Sometimes you find yourself in the tropical paradise of Costa Rica, training jiu jitsu and spending time with close friends. These are some of my favorite trips, and I always enjoy sitting down and picking the brains of experts in their fields. As usual, we covered much more than just jiu jitsu, as these conversations often span life in general, and business. We definitely spent some time unpacking and discussing the recent multi-million dollar injury award to a white belt jiu jitsu student, and the potential impact on jiu jitsu academies worldwide.

Henry Akins began training in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in 1995 at the Rickson Gracie Acadamy on Pico blvd in West LA. Shortly after he started he became the secretary at the acadamy and was spending 70 hours a week there watching and participating in all of the classes. In 1997 the school moved to the Pacific Palisades where Henry trained and assisted main Instructor Luis Heredia and also participated and trained in all of the classes taught by Rickson. In Feb of 2004, because of his persistence and dedication to the fundamentals and philosophies of Jiu-Jitsu, Rickson Gracie presented Henry with a blackbelt, being only the third American at the time to receive that honor.

Dan Hart is a Henry Akins blackbelt and owner of Alpha BJJ in Woodstock, IL. In addition to coaching both at his academy and seminars all over the world he is also an accomplished restauranteur and entrepreneur.

The link to Henry's upcoming Sedona Seminar

https://www.hiddenjiujitsucamps.com/cottonwood-sedona-az

The link to Dan and Leah's upcoming seminar in Ireland:

https://www.wetravel.com/trips/pilgrim-ireland-pilgrim-jiujitsu-ballycastle-87008723

Fridays From Costa Rica with Dan Hart and Henry Akins