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How to Find Happiness in Jiu Jitsu
By: Joe Hannan
Last week, I wrote about the pitfalls of seeking validation in jiu jitsu, something which I am guilty of doing. Looking back, I offered a critique without any alternatives. Hopefully this post will serve that purpose.
Eradicating validation-seeking behavior on the mats is accomplished when the grappler realizes that Jiu Jitsu is a process […]
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Validation in BJJ: Improving, Not Proving Yourself
By: Joe Hannan
You are good enough and you belong here. Let’s start with that. Let it sink in.
Starting Jiu Jitsu, for many, is the most difficult part of the journey. Continuing past blue belt seems to be almost as difficult, given the number of grapplers who turn into faces on milk cartons once they earn […] -
Showing Up
Showing Up
By: Joe Hannan2018 began with goals for my martial arts life, one of which was to compete three times. With the second behind me and the third at some undetermined point in the future, I’m a bit unmoored and dejected. The physical and metaphorical hunger lit a fire in me that I hadn’t felt […]
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Jiu Jitsu’s Worst Enemy
Jiu Jitsu’s Worst Enemy
By: Joe HannanThere is something out there that has claimed the careers of more promising grapplers than anything else. It will sideline some longer than a torn ligament. Maybe worse, it will keep others locked in the same patterns, never to develop even though they’re always training.
Lucky for us, that force has […]
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Returning to Competition: Finding My Heart Again
Returning to Competition: Finding my heart again
By: Emily KwokI recently made the decision and announcement that I would compete at this year’s IBJJF Master’s Seniors Worlds.
It’s been 6 years since I have competed and in the typical timeframe that a purple belt is born, I opened a school, birthed 2 children, concentrated on building […]
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Competition: Finding Your Why
Competition: Finding Your WHY
By: Emily KwokCompetition isn’t for everyone. For many, it stirs up all the awkward feelings we humans generally don’t like to feel: confrontation, stress, fear, anxiety, self-doubt. I think any athlete, professional or otherwise would be lying if they didn’t admit to feeling one or all prior to a fight. The nerves […]
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Finding the Right Coach for You: 4 Profiles I’ve Encountered
Finding the right coach for you: 4 profiles I’ve encountered
By: Emily KwokI recently was given the impetus to learn how to swim better.
My goal wasn’t to win any medals or to compete in an ironman race, it was simply to feel more confident and comfortable in deep and open water.
I had taken enough […]
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Take the Opportunity to Build Your Community
Take the Opportunity to Build Your Community
By: Val Worthington
My partners (Emily Kwok and Hannette Staack) and I run a business called Groundswell Grappling Concepts. In 2009, we started hosting grappling camps for women, because back then, there were few opportunities for women to train together. Those ladies who were committed to improving our jiu-jitsu had […]
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Adulting and BJJ: 8 Ways to Impact Your Training When You Have Limited Time
Adulting and BJJ. 8 ways to impact your training when you have limited time.
By: Emily KwokFor most practitioners of BJJ there comes a time in life when shit gets real. After many years of putting your BJJ before everything in your life other than making some sort of paycheck to cover the most basic expenses […]
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Pura Vida. Pura Vida Jiu Jitsu.
Pura Vida. Pura Vida Jiu Jitsu.
(Pure Life. Pure Life Jiu Jitsu)
By: Emily KwokI recently came back from a glorious vacation in Costa Rica with my family. For a week we lived on the edge of where the jungle meets the ocean; where the guttural sounds of howler monkeys in the trees and the chirps and […]
