Not All Who Wander Are Lost /// By: Anthony Chin Loy

In the early days of Jiu Jitsu visiting another gym or professor was unheard of. Secret techniques and style stayed within the gym walls unless you wanted to be labeled that “C” word.  The evolution of the art and the sheer number of gyms across the country has opened up opportunities to sharpen your game with some of the best in the world and you should absolutely take advantage of it. 

I started BJJ in 2007, after my first year of medical school. I was promoted to blue on the spot after an extended roll with my professor on a particularly empty night in the gym. I was able to train in that academy for 2 and a half years but during your 4th year of medical school you are allowed to visit other medical schools and programs in order to learn from different professors and work in different hospitals. This is partly to expand your horizons but also to audition for a coveted residency position. I spent 6 months away from my home institution but also the gym where I had been training for years. This was essential to my growth as both a doctor as well as a BJJ player. 

During my 1-2 month long external rotations in Gainesville, Tampa, and Miami it was necessary for me to find places to train. In fact, every time I visit a new city I always try to see what academies are around. Before heading to the facility, I make sure to browse their website to learn a little about the gym, the head instructor, see what classes are offered and schedule. Having some idea of the culture of the gym is very worthwhile. It helps you adjust to the new surroundings and their style of Jiu Jitsu. 

After medical school, I was blessed to move to the Mecca of Jiu Jitsu, Southern California. The options for gyms in this area are enormous. While everyone hits the stalwarts, I found a home at Valhalla Jiu Jitsu in Irvine. A smaller school with top instruction. The instructor at Valhalla was adamant on expanding your Jiu Jitsu education by training with and learning from as many outside professors and grappling styles as possible. This was huge for my Jiu Jitsu growth. Being able to visit other schools and gain different perspectives on positions and techniques is invaluable. Training in SoCal with Cleber Luciano, Buchecha, Tim Cartmell, Rickson, Felipe Fogolin, among others has pushed my game to evolve. Rolling with their students has constantly reminded me that I have so much more to learn. Traveling to other gyms gives you the ego check you need. Inherently, upper belts in the school want to protect their mat. Not in a malicious way, but to let visitors know “This is how we train here”. Many times when visiting a gym, you get the top game and many times are rolling with some of the toughest guys in the academy. Over time, training at only your school will allow you to become comfortable with most of your training partners. You may become the big dog and never know what it's like to be pushed or challenged. Rolling with unfamiliar training partners that test your knowledge will remind you to always keep working on developing your game.

Since leaving SoCal last year I have spent time in DC and Orlando. Due to time and cost (without year contracts, academy dues can be expensive) I haven't been able to join a gym for an extended period of time. As I said before, when visiting a new gym it's always good to let the instructor know you are dropping by. Let them know your situation and see what can work with pricing for the time you are going to be there. It never hurts to ask, most professors want you to train! Always be gracious to the academy and instructor for letting you visit. When doing randori, I try to work up intensity slowly to make sure that I establish a relationship with the students. If you get smashed that's ok too, remember that ego checks are good for the soul!

Finally, while we all love to wear fancy pajamas. Make sure you check the uniform rules of the academy. I personally only wear a white gi until I see a white belt wearing other colors. Then I know it's open season. Anyone that has rolled no-gi with me knows that I like to go full spats, I feel like if I’m going to spend 50+ bucks on a pair of spats, I might as well show off the whole shebang. However, after rolling no gi while at a visiting academy, during the handshakes after the class, Professor points at my spats and I THOUGHT I was going to get a compliment. However he just turns incredulously to the one female in class and shakes his head. Trust me, you don’t want to break the rules of a 7x World Champions gym, you’re not going to have a good time…Observe cues and learn the rules.

Get out there, visit academies, expand your horizons, and May the Force be with you.