2009 was the year I launched Version3. Version 3 of 'me'
Version1 was the boy in a small town in N.Ireland Version2 was the DJ/ Promoter 'Kyomi / Trickler Productions' Version3 is the Jiu Jitsu fighter
I started the rebuilding process about 3 years ago, or when I turned 30. Having no interest to DJ anymore and having re-edumacated myself and settled into a career I needed a new challenge in my life. Along with becoming a Scout leader, rebuilding myself as an MMA fighter seemed like a good idea but after sampling boxing, Muay Thai, Judo and Jiu Jitsu...it's obvious where my attention has been focused.
MMA is still on the radar but I would say getting my Black Belt is much more something I want to do now.
So the journey has started. I've clocked about 2.5 years of mat time. {This pic was taken in July 2007...clenched fists and incorrect fighting stance? lol) Since then I've felt the changes emotionally, spiritually and mentally from jiu jitsu and it continues to make me a much better person. But this year, mostly towards the end...things are clicking better. It's a very organic natural shift in improvements to some personality traits, sharpening of my skills on the mat, behaving as a better person in my everyday life and using the teachings of my friends and Mentor Jorge Britto to improve myself little by little each day.