But first, back up with me a little.
I figured I had climbed to the top of the Combatives class when I was asked to be demo partner and to help other students, like in the days of old. My final clue that maybe I might just possibly be the highest belt was when Instructor said, “You’re the highest belt.”
Sometimes it’s difficult to read that man. Just say what you mean, already!
But when this realization dawned on me, I had an “Oh my goodness, I did it” moment.
I thought back to my last encounter with the fabled Chex Mix Guy, known to long-time readers here. When I saw him while wearing my stylish medical support boot and explained my Jiu-Jitsu fall from grace, he encouraged me, saying, “That gives you a goal to aim for. Work your way back to the top.”
It was a year later when I returned to Jiu-Jitsu, and several more months before I reached that objective, but wherever CMG is now, I thank him for the encouragement. I wish I could tell him I made it.

And so, after reaching the peak, I was about to enter the base camp of yet another mountain to climb.








“What you got last time should last you a few months.”