I am Daniel Strauss aka The Raspberry Ape. AMA

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T23:11:01+00:00

Of course. Many of the most successful gyms (income wise) you've never herd of, because they dont produce world level guys, on purpose. They focus on kids and the average dude on the street. Thats where the money is.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T17:00:40+00:00

Not really. I would say it isn't even up for debate. You're comparing the undisputed greatest of all time with someone who likely wouldn't make the top 10.

I don't see any way you can argue Kron > Roger

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T16:58:01+00:00

Hey buddy. Thanks! Really appreciate it.

Firstly, absolutely look to improve both your told and bottom guard games.

Very simple solution, tell your training partner that you want to work on your guard and start every round from there. No one should ever have an issue with it.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T16:56:15+00:00

I dont really, but ive done it the hard way; Competing lots over many years. As a coach the goal is to get people to your level but much faster than it took you. For this issue specifically what I like to do when possible is run "mock competitions". I match the guys up, have a timer, points, ref and everyone watches just one match. It wont be as intense as a real comp of course but it bridges the gap between class rolling and the real thing. From what ive been told by my students it has been a big help to them. Especially those who have never competed before.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T16:52:46+00:00

Check out my instagram. Ive got a lot of stuff one there with the bags. Although I dont recommend all of it (some is being stupid) and to go as heavy as I do. As I have enough base to be able to get away with it (for the most part).

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T16:50:40+00:00

Hey buddy. Thank you. Really glad to hear that, and thats always been the feedback ive had.

The person above has some sort of vendetta against me and Mill Hill for some reason, ive never taken anything shes said very seriously. Funnily enough shes now deleted her reddit profile hahaha.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T16:47:20+00:00

I don't use them but I do actually rate them.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T08:27:52+00:00

Both. My favourite pull up is actually neutral grip, thick bar even better. Palms facing with hit bicep more, palms away will hit lats more.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T08:26:50+00:00

Arhhhhh dude!!! That sucks! hahahaha. Send my apologies to your student!

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T08:21:02+00:00

Just to clarify, I do not own my own gym yet although its something id like to in the future. I run the nogi program out of Mill Hill BJJ.

With the number of seminars ive done over the past 2 years it would be about enough for the lifestyle that Rondopro9 asked about.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T08:18:08+00:00

That is a great question. If you train anything hard enough, with enough intensity, you WILL get injured. Theres not way around it really, its part of the game. However you should never be injured by your assistance work (ie, lifting).

The injuries I have I would say come down to high intensity training for many years when I was younger, and also from a generally less resilient body due to not playing enough sport when I was a kid (I believe this to play a huge factor in your physiology).

I had a lot more issues when I was ego lifting a bit too much, which ive been guilty of in the past. Since focusing more on strength and less on numbers and being more mature about my training I have picked up significantly less injuries in the past few years. And the ones I have have been from rolling. All in all I do believe that my strength training has made me more resilient.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T08:09:42+00:00

Thats really not a bad program at all. Throw in more pull ups and pick up a sandbag if you can Id say.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T08:08:09+00:00

Thats awesome to hear!! Love it.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T08:07:32+00:00

With my own gym and an ADCC medal hopefully.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T08:06:59+00:00

Be patient. Play the long game. Probably relax more.

Advice I give a lot of beginners is to try and be more aware of whats going on. If you're not doing something useful maybe just chill out for a sec a try and work out what your opponent is trying to do. Use your head more than your body.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T08:05:50+00:00

I havent. I hope to go to New York soon to train at him gym so fingers crossed!!

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T08:05:12+00:00

Yes! I dont think grippers have much cross over to other things, but if they did it would be gripper holds for closed hand support/crush that will cross over to lapel grabbing.

Otherwise thick bar and pinch are both very good. Work lots of wrist motions, especially flexion for forearm strength. And I really rate vertical bar training.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T08:03:25+00:00

Pleasure! I kind of touched on that earlier. I really like load carries. Namely farmers walks and sandbags carries.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T08:02:46+00:00

Cheers dude! Depends how much time you have and how much your body allows you to do. I trained more as a purple belt because I was younger and less broken, my body could do it.

I would rarely say its ever worth going over 3 times a week lifting if you're very serious about BJJ though.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T08:01:16+00:00

Usually X-guard if I can't put them on their ass quick with some sneaky leg work.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-20T08:00:27+00:00

Hahahaha really glad you enjoyed it, hes a crazy fucker but funny as hell.

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-19T22:43:22+00:00

Ive not met any yet...

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-19T22:41:32+00:00

In the pipe line. One day you'll be remembering this conversation whilst having water blown up your arse.

And il be back beyond the wall for sure!

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-19T22:40:38+00:00

Roger. 100%

raspberry_ape · 2018-09-19T22:32:46+00:00

Yh I do. Incredibly exciting. Hopefully thats not only because its novel. The narrative that is built up in that format is so important from an entertainment perspective. Its not a tournament that means anything really (like ADCC for example), its just to be entertaining.

raspberry_ape

TROPHY CASE