Athletic Advance. San Pedro, Costa Rica

Athletic Advance. Costa Rica.

I cannot even begin to express my appreciation to the students and professors at Athletic Advance in Costa Rica. My original plan was to train in the city for 2 weeks and head back to the beach to take up surfing. It took one day of training to convince me I couldn´t head back just yet. I ended up finding a job teaching English within 4 days and of course as usual bounced around from house to house for a while until settling down. Too many belt colours to count but for starters: Fabian Calvo, Ariel Sexton, Juanito Barrantes, Fernando Moya, Alfredo Aspitia, Javier Valenciano, Esteban Arias, Alci Cleiton, Leonidas Ruaro, Ruben Rosales, Arranick Montero, - I have to thank each and every one of you for my experience at your Academy. I broke through some walls for sure. After the World Championships last year, I plateaued and was unable to get out of that phase for a whole year, it was finally my time and I couldn´t be happier about where I stand today. A number of things influenced this massive change, my lifestyle, traveling, being close to the ocean, surfing-practicing balance constantly, being challenged mentally, pyshically and emotionally each day. I remember the point when Javier Valenciano went over a few sweeps from the De La Riva guard, and seriously after that private I was blown away. Things started to fall into place and connections were being made. What an incredible feeling.

I have to make a shout of to Christian Graugart for inspiring me with his webpage, his lifestyle in pursuing his dreams as well, his advice to start my own blog page. For any of my friends and family who haven´t heard of him yet, here check him out, he´s pretty incredible! http://www.BJJglobetrotter.com

Leo and me rolling in Costa Rica. Playa Hermosa, Jaco-Ola Bonita...He says I roll like a guy, that´s why I love him!

Goofing around after a great afternoon roll, Gaby, Marcela, Leo mi and black belt Andre Oliveira!

Playa Hermosa. The mats were just on the grass footsteps away from sights like these...

Juanito Barrantes giving me my first class in Costa Rica-Athletic Advance. He´s an incredible fighter and also has a blog page: http://www.juanbarrantes.com/ 

Clint-a dear friend of mine! Thank you for the photos!

Alejandro Fernandez and me training some NoGi.

Playa Hermosa BJJ.

Here is a link to see some info about the instructors at Athletic Advance. http://www.athleticadvance.com/instructores.html  They are located in San Pedro, Costa Rica. About 10 minutes from San Jose. It is packed with talent, technique and smiles. I´ll be back soon enough!!

The Beginning. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

¨ORGANIZED LIKE A TEAM-FIGHTING LIKE A FAMILY¨

My Team in Canada. Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts-Team Renzo Gracie. My professor-Pat Cooligan, Matthew Hache, Peter Fazekas, Steve Joncas, accompanied by Rolles and Igor Gracie for a seminar.

Taking it back to the beginning in 2007 where I came back from University looking for a new sport; something to get me into tip top shape after 3 soccer knee injuries. My brother told me about OAMA which happened to be 2 minutes from my house. There I immediately fell in love with Muay Thai. I had/have incredible instructors back home. Mark Holst an extremely talented fighter and instructor was my first intructor along with Josh Palmer who is no longer located in Ottawa. I kept up a steady pace and was training 2-3-4 classes per day in Muay Thai, eager to fight. Some wise advice from an instructor was to take my time. I am thankful I listened to the advice because I wouldn´t be where I am today if things were different. I just imagine myself after 6-7 months fighting in a ring. Who knows maybe I would have been a rockstar but on the chance that I got killed, it might have scared me away from the sport or even taken some of my passion away after that experience. Now, to each there own but for me, I went on to the next best thing at the time. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Two weeks into starting I had already signed up for my first inhouse tournament. Four months later I found myself at Grappler´s Quest winning my first gold medal in the NoGi division and the rest is history. I have been training BJJ for almost 3 years now, December will mark the point. There was a period where I didn´t have the funds or the time to continue with Jiu Jitsu which was the gap between 2008-2010 but I came back stronger than ever with a fire burning to win the World´s. It was the only thing on my mind and my dreams came true last June. It literally was the best moment of my life, everything I envisioned in my dreams was becoming a reality. Even walking into that pyramid afterwards I had trouble keeping my shit together, feeling so overwhelmed with emotion. I am just a beginner in BJJ but I feel strong and driven towards bigger dreams.

At the moment I am training in each country and city that I visit through Central and South America. I am currently preparing myself for the competition season in the spring followed by the World Championships 2012 where I will dominate for a second time as a Blue belt-(The adrenalin rushes have already begun, and the visions). Traveling opens my mind to a lot of things, and for me jiu jitsu is simply a part of my life now, it runs strongly through my veins. I hope to see different techniques, flows, rhythms that will help me gain an edge in the competition world. I am and forever will be grateful to all of those I have met, and will meet soon for all the encouragement.

Keeping an open heart and an open mind can do you a lot of favours. Save the judgment and remember anything you believe can become a reality!

Pat Cooligan, Matthew Hache, Peter Fazekas, Nick Castiglia, Scott Cooper, Gerhardt Blume, Kru Mark Holst, Kru Jeff Harrison.

I am so thankful to have found OAMA-located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It´s where my passion for Martial Arts began and where I will always call home. Check them out at http://oama.ca/ . They offer Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Mixed Martial Arts, Kettlebell, Kids classes and more. If you´re from Ottawa check it out, best intructors and training partners and facilities you could ask for! For any travelers heading to Canada to train Jiu Jitsu in the future strangers, friends or family of mine. Contact me we can find a way to make it possible! jessicapaigeclifford@hotmail.com


White Belt Tournaments:
Grappler´s Quest 2007- Gold NoGi
Arnold´s 2008- Silver Gi & NoGi
Renzo Gracie Invitational 2008- Bronze Gi
Arnold´s 2010- Gold Gi
New York Open 2010- Gold Gi
World Championships IBJJF 2010- Gold


Blue Belt Tournaments: 
Renzo Gracie Invitational 2010- Silver

Professor Pat Cooligan Faixa Preta- Team Renzo Gracie Ottawa

The charming, wonderful and charismatic Renzo Gracie.

Receiving Faixa Azul from Professor Pat Cooligan

Faixa Azul e Ouro!! and my lucky hat!

World Championships 2010-L.A, California Finals for White Belt Light Feather, where I received my blue belt from Pat Cooligan, the best day of my life!

Earlier moments in BJJ. On the road for my first Grappler´s Quest Competition.

Great friend and training partner Anne David. Side by side through all the blood, sweat and tears during competitions.

New York Open 2010-Light feather

Renzo Gracie Invitational- Blue Belt Light Feather-Silver

Renzo Gracie Invitational White Belt Bronze