Oliver businessman Eric Hodge recently competed in a Canadian Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation tournament. The art of jiu-jitsu (ground grappling) is his new passion in life.
A huge decision by an Oliver businessman has given him a new, strategic purpose in life.
Instead of gazing at endless miles of road, Eric Hodge is looking at opponents who want to take him down . . . hard.
The 44-year-old proprietor of Merlin’s Laundromat has never looked back after saying goodbye to a 10-year career of long-haul trucking.
From driving to managing his own business and then rumbling in mixed martial arts is a big change, but Hodge said it’s the best thing he ever did.
He has been training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu since February and can’t get enough of grappling and ground fighting. Hodge likes the fact there is no striking or kicking, just pure strength and strategy.
“What intrigues me the most is how technical it is,” he pointed out, noting the smallest mistake can end the match in seconds.
Hodge recently lost his first match to a choke hold, but he can’t wait to get back into the ring to record his first win.
“In the next match I’m going to bring more strength. Now I know what to expect.”
Most people looking for a career change would never consider going head-to-head with the goal of submitting someone with a leg lock or an arm bar.
But for Hodge, strategizing in a physical chess game is a passion that drives him. He never had that spark before as a truck driver.
“I didn’t like being out of shape, and I wasn’t learning anything from it.”
It was a life of fast food and no energy, so he made a conscious effort to change that.
Hodge started training and lost 30 pounds, and relies on a diet of chicken, fish and vegetables.
“It has given me a different perspective, and has opened up a whole new group of friends to me.”
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
