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Training Injuries

Weight training isn't a picnic or a walk in the park; it's sweaty, gut busting work that, if done correctly, that’s the key thing. In weight training there is only one kind of training that stimulates growth and you continually flirt with muscle damage. Treading the thin line between growth and injury; rubbing up against the danger zone is where muscular gain is. Injury is always just ahead for the careless weight trainer. There's something inherently dangerous about pushing, tugging and straining against cold, hard iron with all your might. But how else are you going to stimulate those gains? Because the quickest way to sidetrack progress or derail a bodybuilding career is through debilitating injury, you need to be a bit clairvoyant, learning to avoid injuries before they happen. You can accomplish this by listening to your body and then making the appropriate adjustments. Here is what I have found to be the 10 most common causes of injury - let the bodybuilder beware.

1. Incorrect Technique

The most common weight training injuries are related to poor exercise technique. Incorrect technique can pull, rip or wrench a muscle, or tear delicate connective tissue quicker than you can strike a match. An out of control barbell or stray dumbbell can wreak havoc in an instant. Each human body has very specific biomechanical pathways. Arms and legs can only move in certain ways, particularly if you're stress loading a limb with weight. Strive to become a technical perfectionist and respect the integrity of the exercise - no twisting,, turning or contorting while pushing a weight. Either make the rep using perfect technique or miss the weight. Learn how to miss a rep safely; learn how to bail out.

2. Too Much Weight

Using too much weight in an exercise is a high risk proposition rife with injury potential. When it's too much: if you can't control a weight as you lower it; if you can't contain a movement within its biomechanical boundaries; and if you have to jerk or heave a weight in order to lift it. An unchecked barbell or dumbbell assumes a mind of its own; the weight obeys the laws of gravity and seeks the floor. Anything in its way (or attached to it) is in danger.

3. Bad Spotting

If you lift long enough, you'll eventually reach a point where you need to have a spotter for a number of exercises, including the squat and bench press. When you work as hard as you're supposed to, you occasionally miss a rep. Nothing is wrong with that - it's a sign that you're working to your limit, which is a good thing if it isn't overdone. Yet when you work this hard, you need competent spotters. A good spotter should conduct him or herself at all times as though the lifter is on the verge of total failure. Your training partner can also lend a gentle touch that allows you to complete a rep you'd normally miss. A top spotter needs to be strong, sensitive and ever alert to the possibility of failure - not looking around or joking with friends.

4. Incorrect Use of Cheating & Forced Reps

Cheating and forced reps are advanced techniques that allow the lifter to train beyond normal. Taken past the point of failure, the muscle is literally forced to grow. When incorrectly performed, a cheating or forced rep can push or pull the lifter out of the groove. The weight collapses and a spotter must come to the rescue. Cheating movements work; real world data prove this statement. Yet cheating, by definition, is dangerous. Any time you use momentum to artificially goose rep speed, thus allowing you to handle more poundage than when using strict techniques, you risk injury. To play if safe, use the bare minimum cheat to complete the rep. On forced reps, make sure your training partner is on your wave length. Don't go crazy.

5. Training Too Often

How does overtraining relate to injury? It negatively impacts the body's overall level of strength and conditioning. Overtraining saps energy, retarding progress. You can't grow when you're over trained. It also interferes with both the muscles and the nervous system's ability to recuperate and glycogen stores are severely depleted when an agitated metabolic status is present. In such a depleted, weakened state, is it any wonder that injury is common, particularly if the athlete insists on handling big weights? The solution is to cut back to 3-4 training sessions per week and keep session length to no more than an hour.

6. Not Stretching

Stretching is different from warming up. Properly performed, a stretch helps relax and elongate a muscle after warm up and before and after weight training. As a result of warming up and stretching, the muscles is warm, loose and neurologically alert - in its most pliable and injury resistant state. In addition, stretching between sets actually helps build muscle by promoting muscular circulation and increasing the elasticity of the fascia casing surrounding the muscle. Finally, if you perform muscle specific stretches at the end of your workout, you'll virtually eliminate next day soreness.

7. Inadequate Warm Up

Let's define our terms. A warm up is usually a high rep, low intensity, quick paced exercise used to increase blood floor to the muscle. This quick, light movement raises the temperature of the involved muscle while decreasing blood viscosity and promoting flexibility and mobility. How? Everyone knows that a warm muscle with blood coursing through it is more elastic and pliable than a cold, stiff muscle. Riding a stationary bike, jogging, swimming, stair climbing and some high rep weight training are recommended forms of warm up. Try a 5-10 minute formalized warm up before stretching. If you choose high rep weight training, try 25 ultra light, quick reps in the following nonstop sequence: calf raise, squat, leg curl, crunch, pull down, bench press and curl. Do one set each with no rest between sets. This can be accomplished in fewer than five minutes and warms every major muscle in the body.

