BushJitsu

It’s not goodbye, it’s see ya later…

Matt McMeeking!
Aka The Wizard, Coach Matt, Beard McMeeking, Cactus Jack, The Tizard (and many more NSFW titles) - an unsung hero, beetle aficionado, and egg-based chef.

Coach Matt joined us early in the year, to help out, whilst I stepped out for shoulder surgery (again..). He very quickly became part of the furniture and a HUGE part of our community & family, here at Bush.

His skills on the mat are undeniable, his chill nature and casual vibe are approachable, and his “special” sense of humour is diabolical!

I’ve known CM since the pre-smoothcomp days of competitions in NZ. Our first meeting was in a blue belt finals at NZ Grappler 2015 - then he came to run seminars when we first started Bush in The Shed™️ - and he has come to hang, teach and train with us ever since.

This will be CMs last week with us for a while (fret not, he’s coming back to visit and hang again soon) so roll on in and give him some grief/hurl abuse at him/hit suprise armbars on him.

On behalf of The Bush Crew (TBC):
Thanks heaps for stepping up and helping us all out, dude. You are an absolute legend.

Chur.





Matt McMeeking

Hey Team.
We have some sad news.

Anyone who has come to Tues/Thurs Youth or Adult sessions will have met Big Dave - the most supportive (and cheeky!) dad, cheering us all on from the sidelines - an absolute legend, he’s the man.

Dave passed away late last week suddenly. At a bit of a loss for words on it and haven’t really wrapped my head around it yet.
But no matter how we feel, we step up for him and his family.
So:
Come and pay respect and celebrate his life on Wednesday.
10:30am.
45 Pirihi Road, Takahiwai

There is also a fund setup to help his two sons get through this rough time.
Anyone able, please send whatever you can to:

A D & L J Rean
06 0589 0038334 00

Every bit helps. Let’s get after it.

Big Dave was a MASSIVE (and very vocal, haha) supporter of Bush. He cheered on all our kids. He gave everyone a boost and yelled encouragement at every opportunity.
He was always a big presence in the gym - always big on the whanau aspect of our club and bringing us all together.
He brought the most crack up yarns to every class - and always had the mean lolly stash in his pocket (he would share with me at least!).

He will be missed for sure.
I’ll be looking over to his spot on the couch and waiting for his cheers/jokes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Rest easy, brother!

Much love y’all.
Give everyone close to you a hug, and keep pushing Big Daves idea of unity - we need more of it in this world.

See you on the mats.

Term 3 is on! Sign your kids up for their free trial today:
https://www.bushjitsu.co.nz/signup

Kids these days…

It’s not all hula hoops and pac-man video games anymore. Now it’s 10th place ribbons and “cyber-bullying” (feel old just typing that..).

Our next generation of device-driven youngsters (DDY) are learning structure, focus and humility - all through a physically and mentally demanding sport.
They burn off some steam, whilst learning new skills, and making new friends.
It’s a sight to behold!

Jiu Jitsu builds confidence. It’s a fact.
We have enough amazing stories of big life changes - in our gym alone - to back that up.

These little savages need an outlet.
A safe, supportive, and welcoming outlet.

These little animals need a community.
A safe, supportive, and welcoming community.
It takes a village to raise these little terrorists (haha).
We have that.

The pride of our club - from toddlers to teens - The Bush Kids.

Got a youngster in need of a boost?
Wherever you are, get in touch.
There are some amazing gyms dotted all over NZ that can help. We can help find the right one for you.

Last Weeks Highlights!

Cool to see the team working on proficiency in both sides of the sport - NoGi and YesGi - and, applying skills from both, to maximise their overall game.

Too much is made of the difference.
If you can be a badass with your pyjamas on, SURELY a little wardrobe change wouldn’t prevent your badassery from shining through, once you take it off?!

Get some work done in both!
Gi (“The Ninja Tuxedo”) slows the pace and forces you to be methodical.
NoGi (“Samurai Swimwear”) opens up explosive opportunities and wild scrambles.

Both teach you things that apply to the other.

Spice up your training with a little wardrobe diversity.
(And no, that doesn’t mean wear speedos - or spats with no shorts).

Side note; Black Gis also double as perfect Wedding/Funeral/Important Business Meeting Attire.

So you can’t go wrong.

Stay tuned for more Bush Fashion Tips (BFTs).

We’re pretty proud of this one.

Over Term 1, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside the I Have A Dream Foundation, introducing a great group of young people to jiu jitsu and everything that comes with it - confidence, resilience, respect, and a whole lot of fun.

Click the link to check out what we’ve been up to and see the impact this programme is having. We’re grateful to be a small part of these kids’ journeys. 💚

Dreamers Take On Jiu Jitsu - I Have A Dream This term, our Totara Grove Year 5 Dreamers have been stepping onto the mats with Bush Jitsu owner and head coach Brennan Matheson, alongside programme facilitator Gina McInnes, and the transformation has been remarkable. Brennan, who usually teaches Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at his Whangārei martial art...

Prerequisites.

What do you need to start Jiu Jitsu?!

The most common misconception we hear is that you need to be “in shape”.
You can start at any level of fitness (even zero!) and Jiu Jitsu will actually HELP get you in shape. Work at your own pace, do what you can, and keep showing up. The fitness will follow.

The next is skill. Thinking you need a background in martial arts to be able to learn. A PHD in Physiology to understand what’s going on.
Turn up at any level of ability (even zero!), do what you can, keep showing up, and the skill will follow.

The final misconception is “being competitive”. Whilst there are plenty of competitors, and even competition classes catered to those looking to dominate the sport aspect - there are FAR more jiu jitsu practitioners who are there purely for the hobby. There for the community, the camaraderie, and the fitness/skill aquisition aspect.
You do not have to be Captain World Champion (CWC) to be a part of (and enjoy) Jiu Jitsu.

It’s a welcoming crowd. Humble and happy to help.

The only thing you DO need, to take part and get involved, is the ability to leave your ego at the door and be ok with starting at zero.
Being ok with feeling out of your comfort zone, being ok feeling like you don’t know anything, and enjoying the fact that there is so much ahead of you to learn and refine.

Everyone starts at zero. Even Captain World Champion had to start there.
Forget all the pre-conceived notions about it all and just turn up to a class.
It. Is. Fun. (Challenging.. but FUN).

The most common thing we here after that?
“I wish I started sooner”.

Improvement!

In order to improve, you have to be ok with looking foolish.
Particularly in a sport like Jiu Jitsu.

Sure, you can stick to your ‘A’ game and hit the same moves over and over.
The stuff you know you are good at.
The moves you know have worked for you before.
BUT!
Throwing yourself in the deep end with new ideas, new techniques, and different approaches, will ultimately lead to new heights in your overall game.

Take a few steps back to take even more steps forward.

The hard part is putting it into practice.
Suddenly you aren’t as efficient or effective. You start “losing” rounds you would normally “win”.
You feel as though you are getting worse!

But remember this;
The goal of training is DEVELOPMENT, not VICTORY.

No one cares who “wins” at training.

Compete to win.
Train to improve.

Or don’t.
You do you, playa.
I’m not your dada, so why listen to any of this nonsense, aye?

Go full noise and out muscle newbies. Roll exclusively with people smaller, less experienced, and less athletic.

Be the big fish in the small pond….

Woo!