Student Spotlight: James Moss

James was one of the first students through the doors at Borderlands Grappling's first ever training session. Since then he has shown an incredible level of commitment to the sport and his progression within it. With impeccable attendance and a inquisitive approach, James always asking lots of questions in his quest to improve.

We had a chance to ask James about his experience (so far) at Borderlands, his thoughts on grappling/BJJ in general and what advice he would give anyone who is considering getting involved with the sport.

Firstly, tell us how long you have been training at Borderlands Grappling

I’ve been training at Borderlands Grappling for a few months now.

Have you had any prior background in grappling or martial arts?

I had never trained in any martial arts or grappling before, so turned up to my first session not really knowing what to expect. Having done weight training and fitness for years I was beginning to find it a bit repetitive and when I saw Borderlands advertised, I didn’t fully know what grappling entailed, but decided to just go to a session and see - I've been hooked since then.

 

What attracted you to training at Borderlands? 

I found the club to be incredibly accommodating to beginners with lots of people in the same position as me.

What about the club keeps you coming back for more? 

Coach Owain's love and knowledge of the sport is second to none and his method of teaching is really digestible which makes for noticeable progression every week.

What would you tell people considering grappling training but are perhaps nervous or apprehensive? 

To anyone nervous about trying out grappling for the first time, I would definitely recommend just coming along to a session and seeing what it’s all about. Or just drop Owain a message with any questions as he’s always happy to answer them.

Do you have any plans or hopes for your future in grappling? Competing etc?

I never had any intentions of competing in grappling when I started. But after finding it so enjoyable and striving to get better, I will definitely be looking at progressing to compete in the future.

What is one piece of advice you would give someone just starting their grappling journey? 

My advice to anyone starting their grappling journey would be to not take themselves too seriously when training, it’s not a competition. The more you can have fun and enjoy the process the more productive it will be.

---

Want to give grappling a try?

Borderlands Grappling is an inclusive grappling and BJJ club in Ludlow, Shropshire. We welcome individuals of all abilities, fitness levels and backgrounds to join us. Grappling is a fantastic way to meet new people, get fit and learn an valuable new skill.

If, like James, you want to give grappling a go you can sign up for an account and book your first session on our website. Alternatively, if you have any questions, you can contact us now.