How Jiu-Jitsu Made Me More Focused and Eager To Take On New Challenges | Eric's Story

    Submission Shark Community | Instagram: @han__brolo1224

     Eric Norris Picture

    Belt Colour: Blue 

    Professor: Omar Cruickshack / Troy Chamberlain

    Short Term Goals: To be established as a competitor and innovator in the art of jiu-jitsu 

    Submission Shark:

    Eric is someone that turned a negative diagnosis into a form of motivation. He is a great example of how no matter what life deals you, you can still strive to be your best and achieve wonderful things in life. His intellect is matched by his superior athleticism and his work ethic should not be ignored. Check out his whole story to learn how living a healthy lifestyle can support a martial artist's ambition. There's also a hilarious Black Panther parody at the bottom that you don't want to miss :)

     

    How long have you been doing jiu-jitsu for?

    3 years. 

    Where do you train out of?

    Jiu-Jitsu Training

    Philadelphia / Crush Crew Jiu Jitsu

    Do you prefer the gi or no-gi?

    I prefer No-Gi.

     

     

    Have your instructors helped you in other aspects of life other than jiu-jitsu?

    Yes, they have helped me by encouraging me to take my passion in the gym into my everyday life and endeavors.

     

    What are some lessons you learned from jiu-jitsu that applies to everyday life?

    Don't give up there is always a way to win you are never really losing even in the worst positions. 

    How often do you train?

    3-4 times per week.

    What made you want to start training?

    I was diagnosed with kidney disease and needed some motivation to train my mind and body to endure and be strong while enjoying myself. 

    Do you plan on training your whole life?

    Yes, the learning will never end so I will keep training.

    What’s it about jiu-jitsu that makes it so addicting?

    There are thousands of ways to do get to where you are going you can never attain perfection because the ceiling is always raising and shapeshifting. 

    What has jiu-jitsu done for your physical health?

    Eric Norris Training

    I went from being overweight with dangerous blood pressure levels to be a part-time Yogi that is hardly sick and stronger and more confident than I knew I could be. 

    Has jiu-jitsu benefited your mental health?

    Yes from the confidence boost to my overall outlook on the possibilities life holds. 

    If you could restart your jiu-jitsu journey, would you do anything different?

    I would train more often and study the greats earlier so I can develop my own style as I learn. 

    What’s your advice for someone that’s never tried jiu-jitsu before but is interested in trying it?

    It's a lifestyle that affects every aspect of your world, you will start and wonder why you didn't start sooner, most schools offer a trial period so come learn to meet some cool people.

    Healthy Food Eric Norris Jiu-Jitsu

     

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    Roll Tide!!! Quick roll session groundhog #grapplingnation

    A post shared by Eric Norris (@han__brolo1224) on

     

    Do you have any aspirations in jiu-jitsu?

    Yes to become a competitor at worlds and to one day be a respected instructor.

    What’s your favorite move?

    The Heelhook 

    If you didn’t discover jiu-jitsu, where do you think you’d be now?

    I would be living casually with no sense of achievement and no drive to progress daily.

    Would you like to see the sport become more mainstream?

    Eric Norris Jiu-Jitsu

    Absolutely I want more people to appreciate the art form 

    Have any of your training partners pushed you to reach your full potential?

    Definitely!! my partners push me daily they are always getting better so I have to do the same or get left behind. 

     

    MMA Training

    What makes you want to inspire and motivate others? 

    I didn't always believe in my own capabilities and through training and learning I realized how easy it was to gain this positive spirit and I feel like it's needed right now in the world. 

     Eric Norris Jiu-Jitsu

    I'm asked how can I show the youth anything and I tell people I've failed more than they have tried 

     

    Was there a difficult moment in your life where jiu-jitsu helped you get through it? If so, please explain.

    Yes when I lost a job that was supposed to catapult me into the life I thought I wanted I was surrounded by people I respected but once I lost that position I was alone no one had my back all I had was my own strength and merit and in the gym I was a beast that brimmed with potential and innovation it made me feel confident that no matter what I would be a man I would be proud to look at in the mirror.
     

    What would you tell someone that is on the verge of giving up on their goals?

    Keep driving your failures are pale shadows that cover up the fact that success is within arms reach of the people that stay consistent primarily when things get hard and others have walked away.
    Eric Norris Picture
    Never let anyone measure you by the yardstick of their limitations
     

    How has having kidney disease affected your life and what did you do get it under control?

    My life changed for the better I'm up against one of the world's top 5 killers, but instead of running I faced it head on changed my diet and exercise habits to crush the symptoms of my sickness most people don't even know I'm afflicted.
     

    What advice would you tell someone that has a disease/disability and is having troubles finding the motivation to live life to the fullest?

    Your struggles are all illusions find your weaknesses understand them and make them strengths so no one can use them against you, and so that you will never use them as excuses your challenges are opportunities for growth, a test of how far you are willing to go to be great and happy. 
     

    How has Jiu-Jitsu changed your life and what are your thoughts on other's sharing their experiences from this art?

    It has made me significantly more focused and eager to take on new challenges. Jiu-jitsu had revealed how truly small my problems were. When you are facing world class wrestlers and grapplers what is a cold, what is sleepy, what is a little pain but a small nuisance.
     

    Do you have any advice for someone that wants to live a healthier lifestyle but doesn't know where to start?

    Break your journey into segments and attack each one a little bit every week 
    ✅ Diet 
    ✅ Exercise 
    ✅ Mentality 
    ✅ Spirituality 
     
     Healthy Food

    Eric NorrisEric Norris

    Submission Shark Community

    Check out this awesome story from another practitioner!

     

    When the journey is over, how would you like to be remembered?

    As a practitioner that exuded absolute confidence and infected the others around him with the same confidence, as a man that never surrendered no matter the odds or the size of the problem.
    Eric Norris
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