Get to know your Professor

Highlight on Professor Kyle Wendt.

I am the oldest out of 5 siblings, [and] I’ve always had a dog. I enjoy being active, gym
class was always my favorite class alongside art class. I met my wife in high school. We
have 5 dogs of our own, all wiener dogs. They love to dig and to go on walks around the
neighborhood and in the woods around my home. My wife and I are foodies! We love to
try new food whenever we travel, and we avoid any chains that we have access to at
home. On the weekends, we hang at home, cuddle with the doggos and watch some
Netflix.

1. Favorite Hobbies/Activities! “Of course I love bjj happily (practicing for almost 9 years),
weight lifting, and in my down time drawing, wood working, games, movies with my wife,
and walking the puppers.”

2. Favorite Food! “My ideal meal would be a pan seared bone in ribeye, basted in
butter,garlic, and thyme with a side of asparagus and sweet potato fries lightly dusted
with sea salt.”

3. Quotes to Live By! “‘How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so
hard,’ from Winnie the Pooh. And second, ‘If it makes you nervous, you’re doing it right’”

4. The Journey to Black Belt! “I started BJJ with the intent to compete and be the best I
could be. I worked super hard and being one of the smaller guys in my class, it was hard
being smashed every class. Of course, wanting to be better, I wanted that blue belt so
bad. But, that was the only belt I wanted. Shortly after that, I just started to enjoy the
journey and the friends I was making along the way. After a few years of friends and lots
of memories, the belts just sort of happened. It wasn’t easy, I had a few career changes
along the way, family moving in and out of my home. I just enjoyed the company I was in
and couldn’t stay away. During my struggles or when I felt I was becoming stagnant with
my abilities, I would either start to learn a skill set I was neglecting and focus on small
wins. Whether it be keeping posture longer, avoiding a grip, almost passing a good
guard, or surviving longer. That method always helped me keep my chin up and see the
smallest improvement in my skills and I would keep focused on those small wins. Even
when I would get tapped, I would look for the flaw in my skill and try to close that gap
and reposition the grip that was misplaced.”

5. Favorite Thing About Being an Instructor! “My favorite part is seeing students' pride
and self confidence grow. When they see they can overcome the challenge presented in
front of them. Whether it be a physical ability, flexibility, or just the move of the day. The
laughs, I enjoy all the laughs we have on the mats. Yes, we all want to be the best we
can but it doesn’t have to be boring.”