Lessons from the Mat

I started training Jiu Jitsu when a friend—who also happens to be a black belt—reached out to me during a tough stretch in my life, especially as a father. He told me I’d enjoy it. He said it would be good for me. And he was right.

What surprised me most, beyond the physicality and technique, was the incredible community that came with it. From day one, I was met with encouragement, support, and a shared sense of purpose. It’s rare to find spaces where everyone is working to get better—together—and it’s even more rare to find that in a place where the environment could easily be intimidating. But Jiu Jitsu has been nothing but welcoming.

Lesson 1: Humility

The mat doesn’t care who you are or what you’ve done. I came in thinking I was in decent shape. I’ve always been athletic, but that first roll? It humbled me fast. There’s something about being completely exhausted after two minutes that brings your ego down to earth in a hurry.

And getting tapped out? It’s not a failure—it’s feedback. "Tap early and tap often" has become a personal motto. Because you’re going to tap. A lot. But each time is a learning opportunity. Each time, you get a little better.

Lesson 2: Patience and Progress

Progress in Jiu Jitsu isn’t loud. It doesn’t come in big, flashy moments. It shows up in subtle shifts—surviving a position a little longer, remembering to breathe when you’re being smashed, seeing a window you didn’t see before.

It’s a long road. Belt promotions don’t happen overnight. But there’s a quiet satisfaction in knowing you showed up again. That’s the win. And over time, those little wins add up.

Lesson 3: Problem Solving Under Pressure

Jiu Jitsu teaches you to be calm in chaos. When someone’s trying to choke you or crank your arm, your instinct is to panic. But the more you train, the more you learn to breathe, to slow down, and to think.

You begin to recognize patterns. You develop awareness. And you realize that sometimes, the best move is to wait, adjust, and then act. That mindset is gold—on the mat and off it.

Lesson 4: Community and Trust

In Jiu Jitsu, you're often in close contact with your training partners, but what stands out most is the trust that quickly develops. You rely on each other to train hard but safely—to push each other, but not cross the line.

That dynamic creates a strong sense of respect. Respect for the art, for your teammates, and for the shared journey. Whether you're rolling with a white belt or a black belt, there's an understanding: we're all here to help each other grow.

Lesson 5: Carryover to Life

So many of the lessons from Jiu Jitsu carry over into daily life. I’m more disciplined. I’m more aware of my reactions under stress. I’ve become more resilient—not just physically, but mentally.

It’s helped me show up better as a father, a partner, a teacher, and a human being. Jiu Jitsu has a way of stripping things down to what really matters: effort, intention, and growth.

Right now, I’m still early in my journey. Still tapping. Still learning. Still getting humbled every time I step on the mat. But I love it. I look forward to every class. And I’m excited to keep going—to keep showing up, growing, and learning alongside this amazing community.