I’m so excited to kick off my Athlete Spotlight series with Blake Bithell- 10th Planet Brown Belt out of Tigard.
This series is all about celebrating the athletes who are making waves in the PNW jiu-jitsu scene- people who show up with intention and heart, no matter what life brings. I recently had the opportunity to shoot along side the lead photographer at F2W and the energy in the room was loud and proud. There were many great moments and athletes that stood out, and Blake was one of them. He went up against a fierce competitor, Salvador Hernández- who is a brown belt out of Enso Jiujitsu and has been training since 2017. They both demonstrated great skill and pacing, and Blake came out with a submission victory via knee bar. Blake brings a quiet confidence and deep respect for the sport that speaks volumes on and off the mat. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to shoot at F2W and share a piece of Blake’s story here. I hope that this is as inspiring to you as it was to me.
- What first drew you to Jiu-jitsu? How long have you been training?
- My cousin Connor Holverson, one of the head coaches at 10th Planet Happy Valley. He was the first to introduce jiu jitsu to me as a sport of its own. Not just a part of MMA as whole. I fell in love with it because it was immediately apparent to me that there was no one naturally talented or gifted at jiu-jitsu. No matter the quality of athlete you are. On day 1 you will absolutely get broken by color belts half your size with a level of ease on their face that is quite disturbing. The idea of having to earn every inch, just as in life, is why I fell in love.
- My cousin Connor Holverson, one of the head coaches at 10th Planet Happy Valley. He was the first to introduce jiu jitsu to me as a sport of its own. Not just a part of MMA as whole. I fell in love with it because it was immediately apparent to me that there was no one naturally talented or gifted at jiu-jitsu. No matter the quality of athlete you are. On day 1 you will absolutely get broken by color belts half your size with a level of ease on their face that is quite disturbing. The idea of having to earn every inch, just as in life, is why I fell in love.
- Why 10th Planet? What’s special about the Tigard team to you?
- To me, 10th planet always had a truly open and welcoming vibe. A place where people from completely different backgrounds, belief systems and goals were all accepted as equals. That was something I knew I could get behind. So I started off at 10th Planet Portland with Nathan Orchard and Phill Schwartz as the head coaches. Couldn’t ask for a better journey and gym to be a part of.
- Sam Hardy who is my head coach now was in his late stage purple belt under Nathan Orchard at that time. As a white belt the beatings you take coming up on the daily is from the guys that are still in the middle of their belt journey. Sam was definitely that guy for me. I think for some people Sam had an intensity- a hard edge about him that was a bit uncomfortable, maybe even merciless. I never saw it that way. To me- I was getting his truth. The honesty in that, as painful as it may have been- spoke to a truth inside myself. So when Sam was ready to start his own gym 10th planet Tigard. I followed shortly after.
- A teacher shouldn’t be someone you see as better than yourself. They should be someone that unlocks a truth inside you that you may have not see on your own. Only you know what is true to you.
- How has your Jiu-Jitsu evolved from white belt to brown?
- It’s hard to even describe. Kind of like trying to explain what it feels like to be a fish flopping on land, and then slowly finding your way back into the stream…eventually reaching a river…and maybe even glimpsing the ocean off in the distance. But really- this question speaks more to what it has done for me in my life, for me spiritually. The answer to that is: everything.
- It’s hard to even describe. Kind of like trying to explain what it feels like to be a fish flopping on land, and then slowly finding your way back into the stream…eventually reaching a river…and maybe even glimpsing the ocean off in the distance. But really- this question speaks more to what it has done for me in my life, for me spiritually. The answer to that is: everything.
- Walk us through your mindset leading up to your Fight to Win match.
- Fight to win is really fun event. Big stage, big lights and even your own walk out song. I just wanted to put on performance that matched that energy. Definitely wanted the submission or put it all out there trying. That being said my head space was to not be attached to losing or winning. The highs and lows are so temporary and you don’t want them to control your journey.
- Fight to win is really fun event. Big stage, big lights and even your own walk out song. I just wanted to put on performance that matched that energy. Definitely wanted the submission or put it all out there trying. That being said my head space was to not be attached to losing or winning. The highs and lows are so temporary and you don’t want them to control your journey.
- What was your game plan going into that match, and did it go the way you expected?
