Interview with Hassan (Ambassador For BJJ)
Submission Shark Community | Instagram: thehassan_daily
Full Name: Hassan
Age: 33
Belt Colour: White
Professor: Bradman Cuffy (Southern Tribes - ZR Team UK)
Short Term Goals: Get better every day
Hassan is a passionate BJJ practitioner that shares insights about his personal martial arts journey and the benefits of being a part of this community. From helping with the passing of his sister to getting in better shape, Hassan serves as an excellent ambassador for the sport. By showing and sharing the benefits of BJJ, Hassan encourages other white belts to give it a try!
How long have you been doing jiu-jitsu for?
Under a year
Where do you train out of?
Do you prefer gi or no-gi?
I love both
Have your instructors helped you in other aspects of life other than jiu-jitsu?
- Understanding that the Art of Jiu Jitsu - is for everyone and its applicable to all aspects of your life. Breaking down big goals into actionable small goals and having intent to achieve them everyday. This is principle is applicable to anything you do in life from your finances; relationships; fitness etc.
What are some lessons you learned from jiu-jitsu that apply to everyday life?
In order to be an expert at something you have to embrace failure and the only way you become great at something is VOLUME. The more you do, the better you become. Lastly, intentionality. You have to be intentional about what you want out of life and then GO FOR IT!!
How often do you train?
5/6 times a week
What made you want to start training?
I had previously done Judo. But life got in the way and had to abandon it. I had put a lot of weight on and I was sick and tired of not being proud of the man that looked back at me in the mirror.
So I decided, that I will dedicate myself to a learn a discipline that required me to delay gratification and accept that in order for me to get better I have to be patient and embrace failure. Consequently, improving my problem solving abilities (alongside grappling).
Do you plan on training your whole life?
Absolutely without a shadow of a doubt.
What’s it about jiu-jitsu that makes it so addicting?
Great question- I believe it’s a mixture of community; personal development; and having an outlet that allows you to detach yourself from the world (being present).
It’s an addiction that you cannot explain to someone who hasn’t trained. Jiu-jitsu allows you to understand yourself and your mentality better than anything or anyone in life. It’s the most honest form of self evaluation, you get addicted to incremental improvements and when you take that mentality to anything in life you become unstoppable.
There is nothing you cannot achieve. Knowing that no matter how bad life gets, I can get on the mats and detach from all the stresses of the daily life for 1-2 hrs. That’s something you cannot purchase.
Lastly- it’s the community, I’m blessed to have amazing people on our team- you forge friendships by going through adversity together and who are willing to show you how you can improve and who take time to give you feedback in a constructive manner.
What has jiu-jitsu done for your physical health?
I have lost weight over 70Lbs; become more athletic and mobile, more explosive/ powerful grappler.
With an unbelievable cardio tank.
Has jiu-jitsu benefited your mental health?
100 percent.
You learn to appreciate life and become more present. You carry yourself with a certain degree of confidence every single day knowing that you’re willing to put your body through a lot of stress and hard-work that most people would not be able to comprehend. That alone gives you an edge over most people, that I can outwork them any given day all because of the work you do in training.
Lastly, knowing I have skill that allows me to protect myself and the people around me, if push comes to shove.
If you could restart your jiu-jitsu journey, would you do anything differently?
No. I am where I need to be. Probably- if I could turn back time start when I was 5 years old.
What’s your advice for someone that’s never tried jiu-jitsu before but is interested in trying it?
- Just Fucking do it! You will be crap when you start, but you stick with it, you’re life will most definitely improve (without a shadow of a doubt) . As long as you stick with it and listen to your professor and the coaches; and have a great attitude
Do you have any aspirations in jiu-jitsu?
- To be the best Jiu Jitsu practitioner I can be (i.e. fulfill my Ji-Jitsu potential) and to be a lifelong student of the art. And, to also give back to the art and community by being a great ambassador for the sport.
What’s your favourite move?
- I love the Harai Goshi; Bread Cutter and the Kimura
If you didn’t discover jiu-jitsu, where do you think you’d be now?
- Fat and depressed
Would you like to see the sport become more mainstream?
Absolutely. Everyone can do jiu-jitsu; it’s the most inclusive sport.
Have any of your training partners pushed you to reach your full potential?
Absolutely. To name a few:
- Luke Devally - @devstrenght_ - an amazing training partner/ S&C Coach - who gave me the confidence and the belief that I can become a great Jiu-Jitsu practitioner by helping me achieve my goals both on and off the mat by making more athletic and physically imposing. When you’re rolling with Luke - there are no easy rounds. He will push you mentally and physically.
- Coach Jay Swanston - @circleofvigour & @jayzrmk - Great Coach and training partner - who helps me understand concepts in BJJ and why they are important to my game. Also, makes certain moves Heavyweight friendly so you don’t feel left out.
- Coach Ryan Hendry - @ryan_zrteam - Incredible Coach that has helped my confidence by helping me understand fundamentals and to stick to my game plan and not to worry about what others game plan is. He encourages you to ask questions about the game by creating a fun environment to train in.
- Geno - @geno_s1 - incredible team mate, that will be patient with you and encourages you to give every round your all. I have to say, he loves pulling guard.
- Deano Williams - AKA Brother Deano he has been a great mentor helping me with mental game of BJJ.
When you were first starting, what was the most difficult concept of jiu-jitsu that you had trouble getting?
- learning to play guard. I hate it. lol
If you could roll with any practitioner, dead or alive, who would it be?
- I would love to roll with Roberto ‘Cyborg’ Abreu; JT Torres; Otavio Nalati; Michael Pixley.
If you had to describe Jiu-Jitsu to someone that's never heard of it before in under 5 words, what would those words be?
- Problem Solving with character building.
What has been the most memorable moment you've had on the mats so far?
- Submitting an opponent in competition via a standing guillotine
What makes you want to inspire and motivate others?
- There are so many people that suffer so much in life and they learn to just roll over as opposed to fight back andversity. They live below their potential and are very unhappy.
I would like inspire others through my own example (wins and losses) show that you can be whoever you want to be with hardwork and dedication, so we can encourage people to thrive. Consequently, becoming better human beings in the process and living in a better world.
Was there a difficult moment in your life where jiu-jitsu helped you get through it? If so, please explain.
- When I lost my sister last year, I was very saddened by her passing. I woke up with no passion and was battling a lot of demons mentally. BJJ helped me massively, it provided an outlet for me to uncover/ rediscover my passion for life.
Everyday I would look forward to being in the academy and being present whilst at the academy learning and rolling. It gave me an outlet and regiment to keep me on track.
What would you like to say to everyone that has supported you on your journey?
- Thank you and could not have done it without your assistance. I’m truly blessed and grateful.
When the journey is over, how would you like to be remembered?
- He came; he saw; he conquered! Great ambassador for the sport.
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