Jacksonville, FL - Mentality Martial Arts 


"I'll be there in five," says Mikey. 


"All good, I'll wait for you in the parking lot before heading in. I'll get some B-roll footage until you get here," I reply. 


I step out of my Jeep and take in the area. I've seen this parking lot so many times driving out to the Grappler office, but it still feels like alien land to me now that I’m standing in the middle of it. I start to sort my camera gear when a lingering smell creeps up my nostrils. Almost instantly my stomach speaks to me, my mouth begins to water, and at that moment, I’m transported back to Southeast Asia. 




Saigon, Vietnam 


The streets of Saigon are alive and buzzing. Tuk-tuk taxis carrying drunk westerns light up the streets in a neon glow. If you think you're safe walking on the sidewalk, shit, think again. That's another road, my dude. 

Thanks to the fun rounds previously at Lute Riva Saigon, my fast twitch muscles are still firing. My hips move and groove like a bullfighter in Spain as motorcyclists fly by from all different directions. Just up ahead I see an opening in the wall. Turns out that’s an alleyway. (I love exploring alleyways in Asia. Thinking about it, lots of my Asian stories could have an alleyway in it. It’s how I met ol’ TK). 

I dart and hop like Frogger to escape this real-life Nintendo game and make a hard left in the alleyway. Instantly I notice how much louder it is here. It's narrow and long, and dark, kinda creepy, but my inner Indiana Jones is drawn toward a warm glowing light in the distance. 




I feel like I'm walking where most tourists don't as my surroundings start to become that of the real Saigon and not tourist Saigon: men gambling and drinking whiskey, children peeping their heads through the unique French-Asian architecture. Then, like an invisible wave floating through the night, a savory aroma finds my nostrils. My pupils enlarge, my stomach melts, and the munchies take control. I'm hit with a golden light and energy to match. 

I have just stumbled into a local night market and it’s bustling, alive and moving. Fresh Pho is being served and sandwiches are sliced and sold. I'll never forget how that food market PowerSlapped me in the face that night. 


Jacksonville, FL - Mentality Martial Arts 


Before I get too lost in that memory, Mikey pulls up, and I’m right back in the parking lot again.


"Yo, what's up, man. That pho-jawn next door smells so good," he says as he gathers his things from his truck.


"Ohh, yeah" I reply with my best Matthew McConaughey impression. 


With my camera gear in one hand and Grappler merch in the other, we make our way toward the big glowing purple sign which reads: JIU JITSU. The perfect Bat Signal for any grappler. 




Walking through the doors, I can't help but take in the mat space. A gym with decent mat space is like paddling out to a surf break with fun waves. So much room to get lost in the art. We find some chairs to place our things on when members walk up to greet and welcome us to their gym.


"Hey! I'm John. Welcome to Mentality Martial Arts."


John Bearce's energy speaks for him. He's probably one of the chillest dudes I've met while doing Drop INs for Grappler. John's Jiu Jitsu journey started here in Jacksonville at The Training Yard before opening Mentality. His movement and understanding of the basics is apparent in all his students.  


"I'm Rome and this is Mikey. By the way, I love the sign. It's been drawing me in like a bug to a blue light."


"Yea, we wanted our whole name up there, but all of those letters add up, so I thought this was easier and more to the point," John says with a chuckle. 


"Well, it's been grabbing our attention every drive to the office," I admit. Mikey nods in agreement. 




As the hands on the clock got closer to 7PM, the mat grows full with students. With his blue belt wrapped around his waist, Mikey is ready for tonight’s class. Besides being a dude who's stoked on the lifestyle, he's a good ambassador for the art, the sport, Grappler as a business, and for his own brand Grapple Gorilla. 

The clock struck 7PM and like clockwork the class begins. John has everyone line up by rank, gives a brief intro to who we are, and then jumps into warm ups. 

With a light sweat now established, and a mat full of eyes locked on John, he’s ready to teach tonight's technique: the over-wrap. 

The over-wrap position is a great way to attack your partner's arm and/or really frustrate their posture. It was one of the first techniques I learned and is still one of my go-to techniques when in closed guard. John's hours spent on the mat can be seen with every step. He's a master of his craft.  




As I make my way around the mat looking for the best angles to shoot from, I hear my name being called. 


"Yo, Rome!" screams Mikey from across the mat. "Come interview this dude. He's the most interesting training partner I've met."


"What's up little dude, I'm Rome. Hope you don't mind me pointing a camera in your face," I say to break the ice.


"It doesn't bother me. My name is Titus."




GrapplerMag: What's up Titus? We have a few questions if you don't mind.

Titus: Sure.

GM: Where are you from?

T: Costa Rica. 

GM: Nice. Do you surf?

T: I did when I was in Hawaii.

GM: That's awesome. What's your color?

T: Brown.

GM: Favorite food?

T: Ceviche. 

GM: Favorite UFC fighter?

T: Jorge Masvidal.

GM: And your favorite submission?

T: Mounted triangle. 

 

After interviewing the most interesting training partner we've ever come across, John lets everyone know it's now time for live rolling. With that, everyone grabs a quick drink and finds their first rolls.




The familiar sound of grips being broken and guards being passed can be heard all across the mat. You have rolls that will go down to the final second and rolls that flow. No surprise, watching John roll is like watching water move in a bottle. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast. 

The final bell rings and John lines everyone up. He gives one final thank you to us for dropping in, and then bows everyone out.

Before heading out, John passes on the invite for his Sunday open mat. We are big advocates in cross training and learning from everyone. I've always seen going into new gyms like a mini-seminar. John is the type of person we look for, his energy, how he lives his life. If you're ever in the Mayport area, you must check out Mentality Martial Arts. 

I say my goodbyes and make my way back to my Jeep. The Pho next door is pumping aromas into the air which reignite that backpacker energy. I love doing this. Visiting gyms, the stories I hear, and the connections I make. Walking down that alleyway in Saigon was me being curious about a glowing light just like the glowing neon Jiu Jitsu sign. The real adventure starts when you step out of your comfort zone.






Tim Kline

Rome Lytton IV

Rome is a world traveler who thrives living a nomadic lifestyle. He spent the last eight years exploring southeast Asia and was promoted to black belt by Dan “Imal” Reid. If you see him on the side of the road with his thumb out, trust the good vibes.