Brown belt no-gi world champion. Photo: Personal Archive

Jason Yerrington is a black belt who lives and teaches in San Antonio, Texas and has Crohn’s disease. Many people find that Jiu-Jitsu, even with a disability, is a great enhancement of one’s life. Jason felt and still feels the same way. We wanted  to know what it’s like to live with such circumstances that interrupt one’s life and how it’s still possible to continue training.

In his case, it may mean knowing where the nearest bathroom is or having to wear an adult diaper. But the fact that he pursues his dreams regardless is inspiring and a learning experience for all of us.

Jason recently took second at the 2014 IBJJF Houston Open and he teaches regularly at his academy. We’ll let you learn more about the disease from him:

GRACIEMAG: What is Crohn’s Disease and how does it affect your daily life?

JASON YERRINGTON: Crohn’s Disease is an auto immune disease of the GI tract, which means that your body produces antibodies that start to work against you instead of for you. Crohn’s disease can manifest anywhere along the GI tract which basically is from the mouth all the way to the most southern region.

I first went to a doctor when I started to lose control of my bowels and was experiencing a lot of blood loss during the restroom breaks. I had to have a surgery called a colonoscopy. After the doctor came out and explained that I had an auto immune disorder known as Crohn’s. She then gave me a pamphlet of information regarding treatment options and also counseling options because she said the disease is incurable. The disease is incurable but mainly operates via outbreaks or at least for me thats what has happened. During the outbreaks I am for the most part chained to a restroom because I have to go an average of 27-32 trips a day.

For me there was a lot of blood loss because I had of 19 different places along my intestines that were legions or open scabs caused by the antibodies attacking my intestinal walls. I was extremely anemic and lost 36 pounds during my first outbreak mainly due to the fact that I couldn’t eat. Of course eating would cause a chain reaction that caused me to go to the bathroom more.

The most irritating thing of all was none of the doctors had an answer for any of the things that I was going through and they all contradicted each other. No one truly knows why someone gets Crohn’s or how to effectively treat the patient. Daily life was really how far away is the bathroom from whatever it is that you’re doing at that time. Driving to and from work became extremely hard and I had to resort to wearing diapers due to many unfortunate events.

Have you had Crohn’s throughout the entire time you’ve been training Jiu-Jitsu? 

All this being said I never stopped training in Jiu-Jitsu. I did take a six month break from competition during my first outbreak to try and get a handle on my new situation. I was an early purple belt when I was first diagnosed. Life off the mat was so much more complicated during the outbreaks but on the mat all that fades away. I’m not saying that I still didn’t know exactly how many steps it took to get to the restroom. In fact there were many days that it was extremely hard just to make it through class.

Jiu-Jitsu was my therapy. It is what kept me mentally sane; that and my wife. I trained and taught all throughout every one of my outbreaks. I have had three each which have lasted for a minimum of six months and none lasting longer than a year and a half. When I’m not having an outbreak I still go to the bathroom much more than a normal person but we’re talking about 6-8 times a day as opposed to 27-32 times a day. (I had to keep a journal of my restroom breaks cause the doctors wanted me to).

Ultimately I was able to bring everything under control when I finally said goodbye to conventional medicine and went to a PhD in mathematics whose name is Dr. Costi. He told me to go get some blood work and then based on the results he gave me some herbal supplements that weren’t for sale yet in the US and asked if I would like to be part of his study group. I said why not as I had already tried everything else the doctors. I had received contradicting advice from steroids to enemas to special inflammatory medicines and diet restrictions and nothing helped. My professor was about to send me to Brasil to see the doctors there but long story short: within four weeks of taking the herbal supplements (miracle pills) that Dr. Costi gave me I was able to get a hold of the outbreak and through diet (eating fresh, raw, and varied) and Jiu-Jitsu I have been able to keep it at bay for the most part. Dr. Costi has me do a two-week cycle of the herbal supplements (miracle pills) every six months. This is not a fool-proof thing. I still get outbreaks from time to time but they don’t last nearly as long and are much more manageable.

What’s it like to train with the condition?

