photo by @Nathaliasantorobjj
It hasn’t been that long since Gordon Ryan skyrocketed to fame. It seems like just yesterday he stunned everyone winning EBI 6 Absolute and besting some impressive grapplers.
Still many don’t buy into the hype and question his ability given that he’s mostly proven his name in several variations of the submission only movement.
But one person who is certified and a believer to boot is Keenan Cornelius. The representative of the new generation of grapplers has spent quite a few days training with the Ryan brothers on the west coast and during that period explained just what makes them so unique in his opinion.
Here’s how bjj prodigy Keenan Cornelius explains what makes them special:
Outliers: certain people in the world are afforded opportunities beyond what is normally available. Pre-existing environmental situations that can seem to be working togethor to boost someone towards their goal or chosen path.
Supportive parents, early exposure to the art or sport, living near a wealth of knowledge of the craft, people around this person who can financially aid their progress. These things are rare to collaborate. Individually they are strong factors in success, however when they combine, the results are undeniable. A dice roll of birth.
Genetic predisposition to Jiujitsu, flexibility, strength, a brain that can accurately assess the infinitely complex physics occurring between two bodies in combat. Really really cool looking hair. Even still, this is not enough! Many people are born into these exact situations, yet they do not find success! Why?
Because the most important ingredient in this joint ripping cocktail of being a good grappler. Or good at anything, is this…
Desire. Desire to reach these self imposed goals, no they are more than goals, they are requirements, for someone of these circumstances would be a fool to simply set these goals without achieving them. The very idea that they may not be successful does not enter the outliers mind, for if it did they would not be as such..Desire to work hard is not enough. You must have the opportunity to work hard. That is what an outlier is.
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