I am a 33-year-old Rookie

I am halfway through reading Chris Coste's ("Coast") The 33-Year-Old Rookie (How I Finally Made It To The Big Leagues After 11 Years in the Minors). I bought the book because the title deeply resonated with me. Having turned 33 in September, I feel like a rookie regarding several areas of my life.

I have not had employment for over two years now. I had dinner with friends last night and tried to explain my odd circumstances: I have income but no job. Don't get me wrong. It's truly a blessing to be free to pursue new and different things right now (see previous post), but at the same time, it takes tremendous self discipline to stay on track and feel like I am making the most of my time and energy (I would grade myself a B- so far).

In his book, Coste describes how much time and work he put into transforming himself into a better player--giving himself every chance to make it. He describes the disappointment that accompanies being sent back to the minors time after time. Of feeling like his dream of making it to the 'bigs' was possibly slipping away. The last two years have been an adventure to say the least. We've moved several states away. I have been trying to transform myself into a writer and journalist, and many times, I feel like a fumbling rookie--unsure of what to do or to whom to go for directions.

Like Coste, I have to keep putting myself out there and taking chances. Keep sending the query letters and proposing ideas. Keep sending emails to people I do not know but whose work has inspired me. Making the big "ask." (& often feeling like a big ass)

Coste does make it to the Majors on a couple of occasions. He makes the most of his time while there because he is never sure how long his "shot" will last. I must do the same. Being a rookie can suck: carrying the veterans' bags, doing the dirty work, acting as if you know what you are doing, subjecting yourself to the criticism that inevitably comes from attempting new things, etc. But, how else can I expect to improve? I believe that suffering through this rookie season will all be worth it someday. I just hope it doesn't take 11 years!

Dreams

Are you ever too old to pursue a dream? Does there come a time in life that one should simply settle down to reality?
Is hard work enough to accomplish anything, or is some inherent talent required?
Are there things about yourself that you may never know until you undertake a big enough challenge?

It seems like I have taken on a few challenges this year, and I am looking forward to my journey in the next twelve months or so. I am also somewhat frightened about what or who I'll become during all this. More than anything else, I feel excitement about the adventures in store.

ugh

Woulda, coulda, shoulda . . . but, there's always next time. I went 0 for 2 on the day. I learned a lot though, and I will try again in December.

Losing sucks.

Time on my hands

So, because I am already spending so much time working out and training in mixed martial arts, I might as well write about my experiences, right?

Expect me to post some sample writing here that will (hopefully) become part of a book. The focus of which will be what it's like for a wuss to try to transform himself into a somewhat competent MMA competitor. How hard is the training? What's it like to get choked out, punched in the head (a lot), and to try to resist the urge for 'flight' by staying in 'fight' mode?

I have already received training from some pretty cool, well known professionals, and I will include that. I plan to travel more next year and I hope to fight two to three times during 2009.

If you have ever read any of George Plimpton's participatory sports books--that's the feel I am going for. His best is probably Paper Lion which covers his experience as a "last string quarterback" for the Detroit Lions. (I will try to channel a little Hunter S. Thompson as well)

If all of this seems pretty crazy to you, now you know how I feel. Pray for me, will ya?

PWR 2008 Toronto

Go to http://www.paradisewarriorretreat.com/page_pevents_Toronto2008.html to see pictures from the event. (Look for the big, bearded guy standing in back for all the group shots)

Paradise Warrior Retreat Toronto 2008

This event was crazy fun. I had the opportunity to receive training from some legends of combat sports: kickboxing with Rob Kaman, MMA from Bas Rutten, and BJJ from Demian Maia & Matt Serra. My head is still spinning from everything I tried to learn (and from the crazy time we had out on the town last night!), but I will post more soon . . .

Couture Camp pt 2

As I made the eight-hour drive to Vegas, I thought through all the scenarios that could occur this weekend at the Xtreme Couture MMA Camp. Randy could recognize all of my fighting potential and invite me to live and train with him. Randy could simply be overwhelmed by my personality so much so that he invites me to hang out all weekend with him at his home (or tag along as he makes appearances, signs his new book, or goes out meeting people and choking them unconscious for photos). Finally, if nothing else, I figure he will want to spar with me. This is where I knock him out, feel awful, and offer not to tell anyone about it on the condition that all the above scenarios come true. Regardless of these daydreams, I am feeling pretty nervous about the weekend and wondering whether this is all too soon. I mean: I am only five months into my training. But, who knows? Maybe this weekend will be like those Fantasy Baseball Camps where everyone is super old and only a few more bratwursts away from a heart attack. I could end up being the most in-shape and skilled person at this thing! Yeah, that’s it!

In actuality, the first night of camp turned out to be none of the above. Although, there were some older guys living out the “fantasy” thing, most of the participants were in the twenty or thirty age bracket and in reasonably good shape. We worked numerous wrestling drills: single leg takedowns, double leg takedowns, and a final technique from the clinch. The best part of the night was getting to slam someone against the cage fence. The resultant springboard effect helped propel my opponent into an easier takedown (and made it seem like I knew what I was doing).

Randy was assisted by Jay Hieron who recently signed with Affliction after spending the last couple years with the now-defunct IFL. Randy was just as humble and soft-spoken as he appeared to be on TV. In fact, with the constant airliner traffic passing over the gym, it was often very difficult to hear him at all. He is a gracious host, though, and spent almost an hour after practice answering any and all questions. Tomorrow is more Randy in the morning and then jiu-jitsu black belt Robert Drysadle in the afternoon.

So, what was making me look good on Friday night: repeatedly hoisting a 300 pound guy up in the air for take downs, now makes me irritated on Saturday. My partner is short, thick, and out of shape. Furthermore, he’s as flexible as a fire hydrant. So, when we drill jiu-jitsu and wrestling on the mat, it’s ugly. He can’t secure a triangle choke. He’s very awkward in his movements. He’s huffing and puffing instantly. It sucks. However, I was in the same boat a few months ago. I simply wish I had chosen someone else to team with. The good part of the day was that Randy signed autographs and posed for pictures all through lunch. He had another engagement and left afterwards. Randy was a very patient coach, and I feel extremely fortunate to have been a part of this training seminar. A highlight of my life will be getting picked up and slammed a few times by Randy Couture.

Jay and Robert led the final day. We practiced jiu-jitsu, and our final session was grappling with the ultra-small, fingerless, MMA gloves. The experience was quite different for me. The gloves got in the way of my submission attempts, but also helped in defending my opponent’s attempts.

I drove home excited to be able to share new techniques with my school, Durango Martial Arts, and I began to think about how to implement better visualization methods in my daily life.