Well, it’s been a minute since I’ve done this….but it’s time…

When we were closed down by executive order, we figured a few weeks and it would all be over with and life would be back to normal.  Boy were we mistaken.   We all patiently waited.  We have watched other states begin to reopen.  We all followed the orders and rules handed down.  We were given the impression 2 weeks ago that Gyms and other fitness related businesses would be included in the phase 2 reopening of our state.   Gym owners all worked on their reopening plans, modified schedules, worked out how classes would be held following the new suggested guidelines.   At 5 pm yesterday we were ready and geared up to go ahead and hear those words …Phase 2 is beginning this Friday.   Well…we heard those words, except….there was a change….Gyms were being categorized with entertainment venues!  What?   Gyms needed to remain closed.   FOR 5 ADDITIONAL WEEKS.  The reasoning behind this was not explained during the press conference.  For those of us who either own these facilities, along with everyone who belongs to one….It made zero sense.   So now…at this point in time…I’d like to get a few points out there…..This may be a long read….but please, bear with me…as I’ve been thinking about all of this for several weeks now….

Firstly, let me make clear this is about way more than membership dues.   While yes…this is important, this is the livelyhood of some….this is how they feed their families…There is a much larger picture.   I can speak for our gym, but I know a lot of MMA/BJJ/Boxing gyms will be on the same page. 

Physical Health.  Let’s start there.  It has been proven, time and time again, (yes…even with the Corona) that your chances of getting sick decreases if you are physically healthy.  Physical health includes so much more than someones weight.  When your Blood pressure begins to drop, and you are able to be taken off your Medication because you’ve been training every day….we celebrate with you.  When you’ve had high cholesterol for years, but you’ve changed your eating habits, because that helps you when you are on the mats also….and your Cholesteral #’s begin to drop…we celebrate with you again!  When you begin to feel better all around…building your self confidence, making better life decisions, keeping a positive attitude and outlook, again, we are right by your side…cheering you on.   This leads me to the topic of Mental health….

Here we go…I can give countless reasons why our gym is good for your soul.   (Again…I know so many other gyms in the MMA/BJJ/Boxing community that are on the same page, have the same thoughts, morals, values, experiences)  A few instances come to my mind.  To begin, we’ve had several teenagers (and adults to be honest), who haven’t had the greatest life.  No direction.  Life spinning out of control.  Depression.  headed down a path of serious trouble.  Self destruction.  No where to turn.  No support system.  Alone.    From the minute they walk through the doors, they are given a chance to have that all change.  Building their own confidence.  Having an amazing support system.  And that support system includes every single person out there on the mats.  When you train with someone, you form a bond.  When there is a group of you training together, you form a brotherhood, a family bond.  You begin to feel that you have an actual place to turn.  You have that guidance that is sometimes needed in life.  You have people that will have your back.  You have people who will help you when you are down.   You become a support system for other people as well.  This type of mentality carries with you outside of they Gym, making it a positive aspect for the community as a whole. 

Let’s carry this topic over to our kids.  Let’s talk about the whole ADHD issue.  We have SO many children who have this issue.  Who have started taking our kids classes, and have had these issues begin to fade.  It’s amazing to see the transformation in them.  To watch them basically start out when they are 5 or 6 years old….to see them walk onto those mats, most are a little scared, and develop so many amazing skills.  They say it takes a village…sometimes it truly does.  One of my favorite things to watch, are the kids class belt tests.  These kids give their all.  These kids push themselves harder than they ever could have imagined.  Parents and family members who are watching are amazed.   These kids have such a sense of pride, not only for themselves, but for eachother.  When one set of testing is complete, there is usually a group of kids , who are exhausted from their own test….sitting at the edge of the mats, cheering on and supporting their teammates.   One thing that i’ve seen happen, numerous times, during testing…  Kids are paired up and have to grapple or spar eachother.  They are tired, they are mentally and physically wore down, and they are having to physically compete with a teammate.  If you listen closely, sometimes you will hear the 2 kids actually pushing eachother.  Don’t quit,  you’ve got this,  you’re doing good,  keep going. All while actually having to compete against eachother. They form that same bond.   They are a Team.b Besides testing time, it makes me extremely proud to watch these kids basically grow up in the gym.  Parents will tell you, learning control, discipline, respect out on the mats, helps them at home, helps them at school.  It affects their daily decision making. 

