There are some great ideas here by Jitsmag both about the problems facing the sport and what to do about it. Most flashy promotions today in the sport appeal to those that currently train and or study the history of it, and the important thing is to spread it to new people. I love the idea Jitsmag lists of a fun travel show that follows someone around. I would personally nominate JT Torres, Keenan Cornelius, or AJ Agazarm. They're all PR-polished, funny, charismatic young men that travel the world quite a bit. If it were one of the first two, no doubt Angelica Galvao would be shown as well at the Atos San Diego academy and be a perfect, very strong feminine complement. Another option would be Christian Gaugart, author of the book Jiu Jitsu Globetrotter. It's a nice quick read if anyone wants to look it up on Amazon. Here's a couple more ideas for spreading the love for BJJ to people that aren't already in the sport. 1. A series on self defense that follows a beginner for 6 months. Comparing video of them from the start to the end would inevitably show a different person - calmer, more composed, fitter, and more confident. I would like a second side storyline showing a woman taking a one day self defense class where they come back the very next day and see what they remember. I would be shocked if it was 1/10 retention. People need to know that physical activities must be practiced regularly in order to really learn anything. We at Gracie Philadelphia (phlselfdefense.com) are still trying to figure out how to drive this home enough to get the women in our monthly free self defense class back more often. 2. Another documentary or series option would be to go to a few different styles of gyms - sport focused ones and self defense focused ones. It would be good for both sides to see the other. We tend to get very narrow minded in scope even as practitioners and tit for tat about what is better. They are not exclusive. The body mechanics in one apply to the other. "Sport" people would do well to remember that the reason we have Jiu Jitsu at all is for self defense. "Self defense" people would do well to realize that they are not so different and that the intensity of competition-style training and competing works to evolve everything. 3. There are so many Jiu Jitsu organizations doing great work with at-risk youth already. Brazil 021 and Vector Jiu Jitsu are two off the top of my head. There must be so many wonderful stories ripe for plucking and promoting out there. Aside: I've thought for years that a great Jiu Jitsu ad would go something like this: Quick cut scenes from a fast paced and sweaty train - really close shots, lots of movement, chokes, escapes, etc. Then cuts to a hand opening a conference room door handle. Sound overlay throughout includes calm steady breathing and the words, "if I can stay calm here [training scene], why would I worry about here [door opens to people seated at conference table]?" Not that Jiu Jitsu = CEO, but if you can stay calm at lightning speeds when someone is trying to choke you and "break your arms", you have to carry some of that out into the world with you. It gives perspective. tomcallos jitsmag
