We always hear people say, “Jiu-jitsu is for self-defense,” but let’s be real — most of us train for the love of the art. We drill sweeps, sharpen our submissions, and roll with our teammates without ever expecting to use it outside the gym. However, life occasionally tests our jiu-jitsu. An adolescent purse thief discovered the harsh […]
For the longest time, my closed guard was a trap — but not for my opponents. It was a trap for me. I’d lock my legs, control my grips, and… nothing. My opponent wouldn’t give me an arm. They wouldn’t lean forward. They wouldn’t even try to pass. I was stuck. But once I started using the
For the longest time, my closed guard was trash. I would wrap my legs around my opponent, cling tightly, and hope they didn’t manage to pass. The truth! They always managed to pass. But one day, I decided enough was enough. If guys like Roger Gracie could build their entire game around closed guard, why
I thought my closed guard was solid. I had seen high-level guys dominate from there, and I figured, “Just lock my legs, control the grips, and I’m good, right?” Wrong! That mindset got me passed, crushed, and tapped more times than I’d like to admit. If you’re training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, be aware that a
How Jiu-Jitsu reveals the truth about who you are. The first time I stepped onto the mats, I thought I was prepared. No! I wasn’t. The first time, six years ago, I went onto the mats; I believed I was prepared. I worked out hard, researched savvy grappling techniques, and convinced myself I was prepared
The Surprising Lesson I Learned from Slowing Down Would you believe that Jiu-Jitsu would teach you patience and passion like no other martial art? And this could change your life more than just your grappling skills. A few years ago, I made my first roll with a black belt. It was amazing. The Black Belt’s
The Surprising Way Grappling Helped Me Confront and Accept My True Self! What if I told you that practicing jiu-jitsu grappling may reveal your true identity? Six years ago, I walked onto the Jiu-Jitsu mat for the very first time, not realizing that it would become a mirror, revealing my true self. The Mat Is
What if I told you that practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu might transform not just your physique, but also your mentality and outlook on life? When I initially stepped onto the mats, I had no idea what I was getting into. However, over time, BJJ became a strong instrument for personal development, uncovering strengths I had no
How grappling helped me forge meaningful bonds in training, work, and life. What if I told you that rolling on the mats may change the way you interact with others in all aspects of life? This is exactly what Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu accomplished for me. How Jiu-Jitsu Became My Unexpected Gateway to Connection! Building connections might be
How grappling taught me to thrive in chaos and stay grounded under stress. I found myself in the bottom-side control position, also called “100 kgs.” The pressure was massive, but I stayed calm. I embraced Elizabeth George’s words. “Gentleness is strength under control. It is the ability to stay calm, no matter what happens.” Calm Under
