crazy 88 up in Elkridge.  They were training hard and helping out our black belts, Mike Fowler and JT Torres who are getting ready for the upcoming tournaments.  We did several rounds of grip fighting, live rounds of sparring, and positional sparring.

At 4:30 pm we had drilling in the back which included myself, Mike Fowler, Jt Torres, and Jim Harbison.  I got to drill some of the techniques from my favorite position, and I can’t wait to try in tournaments.  The next BJJ tournament that I will compete in will be on March 20th, it’s the Grapplers Quest in New Jersey.  Then of course Pan Ams the weekend of April 8th.  Ours teens/kids have also been training hard and preparing for the upcoming tournaments, especially Worlds.  Check out this video done by Frank Camacho!

Today was Strength and Conditioning with D’ Angelo.  They worked a lot of upper body, then everyone was off to rest until the 4:30 drilling practice.

My day consisted of waking up, soaking in epsom salt, eating breakfast, cooking my lunch and packing my bag for the gym, train, work, train!!  Robbie, one of our purple belts rolled with me.  I rolled 6, 5 min rounds with him, and got my butt whooped, you can’t always win.  Then, I had 4:30 drilling and 8:30 BJJ class.  Tonight class ended short so everyone could rest and not over work their bodies.  More updates tomorrow!  Great Training Team Lloyd Irvin!!!

Just a reminder, Brandon “The Truth” Vera will be fighting Jon Jones on March 21st in Broomfield, Colorado.  We also have Phil Davis fighting in UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi, this is the first time UFC will be in Abu Dhabi.  Legend, Renzo Gracie will be fighting on that card against Matt Hughes.  There are some good match ups on that card for sure!

Until tomorrow, I am off to train some bjj!

Second bjj training consisted of more drilling, and I also did a few reps on the resistance bands.  I drilled with Dj Jackson, he is also a blue belt, and he recently fought in the Gameness Fighting Championships making his opponent tap due to punches from the mount.  Mike Fowler, JT Torres, Jim Harbison, and Frank Camacho drilled for several rounds as well.  Drilling is a must, so make sure that you find time in your day to drill, DRILL,DRILL!!

Last but not least, we had the 8:30 Advanced BJJ class.  Live grip fighting, live sparring, LIVE LIVE LIVE!  Getting ready for the upcoming tournaments.  We had a full class, and everyone was training hard, Team Lloyd Irvin!

A while back, I was involved in a push up challenge.  I had to record whatever the current news was to verify the date, and record my 40 push ups for 30 days straight.  Because I stuck with it and never gave up, I won a trip to Miami, and I get to bring along 1 guest.  Although, with the up coming tournaments, I will have to hold off on that trip for now!  But I really look forward to doing it in the summer!!!  Until tomorrow, I need to get some rest and get ready for Day 2!!

For those of you who may not know me, my name is Tracey Goodell and I am a 22 year old Brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt.  I was born and raised on the North Shore of Oahu, and currently living in Camp Springs, MD.  If you are reading this, and asking yourself why, why am I living here instead of Hawaii?  It is simply because I love brazilian jiu-jitsu, and that’s why I train with the best, Team Lloyd Irvin!  I met Lloyd Irvin black belt, Mike Fowler through jiu-jitsu.  He later brought me to Camp Springs, where I Master Lloyd and everyone else from the team.  I immediately knew that this is where I needed to be, but I was unsure how we’d afford it.  Master Lloyd was such a blessing and helped us out tremendously, he is making my dreams come true.  I had decided to make bjj my life, and I will be the best female competitor.  Getting my black belt and winning the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championships is so important to me, and my top 2 goals!  I have a total of 5 siblings, 1 brother and 4 sisters.  Raised by an awesome Tutu, Aunty, and Uncle I have come a long way.  I have played soccer my whole life, from AYSO, to high school to college, but I knew jiu-jitsu was what I needed to do.  I have lived in Hawaii, of course, Guam, Oregon, and now Maryland.  Some of the most opposite places you could live in.  I love the beach, I love to play soccer, surf, dive, snorkel, hike, and Jiu-Jitsu of course!  I enjoy anything outdoors and that’s basically it.

Tomorrow is 1st of March, and that only means we are about 3 months away from Worlds.  Pan Ams bjj training camp starts tomorrow!  I can’t wait to see what Master Lloyd has in store for everyone, hardcore training that’s for sure.  After Pan Ams is the New York Open and a whole rack of other tournaments.  I hope you enjoyed reading this blog, and make sure you stay tuned for some great training footage!  You can also keep updated with team news at http://lloydirvinlive.com/blog.