This is a pic of one of my very first belt promotions. EVER! And to say the least, what I was told by her Saturday will stick with me for a lifetime.
  I had the opportunity to teach classes at one of our former affiliates, Dirty Bay MMA several years ago. It was an opportunity to train and teach people what I wanted and how I saw fit for the first time. What I didnt know was this experience would help forge my way to a future I am living today.
  I would travel to Baytown after work and prepare the training area for the evening classes. The training area was small, had no A/C or heat, and little ventilation. But, it was the opportunity to teach is what appealed to me.
  I had been teaching no gi and beginner classes with Alvis, but this was my chance to do my own thing, under the SMAA logo. Classes were small, but he friendships I made will last forever.
  Mrs. Debra was a whitebelt at the time and trained on a regular basis. Her daughter Emily was dedicated to the art as well and they are the dynamic duo that makes you happy to come teach and train.
  So, I was talking with Mrs. Debra and she tells me I am the reason she kept training. I was like,WOW!!! Man, did it touch my soul. I could feel my head swell a little, then I could feel a tear coming on. I asked what she meant and she said that at the time I started teaching at Dirty Bay, she was at a point where she felt she wasn't growing and felt unmotivated to train. She said that my style of coaching and teaching helped pull her back in. And that I was the reason she is still training today.
  Now, I am not sure about all that, but the one thing I can say, for whatever reason, she is still training today. And that's enough for me. I am glad to have been a part of her life. I am even more proud to have made such an impact on someone and didn't even realize it. She is now a purple belt training under my good friend Anthony at Combat Nation.
  What we don't know in life is how our actions and teachings may affect people around us. How what we say and do can alter and change the future of individuals everywhere. Being an instructor has really opened my eyes to this.
  At Davis Martial Arts we look to inspire individuals. To help people grow and be the best they can at whatever they do, not just Jiujitsu. I am very thankful to Debra for those words. I am forever in her debt, because this has truly opened my eyes to the effects we have on each other.

                                   DAVIS MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY
                                                   Humble Texas

  What an awesome weekend this was. So, I got to go out to Combat Nation and pic the brain of probably the best teacher and true student of the art of Jiujitsu, Carlos Machado.
There were so many Blackbelts there ready to learn from the best. For myself, it was a bitter sweet reunion with guys and girls that were once all teammates, but have now moved on to do their own things.
  Travis Tooke, Anthony Bernabeo, Robert Soliz, Spenser Gilliam, Shawn Key, Kevin Henderson, Eddie Avelar, Pepe Garcia and several more.  Some of these guys had been doing their own thing awhile, but it seemed we were definitely closer a year ago.
  I count myself lucky, for the fact that none of these guys have ever denied me any help, information, or a place train.  
  Having all these guys back on the mats together was definitely a moment I took in and want forget. Its just a testament to Carlos and his teachings on how someone great, can bring people together and make others around him great as well.
  Even though these guys have moved on to different schools and in different directions with their lives, I hope that over the years I have had a positive impact on them and that each and everyone never doubts my friendship toward them all. I know that I have learned valuable lessons from each of them as well. There is no price that can be put on memories and lessons learned.
  Jiujitsu is an awesome art. The brother/sisterhood it develops between students and instructors is definitely inspiring. The friendships and relationships that are created can last a life time.
  I want to thank all of those, from students to instructors, who have been a part of my own Jiujitsu journey.  THANK YOU FOR EVEYTHING....

                  At DAVIS MARTIAL ARTS, my journey continues on.