From Olympic Boxing to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: My Unexpected Journey to the Australian National Championships
From Olympic Boxing to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: My Unexpected Journey to the Australian National Championships
My Jiu-Jitsu Journey Begins
It all started a few years ago when I took my three young daughters to a jiu-jitsu class at ZR Gym in Los Angeles. As I watched them train, I couldn’t help but feel inspired. If they could do it, I thought, then so could I. So I decided to give it a try myself.
At first, I was a complete novice. I remember sparring with a small purple belt on my very first day and getting absolutely dominated. But something about the art of jiu-jitsu captivated me. I was hooked. Over the next 30 days, I trained relentlessly, going from getting tapped out by a purple belt to sparring with another one and actually holding my own.
As my skills progressed, I started earning stripes on my white belt – a sign that the gym’s professor recognized my commitment and improvement. But even then, the idea of competing never crossed my mind. I was simply enjoying the training for its own sake, not worrying about tournaments or competitions.
A Life-Changing Decision
That all changed in late 2022 when my wife and I made a huge life decision. We left Los Angeles behind and started traveling the world with our kids, bouncing from city to city and country to country. It was an amazing adventure, but it also made it incredibly difficult to train jiu-jitsu consistently.
It wasn’t until we settled in Australia in 2024 that I was able to find a gym that really clicked for me and my family. The gym was owned by a Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend named Marcelino Freitas – a 5th degree black belt with an impressive competitive resume, including 3 world championships, 7 Brazilian national titles, and 2 Pan Pacific championships.
Under Marcelino’s tutelage, my jiu-jitsu skills started improving rapidly. I was learning techniques that were sticking with me, turning into muscle memory rather than just fleeting knowledge. And as I continued to progress, earning my third stripe on my white belt, something unexpected happened: my kids started talking about competing in the upcoming Australian National Championships.
“If they’re doing it, why am I not doing it? Because I’m scared? Come on, Tony.”
At first, I balked at the idea. The thought of competing again, of putting my reputation on the line, filled me with anxiety. But then I realized – if my kids could muster the courage to step onto the mats, then so could I. I signed up for the tournament, even though I had just one week to prepare.
The Road to the Australian National Championships
In the days leading up to the tournament, I was a bundle of nerves. I knew I had put in the work, training 4-6 times a week under Marcelino’s guidance. But the self-doubt kept creeping in. What if I lost? What if I got submitted in front of my kids? The pressure I was putting on myself was immense.
To help manage the stress, I turned to some old techniques I had used as a professional boxer. I started visualizing the competition, picturing myself on the mats and walking through potential scenarios. I also reached out to a friend of mine, James Smith, who is an accomplished jiu-jitsu competitor with a large online following. His advice was a game-changer for my mindset:
“Tony, let’s see if you do lose. Then what? Back to the drawing board with your amazing family, your amazing businesses, and all the YouTube awards you’ve won. This competition is a condiment to your life, not the nucleus.”
Those words were exactly what I needed to hear. They helped me reframe the tournament as just one small part of my life’s journey, rather than the be-all and end-all. With that newfound perspective, I was able to approach the competition with a sense of excitement rather than dread.
In the final days leading up to the tournament, I used artificial intelligence to help me with my nutrition and meal planning. I was able to input my weight goals, training schedule, and other relevant information, and the AI assistant provided me with a customized shopping list and cooking instructions. This took a lot of the guesswork out of my prep and allowed me to stay focused on my training.
Stepping Onto the Mats
When the day of the tournament arrived, I was a bundle of nerves. As I walked around the venue, I couldn’t help but size up the other competitors, trying to figure out who might be in my weight class and skill level. The fact that I was being recognized by people and asked for photos only added to the pressure I was feeling.
But then something unexpected happened. My first opponent, who had just won his previous match in under a minute, approached me and asked for a photo. This completely threw me off – in boxing, that kind of behavior before a match would be unheard of. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was trying to play some kind of psychological game.
