Stephane Bernadel

Hello everyone,

After bringing a multitude of MMA fighters abroad (U.S and Guam) OAMA is at it once again. This time it is none other than Remi “Bam Bam” Morvan who will be representing the Renzo Gracie team on foreign soil. On February 25th Remi, who recently dropped down to the 125lbs division, will bring his talent and fighting spirit to Kiev, in Ukraine. Already considered a top flyweight in the country he will now try to make his mark on the international scene as he will exchange leather with Phil Harris. He will without a doubt be facing the toughest opponent of his career and an win would not only propel him up the flyweight world ranking but possibly land him a shot at the big show. While there is a lot at stake I am persuaded that Remi will be well prepared for what should prove to be not only his greatest challenge but also his greatest opportunity.

Till next time, remember…
Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.
Stef

Hello everyone,

Here is this week’s quote: “When you are up in life, your friends get to know who you are. But when you are down in life, you get to know who your friends are.” – Anonymous

Hello everyone,

I apologise for not updating my blog as frequently as I would like. Following the holiday break I was ready and eager to resume training but unfortunately things did not go according to plan. For the past month I have been dealing with sickness, work and all that life consists of, well that and everything else thrown my way. After being slightly sidetracked I can say with great enthusiasm and relief that I have finally resumed training last week. Therefore look for me to post blogs on a regular basis.

Till next time, remember…
Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.
Stef

Hello everyone,

Here is this week’s quote: “The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.” – Flanney O’Connor

Hello everyone,

As a new year begings one cannot help but stop to think about the one that just ended. It is a time where almost everyone, professional fighter and amateur alike, sit down and reflect upon the year that was while looking towards the one that will be. The only difference is that while the common folk talk in terms of resolutions, we fighters talk and think in terms of goals. Before setting those (sometime) ambitious goals one would be well advised to analyse the good and bad, the ups and downs in order to have a better grasp of how things went and how to improve upon them. Without further ado here is my 2011:

In terms of MMA most individuals would probably rate this year a bad one with some saying I was unlucky while a few cynics calling it a flat out failure. It is easy to see how someone could come up with such conclusions, I was sidelined by injury for most of the year and when I finally returned to action I got the short end of the stick. All in all I only fought once in the whole year, which is by no mean remarkable. Therefore if I was not fighting and on the bench so to speak what was I doing? What does most people with too much time on their hands do…they think. God knows I have plenty of time to do that and do that I did.

Thinking, analysing, problem solving are all beneficial in that these processes helps us avoid turning into mindless drones. Having a critical mind is something that I took to heart from my University days, which I still use today much to some people’s dismay. On the other hand, I personally believe that the problem could also lie in over-thinking. With that said I believe that while in terms of MMA this year was far from what I had hope for, in terms of my overall progression the same cannot be said.

My striking skills continued to improved under the tutelage of Jean-Yves Thériault while adding some Muay thai tools with Mark Holst which I was able to showcase in my only outing this year. As for my ground game rating it a success would be an understatement. I took a gold medal in the only tournament that I partook in and as icing on the cake, was awarded my blue belt. With that said yes 2011 was not the best of years by my account but like the good optimist that I am the glass is indeed half full as I look towards 2012.

Till next time, remember…
Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.
Stef

Hello everyone,

This past Wednesday was the bi-annual BJJ promotions at OAMA where members from the three OAMA schools gather to attend a class given by the head instructor Pat Cooligan and see themselves or teammates get promoted. As for myself I got to witness both. There was no less than nineteen people who saw the color around their waist change with seventeen being new blue belts, one purple belt and one brown belt. I would like to congratulate all of my teammates who took another step towards the long and arduous road that is becoming a black belt. There are many challenges that awaits us, such as helping and assisting in lower belts development, while upholding our rank. While the latter is in a friendly constructive way, one cannot help but feel that people with be gunning for me and my ilk in order to keep us in check all the while putting themselves to the test. Like Pat said in the mist of closing the ceremony: “Congratulations to all of those who got promoted but guess what? You all have a big bulls-eye on your backs now.” With those words of wisdom ringing in my ears another journey begins – ahh, to be white belt again…

Till next time, remember…
Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.
Stef

Hello everyone,

Here is this week’s quote: “Worry about your character, not your reputation. Your character is who you are, your reputation is who people think you are.” - Anonymous

Hello everyone,

As many of you know I have recently changed many facets of my training in order to constantly  improve. As this is an  ongoing process, I have yet another tool to add to my schedule; wrestling. This is a dimension of MMA that is crucial to learn and lately taking more importance in the sport. While it would seem like a no-brainer to engage in its practice, our demographic position limits our options. Unlike the United States where it is omnipresent, here clubs offering it are rare indeed. That is why I am pleased to announce that I managed to find a club right here in the Ottawa region where I will be honing my skills twice a week. Look for me to blog about my training following my first session on Wednesday.

Till next time, remember…
Tough times don’t last. Tough people do.
Stef

Hello everyone,

Here is this week’s quote: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle