girlie weekend!! So much fun

What a fun filled Girls only weekend in the Kootenay's. Everything a girl could want.

Day 1: I drove the 5 of us 45 minute up a logging road to the top of the mountain to a beautiful hot springs. There was only one other person there who didn't stay long and then we had the place to ourselves but before the guy left he filled us in on some info. 1. You can make the water gush out of the pipe fast if you plug it up for a minute (of course we tried it once he left), 2. The water temperature was 34 degrees (so warm and perfect for the summer) 3. At night people come and light candles around the rocks 4. Watch out for poison ivy in the bushes around. 5. He asked if we would be ok with him skinny dipping and Lindsy was quick to say "I'm not ok with that" so he left!

Day 2: We went to Wasa Lake which is the warmest lake in the Kootenay's. We loaded the back of the truck up with tubes, air mattresses, snacks and sun umbrellas and off we went. Apparently I am not that good at loading trucks because 2 tubes were missing when we arrived at the beach and we never found them. We got stuck in the water for 45 minutes while an RCMP officer was checking the people on the beaches coolers for alcoholic beverages. Not that we had any ourselves, wink wink, but we didn't go back to shore till he left. After sunning ourselves for many hours, swimming, playing frizbee in the water and reading our books we had a great night out at the Burrito Grill with good eats and yummy margueritas. It is always great to get away for the weekend with just the girls, leave the men, children and training behind and chill! Ahhhhhh

Twitter

Finally I am starting to get in the loop. You can now follow me on twitter. @birdsheila

Won my MMA fight against Kim Couture

I am so excited and yet super relieved my fight is finally over with Kim Couture on AX: Combat "Execution" in Calgary on Friday night. Most important thing, I went in confident in the striking that I have been working on and getting better at every day. There were so many things that I am proud of in my match. It was so much fun coming out to the song "Surfin' Bird" and then for some stupid reason we always have faulty water bottles and I always end up getting it spilled or splashed on me by accident which I just find funny at the time. I wish I could have taken a picture of the crowd cheering me on after I won, it was the best feeling ever to look out and have so many people applauding my victory. I was not lying in my speech after my fight when they asked me what was next for me; I went to the Stampede and got me a corn dog. Yummers!

The best part of the night was meeting Kim and hanging out with her after the fights at the after party and then we went to a Chinese Food restaurant and because it was Stampede the place was going crazy, people dancing on tables playing drums with their chop sticks. It was a great time and it was nice Kim could experience some Stampede action as well she got to see the Calgary parade and the Royal couple.

My coaches were amazing (Brian, Doug and Brad). I love the focus and calm confidence they have for me in the back getting ready to fight even though I am sure they are nervous for me and putting on an act. No problem, I believed every second of it.

The referee stoppage was controversial and I felt he stopped the fight too late but luckily in the end Kim was just fine. During the fight when I had the submission on I didn't know she was unconscious until her legs went flat. I was almost going to give up the choke thinking it wasn't on quite right.

I will be back at BDB on Monday training again. We have such a great group of fighters and it is my turn now to be a partner for them after they helped me so much.

Tickets for Sale for my upcoming fight with Kim Couture at AX Combat July 8th

I now have the tickets for my fight against Kim Couture for July 8th on "AX-Combat: Execution" at the Telus Convention Centre during The Calgary Stampede. Read below for a list of what I have. Contact me at 403-220-1426 or email me at bdbmartialarts@gmail.com

VIP table tickets: $150.00 per seat - Cage side (10 seats per table) Includes drink service
Reserved seats: $65.00 right behind the VIP tables. I have a section for sale that will just be BDB members and friends if you want to sit with my fan group :-)
General Admission: $45.00 with rush seating

If you plan on going please buy your tickets through me because I make a commission off my ticket sales. Also, if you want a VIP table seating let me know asap as there are not that many for sale and will sell out fast.

There are some great local fighters on this card so I expect the tickets are going to go quickly. Don't miss out and get them from me right away.

I also have sponsorship packages available that include VIP tickets, drinks and advertising on my shorts, shirt, and banner. If you or anyone you know are interested in sponsoring me for this fight email me at bdbmartialarts@gmail.com and I will get you the information for what is included for supporting me.

Hope to see everyone out. This is my first fight in Calgary with my hometown crowd. It's going to be a blast.

Sheila

Brian's 2nd degree black belt promotion

Brian Bird was promoted to 2nd Degree Black Belt on May 13, 2011 by his instructor out of San Diego, CA Mr. Roy Harris.

