Redcat Academy in Geelong, Victoria | Martial arts school

Redcat Academy

Locality: Geelong, Victoria

Phone: +61 3 5223 3666

Address: 159A Malop St 3220 Geelong, VIC, Australia

Website: http://redcatacademy.com.au

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23.01.2022 The confounding leap The biggest problem on the martial arts landscape is an obvious one for any caring to look. One day we’re a student; a practitioner of ...our chosen art; an athlete perhaps; maybe a fighter perhaps both; then next we’re (by design or default) suddenly, a ‘teacher’. A teacher, I ask? When did we receive our ‘teaching/coaching’ training? This is an area in which huge gains can be made. The upside is so large because the baseline is just so low. The usual method by which students become teachers/coaches is by ‘imitation’, or perhaps ‘trial and error’; and although the ‘trial and error’ method is a time-tested one; it can be expensive and terribly inefficient. Having the skill-set is one thing; knowing how to transfer that skill-set to other person, is an entirely different thing. Just as growing vegetables on a farm is a different skill-set from that required to transport that produce to the store; which is different from selling that produce to a customer; which in turn is different from the skill set that customer needs to prepare that produce for consumption on the evening table. Despite all this; some do an okay job; some a terrible job; and a few, an excellent job. Nevertheless, there is much scope for improvement on this point .

23.01.2022 Chick Stuff and more New gear designed and on order for our 2021 start at Redcat. We have some great Gi’s - Tees and Rashies - on their way here on the high seas. Here’s a sample chick stuff!

23.01.2022 Most of our dramas are just practice-runs I realised this pretty late in life. A slow-starter by any definition. When we face challenging times and/or situati...ons, our responses are often our ‘early’ attempts at arriving at solutions. The more ‘tries’ we have, the more likely we are to come up with ‘answers’. In fact, it has been my own experience, that all the really good stuff, usually lies on the ‘other side’ of difficulty. I first learned this on the mat - and then realised things were no different ‘out there’ in actual life. Wishing for each and every one of you - the very same realisation.

22.01.2022 We have sent scheduling links to all of our students for classes, which will be resuming on a new timetable as of next Monday. Back to back classes for all whit...e belts - on Mondays and Wednesdays; same for Advanced BJJ ranks on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It seems we will be stuck with the cap of 20 people per class, until Xmas. Zero fees for all people who were members at the time of closure back in March. Check your texts! If you havn't got a text ... it means we don't have your number. Contact us please. See more

21.01.2022 The grind and flying cars I’ve talked about this a lot; especially on the mat. The grind is there - and if we want to do anything beyond the ordinary, we nee...d to not only embrace the grind - we need to do some alchemy on it - we need to transmogrify it (look it up: I had to) - to change how we see it, to see it for what it really is. One day we’ll have flying cars - they’re right around the corner - right? Maybe, maybe not - but the ‘grind’ is what those in that industry are doing in the meantime. The grind can be exciting, it’s where we get to identify and discard what doesn’t work (ie: Thomas Edison and the lightbulb - 10,000 failures = 10,000 eliminations of what doesn’t work). The grind is also where we learn about ourselves; where we fortify ourselves against future hardships. The grind is where we leave the ordinary people behind.

21.01.2022 More on meaningful training As per my previous post I choose the meaningful journey. My training is very meaningful to me I extract great value from it. I... love trying to solve the puzzles, I love the way it re-orients my thinking, I love seeing new things from new angles, I love designing and constructing more powerful teaching models that help others have a more powerful and meaningful learning experience, I love pulling things apart to better understand how they work, I love the discovery, the challenge - and I really love the way that the discoveries we make on one landscape can be used in many other aspects of our lives. I thrive on that! What do you thrive on? See more

21.01.2022 Embrace it Embrace the grind! An old credo. But, as always, there’s more than one way to think about it. When we are entrenched in ‘the grind’ - it’s useful ...to embrace it, particularly if we do not have a choice. This is about ‘acceptance’! However, if we deliberately choose to step into the ‘grind’ - that is a different thing entirely. This is more about, pushing boundaries, raising the bar, seeking excellence, investing in ourselves, etc. Excellent pic by my friend Seymour (Meerkatsu) - shitty colouring-in by my ‘self’ (yikes).

