Page 33 - ISSUE 2

GRAPPLER Fall 2018

GM: The main idea for this issue is inspiration to shit during the storm in Jamaica). Obviously Danimal
follow your dreams, would you say your visit to BJJ is a Globetrotter-affiliated gym, how would you
Moldova still ranks as the most inspiring experience describe your relationship with Dan?
from your travels? Has there been another instance
since then where you’ve felt that same emotion? What CG: I haven’t seen him for a while, but I’m looking
are your lasting memories of Moldova? forward to catch up with him at our Zen Camp in
Poland in little under two months. He is one of the
CG: I’m not sure. I think that many times where I many people that I connected very well with on my
have put myself out of my comfort zone and in a round-the-world trip and who is still in my life in one
place that I did not expect to ever go, that has given way or another. When traveling to all these unlikely
me some amazing experiences and memories. I think places, I quickly realized that no matter where I
there’s a universal formula for a “Time of Your Life” showed up - even completely random locations I
experience and one of the big ingredients is hardship. had never heard about before - great friendships
Anything you did that’s easy won’t be as memorable and experiences was awaiting me there, as long as
as something that took a real effort. Going to train I kept an open mind towards every person I met. I
with poor kids in Moldova was in many ways not easy, had just arrived in Taiwan, exhausted late at night,
but it hasn’t been a unique experience for me - I get when Dan messaged me after having seen my post at the camps called “Create Something” on my GM: What is your favorite surf spot? Or can you narrow
that same feeling on a regular basis in my life often, on some Asian BJJ forum. He picked me up the next approach to getting ideas and making them happen, it down to a few places?
because I refuse to do things that are easy. morning and we pretty much instantly went on a which has been a very interesting process for me. At
road trip around the entire island of Taiwan, training some point I might publish something about that and CG: Seven years after my first ever surf lesson, I still
GM: How has starting a family/ fatherhood in general in several different places and running into some I’m sure it’ll then all make sense how the award came consider myself a complete beginner. Maybe a brand
impacted your perspective or philosophies on training seriously strange situations. I’m sure we have a lot of about in my head. new blue belt on a really good day. So I don’t really
and traveling? adventures awaiting us together in the future. have a favorite spot. Probably where I go in Saint Barth
GM: What advice or tips would you have for someone but only because it’s such a pretty place to start the
looking to open a gym? What are some early common day and only a few minutes from my house.
CG: Not really, I pretty much do the same thing now. GM: What was the inspiration behind the Globetrotter
Of course, logistically, it’s a bit more challenging to of the Year Award? obstacles? Any tips on overcoming a language barrier?
live a life of traveling and adventure when you have GM: What would you say has been the most difficult
two children, but it’s not impossible. It’s a matter of CG: Honestly, I think it was just a random idea that CG: I built my own place from one principle and one place to travel to but was ultimately worth the trouble?
direction and priorities. popped up at some point; perhaps someone suggested principle only: treat every single person who walks
through the door as your potential next best friend. I
it. There was not a lot of thought behind it. I usually know that’s not for everyone, but it’s worked for me in CG: Planet Earth. Might change that to the moon
GM: The Taiwan chapter of the BJJ Globetrotter write down anything between 5-10 ideas every day within a decade or two.
featuring Dan was by far one of the more interesting and often randomly pick which ones I’ll move on; this many, many projects I’ve done.
and hilarious parts of the book (along with the epic was one of them. I’ve started teaching a workshop Visit www.BJJglobetrotters.com for more information.
There’s no language barrier if you just learn the language.

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