The quest to 100!

turning the corner

mmurph71 — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 01:08:03 +0000

Well the Holidays are over and its back to work at Ivey League mma. Its been tough getting back in the flow of things. I gave myself some time off over Christmas an as expected put a few pounds on. Don’t lie you did too. The last few months have been a bit discouraging for me. My weight was stuck and I didn’t feel like I was getting any better at my jiu jitsu. Finally I felt like I turned a corner recently. I had a few private lessons with coach Ives which helped a ton. I also have been doing some extra drilling with Danny Red an Nick C. Its surprising how much these simple things have improved my game. I’m no world beater by far, but I am much more competitive on the mats. Seeing the results of this extra work has re energized me. I look forward to practice more than I have in a long time. That is the great thing about Ivey League and the program Danny Ives has set up. There is always someone willing to help you get better. I’m looking forward to a great 2011. It should be an amazing year.

Jersey Shore…

mmurph71 — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 20:15:13 +0000

Ivey League mma and one of our other affiliates Crazy 88 made a joint trip to the jersey shore this weekend. We went to Asbury park N.J. for the grapplers quest World series of grappling. Our day started at 5am on saturday as we packed the van for the trip north. Coach Rodeo and Coach Danny were at the helm on this chilly saturday morning. The kids passed out pretty quickly and the adults passed the time telling stories of past glories and funny anecdotes. It was an easy trip up and the Atlantic Ocean was a beautiful sight although she blew a sharp cold wind at us as we entered the venue. The tournament was taking place at the Asbury park convention center. This is apparently one of the places Bruce Springsteen got his start. This was an interesting fact to me, but when I told Holden about it I simply got a blank stare. Sigh I believe I am getting old. Anyway team Lloyd Irvin was in full effect at Grapplers Quest. The announcer was continually calling out our name as the day wore on. He even called out a few “Hat tricks” meaning first second and third place were from team Lloyd Irvin. Holden fought in the Beginner teen division for 13-15-year-old kids. This was a dramatic step up for him. Before this he had fought in the kids 12-13 year old division. Judging from looks most of the other kids were in the 15 year old range as Holden was one of the smaller competitors. He had a tough first round draw against the eventually winner and loss by Kimura. This dropped him down to the losers bracket where he fought his way back to take the bronze. His bronze medal match is the video I have included. It was a tough match with Holden winning by a 2-0 score. Holden continues to improve every time on the mat and loves competing. Stepping on the mat is a very tough thing to do and takes a lot of courage, but it also creates amazing confidence for those that do it. Win or lose Holden knows he will be a better person and competitor just for trying. We took three kids to the tourney all three came home with medals. After stuffing their bellies with pizza for a job well done we headed back to Maryland, this time with the adults quietly listening to the kids laughing , carrying on, bonding , and just being kids.

Youth comes but once in a lifetime…

mmurph71 — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:03:57 +0000

Coach Danny and Teresa took a few of the Ivey League mma kids to New jersey this past weekend. They competed in the NAGA North American Grappling Championships. This an event that draws competitors from about 10 different states. It was a huge turnout with about 2000 grapplers showing up. The tournament took place at Essex County community college in Newark, New Jersey. As Holden and I walked in I was overwhelmed by the site. The gym was small, too small for so many people and it gave a claustrophobic feeling. As we pushed our way through the crowd we saw at least 2 guys we recognized from the Ultimate fighter tv show. I started to worry that this might be a bit scary for Holden. The stand were packed with fans awaiting the matches. We finally found a spot where we could stand without being trampled and began to take in the sights. I was very nervous but the scene was pretty awesome. An array of colors wash over the mats as kids from so many different schools began to warm up. Parents and coaches yell encouragement and advice as they jostle for position by the mat side. Coach Danny and Teresa came over asked Holden if he was ready and of course he replied yes. Coach Danny simply gave him a pat on the back looked at me and said “We got this.” My heart was in my throat and I wasnt so sure. I pulled Holden aside and asked him if he was nervous, “This is my 4th competition Dad.” , is the answer I got. He then went and sat on the mat just as calm as could be awaiting his turn. Well as usual Holden and Coach Danny and Teresa were right and I was just the nervous dad. Holden proceeded to go out in no-gi and win the gold by guillotine submission in just over a minute. he then casually puts his gi on and prepares for his second division of the day. In his gi gold medal match he was locked in a tight battle. The kid he was facing was equally as strong as Holden and they were locked in a grip fight for over two minutes. With time dwindling down in the match Holden was able to hit a beautiful double leg take down, and hold his opponent there for a 2-0 win. He went undefeated on the day winning two gold medals. A pretty amazing day in all.. Like I told Coach Danny hard work and great coaching lead to positive results. Hmm that might look good on a t-shirt! On to the Grapplers Quest World Series of Grappling in Asbury Park, NJ this weekend. Wish us luck!