21.01.2022 One door shuts, another opens I have always tended to look to the silver linings. I even remember being ‘punished’ in primary school for my view that there wa...s always a positive or a benefit, even to a bad or catastrophic situation (something along the lines of ... we do something and people die - my comeback 'more resources for all survivors'). Yikes! There have been lots of positive benefits to this so-called ‘disasterous’ year. Some people have even re-invented their lives for the better. As the old saying goes ‘necessity is the mother of invention’. Learning to spot alternatives, learning to splice circumstances together in a way that is useful, learning to see the positive in frustrating and challenging circumstances are skills worth developing.

21.01.2022 Hi everyone - we're back, as of tomorrow - friday 18th. Friday night 'shootfighting class' is on - as is Saturdays open mat - and next week, all classes back to normal schedule. See everyone soon.

20.01.2022 For those of you wanting to get your Christmas presents early, here is a great stocking filler. Get your Jigsaw Puzzles here....available now. https://www.bjj.com.au///products/jigsaw-puzzle-adversity For those of you who live in Geelong and wish to pick up, just message Melissa and we'll sort out pick up from home.

20.01.2022 Meaningful Training flows from meaningful living - and I definitely want my training to ‘mean’ something. In my own life - I see a choice - either everything we... do is meaningless or alternatively, everything we do really, really matters. Choose the first - and you are freed from responsibility. But the price is that you live a meaningless life. Choose the latter and you realise you are paying a price for every decision - and there are consequences - both good and bad. But, you live a meaningful life. When we apply our intellect to something - when we give something our attention - when we look at a thing from all angles - we begin to imbue it with meaning. For myself - I choose the meaningful life.

20.01.2022 The confounding leap The biggest problem on the martial arts landscape is an obvious one for any caring to look. One day we’re a student; a practitioner of ...our chosen art; an athlete perhaps; maybe a fighter perhaps both; then next we’re (by design or default) suddenly, a ‘teacher’. A teacher, I ask? When did we receive our ‘teaching/coaching’ training? This is an area in which huge gains can be made. The upside is so large because the baseline is just so low. The usual method by which students become teachers/coaches is by ‘imitation’, or perhaps ‘trial and error’; and although the ‘trial and error’ method is a time-tested one; it can be expensive and terribly inefficient. Having the skill-set is one thing; knowing how to transfer that skill-set to other person, is an entirely different thing. Just as growing vegetables on a farm is a different skill-set from that required to transport that produce to the store; which is different from selling that produce to a customer; which in turn is different from the skill set that customer needs to prepare that produce for consumption on the evening table. Despite all this; some do an okay job; some a terrible job; and a few, an excellent job. Nevertheless, there is much scope for improvement on this point .

19.01.2022 Looking forward to seeing all the kids, teens and adults this week. Just a reminder, remember to bring your masks. We take them off, once on the mats. Thanks for understanding and helping us keep up with regulations. We also have our unique QR code to sign into. See you all soon. Melissa

18.01.2022 Observational learning Numbers add up. Pun intended. But it’s also a truism. To date I have taught around 26,000 classes and over 2000 seminars. And for much of that time - I have been busy looking at the effects of my teaching/coaching models on the mat, right there in front of me.... It is important to look, then notice, then compare. When we take this approach, over time, we begin to see that different approaches to teaching (driving people through a process) can produce vastly different results. Over time, we zero-in on those methods that afford the most effective ways of driving students toward success. Just like learning - this process of zero-ing in can be likened to the way a heat-seeking missile operates hotter, colder, hotter, colder - ever-smaller incremental adjustments taking place until we hit the bullseye. Effective teaching is very much about observation and analysis - coupled with effective delivery. Then, the magic (if we can call it that) happens.

18.01.2022 Happy New Year. Just a reminder ADULT classes starting Monday 4 th Jan. You should have received your text message about times today. Due to current Covid restrictions, you have to enter with a mask and leave with one. Thanks for your cooperation. See you all soon. Melissa

18.01.2022 I cannot adequately express how happy I am to be re-opening the Redcat doors tomorrow. Although we are restricted to 20 people per class ... I think we have done a pretty good job at scheduling and getting it all sorted. I'll be there tomorrow - ready to go. I'll be easy to spot - I'll be the one with the biggest grin. See you all soon. xx

17.01.2022 I would rather be free in a dangerous world than locked up in a safe world. Off to class ... one of my happy places. PS: it's NOT all that dangerous!