- Definitely didn’t go as expected. Knee bar was not on the visualization series. From what I had seen Salvador had a pretty good guard game but was usually willing to do some wrestling. So my game plan was to use my wrestling to secure a pass. Without having to do much guard passing. Stay on top and find a finish. Didn’t plan on spending any time on my back or playing guard. But that’s what’s beautiful about things not going to plan is that is when your hard work pays off and the finish finds itself.
- Definitely didn’t go as expected. Knee bar was not on the visualization series. From what I had seen Salvador had a pretty good guard game but was usually willing to do some wrestling. So my game plan was to use my wrestling to secure a pass. Without having to do much guard passing. Stay on top and find a finish. Didn’t plan on spending any time on my back or playing guard. But that’s what’s beautiful about things not going to plan is that is when your hard work pays off and the finish finds itself.
- What part of your game are you most focused on refining right now?
- Passing is on the top of my list right now. For a long time it was wrestling. I didn’t have any kind of wrestling background so naturally fighting off my back was the first part of my game to develop. Overtime and to a big thanks to Sam Hardy, my wrestling has developed to be competent enough to deal with even experienced wrestlers.
- Passing is on the top of my list right now. For a long time it was wrestling. I didn’t have any kind of wrestling background so naturally fighting off my back was the first part of my game to develop. Overtime and to a big thanks to Sam Hardy, my wrestling has developed to be competent enough to deal with even experienced wrestlers.
- What would you tell your white belt self if you could go back?
- Man, I think i would just say take the art of jiu jitsu as serious if not more than the sport. Enjoy the journey- all we have is the moment. The peaks and valleys are short lived. And I would thank him for choosing this path. You have no idea the amount of love you will get from it.
- Man, I think i would just say take the art of jiu jitsu as serious if not more than the sport. Enjoy the journey- all we have is the moment. The peaks and valleys are short lived. And I would thank him for choosing this path. You have no idea the amount of love you will get from it.
- What has been your biggest challenge on the mats and how have you worked through it?
- This is a great and a tough question. I think the direction I have to go with this is not letting my journey dictate my self worth. Especially after choosing jiu jitsu as a career. Coaching kids and adults alike. That want to see the art you teach expressed. Having coaches and teammates that put a lot of value on competing. This can all obscure and misdirect you from what will really allow you freedom to express your art at the highest level. I am still very much on this journey and still struggle with this as someone who is very self critical. But this is why this life, why the way of the warrior. Is not so easily described as purely physicality or brute force. But to me is a deeply spiritual journey.
- This is a great and a tough question. I think the direction I have to go with this is not letting my journey dictate my self worth. Especially after choosing jiu jitsu as a career. Coaching kids and adults alike. That want to see the art you teach expressed. Having coaches and teammates that put a lot of value on competing. This can all obscure and misdirect you from what will really allow you freedom to express your art at the highest level. I am still very much on this journey and still struggle with this as someone who is very self critical. But this is why this life, why the way of the warrior. Is not so easily described as purely physicality or brute force. But to me is a deeply spiritual journey.
- You grow blueberries—tell us more about that! How did that come about? How do you balance family life and work /training life?
- My grandfather on my dad’s side started a berry farm from scratch and built it into something special. I have memories as early as I can remember growing up and working at the farm. To this day I still really love working in the dirt and farming. There is something really satisfying being able to see directly where your effort pays off. For anyone who chooses jiu jitsu as a path this is the dilemma. I just kinda decided I was gonna be broke for a long time and sent it. I have nothing but respect for the men and women who have major careers. Working over 40 hours a week and are still showing up. And there is a lot of them!
- My grandfather on my dad’s side started a berry farm from scratch and built it into something special. I have memories as early as I can remember growing up and working at the farm. To this day I still really love working in the dirt and farming. There is something really satisfying being able to see directly where your effort pays off. For anyone who chooses jiu jitsu as a path this is the dilemma. I just kinda decided I was gonna be broke for a long time and sent it. I have nothing but respect for the men and women who have major careers. Working over 40 hours a week and are still showing up. And there is a lot of them!
- What is something that most people don’t know about you?
