Since leaving the Marines, exercise routines, even with a personal trainer, have always been sporadic and short term endeavors. Sadly, exercise for the sake of good health is not enough motivation to keep me interested for longer than a couple of months. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Roberto Traven, however, has been unbelievably addicting and great exercise.

Motivational, every session keeps me interested because I am actually learning from and competing with my peers. Physically, Traven’s classes are incredibly well rounded and difficult. Without doubt, Traven’s classes are the best exercise I have had since I was a Marine recruit. Socially, the people I train with are now good friends and everybody, including Traven, is totally accessible without the need for senseless bowing and titles. In almost two years I have yet to leave a session feeling anything other than exhilaration and near total exhaustion.

-Scott Bonder