When we finally stepped onto the mats, my opponent’s friendly demeanor disappeared, and we were both laser-focused on the task at hand. I stuck to my game plan, waiting for him to pull guard so I could use my pressure and passing skills to my advantage. After a tense back-and-forth, I was able to secure a collar choke and get the submission win.
With that first match under my belt, I now found myself in the finals, facing off against a seasoned competitor who had won multiple gold medals in previous tournaments. This was a whole different beast, and I knew I had to bring my A-game.
The Finals: A Rollercoaster of Emotions
As I shook hands with my opponent before the final match, I could tell he was all business. Gone was the friendly demeanor of my previous opponent – this guy was here to win.
The match itself was a true test of my skills and mental fortitude. My opponent was clearly more experienced than me, and there were moments where I felt completely outmatched. But I drew on all my years of boxing experience, using my footwork and pressure to try to control the pace of the match.
There were several tense moments where I thought I might have an opportunity to finish the match with a submission, but my opponent’s defenses were too tight. I could hear my daughter Jordy yelling “Get the loop choke!” from the sidelines, but it just wasn’t happening.
As the clock ticked down, I realized that I was actually ahead on points. All I had to do was avoid getting swept or submitted, and the victory would be mine. I dug deep, drawing on every ounce of my fighting spirit, and managed to hold on until the final buzzer.
When the referee raised my hand, declaring me the winner of the Australian National Championships, the emotions came flooding out. I broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the magnitude of what I had just accomplished. It had been over 16 years since I had last competed at the highest level, and the feeling of standing on that podium, surrounded by my family, was indescribable.
Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead
Looking back on my jiu-jitsu journey, I’m struck by how much I’ve grown, both as a martial artist and as a person. When I first stepped onto the mats, I was a complete novice, unsure of myself and my abilities. But under the guidance of Marcelino Freitas, and with the unwavering support of my family, I was able to develop the skills and the confidence to compete at the highest level.
The experience of competing in the Australian National Championships was a true test of my mental and physical fortitude. The self-doubt, the nerves, the pressure – it was all there, just as it had been during my boxing career. But this time, I was able to overcome those challenges and emerge victorious, proving to myself that I still had what it takes to compete at the highest level.
As I look to the future, I’m excited to continue my jiu-jitsu journey. I know that there is still so much for me to learn, and I can’t wait to see how much further I can push myself. And who knows – maybe I’ll even find myself back on the competition mats someday, defending my title as the Australian National Champion.
In the meantime, I’ll continue to share my knowledge and experience with others, both through my online boxing fitness certification course and my social media platforms. I’m passionate about helping people of all ages and skill levels to improve their boxing and gain confidence, whether they’re training for competition or just looking to get in shape.
And of course, I’ll be there to support my kids as they continue their own jiu-jitsu journeys. Watching them train and compete has been one of the most rewarding parts of this whole experience, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them.
Final Thoughts
If you had told me a few years ago that I would be competing in a Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournament, I would have laughed in your face. But life has a way of throwing curveballs, and sometimes the most unexpected experiences can end up being the most rewarding.
My journey to the Australian National Championships was filled with challenges, self-doubt, and a rollercoaster of emotions. But in the end, it was all worth it. Standing on that podium, surrounded by my family, was a moment I’ll never forget. It’s a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of having a supportive network, and the transformative impact that martial arts can have on one’s life.
So if you’re ever feeling hesitant about trying something new, or if you’re doubting your own abilities, remember this story. Because you never know where the path might lead, and the only way to find out is to take that first step.
Resources and Links
If you’re interested in learning more about my boxing fitness certification course or my online boxing education, be sure to check out the following resources:
And if you’re curious to see how I fared against the legendary Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion Cyborg, be sure to check out this video:
Pro Boxer vs Cyborg – BJJ World Champion (Who wins?)
You can also follow my journey on social media:
Thanks for reading, and I hope my story has inspired you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Who knows where it might lead.
Information contained on this page is provided by an independent third-party content provider. XPRMedia and this Site make no warranties or representations in connection therewith. If you are affiliated with this page and would like it removed please contact [email protected]
