As 2023 wraps up I want to say thank you to you, my readers, for keeping me honest this year.
I started writing again back in July, and made a commitment to write an article a week for the rest of the year.
Thanks to you…I succeeded.
If you didn’t know, I was the assistant editor and head Strength & Conditioning contributor at Jiu-Jitsu Magazine in a past life.
I haven’t always liked writing, but I always understood its value.
And much like jiu-jitsu or working out, the more you do it, the better you get.
Why I Started This Newsletter
In 2021 my body came to its breaking point.
The pain that had been centralized in my lower back had spread.
I was experiencing debilitating nerve pain down both arms, I had torn my second meniscus while finishing a triangle, and my lower back was a constant problem.
One day after class I was in so much pain that I couldn’t even get through the cool down, which was simply lying in Child’s Pose.
It was at this point that I knew I needed to reignite my passion for researching health, fitness, and performance.
The podcast was a great project I started during the pandemic, but I was relying on others for info.
I needed to dive deep myself, and reexamine everything I held true about performance training.
After 2 years of hard-core, in-depth research, nearly everything I understood about the body, pain and performance was turned upside down.
Thankfully, I uncovered the root of my pain, and in the process, revealed invaluable information that I knew I needed to share with my audience.
If it was helping me, it would help thousands of you out there too.
A New Focus After 10 Years of Order & Progress
I started training BJJ at age 25 in 2010, became a fitness coach in 2011, and the S&C writer at JJ Magazine in 2014.
I started Order & Progress in 2013 and some of you have been with me ever since.
I used to write mainly about strength and power, but what had served me for years no longer was. (In fact, it may have been hurting me.)
What I realized was that many of you were aging with me, and were probably experiencing similar things.
So, armed with all this new information on longevity, durability, and injury prevention, I committed to publishing exactly what many of you also need…or will need soon.
My goal last summer was to help others heal or prevent the pain I had endured for so long. Overcome it to remain on the mats for as long as possible.
Your Gift And My Goal In 2024
In 2024 my goal remains the same – to continue to publish useful BJJ longevity and performance information each week to help grapplers like you around the world.
So, to do that, I have a favor to ask. Actually, it’s more of a gift exchange.
I would love to get your feedback so I can continue to help as many of you as possible.
In exchange, I’ll continue to serve this audience each week with the newsletter, but also, I’d like to give you a free gift I put together on Clubs For BJJ.
You see, clubs were one of those things I discovered in my quest for pain-relief and longevity. They’re an amazing tool that have a unique way of healing cranky joints while fortifying them in the process.
I was lucky enough to meet the best club swinging instructor of the planet, Mark Wildman, who taught me personally how to use them correctly, and specifically for BJJ.
I have experienced so much benefit from clubs for my resilience and BJJ performance that I partnered with Mark on a new program specifically on Heavy Clubs For Jiu-Jitsu.
The club provides things that no other tool can, like circular strength and loaded rotational work. They’re also excellent for loaded mobility, throwing patterns, and shoulder/spine health.
My gift to you is this free mini-course I put together with Mark on a few foundational movements you’ll need for club training.
I will also pick one of you who completes the survey to receive the complete upcoming course for free.
Just make sure you complete the survey here. (If you already got access to the free club course, here’s a free ebook from another world-class club expert.)
So, thanks again for holding me accountable. By reading this newsletter each week you are helping me more than you know.
My plan for 2024 is to continue delivering for you, and to forge my best, pain-free, body yet, as I head into my 40s.
Thanks for joining me thus far.
The best is still ahead.
Now, let’s get to work.
-Will
