“The word ‘should’ always invites the question ‘according to whom?’” -Gavin deBecker “I should be better than I am.” “According to whom?” “You should have this style of Jiu Jitsu.” “According to whom?” “You should be working on such and such.” “According to whom?” “You should be such-and-such belt.” “According to whom?” “You should roll with so-and-so.” “According to whom?” Maybe it’s according to your coach. Listen. Maybe it’s according…
Category: Blog
31 Posts
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Handling Excuses in Jiu Jitsu
Most people are easily able to find their excuses. You know, the ones that help write off why something-some move, technique, or concept doesn’t or won’t work for them. Unless you find a way to move past those excuses, you’ll never find your true potential for using something. I tend to process my brain on the outside, not in. I think that’s partly why I’ve always loved writing. Sometimes my…
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Show Up-Even on the “Meh” Days
Last night was an important night. Physically, I felt “meh” all day. Sore, tired, bloated from eating food I don’t normally eat, and just generally “off”. But all weekend I had plans for last night. I had particular things in mind I wanted to do and work on, and I was tired of letting my body dictate whether or not I could do things when I wanted to. So I…
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Today I Didn’t Quit…
Today I didn’t quit. I didn’t give up. I didn’t walk away. I did things that challenged me. I failed at things. I succeeded at others. I chose joy in the midst of struggle. Embraced discomfort in the middle of suckage. Failure doesn’t have to equal giving up. Sometimes it equals growth, but only if you let it. I’d rather fail a hundred times and be a hundred lessons better…
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Handling Anxiety When it Creeps into Your Jiu Jitsu
I’m not generally an anxious person. I don’t get panicked easily, and I don’t usually get very afraid. I like risks. I like crazy. I like doing hard things. I’m strong. Capable. I’m struggling with anxiety and panic attacks in Jiu Jitsu. I’ve kept it to myself for months. Months. Because what the heck kind of purple belt all of a sudden gets panic attacks?!?! I finally told my coach…
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This is Jill…
This is Jill. She didn’t know it, but rolling with her in Montana 1.5 years ago was my first experience rolling with a female colored belt. We were both blue belts at the time. I. Was. Terrified. I know that seems strange. After all, women are usually nervous to roll men for the first time…but another woman?!? The context of my Jiu Jitsu training for the two years prior had…