The People Of Cornerstone- Preston

When you train JiuJitsu you get to meet and train with people from all walks of life. Those of us that have done it for a while know that those training partners can very quickly become a sort of extended family. I want to add a portion to this blog and do short highlights on some of those people. This may eventually morph into a sort of video interview, which I think would be way more fun, but I'll be testing the waters with a text interview style until then.










My first victim, I mean volunteer, is my teammate at Cornerstone Preston. Preston is a really high energy guy that always greets you with a huge smile and an enthusiastic "WHAT'S UP BRO!" He is a bit of a prankster and comedic trash talker, and will probably make you laugh at least once when you roll him. He is definitely one of those people that makes class a little more fun when he is there.

Below is our brief interview about JiuJitsu and training at Cornerstone BJJ:

Age, current rank and where are you originally from?
20 years old and originally from California. 3 stripe blue belt.

How old where you when you first started training?
14

What was it that got you into JiuJitsu?
I was mischievous when I was younger, so it was supposed to be a gateway to keep me out of trouble and I kinda just fell in love with it.


How many days on average would you say that you train a week?
8 days a week.... okay maybe like 5-6

What do you like most about where you train now?
The vibe on the mat. No one is better than the next guy. Everyone is here to train and better themselves regardless of their intent for martial arts.



Do you have a favorite technique you use?
Helicopter arm-bar all day. But if we are being realistic probably far side arm-bar from side control.



Have you noticed any positive changes in your life since you'be been training?
Being choked out and walking away fine makes me feel like life's problems aren't so bad.

If you could go back in time, what's a piece of advice that you would give yourself when you first started?
Done quit. Leave your ego at the door. You can learn from anybody. Find somebody's pocket to hold and chase that person. Make your idols your competition.

Do you have any short term goals for 2018 in JiuJitsu?
Just consistently improve. Tighten my game. Compete a couple times to see progression and find holes and areas that need improvement. Simply enjoy the blue belt and what it has to offer.

How about long term goals?
Long term goals for JiuJitsu are to become somebody on the mats that people aspire to be. Tie my black belt and continue the love by teaching, training and leading others on the journey


What would you say to someone that has always wanted to try JiuJitsu, but hasn't visited a school yet?
The only time to start JiuJitsu is yesterday and today because tomorrow will never come.

Last question. If you could pick anyone in the world to train with, who would it be?
Mmmmm that's a hard one.

I'm not big on training with big name grapplers, fighters, or competitors. As much as I respect what they've done in the martial art or sport I'm more about training with the average guy. The soldier, teacher, bartender, or whatever their profession may be. The ones that are there on the daily grind while living a normal life. The ones that don't do it for the fame or glory but because of the love of the game. The people that make me better day to day. While it's cool getting on the mats with world champions, UFC legends or or a big name Gracie master, your teammates and coaches are the ones that turn you from a fish to a shark on the mat.

About the Author:

Steven McMahon earned his Kyuki-Do Black Belt in 2011 from Grand Master Kim at Kim's Black Belt Academy and his  BJJ Purple Belt in January 2017 under Professor Charles Nunley. He trains out of Cornerstone BJJ in Fayetteville, NC. He is an active competitor at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Army Combatives tournaments.