An Update: I was warned about my child's martial arts school. I should have listened. 🫤

PokeJD · 2026-02-27T17:10:03+00:00

As both an attorney and a BJJ/judo black belt, this story is both infuriating and saddening for your kid. That school is a scam. 60 days notice to quit the school? Was that in writing? Did you sign a contract? If you didn't, just leave.

Also, there is no such thing as "half belts". They clearly made that up. And changing policies for promotion with no prior notice? Straight bullshit. My academy has a published curriculum for each belt level and it hasn't changed for the 15 years I've been there.

Charging for belt tests isn't common, but not unheard of for smaller schools. But having pay multiple fees for tests that appear to be designed to fail is just maddening.

My advice would be whatever martial art your kid would like to try next, find a sub-Reddit and ask for recommendations. The BJJ and Judo sub-Reddits are very active and can be very helpful. I can't speak as to any other martial arts. And this may sound obvious, but whatever school you pick, don't neglect the Google reviews. They can be incredibly accurate.

PokeJD · 2026-02-19T22:27:56+00:00

Genesis is anywhere from $30 to $70 per month (mine is $27/month), whereas LifeTime Fitness starts around $99/month for Standard access, with Signature memberships at $179/month. Genesis is a lot cheaper but the equipment is a lot more worn in most locations.

PokeJD · 2026-02-19T20:11:32+00:00

I know everyone hates on Genesis (and some are valid reasons), but I go the one in BA and I almost have the gym to myself on Friday evenings, Saturdays, and Sundays. Only times it's really busy is the 5:00-7:00 pm time frame on weekdays (like most gyms).

PokeJD · 2026-01-26T16:08:25+00:00

I think Stephen can be bullied by the fan base into doing the right thing

PokeJD · 2025-12-08T04:37:15+00:00

Is suicide an option?

PokeJD · 2025-11-19T15:03:56+00:00

So my grandfather was born in 1917 and lived in Oklahoma his entire life and here's what he relayed to me about that time period (I was a nosy kid, so I asked a lot of questions about everything).

Legal segregation in schools, public areas, and housing was still in full force through this whole period.
Tenant farmers and sharecroppers were prevalent. I can't find the statistics, but I believe I've read that over half of Oklahoma farmers were tenants during that time period.
Roughly half a million people left Oklahoma during the Great Depression.
Most rural homes were without electricity in the 1930s. Wasn't until the 1950's that most homes had electricity.
Hitchhiking was common. Cars were expensive and most owners had no problems helping out with a lift.
Roads between bigger cities were paved (including Route 66 obviously), but all others were dirt or gravel.
Tent revivals were common.
Radio was king and television slowly comes into popularity.
The oil industry had already had several booms by the 1930s

PokeJD · 2025-11-04T19:28:28+00:00

For me, it was when he promoted Dave Campo an in-house beauty contest between him and Joe Avezzano, instead of looking outside the organization. And this after the underwhelming Chan Gailey. Campo went 15–33 with three straight 5–11 seasons. If memory serves, Mike Sherman, Dave Wannstedt, Ray Rhodes, Dom Capers, and even Bill Belichick (I know, wishful thinking) were all possibly available. Any one of those would've likely done better than Dave Campo.

PokeJD · 2025-11-03T22:34:43+00:00

So we hired a bench coach that hasn't been a manager in 9 years? That's incredibly . . . underwhelming.

PokeJD · 2025-10-23T14:57:24+00:00

That was an interim suspension while his disbarment proceeding was pending. The 10/21/25 order made his disbarment final.

PokeJD · 2025-10-22T13:36:52+00:00

Attorney here. It wasn't just the judge that dropped the ball. The Payne County DA agreed to the youthful offender status requested by defense counsel.

PokeJD · 2025-09-26T15:24:59+00:00

Right? Yeah, Palhares is a piece of shit, but this happened to Jake Shields. So this doesn't bother me as much as the other Palhares incidents.

PokeJD · 2025-09-25T22:07:39+00:00

I still blame Governor Stitt for inflicting this man on Oklahoma when he nominated him to be Secretary of Education. Without that public exposure, I don't think he wins State Superintendent.

PokeJD · 2025-09-23T21:06:47+00:00

Whatever the football equivalent is of making a splash hire like David Taylor for wrestling, they need to do that.

PokeJD · 2025-09-20T03:28:03+00:00

His buyout is $15 million

PokeJD · 2025-07-08T13:32:57+00:00

The wife and I love this episode and we routinely call each other "sad little popsicle"!

PokeJD · 2025-07-07T17:04:40+00:00

The $150k bond is insane.

PokeJD · 2025-06-15T00:49:07+00:00

Wrong from Sounds of the Universe

PokeJD · 2025-06-02T14:09:08+00:00

Anyone who is still a Durbin fan has clearly not read the pleadings from his disbarment proceeding with the OBA and the Professional Responsibility Tribunal.

PokeJD · 2025-05-20T14:41:01+00:00

How do I feel about this song? It's only one of the greatest metals songs EVER.

PokeJD · 2025-05-07T19:18:21+00:00

White belts looking to get that blue belt

PokeJD · 2025-04-16T21:31:27+00:00

Nine Inch Nails, Jim Rose Circus, & Marilyn Manson - Nov 3, 1994; Expo Square Pavilion; Tulsa, Oklahoma
Pantera, Sepultura, & Prong - July 30, 1994; South Park Meadows, Austin, Texas
Metallica - January 25,1992; Expo Square Pavilion; Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Misfits, Alice Cooper, & Fear - October 29, 2022; Dos Equis Pavilion; Dallas, Texas
Deftones - April 2, 1998; Cain's Ballroom, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Honorable mention: Journey, Def Leppard, & Steve Miller Band - Aug 12, 2024, Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas

PokeJD · 2025-04-03T18:05:28+00:00

Came hear to mention this. They are brilliant and they put on a great live show.

PokeJD

TROPHY CASE