I was overweight before capoeira. I weighed over 200 pounds with no workout or exercise whatsover. I was simply a slob.

But one day, I saw this incredible fighting game everybody knows as Tekken and I instantly loved the moves of one Eddie Gordo (or Christie if you really want to be uber specific). I wanted to learn how to dance and move like that.

I started to research on the internet reading blogs and online essays about the good effects Capoeira has on an individual's physical and mental state. I wanted to be a part of that. And I wanted to work hard to lose my gut.

After a few calls and several hours with Google, I finally found a Capoeira school in NYC. It may take an hour to travel from my apartment all the way to the school but I was really excited. During that time it was a while before I actually did something that I wasnt coerced or forced or harassed to do. I felt like finally, I was taking bacl my life.

So there I was, upon entering the school, it was a bit dim but there were a few people. I introduced myself among the crowds (and even to this cutie Rain) and we were off.

The funny thing was during my first class with my maestro, I was ticked off because he kept ordering me to do like a million crunches. And it really did hurt my gut. He told me that he needed me to become flexible. And then everything went blurry. I realized later that my mind had gone into autopilot. I was aware of what I was doing but my mind was focused on one thing and one thing only. And that was to finish the crunches that Maestro Daniel required.

The next few days, even without classes, I started doing those crunches. And when I did make an appearance later on in the week, they were surprised at home nimble I have become.

That was roughly three weeks ago. Right now, I'm truly enjoying my training. I have moved my ambition from simply losing weight from the sport into performing in an actual beach capoeira exhibition.