LEDG MMA

So there was a mystery flood today, no clue where but it inundated all the mats, going to take at least two days to clean.

Been a long week, but a great one! Mwf homeschool class in the morning has turned to be amazing and a joy for everyone!

White wrist bands handed out to our new white belts!

New members!

Updates:

TONIGHT, we are doing a short practice of live rounds, I have something I HAVE to get done that I have to be in person for. So we’ll roll hard and roll out.

We are going to keep with the current times and schedule as is, for the foreseeable future.

If anyone has any questions about our app or how to add your payment info please reach out to me.

Some people have asked for a few of my matches specifically, I have an older video and a less old video. When you get my age everything feels old… however in the much older video you will see a time when I was very raw and unpolished with my leg locks and I relied very heavily on my wrestling to get high amplitude takedowns to wrestle into the legs… and then we were blessed and lucky enough to move to Florida where I got to train under Josh Leduc and it changed my game dramatically. He took me from a wrestler, relying on catch wrestling and all out blitzing to beat guys to being calm and collected and using wrestling when needed and technical dominance to secure positions and leg riding. My hope and goal is to be able to reach kids to use their wrestling and get amazing takedowns but be better than I ever was AND be able to use dominant technical knowledge to gain dominant positions to win!

But I will always cherish those early days because my grappling buddy Evan was there every step of the way, in my corner every single time. Being a dad made me a better person… while my wife is my reason to still being topside, Evan ( initially) and later my other boys were the reason I stopped letting Iraq and my injuries rule my life.

Just being a catch wrestler training my gym back in Arkansas:

https://youtu.be/gbTlq6TJPoY?is=TS8rgNB6Q-2zhxhH

Mostly since training with Leduc:

https://youtu.be/l3E0C37ey_c?is=6AX-qRZ8XBGJMIHt

A few matches from adcc trials, AGF, NAGA, lots of toe holds and takedowns. I put this together because in several matches I finish toe holds a...

Today’s home school class was awesome! It brings a special point of happiness to my heart seeing not just my kids but many other kids, even for the very first time, wrestling king of the mat takedowns… their smiles, their drive, their sheer will and determination!! I really am excited and hopeful for all the kids as they learn and grow in the grappling sports!

I especially want to thank all of you parents that take your own time to come to class and being present for them all!

It makes me want to be the best coach I can be for everyone involved!

With LEDG MMA:

There was a question about our homeschool class that I thought the answer would benefit anyone else with similar circumstances:

A parent wanted to know if they could bring their child that has special needs. Very simple answer: absolutely a resounding yes! I believe two things, everyone benefits from a relationship with children who have unique circumstances; and I will do anything I can to help those parents and children in any way I can. Before we moved from Arkansas to Florida in 20’, I was extremely fortunate to have a very close relationship with a family with eight children and one whom had special needs. He’s now a teenager. During classes we gave him the opportunity to be involved in everything and do everything that anyone else did. In wrestling a child learns so much just from participating, watching, and being involved as much as they are comfortable with.

I can’t promise that wrestling/jiujitsu will be a miracle, but I can promise that I will do whatever I can to help the parents involve their children. They will not be treated differently in terms of being coaches, they will be listened to, championed, and cheered every step of the way.

If you are interested in speaking with the mother of the child I had such an amazing relationship with… and to this day he will text me, send voice messages, and just say hey coach miss you… send me a private message and I’ll connect you guys.

There are no expectations, and only opportunity to be found when an amazing youngster is involved with grappling.

Due to inclement weather we need to run home and deal with downed trees… practice today is canceled.

FYI for everyone who is bringing their kids to our new home school class, there are a few questions I’ve gotten that I want to address to make sure everyone gets as much info as possible and as much as they need:

1: the monthly membership covers the M,W,F classes from 11am-12pm… for the entire month.

2: once I’ve entered your names into our software it will automatically ask you to sign the liability waiver. Please do that if you get the chance before the first class.

3: our app is available on Apple and google app stores as “LEDG MMA”.

4: the app automatically creates a start date for the membership once I’ve entered you, which is pro rated for the remainder of the month. However, I will adjust it to the 17th ( or the start date you are able to make it). And those four or so days will not count against your membership.

5: I will have (I hope to) get the start date on all home school memberships changed to the 17th so that the pro rated memberships is reflected accurately.

6: the gym is very warm, we will open the large door and have fans going but be prepared for your kids to be sweating, and there is a large bathroom for your convenience.

If there is anything else please just ask and I’ll answer anything I can.

Thank you!

Coach Hightower

Everyone at the gym tonight got their ranks! We decided on colored wrist bands instead of belts, my first “official” ranks handed out! Very excited for everyone going forward!

Ok guys! We have our Home school class for wrestling and jiujitsu now scheduled. Starting Aug 17th MWF 11am-12pm! The price is 100 dollars per month for the class, please email [email protected] your contact info and children’s names. We will have a cap on the number for the first class and may open a second class depending on the numbers. I want to make sure we keep the numbers at a point where each child gets individual and class wide attention, and that may necessitate a second class if it comes to that numbers wide. We are all very excited to add as much value and care to the home schooling community as we can. I know my kids are beyond excited! Please email or message us any questions!

There was an issue with the power in the building, finally just got it taken care of, I tried to text everyone before hand… if I missed you I am sorry. I have to go turn off off the breakers in the building, but it should all be good to go tomorrow!