Although I know I am somewhat bias because I am Brian's wife, I want to share some of Brian's martial arts background and let everyone know how he has gotten to where he is today.

I don't know the exact year Brian started being interested in the grappling arts but it was right around the time I met him in high school at age 17. Since then, he has studied BJJ, Judo and Wrestling with BJJ being his primary focus. He started competing in tournaments for BJJ and Judo doing very well and winning almost all of them. Besides his early skill on the mat in competition Brian has two talents which stand high above all else, which is his ability to teach and coach. Brian has a high level of understanding techniques and relaying that information to his students. His structure for classes and how he teaches is all very thought out and there is a purpose to all the things he does. He cares that his students understand what they are being taught and always finds the best way to help them learn.

Brian's skill in coaching has always put our opponents at a large disadvantage. On many occasions I have seen Brian coach a competitor through a move at a tournament they have never learned before but just by doing what Brian says, they are able to pull techniques off. Brian has been there for all my big tournaments and MMA fights. I have confidence and absolute trust that I will perform to the best of my ability when he has my back and is in my corner. Sometimes we joke that I am a video game character and he is making my moves with his remote controller, that is how well he can coach.

Brian is also a very loyal person to his friends and students. He has very high moral standards for how he runs his business and how he treats people around him and in return expects more from those around him. He stands by his friends and will have their back. Brian also surrounds himself around people that are positive and forward thinkers because he is always looking to grow himself and make things better for those around him.

Some of Brian's largest successes are his students and the hard work they have put in and the faith they have for Brian to assist them to get where they are today. Here is a list below of a few of Brian's successes.
Nick Ring - Calgary's only UFC fighter & Ultimate Fighter season 11 competitor
Brad Cardinal - 3 Time MMA title belt holder
Sheila BIrd (me) - 3 Time FILA world champion and World Combat Games Champion
He has 2 Black belts, 5 Brown belts, 9 Purple belts and over 30 Blue belts
At BDB we have about 30 fighters for MMA & Muay Thai

He has 4 BDB affiliate clubs. (Canmore, Cochrane, Cranbrook & Calgary)

I want to congratulate Brian on his success for being rewarded his 2nd Degree on his Black Belt. His continuation and drive to learn makes him stronger and the team stronger.

Sheila Bird

Fight Night

November 12th was "Maximum Fighting Championship 27" and I was in Edmonton with Brian and Nick Ring to help corner Brad "The Bonesaw" Cardinal for his MMA fight. It is very inspiring to watch the guys compete in MMA. It was in 2006 that I had my first and only MMA match and lately I have been getting excited to get back in the cage get it on. This was only the second time I have been in the corner for a fighter and I must say, I much prefer fighting than coaching although I always like being where the action is, no matter what. Brad won his fight by triangle choke in the 2nd round so his record is now 12 - 5.

Touring Korea

Pictures: Brian and I pretending to hitch hike to North Korea at a train station on our way to the DMZ. Another picture of us singing away at the Karaoke club. Another picture of us having dinner at the Korean BBQ. Then, guys drinking beer (typical)

After the exciting adventure and stress of The World Combat Games Brian and I headed off to Seoul, Korea to hang out with our friends that we hadn't seen in about 6 years. Kaden (Big Lee) and Kron (Little Lee) came to Calgary to study English 6 years ago. We got to know them because of BJJ. One of the coolest things about BJJ, is that no matter where you travel in the world you will always have BJJ in common with people and make friends, and if you are lucky, it will be friends like Kaden and Kron. We didn't get the chance to train BJJ in Korea, I was too busy eating and putting some meat back on my skinny bones. I think I over did that a little. After a few days Kaden said my belly was fat. I am hoping that comment was lost in translation.

Kaden, Kron and Kron's wife Min Jeong were incredible hosts and showed us all the cool sites and delicious places to eat. We went to traditional markets, the world's largest movie theatre, temples, museums and the DMZ (demilitarized zone which is the border between south and north Korea). In addition to sites we got to taste some very excellent traditional Korean food. The Korean BBQ was my favourite. I was so impressed with myself trying out so many foods I would normally turn down in a second. They served pig skin at the Korean BBQ and I enjoyed it. It didn't have the most appetizing look but I still came it a try.

Since I have been back in Calgary I am trying to get back into the swing of things but jet lag is hitting me hard. No big deal, I train BJJ for a living, I think I can handle my interior clock being confused. Timmies coffee will get me through.

I have started teaching children's class after having the summer off. I think this new group of kids we have come in are going to do excellent. I had such a great time teaching them last night. My student Melissa gave me a big hug and congratulations when she came in, how sweet is that?