17.01.2022 Busy today and tomorrow trying to call each of our members - to check mobile numbers so we can send a class-scheduling link that will give everyone an opportunity to train. So, if any members are reading this - and you have not been receiving our text messages every two weeks - you will need to contact us with your new phone number - or email so that we can send you the necessary link. NOTE: We wont be sending the links until end of this week!! Call or text Melissa on 04183...24835 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] In short, free training between now and Xmas (for MEMBERS!) We are not switching fee payments back on until January 1st. In the meantime, we're scheduling back-to-back classes each night to accomodate everyone - under the 20 participant cap. Hopefully all that will go away by years end. These classes start on November 23rd!

17.01.2022 Most of our dramas are just practice-runs I realised this pretty late in life. A slow-starter by any definition. When we face challenging times and/or situati...ons, our responses are often our ‘early’ attempts at arriving at solutions. The more ‘tries’ we have, the more likely we are to come up with ‘answers’. In fact, it has been my own experience, that all the really good stuff, usually lies on the ‘other side’ of difficulty. I first learned this on the mat - and then realised things were no different ‘out there’ in actual life. Wishing for each and every one of you - the very same realisation.

16.01.2022 Shaping your ‘unfolding’ We are all unique. Some ‘more unique’ than others, yes; but we each live within our own set of circumstances. We each have to make ch...oices with our education, in what we want to do with our lives, in who we will spend our time with, be with - or even marry. We each have to choose where we’ll live, how we’ll spend our time; in pursuit of which thing we want, which goal, trait or purpose. All of these choices interact with one another to form the tapestry of our lives. When we intersect with others, our tapestry might well improve - and with certain others it might well be damaged; but those intersections and interactions are inevitable. There’s luck involved as well; both good and bad. Lots of things are outside of our control because there are countless others weaving their own tapestries which in turn, influence the making of our own. A car accident might well be not of our doing; being at the right place at the right time, could well push us down a more wonderful path. We are surrounded by chaos. We do though, each of us, carry within ourselves something that helps us navigate this endlessly changing landscape - our ability to ‘notice’ and then to ‘decide’. Whatever this means to you - nurture it. Be aware of it. You - and the part of you that notices - are the constants in this ‘unfolding’ we call life.

15.01.2022 BJJ and Innovation . BJJ has enjoyed tremendous popularity over the past two decades. There are a number of reasons for this; the intersection of the UFC and the rise of the int net being one; the proven efficacy of BJJ in one-on-one confrontations; etc. However, I think the main reason, is something very, very different ... BJJ is unlike the traditional martial arts, and not in the obvious way (it’s a grappling/submission based art) but in a much deeper and more meaningful way - it is built on the idea of CONSTANT INNOVATION - and not ‘preservation’. Traditional martial arts are this that are concerned with ‘preservation’ - I have always likened them to ‘stamp collections’ in that way. BJJ is about relentless innovation by all stakeholders. It changes daily. It is constantly being improved, added to, developed by perhaps hundreds of thousands of people. No-one is interested in ‘freezing it’ I it’s current form and preserving it for future generations. This, I believe, is what attracts people to it; perhaps in the the same way they are attracted to the Internet/Web.

13.01.2022 Choosing your coach I think my coach and I actually chose each other. At least, thats what it feels like. Having been together 35 years now, we have become gr...eat friends. We share Jiu Jitsu, sure - but we also share adventure, and a special family-bond. The Machado brothers have always been open-minded and generous people; in fact, generous to a fault; superb mat-technicians and wonderful people. I couldn’t have hoped for better mat-mentors. Over the years, I have seen a couple of people try to take advantage of them; including one or two high-profile ‘martial artists’. Sadly, the Machado’s have had to expel a couple of these ‘narcissists’ for offences, that (if I elaborated) would shock you to the core. It is remarkable to me, that there are people among us, who place so little value on the guidance and teachings of those who set us on our path. I have always maintained, that the coach/student relationship should not only be one of mutual respect but one that, over time, should ideally evolve into a kind of collaboration. It is through collaborative effort, that real results are achieved, that relationships are strengthened, that life-long friendships are formed.

11.01.2022 As of a half hr ago, masks are now mandatory indoors, due to an outbreak in Melb, they guy has travelled all over. So sorry everyone, wear your masks inside the academy, thank you. Indoors only. Melissa

11.01.2022 Post Traumatic Growth I have long thought about this, as an abstract idea . the possibility that some people, grow and develop after experiencing ‘traumatic’ ...events. Trauma can effect people in different ways. Challenges effect people in different ways; some people rise to them, others shy away from them. People react in startlingly different ways to different things; this is part of the reason why we have progress and discovery at play in the world. The Covid pandemic offered plenty of examples of how people react in different ways to stressful events. A lot of people shut down, screamed in frustration and worse; others, created new businesses, spent more time with loved ones, etc. Again, humans react to things in different ways. I wonder whether we tend to react positively or negatively to stress and trauma is something already hard-wired into us or whether it is more just a matter of choice? I for one, like the term Post Traumatic Growth it speaks to ‘leveraging from difficulty’. Pic: One of Salvadore Dali's sculptures that we saw in Sassi/Italy. By chance, his work was being exhibited in a cave network in the ancient town of Matera - during one of our visits.

