MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Meet James Brafield
From: Somerset，England
Age: 36
After training on and off for six years across England, Mexico, and now China, a three-year break during the pandemic led James to discover Method Gym, which changed everything.

Meet James. He’s been with Method MMA since last year and used to commute from Wuxi just to make it to classes before he made the move to Shanghai.

Things James loves about training here: learning from diverse coaches and partners, the thrill and challenge of competing, and becoming the best version of himself. He might be one of the friendliest people you’ll meet in striking or Jiu-Jitsu class，just keep an eye out for his Peruvian neck tie!

Joining Method MMA

1. When did you join Method MMA?

– I think I started training at Method during spring time, 2023. But then fully joined in September 2023, when I moved to Shanghai.

2. What inspired you to start training at Method MMA?

– I lived in Wuxi at the time and missed jiu-jitsu, so I decided to travel to Shanghai to train every weekend. I found Method MMA online, and was impressed with the classes they offered and the various levels of the members who trained.

3. What were your first impressions of the gym and the community?

– I commuted from Wuxi during the pandemic, which made training, even on weekends, almost impossible.
Mario was very accommodating, and due to my situation. I knew then that he cared about my training, so when I moved to Shanghai, there was only ever one gym for me.

Training Experience

4. Which class is your favorite and why?

– I do them all, so I can’t answer this question, without upsetting some of my coaches.

5. What’ s your favorite BJJ technique or move?

– This is difficult, as this may change next month, when I start to get success with one, that I have recently been taught. I do however get a lot of success with the Peruvian neck tie, so I guess maybe that.

6. How have you seen yourself progress since you started?

– Yes, not just in martial arts, but also my overall health and general fitness.

7. What has been the most challenging aspect of your training?

– Probably when I train for a competition. I love the focus it gives me, but sometimes this can be challenging to do whilst working. Especially if I need to cut weight.

Personal Insights

8. What benefits have you experienced from training at Method MMA (physically, mentally, socially)?

– Physically much fitter, and mentally much stronger, I’m doing
this while interacting with a great group of people.

9. What keeps you motivated to train regularly?

– I set targets and goals for myself, which helps motivate me. I also know that by training regularly I can become the best version of myself.

10. How do your friends and family feel about your training?

– Friends don’t care although a lot of them say they want to try
BJJ, and I think the parents have stopped worrying.

11. What’s your favorite aspect of grappling and Muay Thai?

– I love the community that BJJ brings. I don’t know many other sports where you can go a train with world champions who will also share their knowledge with you.

Community and Atmosphere

12. Who are your favorite training partners and why?

– I like to train with a variety of people, as everyone has their style.
Thus, the more styles I am exposed too, the more I can improve.

13. How have the coaches at Method MMA impacted your training journey?

– All the coaches have their own styles, which helps. They also really help you feel like you are part of a bigger family and not just a number, as can be the case in some gyms.

14. Can you share a memorable moment or achievement since joining?

– Probably winning my weight class in a competition. Although it was a small bracket, I had to lose 9kg, so l was happy that the time I committed to my training paid off.
I even enjoyed the warm Heineken that Mario bought after.

Advice for New Members

15. What advice would you give to someone just starting their BJJ journey?

– If you are one of those people who say they want to try BJJ but want to get fit first, the reality is that you should come to BJJ, where you can have fun, learn invaluable skills, and get fit in the process.

16. What should new members expect when they join Method MMA?

– You should expect to train with a good, diverse, passionate group of individuals who are all there to learn while helping others.

Personal Touch

17. What are your hobbies or interests outside of BJJ?

– I enjoy listening to music, mainly subgenres of techno and a bit of jungle, especially if I can sing on vinyl.
I also enjoy traveling, however, I now rarely go to an area unless it has a good BJJ gym that I can train at while I’m there.

18. Share a fun fact about yourself that your gym mates might not know.

– “It is what it is. Jiu-Jitsu every day, keeps the doctor away”.