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Washing machine whisperer
Picture of Appliance Brad
posted
In a dusty lot a group of us stood around after the third day of ECQC in Fuquay-Varina, NC about 12 years ago, while Craig Douglas (Southnarc) talked about what we had covered over the preceding days. One of the things he mentioned was that a goal should be to earn at least a blue belt in Brazilian jujitsu. So after returning home, I began to seek out a place to learn. My first gym that I was at for about a year closed and a fellow member asked me to join a group training in his garage. That's where I met and began to train under Professor Sharon. There I earned a blue belt about 5 years ago. A pandemic happened. We kept on training. We moved to another garage, and then a teammate asked if I wanted to come and train in nearby Jonesville, less than 10 minutes from my retail store.
September 14 I was deeply humbled and amply blessed to be awarded my purple belt by Professor Sharon Schleif(Rigan Machado 2nd degree black belt).

I'm 66 years old, 142 pounds. I get crushed regularly by teammates that are a third my age. I keep coming back, week after week because I love jujitsu. I honestly never thought I'd be able to train long enough to get here. New belt means new goals. Now comes the long road but now seemingly not impossible journey to brown.

My Professor and I
Purple Belt cropped by Brad Benzing, on Flickr

My teammate Kira earned her blue belt the same day.

Brad and Kira favorite by Brad Benzing, on Flickr


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Writing the next chapter that I've been looking forward to.
 
Posts: 11292 | Location: below the palm tree line of Michigan | Registered: September 17, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Lost
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Big congrats! A very difficult art to rank in, I'm told.



ACCU-STRUT FOR MINI-14
"First, Eyes."
 
Posts: 16951 | Location: SF Bay Area | Registered: December 11, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Green grass and
high tides
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Congrats Brad, much respect.



"Practice like you want to play in the game"
 
Posts: 19761 | Registered: September 21, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
It's all part of
the adventure...
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That’s quite an achievement - congratulations! All your hard work is being rewarded!


Regards From Sunny Tucson,
SigFan

NRA Life - IDPA - USCCA - GOA - JPFO - ACLDN - SAF - AZCDL - ASA

"Faith isn't believing that God can; it's knowing that He will." (From a sign on a church in Nicholasville, Kentucky)
 
Posts: 1748 | Location: Tucson, Arizona | Registered: January 30, 2000Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Imagination and focus
become reality
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Congratulations on your excellent achievement!!
 
Posts: 6737 | Location: Northwest Indiana | Registered: August 15, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
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Wow what an incredible accomplishment. Congratulations!
 
Posts: 4010 | Registered: January 25, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Oriental Redneck
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Dedication, determination and perseverance. Big congratulations to you, sir.


Q






 
Posts: 27605 | Location: TEXAS | Registered: September 04, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Cynic
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Congratulations Brad. Tell those young dudes you have a 239 under that outfit.


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Posts: 13051 | Location: Pride, Louisiana | Registered: August 14, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
SIGforum's Indian
Off the Reservation
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Well done Brad! Very impressive.


Mike


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Posts: 4954 | Location: Southern Colorado | Registered: January 01, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Partial dichotomy
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Congrats, Brad! I'm very happy for you.




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Posts: 39286 | Location: SC Lowcountry/Cape Cod | Registered: November 22, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Perpetual Student
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Congratulations, Brad. That's a real accomplishment.
 
Posts: 2463 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: May 14, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
You have cow?
I lift cow!
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Congrats! (don't mess with Brad)


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Posts: 7029 | Location: Bay Area | Registered: December 09, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Oriental Redneck
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I now dub you Bradzilian jiu-jitsu.


Q






 
Posts: 27605 | Location: TEXAS | Registered: September 04, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Thank you
Very little
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Well done to you both!
 
Posts: 24339 | Location: Gunshine State | Registered: November 07, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
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Congrats man! Just got my first stripe on my purple not long ago. I'm 5.5 years in and 43. I spend around probably 7-8 hours on the mats every week.

I absolutely SUCK at BJJ. But god do I love it. Study of mechanics, frames, levers, angles, and timing is really all it is. But god it's the hardest thing i've ever tried to learn.




Train how you intend to Fight

Remember - Training is not sparring. Sparring is not fighting. Fighting is not combat.
 
Posts: 8936 | Location: Woodstock, GA | Registered: August 04, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
in the end karma
always catches up
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That’s an amazing accomplishment! It is keeping you flexible as well.


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YAT-YAS
 
Posts: 3730 | Location: Northwest, In | Registered: December 03, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
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Congrats Brad. You are not just another pretty face. Wink Really, good on you.
Rod


"Do not approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction." John Deacon, Author

I asked myself if I was crazy, and we all said no.
 
Posts: 1731 | Location: Between Rock & Hard Place (Pontiac & Detroit) | Registered: December 22, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
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Congratulations sir. Well done.
 
Posts: 796 | Location: York Pa. | Registered: January 13, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Political Cynic
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Well done. A great accomplishment.
 
Posts: 53847 | Location: Tucson Arizona | Registered: January 16, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Mistake Not...
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Congrats!


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Posts: 2081 | Location: T-town in the 253 | Registered: January 16, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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