Every action we take or refrain from taking has an impact on future events. Looking back, I never understood how often I took and endured a long bus ride from my apartment to the academy I used to teach in Brazil, about 40 yrs ago. It was a bit over an hour of bus ride each way, going along the scenic route, as the bus calmly rode through the beachfront main avenues. It was a daily test of my resolve to stay in the bus, as I looked through the window towards the crowded beaches. I thought then I was missing out on life, as I watched many of the young like me bathing in the sun and diving into the warm Atlantic waters, in a more than perfect weather. My deal was completely different, riding through many stops until I finally made it to the station a few blocks from my work. I had to cross an overpass which was often a place where people got mugged by street thieves at knife or gun point. I looked athletic enough that nobody paid much attention to me as a victim, plus I never wore watches or jewelry, nor looked too fancy. I was not an obvious target for the punks that used to harass some of the pedestrians in that part of town. Getting to the academy was where the magic all happened, taking hours on the mat sharing knowledge, getting knowledge, and being physically pushed to my limits. I never thought the hardship of spending so much time on the mats was something difficult or not normal for the average person, I did have my moments of soul search, where I felt the support of coaches were not there for me, and every thing that I had to get on, thankfully I had my brothers and some of my cousins who were my peers to count on and help me through. As time went by, and with the gradual maturity of my ability to instruct and mentor others, the initial sense of regret of missing out going to the beach was replaced by a feeling of purpose of knowing the sacrifice was worth the cause. I realized I was changing the lives of my students at each class I taught. That was such an eye opening realization. In today’s world, with all the additional distractions of technology and digital devices, it is almost a miracle to keep someone focused long enough on anything. I feel very fortunate I made the choice to stay on the bus when in many instances I was tempted to get off at the station near the best beach spots. Those were moments which I had no idea would forge my mission of remaining consistent long enough to prepare for what would become a much larger task, of helping spread jiu-jitsu throughout the world. And staying on the bus was the right choice, or maybe the road less traveled, but it made and still continues to make all the difference in my life and the lives of many more! Train Smart..Stay Humble - Carlos Machado