8. Negatives

Negative (eccentric, or lowering) reps are one of the most difficult and dangerous of all weight training techniques - and very effective at stimulating muscle growth. What makes negatives so risky? The poundage you can handle in negative exercises is likely to be the heaviest you'll ever lift. Normally, we only lift what we're capable of moving concentrically. In negative training, we handle a lot more weight. Most bodybuilders can control approximately 130% of their concentric maximum on the eccentric phase of a lift. Someone using 200 pounds for reps in the bench press, for example, would bench roughly 260 in the negative press. Because of the increased weight used with negatives, you need strong, experienced spotters. Exercise extreme caution. If the rep gets away from you, the spotters need to grab the weight immediately.

9. Poor Training

If you under eat and continue to train hard and heavy, you're likely to get hurt. Again, it relates to your overall health: Before of heavy training when in a weakened state brought on by severe dieting or restricted eating. It's best to save the big weights, low reps, forced reps and negatives for nondiet growth periods. While dieting requires reduced poundage, this doesn't mean you can't be intense in your workout - it just means you need to use lighter weight.

10. Lack on Concentration

If you're distracted, preoccupied or lackadaisical when you work out, you're inviting injury. Watch a champion bodybuilder train and one thing you'll notice is his or her intense level of concentration. This is developed over time, and the athlete systematically develops a preset mental checklist that allows him or her to focus on the task at hand. More concentration equates to more poundage. More poundage equates to more growth. More poundage can lead to getting hurt if you don't pay attention. Train smart.

Also remember that whether returning from an injury, illness, or even vacation, be prepared to begin your exercise regimen at a lower intensity level and decreased volume of activity than what you were doing prior to your layoff. Due to the nature of the injury or illness, your body may be physically weaker than it had been. It is always safer to resume exercise at a very easy level when returning from injury and layoff. While this activity level may have been easy for you before, it may now be more difficult. It is better to be conservative and resume your program at a level that you have surpassed long ago. In this manner, you will probably find that your body will quickly adapt to exercise again. On a positive note, it will not take nearly as long to return to your previous fitness level as it did to achieve it initially. Providing your body with the time to re-adjust itself to physical activity will enable you to avoid over-stressing your system with too much, too soon.

Sh-shoot!!

“Tyrtl”

Posted by Tyrtl at 8/26/2012 8:06 PM | Add Comment

Elevation Mask 2.0

The elevation mask is a popular apparatus that many have incorporated into their workouts to mimic high elevation training. The elevation training mask is a breathing device that assists in strengthening an individual’s respiratory capabilities. High altitude training has always been a form of training that many elite athletes utilize. Basically the mask lessens the amount of oxygen to the body, which in turn trains the body to use oxygen more efficiently. Additionally the mask can be adjusted in order to heighten or lessen the levels of difficulty (higher altitude training) to further increase the body’s ability to use oxygen efficiently.

I used the masks on my heavy bag workout which consists of ten two minute rounds with 30 second rest between rounds. On Monday I used the original mask with the orange nose piece, medium resistance. I used the mask from warm-up to cool down which is exactly 45 minutes. On Tuesday I used the newer version with the same heavy bag workout for the exact same time, 45 minutes, at the 9,000 setting. Here is what I noticed when comparing the two masks.

What I like about the original mask is the fact that it is secure. Once you place it on and tighten the straps, the mask isn’t going anywhere. I also enjoyed the ease of changing settings, you don’t have to take of the mask. All you have to do is unscrew the nose piece and screw in the next one. What I didn’t like about the original mask was the fact that it gets very uncomfortable the longer you train. It feels like its cutting into your skin and the straps flapping around during my workout irritate me. Additionally, when the mask is on it restricts my vision… it was hard for me to focus after a few minutes into my training session. Finally after training when you take off the mask there would be an imprint of the mask around your face, I always hated seeing that driving home.

I love the fact that the newer version is so soft and that you don’t have that feeling that you’re wearing a helmet when you’re training. I also like the fact that it no longer leaves an imprint on your face. Since the material and a majority of the top part of the design has changed there is no longer any imprints left on the face. The one thing I didn’t like is the fact that it occasionally slipped so I had to readjust the mask, it isn’t as secure as the original. It could be because it is new or maybe it’s because I didn’t put it on right. Another issue is the fact that the mask makes noises when I breathe. When I inhale there is a slight whistling sound like a piece of rubber not fully sealing off and when I exhale some air escapes around the nose bridge area and gets into my eyes, it gets irritating but as soon as I adjust it corrects itself. This could be due to the fact that I don’t have a huge nose bridge and the gap isn’t being completely sealed. Finally, changing settings on your mask will require you to take off the mask and spend time configuring the many different plastic parts. If you aren’t used to it I’m sure you will get confused fairly easily. Again with time I’m sure it will become easier to work with.

