Gentlemen,
Yesterday was a huge day for Babalu and Gracie Barra Cerritos. More and in my humble opinion and more importantly, yesterday was an even bigger day for Gracie Barra. The morning started around 8 or so, when I met the journalist and camera man from NBC television at Babalu’s house. They wanted to capture some family time with him, before his day’s training began.
As you know, Babalu trains more in a day than most do in a week. As an example, his heart rate monitor reflected that he burned 2,000 calories yesterday. It is amazing. For example, if one is on a diet, a nutritionist recommends a caloric intake of 2,000 per day. Imagine burning 2,000 calories all the while having to train at an elite level and be cognizant of an upcoming weigh in. After leaving his house, the camera crew followed Babalu to his speed workout. A workout that takes place outdoors with one of Nike’s top speed coaches, namely Rick Haggerdon. This work out consists of 45 minutes of high intensity explosive drills on a track.
The journalist is a self-attesting mma industry expert and her comments summarized it best when she simply put: “I have never seen anything like that before”. In between the speed workout and his mma drills/sparring session with Josh Barnett and Erik Paulson, Babalu managed to have a protein shake and some egg whites at the Fitness Grill. After a brief rest and the above-referenced mma workout, Babalu was back on the road to GB Cerritos for his third (and supposedly final) workout of the day. His strength workout took place at GB Cerritos under the guidance and direction of coach Erik Arevalo of Virtus strength training. His work out consisted of kettle bells, one armed ring push ups with his feet elevated on a box, one arm power cleans with part of the movement laying down with the bar still extended overhead and then exploding back to his feet, and hoisting an approximately 20 foot thick pipe filled with water above his head and walking around with it for 5 minute rounds.
Spectators in attendance were tired from watching him. After a brief “rest”, Babalu changed into his kimono for what amounted to his final workout of the day, namely teaching the kids class. This too was all on film and was amazing. One of the most amazing things about the class is how many kids showed up from GB America to support Babalu. The mats were packed and for this we thank Professor Marcio. For, without your permission and support this would not have happened. NBC was amazed. Special thanks to Instructors Kayron and Jeff for making this happen.
Special thanks of course to Master Carlos, who although unable to attend, gave us his support. Last but definietely not least, thanks to all the parents who braved the drive in rush hour traffic to Cerritos to support Babalu and the Gracie Barra family. After the kids class, Babalu took it upon himself to give all kids in attendance and autographed picture. Many of the kids asked him to sign their rash guards and patches on their kimonos. All of their requests were naturally met with adoration.
The network is now producing the piece. It will air on NBC Sports (date tbd), NBC sports online, aol’s mma segment and then again on NBC when they show the strike force fight. It will also be used as an introductory piece as an entrance to the fight on November 21. In short, thanks again for your support. Yes we are organized like a team. And, if anyone out there doubts that we fight like a family, those doubts should have been resolved yesterday. If not, when Babalu brings the lightheavy weight title belt to Gracie Barra on November 21, those doubts will be gone.
Best regards and thanks again GB Memeber.
Here is a picture from a class at GB Cerritos
November 11th 2008 Posted to
Events
