Nick Pecharo

   

Name: Nick Pecharo
Age: 27
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Sport: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)
Affiliations/Groups: The Green Room,
Kurt Osiander/Matthew Cano,
Logos Jiu-Jitsu
Social Media: IG: @the_disconnect

 

1. Why did I first choose my sport?
"I grew up watching old school pride and the really primitive days of UFC. Even in those incubation stages I fell in love and knew that someday the sport would be as big as basketball or football. Initially it was for the love of that, and the promise of self defense and a new way to workout- but eventually it evolved into a dream of something bigger."

2. Why do I continue to play my sport?
"The thrill. There is no adrenaline rush that is quite as pure, and as primal as the one that it presents. Your goal is simple, your task is directly in front of you.
Survive. When the bell rings, there is no complex game plan anymore, and all that strategizing becomes very simple- fight, or lay down. You either return with your shield, or on it."

3. If I could achieve anything I wished for in my sport, what would it be?
"To continue building my own name/brand, in hopes that one day my accolades will equate to a market and desire for individuals to want to learn from my experience."

4. What are the physical things I do really well in my sport?
"Coming from a bit of a wrestling background, it was very difficult for me at first to become comfortable with the idea of fighting someone off of my back. I put myself in those positions a lot over the years, as they made me really uncomfortable. Now, I feel its one of the strongest aspects of my game."

5. What are the mental things I do really well in my sport?
"Breathing. Visualization. Mushin- State of no mind. During feudal Japan era, the Samurai referred to this phenomenon as "Mushin"; being completely mindless in the midst of battle. It was memory, not thought, that dictated their movements. Its not easy, and I have a long, long way to go, but achieving that state of mind during a clear state of chaos is what makes the true modern-day warrior."

6. How physically fit/strong do I need to be for my sport?
"Initially the premise of Jiu-Jitsu was that a smaller, weaker individual could control and subdue a much larger, more physically gifted adversary using leverage and timing. This is still very much the case- however, the playing field has leveled now. If skill, experience, and conditioning are all equal in a fight; now, the more physically strong individual has a clear advantage. Weight training and strength aren’t paramount to be successful in this sport, but they definitely make an individual much harder to deal with."

7. What skills and attributes do the best athletes have in my sport?
"I would almost go as far as to say conditioning beats natural talent or hard work, pertinent to skill set. If one has the most knowledgeable combat brain in the world, but not have the cardiovascular strength and conditioning to be able to employ the techniques relentlessly when necessary.... All that theory hardly matters. Studying is important, drilling is important, but the vehicle almost always comes first."

8. What do I need to do to make sure I’m physically prepared for my sport?
"Stretching and recovery are absolutely paramount. I’d say I spend thirty minutes to an hour each day recovering with various release tools. Foam rollers, theracanes, lacrosse balls, etc. Its absolutely necessary. Without my recovery routine (and CBD of course :)), I definitely would not be able to train as often or vigorously as I do."

9. How many hours of sleep do I need each night?
"Somewhere between 6-7 hours, is the spot. Any less is not enough for recovery, and anymore starts getting into lethargy/ lack of motivation territory, for me personally."

10. How do I make sure I get a sound night’s sleep?
"All cliches aside, CBD truly does wonders in terms of forcing my brain and body to relax and obtain a deeper state of rest. I often try to not look at screens, TV or phone, for at least a half hour before I try and fall asleep. I feel it helps my brain get into a more primal and relaxed state."

11. How do I know if my recovery is working? The body always knows.
"Acid is the destroyer of the machine. When the lactic buildup gets to be too great, one may mistake “gassing out” for poor recovery. When the muscles are inflamed, lungs have to work twice as hard to get the appropriate levels of oxygen to them to continue performing. Again, the vehicle always comes first. Period."

12. What about sport brings me the most joy?
The constant evolution. The never-ending puzzle. The infinity of it all.

13. How important is achieving my sporting goals to me?
"Being a champion, being ranked, performing at the highest level.. these are all goals of mine- some I’ve achieved while others I still aspire for. But above all else, this art, this sport... is a tool I will continue to use for life-long improvement. Nothing has given my mind all of the progression that combat sports have provided."

14. Where does confidence come from?
"When you stop thinking, and start knowing. In a strange sort of way, one first must let their ego explode and get strong, in order to let it go almost completely at some point."

15. What am I going to change tomorrow to make me better than I was today?
"I am growing daily and truly not knowing where the limit lies. Constantly reminding myself that there is still a lot of mountain left to climb is what keeps me motivated. Never allowing myself to fall into the lie, the trap of complacency. I’ve never understood people who say they’re bored-there's just too much progress to be made."

16. Any other info you want to share about yourself or your sport.
"Brazilian jiu-jitsu has been the single greatest tool for improvement in my entire life. The lessons I’ve learned, both mind and body, are unprecedented in any other sport or activity I’ve come across, bottom line. I could of become a doctor, or a surgeon, in the amount of time, effort and dedication I’ve put into this world. Naturally, ill never make a profound difference as some of these incredible individuals, but jiu-jitsu gave my life back to me, gave me back the reigns. I only aspire now to return the favor, and give myself wholly back to it, and anyone who believes it their destiny to walk the same path."