11.01.2022 Sublime art from a talented and wonderful human being ... Seymour Yang. I like him. Redcat Girl.

11.01.2022 We are back! And what a great start - so great to see everyones faces again. Once again - anyone who was a Redcat member, prior to the shutdown in March - ZERO FEES for the remainder of this year. So, if for some reason you havn't received a text from us ... make contact quickly. nearly time to throw the bag in the car and head on in!

10.01.2022 Looks like we're good to re-open in two weeks time. Classes will be limited to 20 people. So we will run White Belts on Mondays and Wednesdays - three 'back-to-back' classes to fit everyone in. Tuesday and Thursdays will see us re-start the Redcat Introductory class at 6pm - followed by two Advanced BJJ classes (again back-to back) afterward. We'll do our very best to fit everyone in. Working on it right now ... NOTE: These classes will be for CURRENT members only - newbies wanting to join may have to wait until January 5th. If numbers allow prior to that - we'll let people know via this Facebook Page! Apologies.

10.01.2022 Today, I sent out the scheduling link for our Monday and Wednesday White Belt classes, today. 36 spots are already taken - over three classes - so 24 are left. If anyone hasn't received the link - check your texts - contact melissa on 0418324835 - or email me: [email protected]. Tomorrow, I will be sending out the scheduling link for the Tuesday and Thursday Advanced BJJ classes. Very much looking forward to seeing everyone next week.

10.01.2022 Any members who havn't been receiving our fortnightly texts during the Covid shutdown ... will need to email us at [email protected] or text her on 0418324835 - and supply us with your new phone number. We will be sending out a class scheduling link at the end of this week. fees will not be switched back on until January 1st. get to training this month. We cannot wait to see you all there!!!

09.01.2022 Last class for the year tonight - and what a strange year. Already looking forward to getting back with this crew - and other classes - on January 4th. Roll on 2021! Advanced BJJ Class - 2020.

06.01.2022 At last, restrictions on class numbers have been lifted. Let's stick with our current timetable until xmas. However, if you havn't been able to schedule a class that suits - or the class you've scheduled to attend is difficult for you - just come along to whichever class best suits. White Belt BJJ classes: Mondays and Wednesdays at: 6pm - 6:45pm - 7:30pm. Advanced BJJ Classes: Tuesday and Thursdays at: 6:45pm - 7:45pm. Introductory Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays at: 6pm

05.01.2022 First night back at Redcat tonight - sooooo great to see all those wonderful faces. Three back-to-back classes - all had fun - and learned some old-school/high ...percentage BJJ. Next instalment for those same groups, on wednesday. new renovations all done ... the Academy looks good; but it's the people that make it GREAT! See more

05.01.2022 The scheduling link for all Advanced BJJ students has just been set out. There will be a choice of two classes - running back to back - on our usual Tuesdays and Thursdays. Book in now ... this will get us through to xmas. See you next week.

05.01.2022 ‘First Principles’ teaching I’ve been developing my particular teaching style for over 35 years now tempus fugit! But even though I am continually trying to... tweak and develop it, one thing has remained a constant. Although I haven’t realised it for most of that time, my first instinct was to always teach from a ‘first principles’ perspective. I cannot imagine teaching any other way. First principles are those base elements of an idea that we are left with after breaking the idea down into it’s smallest, most fundamental parts. I have always called this ‘the seed’ idea. Start with the ‘seed’ - grow the tree - roots, trunk, branches and finally the ‘fruit’. Avoid starting with the fruit. How does this work? Let’s break an idea down into it’s component parts to make sure we understand all the important elements. Then we begin the process of re-construction; being open to putting back together in a different way. Sometimes, we can re-order the components and create a better version of the thing we broke down. This is how innovation gets done!

04.01.2022 Tonights menu in the white belt classes - Triangle - paint by numbers drilling. Dessert: a couple of high percentage entries

03.01.2022 A small snippet of wednesday nights Novice BJJ c lass ... warming up with a fundamental Turtle Drill - before getting into some applications - and rolling.

