Walt shifted my paradigm more profoundly than any marketing guru or sales course ever could. He didn’t try to be something he’s not. He showed up on my doorstep and reminded me that   we could use more authenticity in the world. we don’t have a porch light authenticity is the foundation of success. , I replied, with an almost imperceptible shake of my head.  We know it because you simply cannot fake authenticity, and when someone tries to, it’s grotesquely obvious. . We’re in the practice of enriching our student’s lives through Jiu Jitsu, and we do it genuinely and si ..read more

It’s shameful, absolutely grotesque, that the word  , I thought. Then it dawned on me: we can’t. I’ve spent my entire life training, and yet I’m not fearless. I realized it’s not the feeling of fear that we need to shield her from.  might be a better phrase. Adults gather in the kitchen, and Lord of the Flies unfolds downstairs.  kids. Sounds weird, I know. But at 20 months old, she’s just now starting to venture into the fray.  should even exist. But I’d be an irresponsible fool to bury my head in the sand and imagine it doesn’t. She ..read more

Sure, it can be painful to be awful again. But who cares. Better to embrace the beginner’s mindset now, than to endure the pain of being “found out” later ..read more

It’s what allows a crazy training session to have an element of playfulness. . You know they want to see you succeed.  these get all the glory. But the truth is, we make it to black belt on the backs of our favorite training partners ..read more

I still joke with Steeil about the time he broke my knee with his face, and think of him every rainy day when it creaks and cracks. And for the record, five days later I went on to fight and win. By mounted gogoplata. (Kidding, it was a Kimura.)  start framing more. Get your foot ripped off in a heel hook, and you’ll tap like a typewriter the next time you play footsies. .” He said it with a grin, and the message was clear: don’t be an idiot,  , my stubbornness recedes. These days, I rarely go inverted or rely on flexibility. I guard my shoulder lik ..read more

That means it’s great for people from all walks of life, no matter age, gender, level of athleticism, or disposition. getting out of your comfort zone – mobility is strength throughout the entire range of a movement. . You realize you’re still alive, and that you can endure much more than you thought ..read more

Let’s be grateful we had the self-awareness, curiosity, insight, and courage to start. . You’re here now, appreciate it. Make it count.  thing called Jiu Jitsu gives us a little slice of heaven a few times each week. enough to seek it out. Do you know how  ..read more

Read it, read it again… then remember it whenever you’re too sore, or too afraid, or too apathetic to push past your weakest self ..read more

Build yourself up brick by brick, until your willpower is a stone fortress. Develop pertinacity, a tenacious stubbornness. Build it slowly, build it surely, and never stop adding mortar to the joints.  lesson, however, and one you’d be wise to revisit often:  , because I’ve decided and it’s not up for debate.  In fact, if the act itself is enjoyable, it’s most likely doing you little good. Instead, learn to enjoy the victory over weakness, or laziness, or temptation. Enjoy the novelty of it, the absurdity of these difficult endeavors. you don’t have to enjoy these things ..read more

And that white belt? Well, he’s a blue belt now. And although he isn’t setting the world on fire, he’s much better than he used to be. And that’s a beautiful thing.  the underdogs, not in Jiu Jitsu. They’re the ones who get the    In Jiu Jitsu, trust, love, and loyalty are the magical ingredients for epic training sessions. . Those who experience the least amount of success (if any at all), who pinball between rocks and hard places each night- yet keep coming back. , you might be thinking. I assure you, it’s not.  ..read more