Friday, February 23, 2024 by C. Michial Jones
Throughout 2023 and into 2024, Bryce Leming and I have maintained a grueling schedule, training four to five days a week. At nearly half a century into my martial arts career, there are days when the progress feels invisible—when the body feels its age and the “young guns” on the mat seem faster than ever. However, a recent seminar provided a shift in perspective that reminded me why we stay in the fight.
The Return of the Coach: Rocky France
On February 22, 2024, Bryce brought in a guest instructor, Alan Stockman from Indianapolis. Alan is a world-class technician, and the class was a masterclass in efficiency. But the highlight of the event for me was the presence of Bryce’s original coach, Rocky France.
Rocky is a living testament to resolve. Having contracted a severe case of COVID-19, he effectively “died” several times in the hospital before clawing his way back to life. Though he was forced to close his school, MMA Minded, his spirit remains unbroken. Meeting him and receiving personal instruction was a reminder that the martial arts are, first and foremost, about the will to endure.
The Wisdom of “Old Man Jiujitsu”
Even though Rocky is younger than I am, his physical battle gave him a unique perspective on economy of motion. He spent time showing me how to modify techniques into what we call “Old Man Jiujitsu.” For a Goju-Ryu practitioner, this concept should be familiar—it is the ultimate application of the “Soft” (Ju). “Old Man Jiujitsu” isn’t about conceding to age; it is about:
- Leverage over Lung-power: Using the skeletal system to hold weight rather than muscular tension.
- Denying Space: Reducing the opponent’s ability to move so that their speed becomes irrelevant.
- Strategic Patience: Waiting for the opponent to exhaust themselves against a solid, well-placed structure.
The invisible Progress
I often tell my students that you don’t notice the grass growing until you look back at a photo from a month ago. Training 5 days a week with Bryce is my “grass growing.” I may feel like I am standing still, but the refinement offered by instructors like Alan and the hard-won wisdom from Rocky are the “nutrients” that keep the roots deep.
Conclusion
Martial arts is a game of attrition. Sometimes the victory isn’t a submission or a trophy; it’s simply being the one who shows up the next day. Rocky France showed me that even when the body fails, the resolve remains. As I move forward in 2024, I carry that lesson with me: we adapt, we modify, and we keep rolling.
No responses yet