Overall both masks do what they are supposed to do and that is mimicking the effects of high altitude training. So either way you go you will benefit but in my personal opinion the newer version is the better product. Elevation mask is cheaper, smaller, and softer, has more settings and can be easily used in more dynamic workouts. Not to mention you look more like a ninja than a zombie. The 2.0 version is only the second version of the mask, I’m sure that the company is working on making an even better mask as we speak. If you are ready to take it to the next level I encourage you to buy an elevation training mask. Do your own research and see if it will benefit you as well as find which configuration will be better for you. If you do decide to buy and use the elevation mask, either the 1.0 or the 2.0 please let me know what you think about the product. Until the next time!!

Sh-Shoot

Marco “Tyrtl”

Posted by Tyrtl at 7/26/2012 6:14 PM | Add Comment

Catching up with Shane "Monstrinho" Mount

Just4Fun was able to hook up with braddah Shane for a small catch up session. He discusses life, BJJ, life and more BJJ! Here's what went down!!

J4F: Shane for those who don’t really know you can you please tell us a little bit about who you are and what you’re all about. (Hobbies, where you were born, team, where you reside, etc)

SM: Well as you already know my name is Shane Mount (yeah…Mount is really my last name, no joke LoL) and I’m a 28-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt under 7x World Champion Robson Moura. I’m also a Judo Black Belt and Kyokushinkai Karate Black Belt, and Muay Thai Kru.

I was never much of a team sports guy, one of the worst soccer players in the history of my high school, not much for basketball, not an amazing wrestler, and to small to playfootball. I didn’t play any instruments, and wasn’t much at the skateboarding, bmxbiking thing. The only thing that ever just seemed to click and go well for me and manage to hold my attention as a kid was Martial Arts. I’ve been training some form of Martial Arts since as long as I can remember.

I’m currently living in Roseville, California (the suburbs of Sacramento). I first came here in 2004 while I was in the United States Air Force, and really liked the area. I left the area in 2007 and just bounced around between Florida, Maryland, and Las Vegas just working and training along with trips around the globe to train and learn from some of the best in the sport as well as make new friends every where I went.

J4F: There are many BJJ legends out there, who are some of your favorites and if you had the chance to train with one of them personally who would it be?

SM: That’s such a tough question there are so many great people to choose from. I have the luxury of being a student of one of the greatest of all time Robson Moura, so I don’t often sit around thinking about who else I’d like to train with really.

Before joining Nova Uniao I had spent a few years with Gracie Barra and had trained with some of the greatest the organization has produced to include Marcio Feitosa and Vinicius Magalhaes.

I guess if I had the chance, I’d like to spend some time at ATOS with Andre Galvao and Bruno Frazatto as well as the Mendes Bros and Durinho.

J4F: Shane you have a gym in Rocklin California, Monstrinho BJJ, can you explain to us the meaning of your gyms name?

SM: I get this question a lot. Monstrinho is Portuguese for “Little Monster”. When I first began training BJJ I was much younger, lighter, and just all around scrawnier then I am now. I guess I had my “growth spurt” after I graduated highschool and had already been in the military for a bit. Anyway, being the smallest guy on the mat, I was getting smashed and hammered and finally I had just had enough. I just came back one day and in order to keep up with the guys I was training with I just went harder and faster and harder and faster. They’d smash me and I’d take it and come right back. I refused to believe that being less than 150 lbs was going to keep me out of this sport too. Didn’t hurt that my last name “Mount” was close to Monster, and was difficult for my early instructors to pronounce and somehow between butchering mount into mountster then into monster and then combined with my “monster like mat behavior” Monstrinho came. The funniest part is, nobody even told me what it meant for a long time, I thought it was just another silly butchered version of my last name. I’ve become known for being aggressive and relentless, what I lack in size and strength I made up for in other areas. I’m not so little anymore, but that little monster is still inside and ready for me to call on him at any time.

J4F: Tell us a little bit about the atmosphere at Monstrinho BJJ and the type of teaching methods you use is your technique more personal?

SM: The atmosphere at Monstrinho BJJ is what I like to call traditional/island fusion. Training around the world I’ve seen the strictest of Academies where students wear white kimonos and sit at perfectly straight seiza position, and I’ve trained in car ports on tropical islands in someones backyard on carpet pad covered in tarp or vinyl that was ripped down off an old billboard.

What I’ve learned is, that for me personally, my best Jiu-Jitsu comes out when I just let go and relax. Robson is always telling us to “play Jiu-Jitsu” and when I stop fighting Jiu-Jitsu is when you see the biggest smiles and the largest advances. For that reason, we keep things fun at Monstrinho BJJ. Everyone is smiling and are friends, we bow on and off the mats to keep tradition, we line up by rank to keep tradition, but we are a family. The mood is light but focused, often you’ll catch some Bob Marley or Tribal Seeds or Super Dub Tribe playing in the background.

