Russell –Actor, 32
“I started training Jiu-Jitsu with Josh Griffiths about a year ago as a way to get out of the house and do something active. It turned out to be one of the best things I have done for myself in a very long time. I have so much fun training at with everyone at Clockwork BJJ that I have to force myself to take a day off sometimes to rest. I’m 32 and I am in the best shape that I have ever been in.

While I’m training I am not thinking about work, money, or anything else that steals my focus throughout the day. I am totally in the moment and that alone is a wonderful gift to give yourself. The instruction you get at Clockwork BJJ is second to none. Not only is Josh an elite level Jiu-Jitsu player he is a phenomenal instructor. He has an ability to explain and impart technique in a way that helps you understand and apply what you learn so the rate of progression is quick. I started out with no prior grappling experience at all and I am very happy with how much I have learned in 1 year. Another very important thing for me is the positive atmosphere at Clockwork BJJ, everyone is having fun and enjoying themselves while learning a very cool sport. We train hard, but we have a good time and a few laughs while doing it.”

Allen – Teacher, 54
“Training in BJJ with coach Josh is why I go to bed early the night before. I can’t wait to wake up before the rest of the world and train. I own that time together with highly dedicated dudes who share the same passion for BJJ with a great coach. Josh makes the learning environment professional, sequential and really fun by the music and jokes that fly around at key times. Josh breakes down a very complicated proven system of fighting, and works each move in the proper order. Sort of like building an estate in South Hampton where by you spend considerable time maping out the layout and figuring out what gets built first. We learn how to work the set up first before attempting a submission. Coach Josh uses contemporary concepts to help remember the moves. Names like “I-95″ and the “GoGetta.” Thanks Josh for being You. Spin.”

Sebastian – Actor, 27
“As an actor you learn all sorts of “Superman” exercises designed to build confidence and impress the people your going to audition for. There are breathing methods, visualizations, and auto suggestion. The theory is that when you feel like a superman, other people pick up on it and will be impressed. For me, these methods had merit, but I needed something a bit more grounded in reality. I tried a variety of martial arts and sports, but the one I was most drawn to was Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is something that teaches you to deal with reality. It teaches you a positional hierarchy that is applicable to real life. You learn what are good positions and what are bad positions. You learn how to get out of bad positions and turn them into good positions. You learn to deal with stress, fatigue, and being disoriented. These are all things that come into play when your on stage in front of an audience and the material falls flat, or when your on a set for 17 hours running on empty, and you have to make the shot work.

When you’re first viewing Jiu Jitsu in action, it may seem messy. Gradually, things become clearer. You see the various positions and techniques, the fluid transitions taking place. You understand there is a method, and there are definite results for specific actions. This is something that comes with being coached well. Although I’ve trained with a lot of memorable people, I haven’t had a teacher like Josh Griffiths. His ability to break down moves into simple terms one can learn quickly and thoroughly along with his teaching of underlying concepts have brought me a whole new understanding of this sport/martial art. You combine that with a highly positive attitude that extends to each student there, and you just don’t want to stop training.

After learning to be able to think clearly and calmly under the stress of a Jiu Jitsu match, where another man is trying his best to put you in a bad position and choke or lock you, an audition is easy. I have no care for the director who makes a snide comment, or someone who says “your just not right”. The strange thing is though, since studying at Clockwork BJJ, I do not encounter these things much. There’s a confidence that comes with the training, and people can feel that.”

Brendan Bolton-Klinger

When I got home from my honeymoon, I was  a happily married but never-
before-in-my-life-been-but-now-I-am-fat guy. I decided I wanted to do some regular form of exercise, not only to get back in shape, but also for fun and to add a level of balance to my life. My search ended when I found Clockwork Jiu Jitsu.

My training partners are awesome and it’s a really fun environment. (I tell my wife that it’s my “clubhouse”). Josh is not only a skilled black belt, he is also an open-minded and thoughtful instructor, who possesses an innate knack for teaching.

In my opinion, BJJ is notable different from other “martial arts” in three major ways:

1. 1 -  It’s lack of doctrine. The environment is determined almost entirely by the student body. At Clockwork Jiu Jitsu, you will not find thugs who aspire to be the next MMA superstar. Everyone is friendly, generous, and fun. There are no egos here, just friends who want to help each other improve.
2. BJJ has no formal curriculum or consistency in the way it is taught. This makes if very hard to learn if your instructor doesn’t figure out some way to organize the material into a meaningful structure. Fortunately, Josh is a very thoughtful teacher and presents the material in an intuitive and logical fashion, which makes it easier for us to learn and helps us to improve without frustration.
3. BJJ is very thoughtful, like chess. It is exciting to learn and the more you learn, the richer it becomes as more nuances and possiblities are revealed to you.

By the way, I am in the best shape I have ever been in my entire life. When you start, you’ll quickly learn that it’s serious cardio, but 2 months in, you’ll be used to it and you’ll never look back.