E152: Henry Halford - Blue Belt - JIU JITSU LOU | Lyssna här

Henry Halford joins the JIU JITSU LOU Podcast to talk competition, community, leg locks, travelling through Jiu Jitsu and why he wants to help more young people find their place on the mats.

After starting with Muay Thai and moving into MMA, Henry discovered that getting punched in his “pretty boy face” wasn't for him and fell in love with grappling instead.

Now training at 13th Dimension BJJ in Greater Manchester, Henry has become an active competitor. We talk about his experience at POME RAW, where he submitted five of his six opponents before reaching the semi-finals, leading to an opportunity with POME.

But competition for Henry isn't simply about winning.

Ten members of 13th Dimension recently travelled together to compete at Grappling Industries Berlin, collectively achieving 36 wins. Henry took gold, but what really comes through is his appreciation of the experience around competition - travelling with teammates, testing his Jiu Jitsu and creating memories with friends.

We talk about reframing competition nerves as gratitude. Henry recognises that being healthy enough to train and compete isn't something any of us can take for granted. Instead of worrying about what might go wrong, he approaches competition as problem solving and an opportunity to test what he's been learning.

That sense of gratitude extends to the community he's found through Jiu Jitsu. Henry talks openly about loneliness amongst younger people and the lack of places where adults naturally meet, socialise and build new friendships. For him, Jiu Jitsu has filled that space - many of his closest friends have come from the mats, and he's now introduced his brother to training too.

We also get technical, exploring Henry's No Gi game, bolos, ankle locks and leg lock safety. Despite considering himself very much a No Gi grappler, Henry recently entered his first Gi competition and ankle locked his way to gold.

Looking ahead, Henry wants to continue competing, build his own profile and ultimately use Jiu Jitsu to bring people together. Whether that's through coaching, an academy or an online community, he wants to give other people some of what Jiu Jitsu has given him.

And ultimately, this episode is a reminder to enjoy the opportunity we have right now. Train, compete, travel, learn, make friends and appreciate what our bodies allow us to do.

We won't always have the same opportunities - so while they're here, make the most of them.

Topics:

• 13th Dimension BJJ

• Starting Jiu Jitsu

• Muay Thai and MMA

• POME RAW

• Competition

• Grappling Industries Berlin

• Competing abroad

• Gratitude

• Competition nerves

• Problem solving