Inglorious Grapplers

08/01/2026

You’re allowed to share before you’re an expert.

Let’s tackle a big myth: You have to be a certified Professor in BJJ before you’re allowed to show someone what you know.

“Who am I to demonstrate this? I’m not a coach.”

But here’s the truth: Sharing a technique with a partner isn’t about claiming authority. It’s about collaboration. It’s about working through the puzzle together, articulating what you understand, and brainstorming the gaps. That very process solidifies your own grasp and opens the door for their insight to improve your understanding. This is how we all grow.

Why This Matters: Waiting until you feel like a "perfect expert" doesn't just delay your own growth—it delays visibility, connection, and the momentum that comes from building a community around your journey. Your current knowledge has value right now.

Legendary basketball coach Phil Jackson understood the power of collective learning:
“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.”

Your willingness to share—even as a student—strengthens your entire training circle. You learn by teaching. You refine by explaining.

Drop the credential checklist. Pick up the collaborative spirit. What you know today is worth sharing.

01/01/2026

What consistency unlocked for me this year wasn't a sudden breakthrough. It was a quiet, compounding truth.

I used to chase motivation. Now, I build discipline. Showing up steadily—especially on the days I didn't want to—taught me more than any single perfect session ever could.

It helped me understand my creative patterns: when my mind is sharpest for new ideas, when my body needs to move intuitively versus technically, and that the "bad" days often lay the groundwork for the best insights. Consistency built a map of my own potential.

This steady showing up created a foundation so solid that creativity wasn't a fleeting spark, but a reliable resource I could tap into.

Mike Tyson said it perfectly:
“Discipline is doing what you hate to do, but doing it like you love it.”

That’s the secret. You do it anyway. And in doing it anyway, you build something unshakeable.

Refining for 2026: With this foundation locked in, my focus shifts to quality over quantity. It’s about smarter consistency—listening closer to what each session needs, refining the subtle techniques, and allowing more strategic recovery so every showing-up counts even more.

The magic isn't in the grand gesture. It's in the grand repetition.

29/12/2025

"My biggest mindset shift this year in my chosen sport..BJJ"

My biggest mindset shift this year in my sport wasn’t about a new technique or a harder training plan. It was a simple, radical permission slip I gave myself.

What changed?

Old Mindset: “I have to earn this. I must balance everything perfectly, and my commitment is a luxury that inconveniences others. Rest is laziness. Saying ‘no’ to others to say ‘yes’ to training is selfish.”

New Mindset: “Protecting my time, my body, and my passion isn’t selfish—it’s essential. This commitment is the core of my well-being, not an add-on to it. When I am full, I can truly show up—in my sport and for the people I care about.”

Letting go of the guilt didn’t make me isolated; it made me intentional. It unlocked a new level of creativity because I stopped seeing training as a rigid obligation and started seeing it as my space to explore, play, and grow. The energy I once spent feeling guilty got redirected into purposeful, joyful practice.

As Michael Jordan once said:
“The game has its ups and downs, but you can never lose focus of your individual goals and you can’t let yourself be beat because of lack of effort.”

This year, I learned that “effort” includes the effort to prioritize yourself without apology. Here’s to being selfish about our health, our passion, and our growth.

21/12/2025

Commitment to Sport: The Silent Force
This sport isn’t just something I do.
It’s something I am.

Commitment isn’t about being perfect every day.
It’s about showing up, even when you don’t want to. It’s the early mornings, the extra reps, and the relentless drive to improve when no one is watching.

That spirit of commitment is what makes our family so special.

Thank you to every single member for your dedication—not just to the team, but to each other and to the art of Jiu-Jitsu itself. We grow because we push each other. We succeed because we lift each other up.

Every practice, every setback, every small victory is a brick in the foundation of something bigger.

Stay consistent. Trust the process. Honor your choice.

What are you committing to today?

27/01/2025

Affan Khan is a highly experienced and passionate Thai Boxing coach, dedicated to guiding students of all levels on their Muay Thai journey. With a deep understanding of the sport and a focus on technique, fitness, and discipline.







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20/01/2025

Work from the Mat!!Take advantage of the NEW co-working space with your BJJ membership!
As an IG / Eight Core or Eight Club member, you enjoy full access to Eight Works. Log into your member portal to easily book communal or individual desks, two podcast studios, Zoom pods, and meeting rooms.
Not a member yet? Sign up for Eight Works today, or opt for a combined membership with Eight Core Gym to elevate your work-life balance.
https://mailchi.mp/356f22331083/work-from-the-mat-ig-and-co-working-time-table-change

17/01/2025

Adham, a BJJ Blackbelt and dedicated coach at Inglorious Grapplers, is based at Eight Core Gym in Moorgate, London.

In this episode, he shares his journey into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, from humble beginnings to achieving his black belt. Adham also offers invaluable advice for beginners entering the sport, emphasizing the mindset, discipline, and techniques that lay the foundation for success in BJJ.

A must-listen for anyone looking to start or grow in the art of Jiu-Jitsu!

12/01/2025

Liam Nolan is a distinguished British Muay Thai fighter known for his exceptional skills and achievements in the sport. Competing under the ONE Championship banner, Nolan has established himself as a formidable athlete in the world of Muay Thai. With an impressive professional record of 22 wins, including 15 victories by knockout or technical knockout, he demonstrates his power and precision in the ring.

In addition to his fighting career, Liam Nolan is the reigning WBC Muay Thai World Middleweight Champion, a title that signifies his elite status in the discipline. Beyond competition, he contributes to the growth and development of Muay Thai as the Head Muay Thai Coach at Eight Core, where he mentors and trains aspiring fighters, sharing his expertise and passion for the sport.

Join Liam Nolan for an Exclusive Muay Thai Seminar!

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn from Liam Nolan, the WBC Muay Thai World Middleweight Champion and ONE Championship competitor. Renowned for his technical precision and thrilling fights, Liam is sharing his wealth of experience and expertise in this dynamic seminar.

Whether you're a beginner aiming to elevate your skills or an advanced practitioner refining your techniques, this session offers valuable insights and practical training tips to help you level up your Muay Thai game.

🗓 Date: Saturday, 25th January
⏰ Time: 2 PM – 4 PM
📍 Location: Eight Core Gym, EC2A 4EX
🎟 Tickets: £50 per person

Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today! Train hard, fight smart, and take your Muay Thai to the next level.

23/05/2024

23/05/2024

Mat time

06/05/2024

Congratulations to all that competed in the English Open yesterday