THE GUEST
Today’s guest is legendary Head Coach Greg Nelson.
Greg has his roots in athletic training and competition. Mr. Nelson is a former University of Minnesota Wrestling Team member and All-American high school gymnast. In 1983, he started training in numerous martial arts, obtaining a high level coaching qualifications.
A grappler at heart, the first Black Belt under 8th Degree Red and Black Belt Pedro Sauer, he is now a 4th Degree Black Belt and is the highest-ranking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black belt in the state of Minnesota.
Head Coach Nelson is well known as one of the best Mixed Martial Arts coaches in the world and his team at The Academy have produced numerous World Champions, and other local, national, and international contenders and medal winners, in MMA, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, etc, victories within all of the major fight organizations worldwide. Mr. Nelson and The Academy Team have also developed 3 UFC Champions at 3 different weight classes.
Over the years, Mr. Nelson has taught defensive tactics/Combatives to a wide variety of law enforcement and military personnel, creating training programs for local, state, and federal law enforcement divisions including the FBI, DEA, amongst others. Mr. Nelson is a combatives consultant to classified U.S. Army Special Forces units, and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (SEAL Team 6). He is very proud to be one of the few civilians selected to work with the military and the soldiers.
Though his professional pedigree and success in martial arts is what he is known for there is nothing Coach Nelson deems more important than being a father to his 2 children, a daughter and a son. Being a 2-time cancer survivor, Greg holds health and happiness as job … #1,“Ultimately, my goal is to improve emotional, mental and physical health and wellbeing through the practice of Martial Arts and a healthy lifestyle.”
In this interview, we discuss his story, MMA, coaching, recovering from serious illness and realising what is important in life and fighting your way back against lifes toughest opponents.
LISTEN HERE
WHAT IS DISCUSSED
In this interview, we discuss gems like:
- Who they are
- How he entered into mixed martial arts and how his first coach (and opponent) was his older brother
- Why Greg sees what his approach as ‘Truly Mixed Martial Arts’
- What is his opinion on MMA and the evolution of the sport
- Does he believe all men should train in a combat sport like BJJ, MMA etc?
- Why doe he think his fighters have been so successful over the years?
- How does he work with a new fighter to help them along their journey to becoming a champion.
- How his coaches his students – has he found the best way to do so
- How does he prepare a fighter towards an upcoming fight (training camps?)
- Where does he see fighters making mistakes with their training and beliefs of how ‘hard’ they go during their training?
- How does he build a team of coaches as well as a team of fighters, or rather a family of fighters
- How does he coach a fighter during real time competition and afterwards?
- How the martial arts mindset helped him during his fight with serious illness – and two mindset hacks that may change how you view illness, poor health etc, they are epic!
- Red flags to watch for with your health
- What advice would he give people who are going through a severe illness or condition
- How has becoming a father changed him
- What does the future hold for him, what does he want his evolution to be
- What does he want you to take from this interview
- How you can connect with them
KEY POINTS TO REFLECT ON & LINKS MENTIONED
- Greg has cross-trained for many years. Cross-Training allows him to understand martial arts on a deeper level than the normal coach, and see the similarities between them, how to learn them, and amongst the top performers.
- Greg is a great example of someone who goes the extra mile, and looks to deeply learn their craft – how could you not just do what is needed to learn your job/qualification/hobby but instead learn what you are capable of doing? As Mark Beaumont said, don’t do just what is needed but what you are capable of, and I think that is what a true NLG does. What could a little bit of extra effort now take you in the future?
- Greg used to get into trouble at school and training in martial arts helped Greg learn concepts such as confidence in himself, respect, control etc and it changed him as a person. Like Greg, I agree that all kids should do a martial arts to learn self-defense, control, help with anger or depression etc – it helps kids control themselves and learn about themselves and life.
- Not all coaches are the same. Just because they are a coach, it doesn’t make them worth your time and money. You need to do a bit of research at the start to see the quality of the coaching, the school and the opinion of students currently and any who have been vocal since they left. Check reviews etc. We live in a small world now due to social media, Google etc, so you can find out much more information you need before going – find the school or club and a coach that is suitable for your goals.
- Grappling progression should focus on live grappling. It is where you truly learn the moves and techniques you have been learning, you work on your timing, ability to do so under pressure, against an opponent who will defend etc, and you will have a chance to grow your skills.
- Make sure you are not just training the parts that you enjoy, you need to put in the work in the fundamental classes, the sparring, work on your sleep, your eating, recovery methods etc. A coach should not spoon feed you but help you with your goals. A NLG will look to see what they can do, not just what is needed to win.
- An individual is not worth the heart of the team. Greg values the cohesion and family connection of the team over any individual.
- Do not let your ego control you, if something is not working, a great fighter will change up their game plan to adapt to the opponent required. This links into the need for a fighter to work on all components of their skills, not just their strengths.
- Greg is a legend in the coaching world, he has had a long list of champions he has helped meld, but notice how he is pushing himself to continual improve, and learn how he can be a better coach. Don’t be a ‘know-it-all’, accept that there is always something to learn. Keep looking at ways to learn, to develop yourself as a person not just for your own skills, don’t be stagnate, look to continually grow!
- Laugh when you get tapped … have fun when you train … leave the ego at the door!
- Greg had something to fight for when he had cancer, he focused his energy on the things that held importance in his life. If you are going through a rough time, focus on what is important to you, forget the noise, and start on the fight to recovery.
CONNECT WITH THE GUEST
Click on the links and social media handles below to connect with the guest:
Website – The Academy- Website – MMA Online University
Facebook 
Instagram 
Twitter (Academy) 
YouTube (Academy)
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AFTER LISTENING
These are some key actions that you should undertake after listening to this interview:
- Train with Greg (when possible)
- Look for and give thanks to the good things you have in your life.
- If you do martial arts consider cross-training a discipline eg Judo and BJJ to evolve your understanding of concepts like throwing, trips etc.
- Check up on friends or family who are ill or going through a rough time.
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