Malachy Friedman

Coach, Business Owner, and Eventually Disappointed

[Malachy Friedman @MalachyFriedman]

I gave to them. I have never been one to be able to compartmentalize relationships. Growing up, I always invested emotionally in my friends and family. Once I invest in a student, I never quit on them. They may drift away, but they never leave me

[Malachy Friedman @MalachyFriedman]

I am sad that I am no longer a part of their life journey more so than just their martial arts journey. I am not sure how other coaches handle it, but for me that feeling lasts forever. If later, I happen to see them on social media, I still connect with that part of myself that

[Malachy Friedman @MalachyFriedman]

overconfident wrong. I wonder if my fighters who look to me for tough love as they put their egos on the line time and time again know they have my real love and respect.

I will lose students to baseball, golf, getting married, having kids and each time, each one affects me.

[Malachy Friedman @MalachyFriedman]

watch adult students arrive overconfident in their strength, only to be humbled by smaller opponents who control them easily, and think now they can be receptive to what I can teach them. I hope they develop the same passion I have for the sport and get pretty good at proving the

[Malachy Friedman @MalachyFriedman]

understand the techniques as well as the invisible parts of a match. When my students lose, I feel the loss. This goes for adults and kids. They lose and my stomach drops because I know how much they wanted to perform well, and what they did to put it out there.

[Malachy Friedman @MalachyFriedman]

and use their Jiu-Jitsu self-assuredly to control a stronger, wilder new student. These are big wins for me because I know what Jiu-Jitsu has given them and that they can handle themselves when I am not there.

For child athletes on my team, I am meticulous at making sure they

[Malachy Friedman @MalachyFriedman]

Having a 4-year-old use real techniques during live training is a spectacular sight.

I have seen shy, sweet, unathletic little boys and girls develop advanced athleticism for their age. I have seen them grow in confidence because they have learned to “find the calm in the chaos

[Malachy Friedman @MalachyFriedman]

It is a joy to see the very kids who once couldn’t step on the mats without crying, learning techniques and applying them in academy matches. I love to hear the cheers rain down from the parents who witnessed their progress and know it wasn't easy for them. Jiu-Jitsu is difficul

[Malachy Friedman @MalachyFriedman]

I know that every student will not become a world champion, but I am preparing them for what will be their championship moment.

I have trained very young children - not far removed from taking their first steps - in martial arts.

[Malachy Friedman @MalachyFriedman]

The Students I Will Lose

I take every student very seriously. The reason being is that I take my martial arts knowledge very seriously. In my way of thinking, every student has limitless potential, so I invest a great deal of effort into each one.