There is zero judgment at Monstrinho BJJ either. All the students help each other, everyone is learning together. There are no egos over who taps who. This is an Academy where the instructor rolls with the students, where the instructor is open minded enough to even learn from his students. Everyone has so much to offer; that every direction you turn there is someone willing to help you, because they know you’ll be willing to do the same thing for them. Everyone has that one little thing they seem to be really good at, whether its that one guard pass, or that incredible single or double leg take down, and that’s one of the strengths of this team is that everyone has their little something, and that they are so eager to share it and make it “our little something”.

We want you to walk into the Academy and be able to just be you, you get to leave your other life aside for that hour or hour and a half. When you take your clothes off and slip the Kimono on you get to step into a mini vacation, with the people you care about, doing the thing you love, learning, growing, improving every facet of your life and just enjoying the moment and the Jiu-Jitsu. The Academy isn’t huge, the mats aren’t brand new, nothing is state of the art and fancy, just a room, with some good mats, some good tunes, some great people and some great Jiu-Jitsu. You’re not just joining “a gym” with MonstrinhoBJJ. You’re expanding your family and making friends for life, friends you can count on to have your back and be there for you, no matter what it is you’re going through on and off the mats.

J4F: What kind of training programs do you have at Monstrinho BJJ?

SM: We offer programs for Children, Women, Men & Women combined, Beginners, Conditioning Classes, as well as classes geared towards our competition team. There is truly something for everyone at Monstrinho BJJ, and anyone who says there isn’t I offer you to come try, and if you can still say there is nothing for you here, then you tell me what it is I need to add, because Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone, and everyone needs to feel welcome here.

J4F: I’m sure that in your experience you have seen many different schools, instructors and students. With that in mind tell us why your school is different from the other BJJ schools in your area.

SM: This is a tough one; there are so many good schools in the area. I honestly say try them all and decide for yourself which fits you. I don’t want to say we are better or to talk poorly about any of the other local schools especially their black belts, much respect to them and their accomplishments. What I know is, we have some students who use to train somewhere else, who seem to appreciate the atmosphere we have built, and the family unit. They like they don’t have to fight for their life every night on the mats, that they can ask questions without feeling stupid, and that the people to their right and left in class are there to help and to not hurt. I haven’t personally attended other classes at other locations locally, so I cannot speak to what goes on there, nor would I care to. We just do our very best to make every experience you have at Monstrinho BJJ the best one, so that everytime you walk out the door you can say “Man….that was the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class I’ve ever been to”. That’s my goal.

J4F: Every instructor has some kind of expectation from their students, what’s yours?

SM: My expectation is to just give your all. Show up, show up on time, show up on time ready to go with a clean kimono and an open mind. You want to lose some weight….we can do that, if you give your all, you want to become a world champion, we can do that too, just give your all. You want to feel better about yourself, or make some friends, or learn some self defense, we can do all of these things, but just paying your tuition every month won’t accomplish any of it. You’ll only get out what you put in. Also change your perspective a bit, don’t look at MonstrinhoBJJ thinking what can I take from this to change my life, start looking at what can I give to this, to change someone elses. My biggest expectation I suppose is just that everyone just keeps going, never stop growing and improving, don’t be afraid to fall, your family is here to catch you, and we’ll still love you if you’r e not on the top of the podium on tournament day, we will laugh with you, we will cry with you, we will bleed with you, we will always have your back, because we know you will always have ours. Those are my expectations of my students, and if they meet those … they aren’t just students, they are brothers and sisters and the best of buddies for life and that is so much more valuable then any tournament medal or colored cotton belt.

J4F: BJJ is continuing to grow worldwide, what kind of advice can you give someone looking into starting their training and finding a school?

SM: Great question, being in the military and moving around made it hard to find a school and stick with it. The first thing is to just get online, find something nearby. Don’t concern yourself with the prices in the beginning, concern yourself with the following: The Facility, is it clean and well kept? The hours, will there be multiple opportunities for you to train? The people, are they friendly and helpful during your free trial? Do they compete, will this school help you reach competitive goals (if that’s what you’re after)? Is the school affiliated nationally/internationally, can you find a affiliate to train if away on business or vacation? Does the association have a good reputation for good sportsmanship and fair play?

Often people walk into my academy and say “Well…Shane, you’re not a black belt, why would I train here” I reply, you’re certainly welcome to find a black belt to train with, and there are many talented ones in the area, however instead of asking me why you should train here…. ask some of our members why you wouldn’t train here. Listen to the people that pay to be here, look at their accomplishments, their happiness, and their bond with each other, let that guide you, not the color of the cotton belt that holds my kimono closed. Go out and try every school in your area, compare, contrast,

J4F: One of my favorite questions to ask BJJ players is: What is your favorite guard and submission, why?

SM: I’m old school I suppose. I love the closed guard and its simplicity. There are so many options for attacks and sweeps, and truly if you can defend your closed guard and control the pace of the fight, you can control the fight. I’m not saying this is the best guard, I’m just saying this is “my best guard”. Often students reflect their instructors, and since studying with Master Robson I find myself playing more and more ½, but I know that closed guard will always be my home/comfort bubble.

