blackbelt and me

  A Blackbelt in Jiujitsu!  A tough and long road.  A journey not many people have the ability to travel.  This belt is more to me than just 2" around my waist. More than 16 years of sweat, time, dedication, medals, or trophies. Its a Lifestyle....
  Being a Blackbelt and school owner has added a lot of responsibility to my life. I have a lot of people everyday that count on me to guide and direct their journey. They look to me for motivation, reassurance, supervision and instruction. They are counting on me to help them along on their own Jiujitsu journey.  Big shoes to fill. 
  Being an instructor and school owner of Davis Martial Arts in Humble Texas, I have learned that we as Blackbelts, are more than just teachers, we are what everyone around us aspires to be. The stares, glances, and whispers when first come in. Trying to live up to those high standards at times is difficult. However, we are like everyone else, just people. we make mistakes. We are humans.
  I love to teach. Watching the growth of my students is undeniably one of the greatest feelings. To see the progression in a student. To watch them grow and even change right before your eyes. To have a student tap me for the first time legit, humbling, gratifying and for me, personally satisfying. I HAVE DONE MY JOB!
  My students are very important to me. Their growth and well being is crucial. From the kids to adults, I love them all.  Without them, we are nothing. Without the students, we have no future.
  The kids are the most fun. They are literally what we want as instructors, a dry sponge just waiting for information. The ultimate empty glass, ready to be filled with Jiujitsu knowledge. No doubts. No worries. Flying triangle, "no problems". Jump into guard, "got it". Diving shoulder roll, "which shoulder coach"? NO FEAR!
  Passing on my knowledge to my students is my goal. Making them not only good Martial Artists, but filling a void in their lives. Jiujitsu is awesome. The bond between students and instructors is difficult to explain. We clash in a game of living breathing "Human Chess." The game of breaking bones and choking people to sleep, where what saves you from certain pain and agony is a simple "TAP". Brothers and sisters in as close to combat as most will ever experience.
   RESPECT. DISCIPLINE. TRUST. Without these characteristics in yourself and fellow students, no one could train.
  I hope I live a long time, not just my life, but through my students and on to their students. Long enough to see some of the kids become Blackbelts and pass on our Jiujitsu lineage. I hope to hear some day, "this is an old school move from Mr.Roy I learned 15 years ago that still works today." That's my hopes and dreams as an instructor. To live forever through my teachings. Big dreams.  As they say, "Set a dream so big that you cant achieve it, until you grow into the person that can."
                                        Davis Martial Arts Academy
                                                     We Train!!!