Ten Questions with Steve of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

1. Describe your blog in five sentences or less.
My blog is a training diary first and foremost. While it is fundamentally a place for me to document my training and progress in BJJ, it is also a place for me to celebrate the success of our school and of my friends. Over the months that I’ve been blogging, I was pleasantly surprised that it has also become a way to connect with other martial artists out there on the interweb, and has served as an introduction into a diverse field of blogs completely unrelated to martial arts.

2. Link us to one post from your blog that best defines who you are.

Martial Arts and Promotion

3. What sets you apart from other bloggers?
You never know what you’re going to get. Whether it’s the occasional rant or the odd movie review, I like to think that I have a unique perspective on things. I ask you, where else can you find a a haiku combining both martial arts and flatulence?

4. When and how did you first discover blogging?
I really had no idea what blogging was about until my coach suggested to us all that we keep a training log. I didn’t want to keep it on paper, and thought that blogging would be a good way to share my ups and downs with my family. This was when I discovered how many other blogs were out there…more than 50 million according to Google!

5.What is your biggest pet peeve related to blogging or the internet?
My biggest pet peeve is when people start blogging and really peak my interest, and then stop posting…no explanation. One day, you’re reading, leave a comment and then 4 months later reluctantly delete the shortcut. It’s like starting a good book, but the author quit half way through.

6. Name one plugin, blogging widget, or service that you can’t live without.
Statcounter. I’ve discovered more good blogs from backtracking on those that have found mine than any other way. Statcounter has also allowed me to get a sense of who I’m reaching and how.

7. If you could choose anyone, living or dead, to write a guest post for your blog, who would it be and why?
Helio Gracie is a co-founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I’d learn Portuguese just to read his post if he would write an article for me with practical advice to beginning students.

8. How has blogging made you a better person?
The discipline involved has really helped. While I have plenty of opinions, the discipline related to blogging regularly and documenting my training has really helped. I also find it valuable to track my progress. We often set goals and achieve them, but it’s nice to be able to go back and mark one’s progress on a virtual timeline.

I think it’s also made me a little better looking. Wait…that’s shallow. I mean smarter. I think I’m smarter as a result of blogging. Is that shallow, too? Shoot…now I’m conflicted.

So, to sum up, blogging has made me more disciplined…and conflicted.

9. What are your tips for becoming a better blogger?
Well, I’m not necessarily the guy to ask. The blogs I like are the ones where the author provides regular content and doesn’t lose sight of his or her audience. Write about that for which you have a passion. Because as I mentioned before, if you’re not REALLY interested in it, you will become bored and then stop posting…making me cry into my chocolate milk late at night wondering why you’ve abandoned me.

10. Name one great blog that you read on a regular basis. What makes it unique?

Brain Cheese

Linda, the author, is an inspiration to me. Her blog is a chronicle of her battle against MS and a general outlet for her peronal…let’s call them ramblings (with love). She is funny, creative, supportive and a source of strength and inspiration to everyone who reads her blog.

Categories: Personal, Sports, Ten Questions