J4F: Pan Ams are right around the corner, will you or anyone from you school or team being competing this year?

SM: Nova Uniao will most certainly be represented fully at the Pan Ams this year! As far as our Academy participating in the Pans, I’m not sure at this time. We have been open just a little over 6 months, and we’re still working very hard to forge solid foundations.

We have several students who could charge the podium in the white belt division for sure, and I’ll support each and everyone one of them and go all the way down to SoCal to watch and coach, but ultimately its their decision, so if they decide to pass on the Pans and sharpen their tools for the Mundials in June…I’ll support that decision too.

J4F: One question I ask everyone interviewed on J4F is, aside from the obvious (BJJ), what do you like to do for fun?

SM: Awe man, this seems like such an easy question but it really isn’t. I start my training days early. If I’m not training or conditioning I really enjoy reading about BJJ or studying footage of past competition and or instructional sets. Jiu-Jitsu genuinely consumes my brain most the time. I don’t watch Football, or Basketball, I couldn’t tell you who won the super bowl, nor can I name 5 professional baseball players.

I suppose if you flat out tell me I can’t do anything BJJ related, and I was anywhere near a beach, you’d catch me paddling out and just relaxing on a board waiting for the next line up to roll in. Surfing is something I’ve grown to love almost as much as Jiu-Jitsu, so yeah if I couldn’t train that’s definitely where I’d be.

“Know BJJ, Know Fun …. No BJJ, No Fun” would be the words that I live by

J4F: Shane, what’s the best way for people to get more detailed information about you or your school?

SM: The best way is to walk in the door, we love to have people from the community stop by to hang or train. If you’re looking to become a member of our BJJ Familia you can check us out at www.MonstrinhoBJJ.com or www.916BJJ.com and also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MonstrinhoBJJ

Whether you’re a World Champion Black Belt or wanting to tie on a White Belt for the first time, you’re always welcome inside our doors. No association limitations or politics, just Jiu-Jitsu and friends.

J4F: Shane it was a pleasure catching up with you. Any shout-outs or final words?

SM: Absolutely, it’s been a long crazy road to get where I’m at right now, and I’m not even ½ way to where I want to go. However, I couldn’t have made it this far without the support of my family and friends, all my students (Florida, Maryland, and California) my instructor and good friend Robson Moura and one of the greatest associations on earth Nova Uniao.

Also, HUGE thanks to all my boys in Guam with the Fokai project, also to Derek Okahashi at 31Fifty and all the boys at Moya Brand. Also want to thank BJJWeekly.com for giving me the chance to write and share my thoughts with the community. Also big thanks for all the love and support from my Maryland boys at Red Belt Athletics!

Finally, I've trained with a lot of people but a few have really inspired me and lit the path for me along the way.

Thank you Gracie Barra for teaching me what it means to be a part of a “family” and thank you Professor Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhaes for giving me a benchmark of excellence to live up to, and a role model to aspire to be like for the rest of my Jiu-Jitsu career.

Thank you Nova Uniao for welcoming me in with open arms, and supporting me in my travels and efforts to spread good Jiu-Jitsu. Thank you Master Robson for changing the way I train and think, for teaching me how to play Jiu-Jitsu, it is because of this that I think I love Jiu-Jitsu the most now, and as long as I’m teaching Jiu-Jitsu…it will never be “work”.

Thank you Professor Don Charley at Gracie Humaita Las Vegas. I spent one month with your Academy and your students, and instantly was accepted as part of the team. I was going through a pretty bad slump, where I was very unsure of myself, and my abilities, and you took me into your Academy and treated me as if I had always been there, and took the time to work with me. You fixed so much more of my “game” then you’ll ever know, and gave me the courage to go back at this full time. You relit the fire, and for that I can never thank you enough.

Three different men, three different associations, in three different states, that don’t even know each other more then a passing conversation at a large event. Three different point of views, strategies, and beliefs, but one thing was the same. They all have a love for what they do, and for the students that stand in front of them. I've learned from them all on how to be the best I can be, from the World Renowned Instructor, to the 7x time World Champion, to the man who didn’t start training BJJ until he was already in his 40s and people told him “Don your to old for this stuff, why don’t you try something else” and he proved them all wrong and 7 years later wears the black belt proudly and has a world title of his own. Three great guys, all friends, teachers, and mentors. Without these three, there’d be no Monstrinho BJJ in Rocklin California today. To them I owe everything. Thank you gentlemen…..OSS!

I’m sure there are more people I should be thanking right now, but if I forgot you I apologize and ask that you blame the mind, and not the heart.

J4F: Thank you very much Shane for taking time out to chat with us. Your school definitely sounds like a gym I could call home and it sounds like you have a great group of people training with you up North. I also think that you are a very passionate person when it comes to close friends and family as well as BJJ. Continue to promote the importance of family values and always remind your students to have fun with it… because without it our training sessions become a chore. I wish you and you team all the best Shane and if you ever need help with anything please feel free to email us!

