When it was announced that the city would be going on lockdown with gyms closed, I asked a coach and four teammates to move in with me temporarily. This would allow us to continue to safely train together and help each other grow despite everything going on around us. So, we threw some Jiu Jitsu mats, kettlebells and steel maces down in my garage and did what brought us joy - we trained. We did yoga in the morning and our coach taught us a class each afternoon followed by a workout. After that, we walked and played with our five house-dogs in a dog park that was adjacent to our backyard. Thus, the Dog Fight Dojo was born. But it quickly became more than a place to train. It created a lifestyle built on hard work, support, growth and camaraderie both on and off the mat.
“It created a lifestyle built on hard work, support, growth and camaraderie both on and off the mat.”
During this time, a friend of mine introduced me to OOFOS without knowing how much I already wear slides - especially in my Jiu Jitsu lifestyle. Every Jiu Jitsu gym has a strict “no shoes on the mat” and “no bare feet on the floor” policy. This is done to assist with keeping the mats sanitary. So before long, any time I stepped off the mat in between rolls - to grab tape, swig some water or chat with a teammate - I was stepping into a pair of OOFOS. They have become the only slide I wear because what they advertise is true. They are truly a recovery technology that supports the integrity of my arches and ankles. This is specifically important in Jiu-Jitsu because we require good ankle and foot flexibility to be able to withstand the more popular ankle lock and toe hold submissions. OOFOS’ OOfoam technology decreases the amount of tension on my feet, ankles and knees off the mat, so that I can perform with confidence on the mats.
“They are truly a recovery footwear technology that supports the integrity of my arches and ankles … OOFOS’ OOfoam technology decreases the amount of tension on my feet, ankles and knees off the mat, so that I can perform with confidence on the mats.”
Outside of the gym, I am in my OOFOS anytime I am doing something that absolutely does NOT require tennis shoes. I walk my dogs every morning in my OOFOS and, because the pups are as adventurous as me, I find I’m also bathing them multiple times a week … still in my OOFOS. The closed-cell foam makes it super easy to clean them after doggy play time. I can simply rinse them off and be good to go back to the gym. That's the kind of footwear I need for my life - durable, comfortable and most importantly, functional.
My only warning to anyone interested in “feeling the OO” as they say is this: they are addicting. Grab yourself a pair … your feet will thank you!
“That's the kind of footwear I need for my life - durable, comfortable and most importantly, functional.”
