A-Whole-Notha-Level Sean Sherk Style

If you are new to MMA, submission grappling or grappling sports you are about to witness what most guys would call training like a MadMan!  In my youth Iowa stood out as the dominant force in collegiate wrestling circles.  Their guys were the pinnacle of training and success in most competitors eyes.  Today with MMA groups such as UFC/Pride and the like producing celebrity class personalities it's no wonder a guy like Sean Sherk takes it to a whole-notha-level. 

I know to compete at this level you must put in lots of hours and time on task but the diversity and commitment that Sean Sherk displays in his training is unbelievable.  Check it out:

UFC All Access - Sean Sherk
Uploaded by Princenino

Quick post new image.

I wanted to try a new bio picture. The old one seems a bit pudgy. I lost fifty pounds since that picture was taken adn want to have something that's a little more relevant today.



Be sure to stop over to www.socialFIEND.com my online PR/Marketing blog.

See you soon.

Train safely,

KK

Real Life Story of Success

I haven’t posted this message before but the number one reason why I started training in BJJ was to get my body in shape. It’s was July 2006 when I received my black belt in Kung Fu San Soo. I had trained hard to prepare for that fantastic day but even though I felt my skills had grown much my cardio base and overall physical shape were not what they use to be.

On Father’s Day 2006 my wife told me to do whatever my heart desired most and I said I wanted to go train with a couple of cage fighters I’ve known for a few years so off I went to get my butt handed to me. On that day rolling around with Kyle Olsen and Jeff Frater I made it my mission to train as hard and as long as it took to get into that kind of fighting shape.

I called my good friend Kardena Motter, Owner at Edgetrainers.com/Ms.America Fitness '06-'07/personal training and nutritional consulting. She has a very unique dietary plan to get your body working perfectly from the top down. Her step by step counseling gave me the extra detox and cleansing my body needed to get rid of the junk and purify my digestive track to prepare me to reach my optimum weight.

I also started training in BJJ three to four days per week, signed up for my first tournament and set a goal: weigh 171 lbs in four months. I was about 225 lbs when I set the goal.



Here’s my amazing results picture. I call it my “Fat Ken Skinny Ken Picture”. Needless to say Kardena changed my life with her help and I am still maintaining my 31 inch waist and 175 or so weight. I love having my old body back.

I highly recommend anyone reading this who is thinking of getting in shape and training in BJJ. Set a goal, get off your butt and on to the mat. Come see us at www.teamusabjj.com. We would love to have you on the team. You can also reach Kardena and her wonderful husband Mark (a great friend and colleague) through me anytime kenneth_knapp @ yahoo .com or socialfiend @ gmail .com.

Happy Training

KK

Three Stripe White Belt and Feeling Healthy Again

Time has gone by and much has changed for the better in my BJJ training. I’ve earned my second and third stripe. I assisted David Cryer with his cardio training prior to his debut at King of The Cage where he had a a fantastic submission in the first few seconds of the second round. He had an amazing fight.

My shoulder has healed up fine. I have to let guys out there know a good friend of mine who is a long time chiropractor told me to never, ever get shoulder surgery unless it’s absolutely necessary. He explained that doctors may suggest a scope here and a quick fix there. He further explained the resulting lack of motion from scarring will only lead to loss of mobility in the joint and probably cause more pain, injury than it’s worth. I took his advice and in a matter of weeks my shoulder was feeling stronger. It’s about 95% now and feeling great. I’m glad I took his advice and stayed away form the doctor and focused on physical therapy instead. The therapy workd and I have my strength back to train hard and learn tons more BJJ.

Life is good in my training world. I am enjoying being an active part of Team USA BJJ, John Munoz is an incredible coach and friend www.teamusabjj.com or simply www.usabjj.com works too.

That’s it for now. Happy training.

KK

Why do we train?

Over the years of training I find this one question has come up over and over again. I often wonder why do human beings seek knowledge and information pertaining to martial art? Is this machismo or man’s search for meaning in self? For me, I believe I seek self-enlightenment and self-control and ultimately the ability to feel calm, comfort and peace in the certain knowledge we all have no control over anything in this world and in our existence. The great Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu once said, Your actions are your only possessions. For me this is my therapy so I can improve my actions.

"To be on a quest is nothing more or less than to become an asker of questions."

-- Sam Keen

Control of oneself and actions is one of the greatest traits you can hope to gain through martial training in my mind. No matter the art or style. Simply training to understand your mind, body and spirit better will bring control. You will know better your limitations, strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes and fears. You will know yourself more completely. How are you to know this world if you simply don’t know yourself?

The one overriding goal I set out with initially was simply; work toward another long term goal in my life and gain more discipline over self. After five years or so of training I can see that I am who I am. After observing my actions over these past years I have changed. Challenges are accepted and taken in stride, worries although significant do not hold me down, projects are conquered quickly not left to nag me, I feel more disciplined in my thoughts, more emotional at times but more controlled and thought focused. Further I see that I have learned more about me.

In the end perhaps the greatest good that came from martial training is the fact that in time you may pass along the knowledge, training and skills that impacted your life and allowed you to feel and understand life better.

Just my rambling thoughts.

KK

Pan ams and World's are coming!

Just wanted to share some thoughts on upcoming events. Copa just happened this weeked but I laid low waiting for Pan Ams and Worlds this year. We had a bunch of guys from USA BJJ show up and I'm waiting to hear how they did. I'll post more on this later perhaps.

As Pan Ams and World draw near I'm planning to soak in both events as my first in many to come. Thanks to iCompete.org for the event info:

What Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) Tournament
When Mar 30, 2007 At 12:00AM (All evetn dates: March 30th, 31th and April 1st)
Where Cal State, Dominguez Hills, 1000 E Victoria St, Carson, CA 90747
California, United States

This year they have the novices kicking the event off Friday along with the no gi tournament. It should be a great day. Check out this site for details:

http://www.ibjjf.org/pan2007registration.htm

See you on the mat.

KK

A little rank is always a good thing FIRST STRIPE EARNED

Well I've been back to full time training once again. I'm still unable to do push ups or sprawls with my shoulder in the shapes it's in. But the good news is I can use it and fight pretty well with it. I even tapped a blue belt today in our technical training session. I was focused on speed today and I ended up north south on top pretty quickly in our five minute roll. I went to side mount and felt the slot between his far side shoulder so I shot my left arm through and quickly flipped my hips over and grabbed my left leg deep. I couldn't quite get my usual arm bar or americana so I opted to crush and I put a ton of pressure down on his face and he eventually tapped. He almost rolled me twice I ended up both times posted on my forehaed but wound up back in control with the head and arm locked tight. He had no choice. It may have been a little lucky on my part but it still feel good to get a tap now and then especially when you get to tap a higher rank than you.

So this week I bought Fearless with Jet Li. In addition to BJJ I also am a black belt and instructor in Kung Fu San Soo. The story unfolding in Fearless is very similar to the stories I have been told about Jimmy H. Woo in his youth in Southern China. I highly recommend this movie to everyone. It's truly a classic.

Well that's it for now. We've got movie plans tonight.

Stay healthy and train hard. Is there any other way to train anyway. ;-)))

KK