SBGi Kids Martial Arts Coach’s Profile: Trent Shadduck

Kids Martial Arts Coach’s Profile: Coach Trent

This is the first in a short series to profile the kids martial arts coaches at Straight Blast Gym in Portland, OR. I sent all the coaches the same list of questions. Here are the answers for inquiring minds that want to know…

Coach Trent as a kid (on the right).

What did you do before you started BJJ/SBGi for fun or as an activity (sport, hobby)? Do you still do it?

*Before SBG, I played baseball mostly as an outfielder. I wrestled for a little while and also did some climbing.

How long have you been training?

*I have been training at SBG since November 2011.

How has studying this discipline helped you?

*Learning jiu jitsu has taught me to set realistic goals and has humbled me as a person.

What about SBGi is different than other places you may have trained?

*SBG is a very relaxed and laid back atmosphere making it a great place for me to train.

What’s your day job?

*I am currently a full time student at PCC.

Name something you’ve never done that you want to do?

Something I want to do that I’ve never done is jump out of an airplane (with a parachute of course).

What are some practical/daily applications to learning martial arts that you’ve learned besides self defense? How has learning and training at SBGi affected you in your daily life?

*The biggest benefit I’ve seen in learning BJJ besides self defense, is the effective way it can be used as a relaxation technique. Rolling with higher belts has taught me to not get caught up in winning, but rather focus on what you can get better at.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor?

*My favorite ice cream is the cold and frozen kind.

What’s your favorite food and why?

*My favorite food is bacon. Mmmm.

What’s your favorite part of teaching/working with kids?

*My favorite part of working with kids is how funny they can be without knowing it. I did not study martial arts as a kid for any significant amount of time. Overall, kids are great students who can give you new perspectives once you get past the short attention span.

What is your favorite martial arts movie?

*Favorite martial arts movie is Kung Fu Hustle.

What is your guilty indulgence pop song that you’d be embarrassed to admit you like?

*I hate pop music.