An unfortunate reality I have had to learn lately, is that I can not control the opinions people form about me from the lies they are told by disingenuous people. I’ve run into a conundrum lately, where I have found myself being shunted by people I thought I had a lovely and cordial and even […]
Read moreThere are so many gyms with signs and posters plastered right up front detailing some basic mat rules and gym courtesies. They will say things such as proper mat etiquette with your teammates and coaches (inning up by rank or bowing onto the mats as per tradition), helpful hygiene advice to follow (i.e. keeping the […]
Read moreThere is almost no greater pet peeve I have in Jiu Jitsu, than an insecure man denigrating my accomplishments due to a preconceived notion about the way my body moves. Basically, what this refers to is when a larger guy has difficulties when rolling with me, his automatic ingrained response is to blurt out something […]
Read moreDoes having a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt tied around your waist equate to all walks of life? You’d be an absolute moron if you believe this is so. This would be the equivalent of asking the best car mechanic you know to perform cardiac surgery on you because your body’s “engine” is out of […]
Read moreDon’t let minor setbacks become permanent pathways. By this, I mean that we shouldn’t ever stop pushing no matter what threatens to put up barriers and obstacles in our path. Calm waves never made for a skilled sailor, and I don’t care how much Dramamine it takes, but I’m here to tell you that you […]
Read moreThere is no one alive out there who is keeping a track record of our successes and our failures and detailing every step in our journeys. Even our most loathsome “enemy” isn’t tallying all that we do, from our greatest opponent and adversary to what may very well be just a bitter ex dating partner. […]
Read moreI’m tired of being too fearful to establish boundaries in my life. Whether that be everyday happenstances, personal or professional relationships, or even everyday meet and greets. I also owe zero explanation for my reasonings for establishing said boundaries and hard fixed points that will never relent or waver, ever. It is important to stand […]
Read morePatience may be a virtue, the moral compass we should all strive to adhere the quality for, but it is also harder to master than a 300 pound blue belt learning to berimbolo. Think about it. If patience was so easily attainable, New Year’s resolutions wouldn’t exist. There wouldn’t be an influx of new gym […]
Read moreThough I may be the size of a grubby little song-show and dance Oompa Loompa, I’m no byproduct of Willy Wonka and therefore under zero obligation to sugarcoat shit for you, or me, or anyone else. There is only one golden ticket to my chocolate factory, and it is in the sole hands of John […]
Read moreWhat’s your toxic trait? This is something I’ve been trying self reflect a lot on lately. We are always so focused on the ways in which we have been wronged and the people who have treated us poorly that we can tend to gloss over the internal conflicts causing chaos within ourselves. “Until people take […]
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