words of truth from the great david camarillo:

SYR: If you could change anything in Jiu-Jitsu, Grappling, MMA what would it be? Why?

DC: Jiu-Jitsu: I would change those who think controlling knowledge is the way to go. I’m not so big on restrictions of any kind. Those who try and restrict their students from venturing out and gaining knowledge from others should have more respect for the art and their students. I also really don’t like the attitude of those who think they control people just because they are a black belt. There seems to be a notion, that many believe, that if I am a black belt then everyone else is second class. It is true that if I am the instructor there should be a level of respect for me on the mat, which goes without saying. But the way I look at the world is there are black belts all around us. For example I was sitting in a friend’s house in Minnesota and I was telling him how amazing his house was. It wasn’t so much the size or anything like that it was just amazing how well it looked from the outside in. I told him that, “we are surrounded by black belts”. And then I pointed to a wood fixture and said that I thought it was amazing how someone can create something so beautiful. The person that did that, the way I see them, they are a black belt in their craft. The guy that fixes my car when it breaks down, the lady that treats my friends busted shoulder, the gardeners that do what they do to make our lawn look so good; they are all black belts. Everyone has been serviced in some way or another by others. So why should I have a disgusting elitist attitude just cause I am a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu. I have had to use Jiu-Jitsu far less than I have needed a builder to do his thing so that I have a place to live! In reality Jiu-Jitsu is a fun art to learn and gets you in shape. Beyond that it is somewhat trivial in the big scheme of things.


SYR: Do you think if you gave Rickson Gracie your back, would you be able to escape?

DC: The last time I trained with Rickson I started on his back and the next thing I knew he was on my back choking me.

SYR: Many very good grapplers like BJ Penn, Luke Steward, Mikyo Riggs, Kurt Osiander, Gabe Ruediger, Van Damme, Camarillo Brothers, Crosley, and many more are products of Ralph Gracie Gym.  What is the secret on pumping out champions?

DC: There are many things that contribute to the creation of champions. First you need talented or driven students. That part is easy, you either have them or you don’t. What is most important however, is the fact that you need to have a gym where the students respect the instructor and his ability to teach them the art. In the teaching you need a curriculum that makes the basics easy to learn. Notice how I am not saying anything about having a good fighter as an instructor. This is not required. I always say that there are two black belts that a good Jiu-Jitsu or Judo academy must have, one belt in that respective art, the other needs to be a black belt in teaching that art. You can be the best fighter in the world and not have the ability to articulate what you know to others, and vise versa.

Full Interview:

http://www.shoyoroll.com/forum/index.php?topic=5104.0

needless to say im a huge fan