Did you know jiu-jitsu and skateboarding have a lot in common?

In both sports, the presence of flow and attention is extremely important, as well as control over where your attention and focus is. Lose it and you can get injured.

In the jiu-jitsu culture, many are also into boarding sports, like skateboarding, snowboarding, and surfing.
Kron Gracie, the grandson of Hélio Gracie, is one of them. Skateboarding was his first love, but when your family is the first family of jiu-jitsu, the ties that bind are strong. He is well-known in both the skateboarding and the jiu-jitsu communities.

OAMA instructor Kyle Spanton is one of those who are passionate about both sports. He sat down recently with Professor Matt “Hammer” Hache to talk about his love of both. Watch the full podcast interview by clicking below:

Kyle credits BJJ “with giving him the tools to handle stress, spaciousness, and a sense of everything is going to be ok. We are all strong enough to get through any challenge we have in front of us. Keeping perspective and an open positive attitude, and we can get through anything.”

He also teaches OAMA’s children’s programs. His positivity, smile and energy are contagious! Kyle says “positivity goes hand in hand with attention. If I bring my full attention, especially working with kids, it’s hard to be grumpy. They just want to have fun, so do I, so I create an environment to achieve that.”

Kyle recently competed at the IBJJF American Nationals in Texas. His first match ended in a win with a submission in the first few seconds!

Here’s a highlight video of Kyle at IBJJF, as well as OAMA’s other instructors who competed this month. His flexibility is unmatched! Click on the image below: