Coach Oliver “Oli” Smith started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2012, and currently holds a purple belt. He’s our resident big, friendly giant (although maybe not if you’re rolling with him) and helps keep Absolute MMA Collingwood in tip-top shape! He is active in the BJJ competition scene and has placed in almost every competition he has entered, including a silver at the UAEJJF International Open as a blue belt. Read on to find out about Oli!
What would you consider your greatest achievements in Martial Arts?
Silver at the UAEJJF Melb International Pro (Blue Belt).
What made you start Martial Arts?
My father practised karate when I was young, and I always wanted to go with him. Finally when I was about 11, he let me!
How did you first get involved with Absolute MMA? (What industry were you in prior to Martial Arts? What made you change?)
I broke my foot practising karate, and as soon as it healed I wanted to go back to back a non-striking form to give my foot a break. That’s when I found BJJ!
I managed a backpackers in Melbourne for a number of years. This really tested and improved my communication skills, which directly translated to being able to help explain things while helping out with the white belt classes. I pursued teaching because of the reward of seeing someone improve and grow in confidence. It also helps me better understand the details and intricacies of techniques.
Favourite workout/walkout song?
Wolf Like Me – TV On The Radio
Tell us about your life growing up, what is your favourite memory from when you were younger?
Had a great, very outdoorsy childhood with my father and 2 younger brothers and our friends. Lots of hiking, camping, rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, etc.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Now that I’m mostly recovered from a knee injury, I’m looking forward to competing as much as possible, and representing the team as much as I can!
Who is an inspiration to you, and why?
Josh Waitzkin – He’s the dude that the book & movie ‘Searching for Bobby Fischer’ was based on – about a young chess prodigy. After chess he went on to become a ‘push hands’ world champion (combative tai chi) and then later moved on to BJJ and received his black belt from Marcelo Garcia. He’s a fantastic thinker, and does a great job at breaking down his process for learning a new discipline in a book called ‘The Art of Learning’.
If you weren’t working in the Martial Arts industry, what would you be doing?
Eating pizza. Or be working as an osteopath. I was actually accepted into the course, but deferred to take training/teaching more seriously.
If you were going to be an animal, what would you be and why?
Maybe a chimpanzee, or an orangutan… imagine a monkey that could grapple!
What is your favourite travel destination? Why?
Thailand so far. I’ve had great experiences training and competing there, and I love that you can hire a scooter and be mobile straight away.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself!
I once had a grappling match against Amir Aliakbari, former Iranian heavyweight Greco-Roman champion (who was stripped of his medal for doping) – it didn’t go well.
Besides martial arts, what else are you passionate about and why?
I have a weird obsession with bonsai plants at the moment.
Who are the kind of people that you look up to and why?
People who manage to study/work AND compete at a high level. Like Lachlan Giles! How the hell did he become a doctor of physiotherapy, train, compete and teach? All to an exceptionally high level?!
Do you have a “useless” talent that makes people smile every time you use it?
I can wiggle my nostrils. When i was young I thought I was the only one who could do it, but as I told more and more people, I realised it’s really not that hard 🙁
Have you ever worked a job not in the fitness/martial arts industry? What were the highlights and lessons you learned?
I managed a backpackers in Melbourne for around 5 years. I had a great time and I feel like I graduated my with my PHD in hand signals and guessing what people who speak English as a second language are trying to say. It really stepped up my communication skills, and also made me realise that it’s still possible to get an accurate sense of someone’s personality without speaking their same language. Even if you don’t share the same language, with a little bit of patience and curiosity it’s possible to communicate almost anything.
What’s your favourite place to eat in Melbourne and your #1 dish recommendation?
I love Don Dons on the corner of Swanston and Little Lonsdale. $6.90 for a chicken curry and it’s ready before you put your change back in your pocket – what’s not to like?!
Is there a book you’ve read that has influenced your outlook on life or the way you approach certain situations or people?
It’s a cliche, but reading ‘The Book of Five Rings’ by Miyamoto Musashi can feel like you’re getting ancient wisdom downloaded into your brain if you read it at the right time. Also ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin is an amazing look at the obsessive life led by a young boy on his way to becoming a chess master and the lessons he learned.
Lastly, ‘The Border Trilogy’ by Cormack McCarthy. It’s beautifully written, but it’s a very sad story about a boy, his brother, their horses and their relationship with nature and life. (Just read it!)
If you could go back in time to your first martial art class, what would be the advice you give to your past self?
Chill Winston.
During a Absolute MMA staff retreat a zombie apocalypse breaks out. You get separated with 3 AMMA team members. Who would be part your dream team and why?
Sean Le Gourrierec because he’d bring the best supplies and most enthusiasm to the situation. Emilie Yap because when we do survive, someone’s going to have to organise the world… Aaaand I’d use Thiago Steffanutti’s massive head to block the door of our bunker while we escape out the back.
“Mr Oli ‘Fantastic’ Smith super cool and super chill. Will entangle you with skills, detailed knowledge and darn friendly smile.”- Apryl Eppinger
“I remember the first day I met Oli, it was before a jiu-jitsu class and I was like, wanna have a warm up roll? He then proceeded to throw me around like a rag doll.. And he hasn’t stopped since. Lucky he is my friend now.
You won’t get a more thoughtful and genuine person than Oli. He will do anything for you and has a heart of gold, and regardless of what he has going on, is always willing to put others first. He’s pretty lanky though, so there’s always that.” – James Walters
“Olli has a way of making you feel very special when you talk to him and very humble when you roll with him. His chokes are the real deal.”- Sean Le Gourrierec
“I guess he’s pretty good, I heard he was a white belt for bloody ages though.”- Matt D’Arcy
“I hope one day they invent a 4-meter long expert jiu-jitsu robot and have it attack Oliver. That will be the day Oliver realises how fucking annoying he is to roll with. Great friend though.”- Richard Lattemagi
“Oli is one of those genuinely friendly individuals who radiate positive vibes, and lift the spirits of whoever they are around. He also has the ability to literally lift you straight off the ground. He’s a great coach, explains technique clearly and is unbelievably patient with all his students. Thanks for getting all the things I can’t reach at the gym and looking out for the little people Oli, your heart is as large as you are tall!” – Emilie Yap
“Oliver is a gentle beast. A gentleman outside the mat and a monster inside of it. My face is frequently punched by him during our grappling sessions but I still like him anyway.” – Thiago Stefanutti
t, still on skates, and survived the first round. Josh spent the first 30 seconds of the second round still getting his wits back, and started to have some success on the feet working from the southpaw stance. He started to turn up the pressure and take over the fight. Second round was even, but it was clear Josh had the momentum behind him as the fight entered the third round.