03.01.2022 Sport & Art Faster, Higher, Stronger When I was a young 20-year old - I drew what is now known as a Venn diagram in an effort to illustrate the overlapping ...of sport and art. The physicality of the combat sports merging with the creative landscape of the martial arts was something that stirred my imagination. There is great scope for artistry on the combative landscape. Perhaps Achilles might have been described as part artist, part warrior - perhaps he was someone who at once valued ‘outcomes’ and ‘utility’ but strived with such beauty and precision that it elevated physical action to the realm of artistry. It doesn’t take but a moments thought to imagine a world-class ballet dancer walks a similar path. The goal of the combat athlete is victory; much like the goal of the painter might be to produce a work that evokes thought and an alternative way of ‘seeing’. Nevertheless, a shared truth of both is that they each must embody the ‘process’ rather than the ‘end’ in itself; for that is where the discovery and the exploration are to be found. Where sport, or combat, edges toward artistry is a magical place a place we might, as mere mortals, catch a glimpse of every now and then.

02.01.2022 Hi Everyone .... well, after the most difficult year ever - it seems we have finally been given the green light for 'restricted' operations (maximum of 20 people per class) beginning on Monday November 23rd! Big thanks to everyone who offered to support us through this 8 month closure - but we stand by the decision we made, to cancel everyones fees back in March. We just didn't feel right about taking fees if we couldn't deliver in our usual style. Further, to help all of o...ur students (to the small extent that we can) all training - for current Adult Redcat members - will be at ZERO cost for the remainder of 2020. I have set up a 'scheduling solution’ that will see us through to Xmas.. All members will receive a link via text or email, that will allow them to secure their spot in either a White belt class (three per night - Mon & Wed) ... an advanced class (two per night - Tues & Thurs) ... or the Introductory class (Tues & Thurs). Note: these classes are ONLY for those who were already REDCAT members! This is mildly 'awkward' but it should at least give everyone a chance to train. Again, no fees for 2020! This arrangement should get us through the last bit of November and the three weeks of December leading up to Xmas - and all being well, we shall be back to our usual format from the beginning of January. See more

02.01.2022 Gunning up in 2021 Start the year right. Invest in your fitness - start a regular exercise regime. (I recommend BJJ) Invest in your mental health - do something... every day that makes you feel fulfilled. Accomplishing things small things, medium things or huge things - gives you boost in mental health. Get shite done! Regularly. Invest in your future - pay off any credit card debts first and foremost; after that, start saving; even small amounts but make it a regular thing. In time, it will grow; then re-invest; this is the way to buy yourself more options in life. Invest in your friends and family - the most valuable thing you can give to anyone, is your time and attention. Don’t squander it, make it count. Invest in skill acquisition - develop a skill, then build on it. Foundations first, then take it to the next level; then the next. If it’s a skill other people place a high value on, you might even make a living doing it. Invest in adventure - do something you wouldn’t normally do. When life takes an unexpected turn, figure out a way to make the most of it. That’s what ‘adventure’ is; taking a trail that you’ve never taken before and bending it to your will. 2021 will be a great year I feel it.

01.01.2022 Micro-losing Micro-losing is how we ‘zero in’ on the target! Small losses are how we learn to make course-corrections I first heard this from a guy called R...obert Kyosaki - who I spent a few weeks with way back in the late 80’s. Interesting guy! (I’ll summarise the other things I learned from him in another post). Micro-losing is like a game of ‘hot or cold’ (where we zero in on a target based on verbal cues from someone). When we learn new stuff, we are in a way, always playing this game. Instead of hot or cold, we are playing ‘success or fail’. The key here is that the ‘losses’ should be small enough to recover from without taking too much damage!! The practise of BJJ is a great tool for immunising ourselves against ‘loss’. No-one NO-ONE steps onto the mat, and always wins. Losses are a part of that landscape. We quickly come to learn that these losses are in fact, our real lessons. They represent the ‘cold’ in the game of ‘hot or cold’; they are how we slowly ‘zero-in’ on success (the heat). As Robert Kyosaki once told me - we are ‘heat seeking missiles’ - we need bounce off the ‘cold’ to ‘zero-in’ on the heat. Micro losses my friends - micro losses! Not catastrophic losses! But, not zero losses either!

01.01.2022 Some of the art from Meerkatsu ... for the Redcat Crew.