Again for people in the Rocklin area if you want to learn self defense, get in shape, learn BJJ or just meet great people please visit Shane Mount and his BJJ familia at Monstrinho BJJ!! You can find a link to Shane's website on our homepage.

Sh-Shoot!!

"Tyrtl"

Posted by Tyrtl at 3/9/2012 10:31 PM | Add Comment

Judo Black Belt: Ricardo "Ric" Blas Jr.

J4F: Ric for the people that aren’t familiar with what you do can you please tell us a little bit about yourself.

RB: “My full name is Ricardo D. Blas Jr. I am 25 years old. I was born October 19, 1986. I am from the Village of Tamuning but I now reside in Mangilao. I have been doing the sport/art of Judo since I was 5
years old. I am now a 4th degree IJF (International Judo Federation) black belt. I love Guam and our island culture. I take pride in the people that we are and the great potential we all have to be at the
top! I love being an ambassador for Guam in the world arenas. It has always been my life’s goal to compete in the Olympic Games because my father and cousins before me have done so in the past. It kind of runs in the family. Since I have already accomplished that and more, my biggest goal is to win an Olympic Medal. We will just have to wait and see how I play the cards I am dealt. I enjoy lifting weights! I think it’s our personal responsibility to defy the impossible. To show the world that there are no limits! That we have unlimited potential. The heavier the better! I read more than most people would think. I am very social I am always out and about. I like meeting everyone and anyone from old friends to making new ones! I think it’s very important that in life each of us must do as much as we can to ensure we affect those around us. That we are in some way a part of their lives as much as they are a part of ours.”

J4F: You’re competing or competed in a recent tournament in Samoa, Korea and New Zealand. Can you tell us what tournaments these are or where and how you did?

RB: “I was in Japan training for a couple of weeks before the OJU World Cup in Samoa. I took the route from Guam to Korea, Korea to New Zealand, New Zealand to Samoa. On the last leg of the trip Air New Zealand lost my bags and I wasn’t able to train before competition. Also since I didn't have my bags I wasn’t allowed to compete and I was eventually forced to forfeit. Air New Zealand managed to get my bags delivered to me literally 5 min after my forced loss. It was a great disappointment and a very sad day for me. The OJU World Cup in Samoa is an Olympic Qualifying event. Missing this made a huge dent in obtaining qualifying points leading up to the London 2012 Olympic Games. I have 4 more big chances to gain points and start my way up the list so we will see how the ball rolls.”

J4F: Ric from what I understand you are most notorious for your background in your Judo. When did you start training and why?

RB: “I started learning and practicing when I was 5 years old. My dad is a 1988 Olympian and he as well as his brothers have been the reigning champions in the South Pacific and Oceania since they were 15. Judo has always run in my family. There are 4 Olympians in our family my dad, my cousin Derrick Anderson, my cousin Mariano Aquino, and myself. In the beginning I was forced to do Judo. I hated it! All I wanted to do was play and well I was a kid so not much else mattered to me and Judo was hard work especially back in those days when my dad was teaching us. There were no excuses and no breaks. I eventually grew to love it though. Especially at first, because it helped my gain a foothold in making friends coming into middle school and high school. I never used to be as social as I am now. I was probably the shyest person anyone would have met. I was a very passive kid. So since then I paid more
attention in class and started to want to develop my skills on the mat. This made my dad happy so he started sending me to training camps in Japan and Hawaii which helped me become stronger every year. I started competing internationally when I was 13. Winning medals in Japan and eventually going to high school in Southern Japan just for judo. After spending a year and a half in Japan it changed my Judo
career forever. I was winning world level competitions and winning is very addicting!”

J4F: What’s next for you Ric, what can your fans and fellow islanders expect to see from you in the future?

RB: “The future is never set in stone. Anything can happen but what I hope to do is Qualify for London and get a second shot at an Olympic Medal. I have tournaments in Korea, Japan, and China coming up this December. Then there are the tournaments in Australia, Hong Kong, and possibly New Zealand (Taking Korean Airlines this time!!!). I will have a very busy schedule with training in between which will be back and forth between Guam and Japan.”

J4F: What do you have to say to people who look up to you as a role model or who want to compete at your level of competitiveness?

RB: “What I would like to say to my fellow islanders and supporters is thank you for having faith in me and showing me all the love and support over the years. It has been a journey and an adventure! My
life has been a very special and unique one because of the great prideI take in knowing the island has my back. Always do good without reason, be humble and kind, Speak with actions and not words, And live
your life sparing no expense. Treat others with respect and humility. For those who would like to compete at my level I suggest you start NOW! Take a step out of the box. The competitive level in the world is always evolving and growing and won’t wait for anyone. Do hard work and find motivation in everything you see. Fear and Anxiety are natural! Use it to fuel the fire you need to surpass your limits. Your mind is the first thing you need to train before your body can reach its full potential. Your mind places your limits your body is an ever modifying machine. When you can manage to train and sync the two you can do anything!”