A few other things…The benefits for Law enforcement.   I shouldn’t need to explain this…but physical benefits.  Hand to hand combat.  Yep…if you only have your hand to hand combat training once or twice per year, participating in a full contact sport such as MMA or BJJ will keep you fresh.  Keeping in shape is extremely important, but also knowing what to do, how to handle yourself in a one on one confrontational situation is up there on the list!  And again, the community as a whole aspect…i’ll get into that in a bit.   Let’s talk about veterans…a few proven facts….therapists have actually “prescribed” MMA/BJJ training to veterans with PTSD.  Coming home, going from a 100% military lifestyle, having that urgency, that camaraderie…to regular civilian life can be very hard.  Developing that bond, having that physical push, that urgency in training, that competative feeling again has been proven time and time again to help.  Again, community as a whole.

So, if i’m going to keep using the term Community as a whole, let me discuss.  You have people from ALL walks of life, who without the gym, would have probably never met.   But yet they’ve all come together.   You have men, women, young, old, black, white, shy, outgoing, overacheivers, lots of experience, no experience, competative, not competative…..all out there together.  This carries with us into our personal lives.  Families begin training together…kids, parents, grandparents.  All carried with us outside the walls of the gym.  Friendships formed, that would never have formed.  You have bonds, you have a family. Making our community a better place….together.

So since this is my blog, I’m going to end with my On a personal note portion.  I apologize if I get long winded, i’ll try my best not to.  We, in the MMA/BJJ community have been extremely patient.  Our members have been extremely patient.  We understood the threat, the fears, the unknown.   We have sat back and listened and followed the rules.   We keep our gyms clean and sanitized…We are adults….we know the risks.  There are risks associated with the type of training that goes on at our gym.   Everyone who trains there is well aware.  There are also benefits that outweigh the risks.  We also are well aware of them. We have been watching some of our members who have come from a dark place slowly descend backwards.  Why on the face of this earth would anyone want to allow that to happen?   Why ?  Our governor seems to view gyms as “workout entertainment venues”??  that was how we were categorized yesterday afternoon.  There are places that are being allowed to open that have a very different level of cleanliness.   Sleep away camps????   I’m not badmouthing any camps…but come on!  I’ve been to some….and I can assure you that we are taking VERY different measures regularly.   We have cleaned and sanitized the gym since way before The ‘Rona appeared.  We have had strict policies in place since the beginning regarding illnesses.  You can ask anyone who trains…..how quickly I will turn someone who has been sick right around to go home.  I don’t play.  If you message me to ask about trainging….and you or a family member has had something contagious….my answer is no.  Give it a few days, We don’t want to share that kind of Love!

We have fighters who NEED to train in the proper setting, with proper instruction.  Not on the street.  Not in their backyards.  Not in their garages.  We have kids who have been inside their houses with minimal physical activity for too long.  They want to come back to class.  They are longing for that structure.  We have other members who need that daily push.   I’m told, just go on and open up….again, easier said than done.  A quick solution could lead to a bigger problem, including fines and potentially losing  our business licence.  That would be much worse in the long run to everyone who is counting on us.  I can promise you all, we WILL reopen, it’s just a matter of when.  I am hoping things can be viewed differently as to what our Gym is.   I am hoping that it is seen as more than a unclean germ spreading entertainment venue.  The value put on our gym and the people who are a part of the gym family is priceless.    What we do, what we stand for, our community as a whole would benefit from us being allowed to open our doors without facing any legal reprecussions.    Please take a long hard look at the risks you take by going to the huge stores that have been open since day one.  Please take a long hard look at how sitting at home has been HORRIBLE for people, physically and mentally speaking.    If we are forced to wait the full 5 weeks so be it….but I feel that an uprising is headed our way.