highlights of my 2013
(Click on all pics to enlarge)
I started teaching Wednesday morning classes at Groundslam a lot, since the owner, Katsumura-san had gotten busier and busier.
Hung out with Miesha and Bryan in Tokyo with Brittany.
(At Inoki Sakaba in Shinjuku)
I started Neo Judo, taught by Omigawa-san.
I got an ‘outstanding’ score on my Teacher’s Performance Evaluation at work, which is the highest and most difficult to attain.
Went to The Ultimate Fighter Tryouts.
Steve and I trained for it together.
Got accepted to the Ultimate Fighter. I fought and won, for the first time in two and a half years, breaking my losing streak.
I participated in the show.
Decided to move back to the US. Quit my job that I loved a lot.
Tried to say goodbye to everyone I’ve ever made friends with in Japan over the span of 8 years.
There are too many pictures to post of the people I love and left behind in Japan.
Moved to Las Vegas.
Joined Syndicate MMA.
Met my new hero, coach John Wood, my new best friend Heather Jo Clark, and the best chiropractor ever, Jake Steckel.
Mom moved in with me.
Made more friends.
Realized my striking has improved.
Fought in the UFC! The Ultimate Fighter finale!
Published a book!
link to purchase book
It’s been a pretty amazing year. Physically and mentally painful, wondrous, adventurous, scary, joyful! So much has happened. And 2014 will be awesome, too. I wish, first and foremost, for the health of my family. A few family members are sick. My cousin is going to have a baby. My personal goals are to fight in the UFC again, to win my next fight, and to publish another book, and to get stronger!…