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Preparing for BJJ Competition, Four-Part Framework
Jiu Jitsu is in its awkward teenage phase. One of Jiu Jitsu’s hallmarks of awkwardness is the way it approaches competition preparation.
Many schools and competitors remain stuck in a trial-by-fire paradigm to prepare competitors. While this approach may help cultivate some mental resilience (and even that’s debatable), it more often decreases preparedness, diminishes recovery, and […]
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The Compound Effect of Doing the Right Work
Everyone who trains has a practice — a recurring commitment to show up. You come to the mat, you put in the hours, you return. A practice is the container. It’s what separates “I do jiu-jitsu” from “I have a jiu-jitsu practice.” It implies continuity. Identity. The rhythm that makes growth possible.
But showing up is […]
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A First Principles Approach to BJJ
Principles are fundamental truths that guide decisions and actions. A first principles approach gives you a north star to cut through noise, identify what matters most, and make your skills work for you rather than feeling perpetually insufficient. Without principles, the temptation emerges to accumulate more BJJ knowledge because you can’t qualitatively apply what you’ve […]
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PBJJ Blog: Lessons from my Teachers
“I did not fight to win. I fought to discover what was real.” – Yuki Nakai
Over my BJJ career, I’ve had the privilege of being exposed to incredible athletes, coaches and teachers. Looking back, I regret being too young and immature at the time to properly express gratitude for their attention. My teachers have been […]
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How to become a liberated learner: Desire, data and drive
By Emily Kwok
Sometimes feedback can be a painful thing. As a teacher, I can be disappointed or dismayed by a student’s reaction when I try to offer some helpful advice, but then I am reminded by how I’ve felt when people have tried to help me. When I think about some of my most embarrassing […]
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How to prepare for Jiu Jitsu competition
By Shane McCarthy
Jiu Jitsu competition is an excellent opportunity to test your skills against live, resisting opponents who share the same passion for the sport. Whether you’re a first-time competitor or a seasoned veteran, success hinges on your preparation. In this guide, we’ll delve into the specifics of each crucial step to ensure you’re well-equipped […]
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Going All In On Jiu Jitsu
I can’t say when camp for this competition began. In many ways, it feels like I’ve lived in a permanent training camp, and that, I suppose, is the point. Believe it or not, the intensity of my Jiu Jitsu training is work-related. My employer gave me a goal, and that goal was to be all […]
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The Mind of a BJJ Black Belt: Cindy Fink
The first thing you notice is the unrelenting attack. Constant pressure. Ceaseless adjustments to the position. You’re out of options. Your limbs have been straightjacketed, your torso locked or twisted into an angle that renders it useless.
Only now do you realize that the end is near, though the endgame started much earlier. Often, there’s one […]
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Building Resilience in Jiu Jitsu and BJJ Competition
Shouts and cheers bounced off the high gymnasium ceiling. It was the typical soundtrack of a BJJ competition. I wasn’t enthusiastic, though. I was tired and hungry.
Earlier that morning, my match start time had moved up an hour, prompting me to leave New Jersey in a sprint and head for the city to compete in […]
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Am I even having fun?
By Shane McCarthy
My wife finds herself asking this question ever since she started training: Am I having fun in Jiu Jitsu? Joy. Happiness. Fun. They all describe the endorphins that flood your nervous system when something pleases your brain. Midway through a set of burpees in a gross, humid, 90-something-degree warehouse, with your muscles screaming […]