Training while on Crohn’s is all about planning for the inevitable emergency. I never stopped training but sometimes due to the amount of blood-loss I had to step off the mat during super intense sessions. For the most part, though, that rarely happened. During my outbreaks I always have to wear an adult diaper, which is kind of embarrassing but it is the only way to ensure that I don’t make a mess.

The 2014 IBJJF Houston Open will be held on Feb. 22 at the University of St. Thomas in the Jerabeck Activity and Athletic Center like previous years. With many teams located in the lone star state, the tournament regularly brings out a rich group of competitors to make any gold medal worth earning.

The registration is open until Feb. 14. Currently on the roster are members from teams such as Bruno Bastos Association, Alvarez BJJ, Peak Performance, Gracie Barra Texas, Brail 021, Marra Senki and more.

The location of the venue is 3800 Montrose Boulevard Houston, TX 77006

To sign up, go to www.ibjjf.org before the deadline of Feb. 14.

Watch this match between Guilherme Mendes and Pablo Silva from the 2012 Houston Open:

Campeão mundial dos plumas em 2010, o faixa-preta Pablo Silva (Gracie Barra) reforçou, no último Atlanta Open de Jiu-Jitsu, no fim de semana, por que o pescoço é o melhor caminho para vencer nas artes marciais.

Para chegar até o gogó do oponente, contudo, Pablo fez uso de outra técnica, o legdrag, que o ajudou a passar a guarda e finalizar Gustavo Carpio (Marra Senki), na final do peso-pena. Aprenda com ele:

GMA member school Marra Senki will be represented this weekend in Houston, Texas.

Black belt Gustavo Carpio will be competing in the superfight of the Battle of the H-Town event.

Carpio will be facing Gracie Barra’s Pablo Silva.

Silva is the 2010 black belt light-featherweight world Champion.

More info at grandprixgrappling.com.

For more info on the team, go to marrajj.com

Marrinha (center)

GMA member Luiz Sergio Correa is the director of the upcoming World Pro BJ Trials, in San Antonio, Texas, and Leon, Guanajuato, Texas.

Marrinha is the owner of Marra Senki Academy, also in Texas.

The trials is scheduled November, 26-27, in Texas, and December 17-18, in Mexico.

For more info on the events, go to abudhabijiujitsuprotrials.com.

Two GMA member will gather one week from today for a very special seminar in Texas.

Luiz Sergio Correa, leader of Marra Senki, will be welcoming BJJ revolution Team leader, Rodrigo Medeiros, for a three hours class next September 29th.

Rodrigo Medeiros is a 4th degree black belt under legend Carlson Gracie and a highly decorated competitor.

Details for Seminar:

Date:  Thursday, September 29th 2011

Time: 6pm-9pm

Location:  Marra Senki BJJ Academy, 11950 Starcrest Suite 210, San Antonio, TX 78247

Cost: $50 for Marra Senki Affiliate Members, $60 for General Public

Contact:  Sign up at the Academy or call Vanessa at (210)491-3844 or (210) 559-1277

For more info, go to marrajj.com

Bruno (on bottom) against Rodolfo Vieira / Photo: John Lamonica

Nova União’s Bruno Bastos has already stated that his team’s objective is nothing short of placing first at the tournament set to take the Kitty Magee Arena by storm this coming May 8 in Dallas, Texas, and a major contingent from the outfit appearing on the competitor list proves he means business.

And the other big teams from around the United States look intent on throwing a wrench in Bastos’s plans, with teams Gracie Barra, Gracie Humaitá, Lovato BJJ, Lloyd Irvin, Team Lutter, Ribeiro JJ, Mohler BJJ, Marra Senki, Brasa, and Alliance all figuring in numbers on the roster, as well.

Don’t miss the chance to put your skills to the test at the first-ever IBJJF tournament to grace the Dallas area, sign up here.

Bruno in final against Rodolfo Vieira / Photo: John Lamonica

This Saturday, April 30, is the last day to get in on the gentle art action set to rock the Kitty Magee Arena in Dallas, Texas, this coming May 8.