Tendon Strength

mmurph71 — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 01:33:50 +0000

Ok so my little buddy Alex complained that I wrote a blog about his brother but not him. Since I don’t need any enemies here it is. Alex is one of the up an comers at Ivey League mma. He is 7 years old and 48 pounds of fury and emotion. Coach Danny calls him tendon strength due to how strong he is. He competed in his first tournament at NAGA Maryland winning a gold and a silver in his weight class. Since starting at Ivey League his mom says she has seen great changes in him. He is more focused and doing great in school. He loves training and looks forward to each practice. He has unlimited ability and as he matures will be a force for years to come. His brother better keep training hard or Alex may start whipping him someday. Alex “Tendon Strength” Coe just one more of the success stories at Ivey League mma.

winning isnt everything, wanting to win is

mmurph71 — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 01:39:20 +0000

Winning isn’t everything,but wanting to win is. This is the Ivey League mma slogan, but what does it really mean? This weekend some of the Ivey League kids went to virginia to compete in a tournament, and I saw an example of what it means. My son Holden is 5’4″ and weighs 145lbs with a size 11 shoe lol. He’s a big kid for his age and is hard to match up in his age group. Saturday he was fighting in the 11-13 year old age group. As we waited they called for his coach over the loud speaker. Coach Teresa went down and then was talking on the phone. Now Holden is a smart kid and new something was up. He asked me if she was talking to coach Danny. I just shrugged and said don’t worry about it. Turns out there was no one in his weight class near his experience level. If he wanted to compete he needed to do it at the advanced level. He knew it would be a tough road against kids with 2-3 plus yrs experience. Did he quit? Did he say I can’t win why try? No he sucked it up went on the mat and gave his all. Did he win? On the score board no. In life heck yes he won. He came away from the experience with confidence that he could hang with better kids and survive. When he was done he wanted to work on what he didn’t do well. Coach Teresa did a great job talking to him after about what he needed to work on. The next time he competes he won’t be worried about how much experience anyone has. I was very proud of him and his courage. He has come so far under everyone at Ivey League. Winning isn’t everything but wanting to win is… Words to live by!

Falling off the cliff!!!

mmurph71 — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 16:47:29 +0000

Well the going has been tough lately. My weight loss came to a screeching halt when I hit 255 lbs. I didn’t gain any weight but wasnt losing any either. It has been pretty discouraging to say the least. As part of the new me so to speak I am trying to be more positive. So to look on the bright side I stayed on my diet and continued to exercise even though the results were not coming like they once were. Coach Danny and everyone else down at Ivey League mma has been very supportive and helpful. Going through this rough patch has shown me that I have what it takes to be succesful. In the past I would have given up and just put the weight back on. That isn’t the road I wanted to take this time, and I didn’t. I stuck with it knowing it would all pay off in the end. Well Coach Danny came up with an idea. He decided to switch up my regular workouts. Try to shock my body a little. I was still doing my regular jiu jitsu and mma classes, but after class we sprinkled in a little old-fashioned American boxing. Wow did that add to my workout. Boxing incorporates a whole different muscle group I guess, because boy was I sore. After just a few extra workouts I began to feel a little different. I had stopped weighing myself and now was beginning to wonder. We had a great morning session today. We worked a lot on our wrestling takedowns and had some round robin matches. After that I stayed late to work my boxing. Covered in sweat and out of breath I felt like it was time to check the weight. Amazingly I weighed in at about 245lbs. The new training regimen had spiked my weight loss again, and finally pushed me off the cliff I had been stuck on. 245lbs puts me at a 71lb weight loss. I honestly can’t remember the last time I weighed in the 240lb range. I’m walking a little lighter literally and figuratively. My goal is 30lbs away. That is amazing considering where I started. It feels great to be back on the ball and rolling again. I’m looking forward to my training tomorrow. Need to stay focused and keep working hard.

