What is your name?
Mike Bingham
Where do you work?
HMP
Where do you train?
Fightworx, Taunton
When did you start training BJJ?
I started training bjj in the gi last year in April/May
How did you find Jiu-Jitsu?
First I found traditional Jiu-Jitsu through my older brother when I was about 11 as he trained Jiu-Jitsu and kickboxing in a local club and would regularly practice techniques on me (beat me up haha). Many years later my brother introduced me to the ufc 1 & 2 dvd and obviously from there like most people I was hooked, and that’s when I really found bjj. From that point on, me and my brother started trying to copy techniques from ufc dvd’s, books and lots of You Tube videos and that’s how I learnt martial arts up untill the last 2 years when I finally joined clubs!
What’s your favourite thing about stepping onto the mats?
Everything…..
The energy in the academy,the amount of training partners,the instruction, no bullshit just learn, train hard and have fun.
I really like the fact that no matter what Kind of day you’ve had or what type of mood you’re in when you step on the mats it’s all gone and you can just focus on what you’re there for without any distractions and when you step off the mats at the end everything’s alot more positive and I always come away learning alot. How everyone’s there to help you get better and teach you and show you new things, also after having a real hard roll and being smashed by training partners I like the fact everyone’s smiling, laughing and shaking hands no animosity or ego!
What are you goals for 2015/2016?
Exactly what I’m doing now, enjoying training and learning Jiu-Jitsu and also competing as much as I can.
What would you tell anyone who is just starting out doing Jiu-Jitsu?
Relax, try and be a sponge and absorb as much as you can, listen to all your training partners advice regardless of belt colour as you can always learn something from everyone. Be patient with your progression as you never stop learning,be comfortable with being uncomfortable, and just tap out, it’s not a bad thing that’s how you learn haha, but most importantly have fun and be respectful.
Photo credit – Gary Smith