Todd is a living example of how BJJ can inspire someone to change his or her life in the pursuit of excellence on the mat. Todd, who has known one of the gym owners, Travis Baumgartner, since the 8th grade was decidedly on a downward trajectory in terms of his health and lifestyle. Todd says, “Up until last year I had high blood pressure, had to take high blood pressure medicine and I smoked.” Yet, after his introduction to BJJ through his friend Travis and Steven Ruiz, Todd’s progress has been nothing short of amazing. As he is proud to observe, “I quit smoking and I am off high blood pressure medication” and he credits BJJ with this transformative process.
Furthermore, what Todd has found even more rewarding is the type of people that he is surrounded by in BJJ. The people that he works out with every day are more positive, more health conscious and much more goal driven than the crowd that he used to be surrounded by. He believes BJJ is so remarkable because it is a mental challenge as well as a physical one. This mirrors the common adage about BJJ which is that it is a form of human chess. For Todd, working out with and hanging out with the people that he has met in BJJ has become the highlight of his weekly schedule.
This positive change and newly adopted lifestyle experienced by Todd is what the team at Gracie Fishhawk is so proud to represent to others. While any martial art can benefit an individual, BJJ and specifically Gracie Fishhawk offers both a transformative experience and a lifestyle for the person that needs to improve his or her health, fitness and mental outlook. So in this regard, we at Gracie Fishhawk applaud Todd and his ongoing improvement. We want to let him (and you) know that the gym and all of its members are here every day to support you on your own personal vision-quest for positive change.