When I first walked into High Altitude Martial Arts in Aurora, I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. I was in my early 20s, out of shape, and honestly just looking for something to challenge me. I’d always been a fan of MMA, but I didn’t have any experience, no wrestling background, no boxing, nothing. I just knew I wanted to start.
The first few weeks were rough. I remember stepping onto the mat for Kickboxing and realizing how hard even a basic combo was. My footwork was clumsy, my timing was off, and by the end of class, I was completely exhausted. Then I tried Jiu Jitsu and it was even more humbling. I had no idea what was going on, but everyone around me was patient and encouraging.
Little by little, things started to make sense. I learned how to throw a proper jab, how to shrimp, how to escape bad positions, and how to breathe when everything felt chaotic.
Learning to Be Patient
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned at High Altitude is patience. Everyone wants to get good fast, but it doesn’t work that way. You get submitted hundreds of times before you learn how to defend. You get punched in the face (lightly!) before you learn how to move your head.
Progress in martial arts isn’t instant, it’s built slowly, through showing up, listening, and working hard even on the days you don’t feel like it.
A Few Years Later
After a couple of years of training consistently, I started noticing how much I’d changed, not just physically, but mentally. I was calmer, more disciplined, and more confident in my day-to-day life.
When I got promoted in Jiu Jitsu for the first time, it felt like a huge milestone. That belt wasn’t just a piece of fabric, it represented hundreds of classes, sore muscles, early mornings, and nights where I wanted to quit but didn’t.
Soon after, I signed up for my first local Jiu Jitsu tournament. I was nervous, like, really nervous. I didn’t know how I’d perform under pressure. But once I stepped on the mat, everything clicked. Win or lose, that day made me fall in love with competition. It wasn’t about medals, it was about testing myself.
My First Smoker Fight
Eventually, my coaches encouraged me to take the next step, a smoker fight at the gym. It wasn’t a full amateur fight, but it was a big deal for me. I trained for weeks, cleaning up my striking, tightening my defense, and trying to control my nerves.
On the day of the smoker, I was shaking when I wrapped my hands. But once the bell rang, instinct and training took over. I didn’t win every exchange, but I gave everything I had. When it was over, I couldn’t stop smiling.
That moment showed me how far I’d come, from someone who could barely throw a jab to someone confident enough to step into a ring and test himself.
The Amateur Debut
After a few more years of training, competing in Jiu Jitsu, and staying consistent, I finally got the call I’d been waiting for, a chance to fight as an amateur on a local MMA card.
It wasn’t something that happened overnight. It was years of showing up, learning, losing, improving, and never quitting.
When I walked into the cage for the first time, I realized that this was what I’d been working toward. Every stripe, every loss, every night I’d stayed late drilling after class, it all led here.
The Journey Is the Reward
If there’s one thing I’ve learned training at High Altitude Martial Arts, it’s that martial arts isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey.
Everyone wants to fight, but few are willing to do what it takes to get there. You have to be patient. You have to show up. You have to love the process.
Because one day, you’ll look back and realize the kid who walked into the Aurora gym years ago who was nervous, awkward, and unsure. I’ve grown stronger, inside and out.