J4F: Ric my blog is about what we love to do 4Fun. Obviously, you’re down with your judo but aside from that what does Ric like to do to have fun?

RB: Everything and anything that has to do with people! I read a lot of fantasy novels! Terry Good kind, J.K. Rowling, Jack Whyte, Christopher Paolini, R.A. Salvatore and many more great Authors! Anything really that escapes the reality of life. Sometimes you just need a break. I also love Music. I play Guitar. I love Karaoke! Beach days are always great and of course it’s Guam so you’d be lying if you said you didn’t like BBQ! Just good times with good friends on Guam!”

J4F: Par I ask everyone this same question. We all know that there is so much talent back home and in the Marianas what do you think needs to be done in order for those talents to be exposed to the mainstream here in the mainland?

RB: “Well to be exposed to the mainstream we have to appeal to the masses. We have to break records and make noise. We need to show them our potential and what it can do. We need to fix our attitude and work ethic starting with the youth and working our way up. We need to stop netting for small fish and take the boat out! Catch us a Shark! We need to concentrate in the training and development of individual sports first before we can work anywhere as a team. Once we can fix the individual athletes mentality and ability only then can we get team sports to come together as one. In the end we act as one, One mind, one heart, one Guam. When the world sees the unity of a small island like ours it will inspire and instill awe in the masses.”

J4F: Finally Ric, do you have any final words to the people out there on the internet or back home?

RB: “Thank you for the opportunity and taking interest in what I do and why I do it! I just want to say I LOVE YOU GUAM! I will do my best to make you all proud! Take pride in what you do and only ever do your best! –“

Ricardo D. Blas Jr.
President
Guam National Athletes Commission

I can tell you all from personal experience that this man has a very big heart and is one of the most modest people I have ever met. Thank you very much for taking time out to hang with us here at Just4Fun Ric. I will you luck and success in all you do Ric, I'm sure an individual with your talent will one day make it to the Olympics and when you do not only will the people of Guahan will stand behind you but so will the Just4Fun familia!

Sh-shoot!!

"Tyrtl"

Posted by Tyrtl at 12/2/2011 10:21 PM | Add Comment

Joe Topasna and the Norcal Family

J4F: Joe you are one of the originating members of Just4Fun, you were part of the team that created the original logo, tell us a little bit about J4F team in NorCal and what you’ve been up to. (team members, vehicles, specialties, awards, competitions, etc.)

JT: Yes I was one of the original members; i drove a '97 Chevy S-10 back then. The NORCAL Family (team), is just about the people not the rides. There are a few of use that race, show, or both. We just support each other with the projects that come up or even the problems that life brings. We are always there for each other. We are not out to win everything but to just be there and do what we love. The NORCAL Family has strict rules about being legal at all we do. We do not take it to the streets, NO STRET RACING; there is no ands if’s or butts about it. I am trying to keep the streets safe in CALI. To see what we roll there will be photos.

J4F: Joe as a dedicated member of the group, since ever since, tell us what J4F means to you.

JT: There is only one word (FAMILY).

J4F: What is next for you and the J4F team as well as what can we expect to see in the future?

JT: Nothing special we just keep doing what we love, building cars and chillin with the fam like we did back in the lil island of GUAM.

J4F: As you already know J4F is about what we do for fun, aside from the obvious, what do you and the team do when you have spare time Just4Fun?

JT: Work, and on free times we party like we were on the island.

J4F: I ask everyone from the island to answer this one question. Just4Fun is also about promoting our roots. You know that there is a lot of talent back home and in the Mariana’s; some of which can definitely compete head to head with others here in the Mainland. What do you think needs to be done in order for this talent to be noticed and placed in the mainstream?

JT: I know this first hand there was hell of ball players as I was growing up, but we were never seen. We as a group need to keep showing that just because we live on a small island we have the biggest hearts and help the up and coming CHAMORROS.

J4F: Joe for those that are interested in hooking up with the J4F NorCal team, what do they need to do or who do they need to get a hold of?

JT: Hit me up @ jctopasna@gmail.com or Facebook. Do not waste the family's time if you cannot ride between the law or if you are out for yourself.

J4F: Any final words or shoutout’s, words of wisdom to the people out there?

JT: Just remeber when you see us riden,it's

just4fun

Nothing Personal

J4F: Joe it has been fun catching up with you again par! Keep pushing the J4F movement and sharing what we love to do. Your Team shirts are being processed at this time just gonna need a little more time. Anyways to the J4F familia in Norcal keep representing hard but remember to represent with professionalism and respect.

Sh-Shoot!

“Tyrtl”

Posted by Tyrtl at 9/24/2011 1:31 AM | Add Comment

Kaduku Clothing Brand

What's going on people!! Listen J4F was able to get an interview with one of the hottest brands around representing the island culture real hard, Kaduku Clothing out of the WA. Here's what went down!!

