lonecoyote
Brown Belt
Just went to a class held by an old grappling instructor of mine. He switched dojos, there was a falling out, and now teaches at a new place where the owner is a lot more hands off, and letting him do his own thing. It's like night and day, the atmosphere, the people, exciting, like any great thing can happen. It's kind of his first time on his own (other dojo was family business) and you can tell that the freedom has changed everything. Lots of fun, lots of pain, but lots of fun. His talent was always apparent, but now it seems like a dark cloud has been lifted. He now teaches more MMA where he can use his boxing and wrestling skills (ex golden gloves and high school wrestling champ) and well, kind of just making it up as he goes along, which sounds like a bad thing, but it's not. Even teaches dirty tricks (pinches, pokes and foot stomp in the clinch so far) in a humorous way. Sadly, I'm moving, but I might try to drive a few hours to make his class. Anybody experienced anything like this, watching someone empty their cup, get free and really make a turnaround? Anybody had to leave a negative atmosphere behind to make the next step?