goals…

mmurph71 — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:39:40 +0000

Well things have been super busy lately. I spent a week in Minnesota with coach Danny. Danny was there to help ufc fighter Sean Sherk get ready for his fight. It was an amazing experience. I got to live a little like a pro fighter for the week. Training twice a day with lots of jacuzzi time for these old muscles. I’m a bit of an mma geek so taking classes from people like Greg Nelson and Jacob Volkman was pretty special. The Ivey League mma kids team had their first competition and were outstanding. Every kid came home with some sort of medal. A few of the kids even bumped up in weight and experience levels and still medaled. The thing that has me writing today though is goals. Coach Danny asked me what my goals were other than weight loss. I didn’t really have an answer. Do most people set goals for themselves? When I started this journey I didn’t expect it to take me this far. At first my goal was just weight loss then I wanted to compete, then I wanted a medal. Well I won a gold medal last week but I know that wasn’t the end. I guess picking goals is hard because everything seems so wide open. What can’t I do? Its funny the first thing that popped in my head today was a father-son gym. Could Holden an I both reach blackbelt level an own a gym together someday? Lol would I be to old to teach by then? Its funny to even think that way. I have learned so much and come so far at Ivey League mma. I will have to think more about goals and set them up and knock them down.

tournament time!

mmurph71 — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:28:35 +0000

Well this saturday is NAGA Maryland. Ivey League mma will be unveiling its kids competition team. The kids seem excited as well as nervous. I am sure they will do great. I will be competing myself in gi and no-gi. I’m not feeling super confident this week. Not sure why but I will be there doing my best. The tournament is at the Equestrian center in Landover, MD. Should be a great time. If you have never seen a jiu jitsu competition come on out saturday. You can find more info at naga.com.

minnesota ehh.

mmurph71 — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 20:36:55 +0000

Well coach Danny Ives and I are in Minnesota. Greg Nelson of Minnesota Martial Arts asked Danny to help UFC fighter Sean Sherk prepare for a fight. So we came up for the week. Minnesota Martial Arts is home to UFC fighters Sean Sherk, Nick Lentz, and Jacob Volkman as well as others. Greg has also worked with UFC heavy weight champ Brock Lesnar. It is an amazing opportunity to see how a pro camp runs. I’ve also been able to train everyday. I’ve trained in muay tai boxing, gi, and no-gi. Watching Coach Ives mix it up with the UFC guys was great. Its amazing seeing such high level athletes go head to head. I’m learning a lot and having a good time. Talk to you again soon.

All work and no play…

mmurph71 — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:50:33 +0000

Well I worked late this morning and didn’t get to go to practice at Ivey League mma . I hate when that happens, but since I have to work I guess that’s life. Besides I have a 13-year-old who likes to eat EVERY day so until the lottery comes in work it is. I have been kinda stuck on my weight lately. It seems to happen every 10 lbs or so. I did get up early enough to hit Planet Fitness though. I started a new power lifting routine today. I’m simply working the major body parts trying to get stronger and build some lean muscle. Today I did squats and deadlifts with some crunches and hamstring curls thrown in. Tomorrow I will do bench press, bent over rows, shoulder press, and triceps extensions. It is pretty basic but I can already tell I’m going to be sore tomorrow. I’m hoping lifting weights will kick-start my body into shedding this plateau I have hit. I bought my own elliptical machine for the house to do my cardio. Found it on craigs list for a 1oo bucks and it works great. With my schedule its nice to have something at home that I can jump on and bang out a good sweat. Well that’s it for now, sorry I’m not more exciting today.

P.S. I just proof read this blog, and had an extra thought. I was feeling kinda down today for missing class, but just looked at what I’ve done today. I lifted weights for an hour, did 30 minutes on the elliptical and ate right. Not bad for a guy who a few months ago was doing NOTHING. Thats what Coach Danny has helped change in me, I am so different than I used to be. I need to remind myself how far I have come sometimes. Results dont always happen overnight. With my training at Ivey League mma I’m on the right path, and thats what I need to focus on.