J4F: please tell everyone a little bit about yourself and what Kaduku Clothing is all about. (How the brand was born, why Kaduku was chosen as the brand name, who the founders are and when the brand started)

TM: My name is Tony Manibusan and I am the founder of KADUKU Clothing. I started KADUKU Clothing back in November of 2007 after my cousin visited me from Guam. He brought me a bunch of shirts from back home and it was then that I decided to start my own clothing line. I’ve always had an interest in drawing and knew that I could make this happen. I started selling t-shirts and hats in as many local islander events as possible and realized that this dream was quickly becoming a reality. In May of 2011, I opened up the first KADUKU Clothing retail store in the heart of downtown Seattle (just steps away from the world famous Pike Place Market). Although the word KADUKU comes from the Chamorro language, the brand is also widely recognized within the Hawaiian, Samoan and Filipino communities. I came up with the name KADUKU Clothing because it just made sense. Ask anyone who really knows me and they would tell you that I’m pretty crazy. I take chances and venture into things that others only dream about doing. My philosophy is “ You only live once” and I live life as if there is no tomorrow.

J4F: you and I both know that there is some stiff competition when it comes to clothing companies from the island; what separates Kaduku Clothing from the more established local brands like Fokai, Shoyoroll, Guahan Soldier, etc?

TM: First of all, brands like Fokai and Shoyoroll are companies that I respect and I consider them to be the pioneers that have paved the way for brands like us. What they have done for our people and our island is great and they deserved to be where they are today. Just hoping we will be there one day…

As far as what separates us from them, is we are new to the scene. People are looking for something different, something else to add to their collection of island brands. We focus primarily on representing the people. Our motto is “Respect the Island, Understand the Culture, Represent the People”. This is what we do and what we stand for.

J4F: Being that the Brand name of the clothing company is Kaduku does the brand cater only to islanders or is there a bigger market that you’re after?

TM: We are a Pacific Islander clothing company and most of our customers are islanders, but we also invite those who are influenced by our lifestyle and culture to represent the brand. You would be surprised on how many non-islanders support KADUKU Clothing here in Seattle.

J4F: What can the people expect to see from the brand in the future? Are there any collaboration projects with other brands, any events or new items we should all be looking out for?

TM: You can expect to see a wider variety of KADUKU Clothing branded items from us in the future. Items such as: board shorts, more accessories, bags & backpacks, jackets, and slippers. We don’t have any collaboration with any other brands right now, but we currently have a limited edition basketball jersey with Island Bound. They are an up and coming island reggae band locally here in Seattle. They’re hit “Here To Stay” has been in the top 10 for the past 6 months on www.pipeline2paradise.com and top 3 with Kauai’s FM 95.7.

J4F: One of the questions I always ask people I interview from the island is about exposure. We both know that there are many talented people from the Mariana Islands, what do you think needs to be done in order for this talent to be discovered in the mainland?

TM: Get involved with the local organizations and communities in your area. This is the best way to get exposure to a lot of people at once. Networking is key. Support the people that support you. Sometimes you might have to give a little to gain a lot.

J4F: Another question that is a website favorite is, when you have spare time what do you do Just4Fun…

TM: For fun I like spending time on the water wakeboarding. I just recently learned how to wake surf so I’m enjoying that right now. In the winter, I love to snowboard. I also love to play baseball and softball.

J4F: For the people out there inspiring to do what you are doing with Kaduku Clothing, what words of advice or tips can you give them?

TM: Work hard and BELIEVE in yourself. Getting KADUKU Clothing where it is now was not an easy task. I sacrificed a lot of my time with family and friends. Surround yourself with positive people who believe in you and your dreams. Don’t lose site of what you want and only allow yourself to determine whether you have succeeded or failed. Don’t let other’s negativity get in the way of your dreams.

J4F: Chelu if people want to know more about Kaduku Clothing or want to get information about upcoming events, how can they reach you or get this information?

TM: www.kadukuclothing.com and www.facebook.com/kadukuclothing.

J4F: do you have any shout outs or final words of advice to give the people out there in the cyber community?

TM: “Respect the Island. Understand the Culture. Represent the People”

Major shout out to Tony doing his thing and sharing our island culture to the world. Please show your support and visit their website. J4F also wants to give a big thank you to Kaduku Clothing store manager Joe Cruz who continues to support the Just4Fun movement!! For more information or to contact Tony or Joe here is their contact information.

Joe Cruz                                                          Tony Manibusan
Store Manager/Booking Events                     Founder/CEO
Store: (206)687-7320                                     KADUKU Clothing
Cell: (253)397-7424                                         425.422.7115
joe.cruz@kadukuclothing.com tony.manibusan@kadukuclothing.com

Esta Shoot,

"Tyrtl"

Posted by Tyrtl at 9/2/2011 7:44 PM | View Comments (1) | Add Comment