The movie Searching For Bobby Fischer makes it look like Josh Waitzkin look like his chess skills came out of nowhere. The movie has a few scenes of his mother and him walking through Washington Square a few times, a rainy scene in which he finds a knight piece on the ground and decides to … Continue reading Prodigy Myth
Category: Jiu Jitsu
The Chasm Between Theory and Action
I'm a mathematician (actuary by trade) and avid problem solver. I also love jiu jitsu. My recent addiction is chess, and in the process of my deep dive into the world of chess over the last several weeks, a theme reemerged from my early jiu jitsu days: the wide divide between theory and action. When … Continue reading The Chasm Between Theory and Action
Post Surgery Suck
Suppose surgery is coming soon that will inhibit you from doing several things that you love to do for 1-2 months. What frame of mind is best? How do you prepare yourself for this? My shoulder surgery is Thursday. Once it is over, there will be a period of time on pain medication and living … Continue reading Post Surgery Suck
Positive Near Death Experiences: A How To Guide
In jiu-jitsu, one has countless opportunities to enter into a submission of which they cannot escape. Many submissions involving the arm, ankle, knee, wrist, or neck don't give you a whole lot of time to think about your situation. When these get compromised, you quickly tap out. There are situations, one of which I will … Continue reading Positive Near Death Experiences: A How To Guide
An Unexpected Promotion
It is difficult being stoic sometimes. I've trained myself to not worry about the things I cannot control. To a certain extent, I succeed. This last week put these feelings to the test. When I mentioned that there would be a John Hansen Brazilian Jiu Jitsu seminar to my wife on Saturday, and that Cody … Continue reading An Unexpected Promotion
The Shaw Show 