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 Like a True Self-Mirror!
I remember that Monday night; it was the first time I entered the jiu-jitsu mats. My shiny white belt was knotted so badly.
Honestly, I had no idea what I was doing there, but I accepted the challenge with courage.
The Gi, the training uniform, felt heavy—not only its physical heaviness but also the emotional vulnerability it required.
At that moment, Saulo Ribeiro’s words echoed in my mind:
“At the end of the day, Jiu-Jitsu is the art of expressing yourself honestly.”
I didn’t get it at first. However, as I kept coming up, I realized that Jiu-Jitsu does more than simply expose your true character even if you hide it.
Every submission, takedown, guard pass, and transition became your language and expression on the mat. Each move mirrors your nature and habits, bringing your true self to the surface.
Are you impatient? Do you panic under pressure or remain calm? Do I concentrate on learning the fundamentals or flashy moves? Do you accept the challenge or quit after two weeks?
Your reality gets exposed on the jiu-jitsu mat, so please get ready for it.
The pivotal factor: Be honest with yourself!
At the beginning of my jiu-jitsu journey and even now, I spar with opponents better than me who expose my flaws, such as bad conditioning, not well-performed technique, relying too heavily on my ego, etc.
These situations encourage me to reevaluate myself and are excellent opportunities to solve my problems and improve.
Being honest with yourself is one of the top transformative tools that every person should possess.
The whole key is, to be honest with yourself, find the weak spots, work on it, and get it done. — Wladimir Klitschko
Jiu-Jitsu is more than just grappling and scrambling; it’s a journey of discovering oneself that extends beyond the mat. It has taught me to accept who I am and strive for who I can be. If you’re ready to discover your true self, the mat awaits.
Thank you for reading! ━ ◦ ❖ ◦━ If you’re intrigued about how Jiu-Jitsu might help you discover your true self, subscribe to the jiujitsu-news newsletter.
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