Marcos realized a huge personal goal this last weekend. He attained his first IBJJF Pan American Gold medal. After a major campaign and lots of work, he had the following to say via facebook the next day:
Good morning!!! As I wake up this morning the reality of a goal realized sinks in and I can reflect on both its merits and my next steps. I am humbled by my experience yesterday as I Was able to fight very well with men I studied and have come to esteem at a deep level. No one here knows how BAD I wanted this, and how hard I worked and I wanted to give some insight into Just how obsessed I was with Panams:
Panams was a tournament I considered “bad luck” for many years. Those that know me now know that by implementing “mind power” I can get past these obstructions, but hear me out: One year I broke 2 ribs, another I broke my left foot off a toe hold in practice. I had bad allergies that had me sick as a dog one year and I went through a NASTY divorce another. Truth be told I CREATED a negative reality surrounding this tourney. This year I was determined to break the cycle!
I prepped my body and mind, making HUGE sacrifices to realize my goal. I drilled at early hours of the am to prep some parts of my game and did 3-4 practices a day. When Caio Terra presented the option to do a camp I asked to participate immediately. Realizing the stress this places on my ( I teach ALL my classes at my gym and hate missing class to assure everyone gets the work they need) students; I am eternally grateful for their patience with me as I would not have been able to reach my goal had I not been in proper shape.
To Caio Terra, Leandro Lo, Quexinho, Samir Chantre, Marcus Antelante , Rafael Barbosa, Vicente Jr, Manny Diaz, Nathan Mendelson, and the TONS more at The camp THANK YOU! Thank you so much for helping me! I am very happy to have been a part of that camp and you can count on me to be a participant in the future! To my students I thank them profusely as it is with THEM I do most of my training. Thank you guys for supporting me in my endeavors! To my son who is a HUGE fountain of motivation, no importa si me muera mañana estas palabras no se borraran: te amo mi hijo bello y espero que cuando leas esto te sientas dichoso de ser mi hijo!
To all my sponsors; Gilberto from Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear for that KICK ASS black gi I fought with! I love it! For Sam at NHBGEAR, your support since I was a purple belt has been clutch throughout the years! For Peter and Penny Stone as their faith in me has also permitted me to realize my goals, Pete with your help and advice I am a better person, thank you for being in my corner!
Thank you to all the people that follow me (on facebook, twitter, youtube, etc), Team Yemaso is not going ANYWHERE and don’t get it sick and twisted, I am as hungry as EVER and this won’t stop here! Major medals coming back to Team Yemaso as we are on a righteous path and only good can come from that! Sorry if I left anyone out thank you all again and now on to the NY Open!
Btw, I wanted to mention that for almost 3 months I went to the gym with the SAME SHIRT ON! My Panams shirt from God knows when but I saw the words: “Pan Ams” and focused on my goal. I saw no one, no machines, no weights, just myself on the podium. I was so damn focused and so prepped that a recent back AND knee injury were not enough to derail me. We live in the realities we create ladies and gentlemen. I chose to not be derailed by a little bit of pain to achieve my ultimate goal and I did not have to step over anyone’s back to get there. Thank God for giving me the lessons necessary to bring me to this goal here today and thank you all for believing in me!
Osu
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