Seth “One Shot” Rodenbaugh, Owner and Operator at Obsidian Martial Arts, has been a student of martial arts in various forms since he was four years old. With nearly a decade in the military under his belt on the combatives team as an Army sniper, Seth medically retired with a Purple Heart, and found a focus in jiu-jitsu. As the owner and operator of Obsidian Martial Arts, he makes it his mission to empower his students to handle conflict and the realities of life with a calm demeanor, humility and steadfast confidence.
He introduces, “I only do things I have great passion for. One of the benefits of jiu-jitsu over other martial arts is because of the physical challenges of what you’re putting your body in. It develops and improves. Jiu-Jitsu forces you into becoming healthier and mobilizes you to have longevity of life. There’s a lot of humility on the mat and a lot of uncomfortable positions you have to get comfortable in. Jiu-jitsu teaches you how to be in the absolute worst possible place for fighting. It makes you address the situation and start meticulously working through sets of techniques and things to get out. I think it helps a lot with just dealing with life in general.”
Even for kids in school, jiu-jitsu teaches them how to handle conflict. Seth shares, “There’s been a good handful of times where I get the craziest story where a parent comes in and was like, ‘you should have heard the argument I was able to have at the school. My kid did everything so right because they didn’t get on top of somebody. They didn’t throw any punches. Instead, they said no multiple times and when the other kid was aggressive toward them. They hugged them, set them on the ground and they lay on top of them until a teacher came to help.’”
Being honorable, having respect, having good manners and helping others out are just a few qualities that Obsidian Martial Arts reflects upon and teaches. Seth also emphasizes that they’re a welcoming team. To get started, all you need is you, right where you’re at. Come as you are!
“The only thing someone really needs to start Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a willingness to learn. Come in with an open mind, be humble and be ready to improve a little every day. If humility isn't something you bring with you, don't worry, jiu-jitsu has a way of teaching it. One of the biggest misconceptions is that you have to be athletic, strong, fast and already in shape before you begin, but that simply is not true. Brazilian jiu-jitsu was designed to help everyday people become more capable through technique, not physical attributes. We've seen people of every age, body type and fitness level succeed at our academy. We welcome students as young as four years old all the way up to adults in their 60s and beyond. Heart, consistency and willingness to learn and keep learning will always take you farther than natural talent. The hardest part isn't the training. It's walking through the door for the first time.”
Seth encourages anyone to get started. “The hardest step in any endeavor is the first one.”
For more information, visit www.obsidianmartialarts.com.
Jiu-Jitsu forces you into becoming healthier and mobilizes you to have longevity of life.