The Gorilla Press, Issue 139

November 8th and the release of The Universal Sprawl, By John Frankl.

Coach Matt on The Universal Sprawl-

“Coming next Monday, Nov 8th!Did you know that virtually all of the thousands of techniques in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, sweeps, submissions, escapes, and pins actually boil down to just 12 mechanical motions?Knowing what those motions are, and understanding how you can apply them everywhere can dramatically accelerate your game.In this unique instructional series, 5th degree BJJ black belt and head of SBG Korea, professor John Frankl shows you those movements – and teaches you how to apply them – everywhere.Sign up now for exclusive offers. Don’t miss this. We guarantee, it will be unlike any video series you’ve ever seen before”.

November’s Podcast

From Coach Matt-

“November’s SBG Video podcast is here!This month I talk with one of the original, founding members of SBG, Stephen Whittier. Coach Steve has been with SBG for more than 20 years, he’s a 4th deg black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, as well as one of the highest ranking American coaches in Sityodtong Muay Thai. Topics include : The Power of First Principles, Rickson Gracie’s Innovations, training with coach Henry Akins, Elon Musk, Connection, Anti-Fragility, coach John Danaher, the Modern Leg Lock Game, the Art of Holding Pads, what Great Striking Training Is, the Fallacy of Self-Preservation vs Self-Perfection, and Sunken Costs in JKD, much more.Settle in and enjoy!”

December’s Podcast 2021 Best Of

Matt Thornton’s First Book – The Gift Of Violence

From Matt –

“Don’t let anyone fool you, writing a book is hard work. Writing a good book is even harder. It took me seven years, but I think I’ve accomplished that.What violence is, where it comes from, and how you can keep yourself and those you love safe. 30 years of experience condensed into 280 pages.I won’t be doing publicity, interviews, or podcasts until we get nearer the release date in May. However, I wanted to give my friends and fellow SBG members a heads up – you can pre-order your copy today!Thanks for all the questions, comments, and interest all of you have had over the years regarding this book. I sincerely appreciate it. This book is for all of you.Now, let’s make it a best-seller”.

Early Review From Micheal Shermer-

“There is an evolutionary logic to violence that makes it part of human nature. The sooner we understand this fact the better we will be at knowing when and where to apply violence in the most moral and practical manner, both politically and personally. To the latter end, this may be one of the most important books ever written on self-improvement, inasmuch as the lessons imparted within will make you stronger, smarter, and safer. Read it and grow.”—Michael Shermer, Publisher Skeptic magazine, Presidential Fellow Chapman University, author of Heavens on Earth, The Moral Arc, The Believing Brain, and other books.

Henry Akins Visits HQ

From Coach Matt-

“As always, amazing seminar today with coach Henry Akins. Every time I train with him my understanding of how Jiu-Jitsu works is revised, and improved.

Today’s open guard material will change and advance everything we do, from our foundations curriculum to our MMA program.

There is no Jiu-Jitsu quite like Rickson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.”

New Black Belt In Reno Under Coach Ray Price

Booming Kids Program In PDX Serves As A Reminder For The Things We Really Value

I recently sat down with coach Stearns to work on some of the inner academy trials of a booming kids program. He half joking said you should coach another set of classes. For the first time I was able to put to words the part that scared me about teaching kids. “The biggest thing holding me back from working with kids is the enormous responsibility of teaching someone else’s child”. With everything going on in the world today it helped me reset my perspective on what needs to be prioritized. I have a huge amount of respect for the coaches in the organization that can run a strong kids program. The talent and hard earned skills that are needed to keep kids engaged and focus, and the massive amount of responsibility they shoulder when being a part of raising the next generation. -Zach T.

Protection

Is another part of our responsibility to the next generation and to ourselves. Most of the folks reading this newsletter are working on the physical side of protection in the gym everyday. However, when it comes to self defense we don’t know what the fight will involve, or who it will be against.

The only thing we can control is what skills and tools we bring to that fight. SBG Coach and Black Belt, Paul Sharp, is helping us all develop those skills. He’s been a huge part of the annual self defense specific seminars that coach Matt Thornton likes to host in PDX, and this year we’ve been working to bring that to the rest of the organization.

Early this year we worked with Paul Sharp to film the second part to his self defense program, and partnered with it a Dry Fire series. These two blend perfectly together to introduce people to some of the options and mindset you will need if that fight does ever occur. Be sure to check out the video below, and click the link for more info on the series. We are expecting a release this December.