SBGi News Aug 4th

SBG Portland Has two new BJJ purple belts!

On July 25th the Portland Academy welcomed two new BJJ purple belts to its ranks. Amanda Loewen and Leah Taylor rolled with over 42 people each; in the tradition of SBG they faced their ironman and displayed some amazing technique along the way. The cliche of “well deserved” is always redundent what it comes to SBG ranking. However, in the case of these two champions, it’s an even greater understatment. Leah Taylor is the first Oregon BJJ athlete in historyto win a gold medal at the World Championships (Mundials) in BJJ! Leah is also a coach with our brand new children’s program, and she is doing a great job. Amanda Loewen was fresh off her double gold win at Grapplers Quest, and the win at her first MMA fight the saturday night prior to her ironman. In her last year at SBG she has accumulated a shopping bag full of medals, and just as importantly, has shown herself to be a fantastic coach. SBG!

SBG in the cage. This last Saturday night, July 21st, SBG athletes around the world stepped into the cage to fight. In Portland Eddie Ziegler and Portland coach Amanda Loewen stepped up to fight at the Roseland theater in the FCFF. This was the first time in the MMA cage for both fighters, and they did great. Eddier went the distance against a very tough wrestler. He lost the decision, but put on a great show for a first timer! Amanda won a unanimous decision and showed amazing composure and technique for her first fight. Great job, everyone at SBG is proud of you both! Meanwhile, Ireland and the UK also fought the same evening, each doing fantastic, as usual. Updates in the international news section and newsletter will be posted soon.

SBG's biggest Camp EVER, approaching FAST! You've heard the rumors, you've seen the poster, NOW it is time to SIGN UP! SBG's biggest, baddest and most rocking camp of ALL TIME is coming soon! Space IS limited, and is first come first serve. You can sign up NOW here: http://www.straightblastgym.com/camps.htm Note: The camp fee increases on Sept 1st, and we are anticipating that the event will be SOLD OUT prior to that, so sign up NOW: http://www.straightblastgym.com/camps.htm *** NOTE: since we sent out this email in mid July, the Campsign ups have overwhelmed us! We anticipate being SOLD OUT by Aug 30th. If you plan on attending you NEED to register THIS WEEK. Sept may be too late. We WILL NOT be taking money at the door. ALL attendees MUST pre-register. Sign up NOW: http://www.straightblastgym.com/camps.htm To keep up with camp info, hotel info, travel info, and general information check out our Fall Camp FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SBGi-Straight-Blast-Gym-Portland-Oregon/101362492303#!/SBGiFallCamp2012 See you there!

SBG Founder Matt Thornton on critical thinking As many of you know, critical thinking is a big part of what we are about at SBG. Here is a video shot last year in Sweden where SBG founder Matt Thornton talks at length about critical thinking, and its application in Martial Arts, and life. Enjoy: http://vimeo.com/27332570

Striking in MMA, an interview with Matt Thornton Matt recently gave an interview to the MMA podcast mmastrikingcoach.com Everything from the difference between striking for MMA and boxing, to specific drills, to self defense was discussed. Enjoy: http://mmastrikingcoach.com/2012/03/17/matt-thornton-straight-blast-gym-international-tips-for-striking-practice/

See you at Camp!