- Probably how much I love just sitting around playing board games or cards. In a lot of ways I was raised by my grandmother. Some of my fondest memories were sitting around with the old ladies and playing pinochle. They had a way of joking a laughing that I loved. I still to this day admire a persons laugh over most things
- Probably how much I love just sitting around playing board games or cards. In a lot of ways I was raised by my grandmother. Some of my fondest memories were sitting around with the old ladies and playing pinochle. They had a way of joking a laughing that I loved. I still to this day admire a persons laugh over most things
- What does you support system- your family meant to your journey in the sport
- Although I need to give a shoutout to all of my family and coaches. This question should be dedicated to my partner in this life, Tess. I am now a father of 2, both still under 2 years old. She is an absolute inspiration to me and an example of true grace. None of my journey would be possible without her. Watching her as a mother is a gift too beautiful for me to have asked for. Only through her and the overwhelming beautiful family we have built, can any of this grow. I love you, babe and thank you.
- Although I need to give a shoutout to all of my family and coaches. This question should be dedicated to my partner in this life, Tess. I am now a father of 2, both still under 2 years old. She is an absolute inspiration to me and an example of true grace. None of my journey would be possible without her. Watching her as a mother is a gift too beautiful for me to have asked for. Only through her and the overwhelming beautiful family we have built, can any of this grow. I love you, babe and thank you.
- Do you approach competition differently now as a brown belt?
- Absolutely, just like the skill needed and built in the practice gym everyday. Competing is a different skill of its own. I’ve tried being extremely calm. I’ve tried being super hyped up. In the end it’s the middle way. A path on non resistance where you accept the high and low emotions as they come. Simply letting them pass through you instead of being attached to them. Still a lot of work for me to be done here and maybe the largest part of my focus as I learn to be a better competitor. Whatever higher power you look up to. God, gods or the universe itself. You will never have the control you want. Nothing will ever be perfect, you have to learn to let go and trust.
- Absolutely, just like the skill needed and built in the practice gym everyday. Competing is a different skill of its own. I’ve tried being extremely calm. I’ve tried being super hyped up. In the end it’s the middle way. A path on non resistance where you accept the high and low emotions as they come. Simply letting them pass through you instead of being attached to them. Still a lot of work for me to be done here and maybe the largest part of my focus as I learn to be a better competitor. Whatever higher power you look up to. God, gods or the universe itself. You will never have the control you want. Nothing will ever be perfect, you have to learn to let go and trust.
- Do you have any routines or habits that help you stay mentally grounded through training and competition?
- Yeah the beautiful thing is the journey will force certain habits onto you. According to your individual needs. Of course it all starts with consistency, simply showing up. As your body starts to feel the wear and tear. Incorporating some level of resistance training is a must. I would follow that up with some level of body weight training. Yoga being my highest example of that. Last for me the spiritual work can’t be ignored. Meditation and prayer are becoming a pivotal part of my growth. I do many types of meditation. Vipassana, mindfulness and mantra probably being at the top. I also pray a couple times a week. Something personal and with direction. I believe many people get to caught up on the religious aspect of needing to believe to have access to these practices. I respect the Jewish faith a lot in the sense that many understand the value without needing the belief in any certain higher power.
What’s next for Blake Bithell?
- Possibly Submission Hunter, Sub Kumite pending match. Roll A Lot Portland in October and IBJJF Worlds in December
Rapid fire questions:
Top 3 favorite submissions: Arm bar, triangle, heel hooks
Favorite post-training meal? Pho!
Who pushes you the most at the gym? Sam Hardy
Who’s an athlete you admire in the sport (local or global)? Mr. no fear Andrew Tackett (these kids today jeez)
What’s one thing you want your kid to know about you as a competitor or teammate? Just that I chose the life I wanted. Not the life society told me I needed.
Getting to feature Blake in this first spotlight has been such a reminder of why I love this sport and the people in it. His approach to growth, both on and off the mat is something I think a lot of us can take with us- whether we train or not. I hope this gave you a glimpse into the kind of passion and depth that lives in the jiu-jitsu community here in the PNW.
P.S: If you are a local athlete looking for tournament coverage- I’m currently booking for upcoming events in the PNW! Learn more here: https://ashlyntaulbee.com/athletes
Ashlyn Taulbee | Portland Family and Athlete Photographer |
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