All the big academies from around the US are set to be at the inaugural Dallas Open, with Gracie Barra, Gracie Humaitá, Lovato BJJ, Lloyd Irvin, Team Lutter, Ribeiro JJ, Mohler BJJ, Marra Senki, Brasa and Alliance all well represented on the sign-up list so far.

And team Nova União has made no secret of its intention to take the championship by storm, with the Gustavo Dantas- and Bruno Bastos-led outfit already figuring heavily on the roster. Check out what Bruno Bastos said they have planned for the event, here.

So are you going to sit around and let them have their way, or are you going do your part to rain on Nova União’s parade? Secure you spot at the best place in the house by putting your name on the competitor list, here.

GMA member Luis Sergio Correa had a very fruitiful trip to Las Vegas, last weekend.

The leader of Marra Senki Team, in Texas, was specially pleased with one of his pupils.

Black belt Gustavo Carpio won the adult featherweight division of IBJJF’s Las Vegas International Open.

“He did great. The final was a very tough fight,” said Correa.

He sent a picture of Carpio to celebrate the result.

For more info, go to marrajj.com

GMA member Luis Sergio Correa had a very fruitiful trip to Las Vegas last weekend.

The leader of Marra Senki Team in Texas was specially pleased with one of his pupils.

Black belt Gustavo Carpio won the adult featherweight division of IBJJF’s Las Vegas International Open.

“He did great. The final was a very tough fight,” said Correa.

He sent in a picture of Carpio to celebrate the result.

For more info, go to marrajj.com

Do you own a Jiu-Jitsu academy and want to have your school featured  on GRACIEMAG.com? It’s easy, all you need to do is to become a GMA member. Click here and find out how.

The team is doing great at competitions in the state of Texas.

In June, at the Texas BJJ State Championships, Marra Senki athletes finished the event with 12 medals.

One monthy later, on July 31st, took place the Texas Grappling Showdown and the team excelled again.

Congrats to Marrinha and his students.

For more info, go to marrajj.com

Here is a lsit of medalists at the Texas State Championship:

White

Russel Gribble – Gold (Ultra Heavy Gi)

Ronnie Sali – Gold (Medium Heavy Gi)

Bronze (Medium Hvy No Gi Intermediate)

Luis Hernandez – Silver (Medium Heavy)

Blue

Eric Hallier – Gold (Light No Gi Beginner)

Bronze Gi (Light Gi)

Purple

Jason Yerrington – Gold (Heavy Gi)

Gold (Heavy No Gi Advanced)

Alvaro Galarreta –  Silver (Feather Gi)

Brown/Black

Christian Freyre – Bronze (Light Gi)

Bronze (Light No Gi Advanced)

Gustavo Carpio –  Gold (Light Gi)

The team is doing great at competitions in the state of Texas.

Medalists at TSBJJC

In June, at the Texas BJJ State Championships, Marra Senki athletes finished the event with 12 medals.

One month later, on July 31st, the Texas Grappling Showdown took place, and the team excelled again.

Marrinha (center) with his pupils at the Showdown

Congrats to Marrinha and his students.

For more info, go to marrajj.com

Here is a lsit of medalists at the Texas State Championship:

White

Russel Gribble – Gold (Ultra Heavy Gi)

Ronnie Sali – Gold (Medium Heavy Gi)

Bronze (Medium Hvy No Gi Intermediate)

Luis Hernandez – Silver (Medium Heavy)

Blue

Eric Hallier – Gold (Light No Gi Beginner)

Bronze Gi (Light Gi)

Purple

Jason Yerrington – Gold (Heavy Gi)

Gold (Heavy No Gi Advanced)

Alvaro Galarreta –  Silver (Feather Gi)

Brown/Black

Christian Freyre – Bronze (Light Gi)

Bronze (Light No Gi Advanced)

Gustavo Carpio –  Gold (Light Gi)

Do you own a Jiu-Jitsu academy and want to have your school featured  on GRACIEMAG.com? It’s easy, all you need to do is to become a GMA member. Click here and find out how.