I competed in Fuji Sport on Sunday with my fantastic team, North Shore Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Gary, and I weighed in the night before. I was nervous. Gary wasn't. My other NSBJJ brother, Kyle is like Gary. They laugh in the face of uncertainty. I grimace. I know that I am, by nature, nervous. I also know that competition wasn't something that came naturally to me. Thus far, I am undefeated in my division. So, how did a guy who fears uncertainty achieve a six straight win streak? It was by surrendering to uncertainty, having faith, confidence, and surrounding myself with strong people.
Competition isn't something that you can train for. You can train your skillset. You can train your strength and conditioning. The only way to get better at competition is to do it. We can only emulate competition so much. We can tire a teammate out, and then subject them to rounds with guys fresh for battle. We can do positional work. We can put ourselves purposefully in a bad position and try to dig ourselves out. We can do extra pull-ups, pushups, and rope work. We can throw rocks on the beach!
That's all well and good, but it isn't competition. We can only get better at competing by engaging in legitimate competition. This means that you can't compete in the room. You can't compete with your teammates. You will not get better! I promise you that. Compete outside the gym. Put yourself out there, and embrace the outcome. Winning is fine. Losing is fine. It's how you frame the outcome. So, keep your eyes open during the battle. Review what happened during your performance right after. Ask the questions: How did I get stuck on my back? Why couldn't I finish the rear naked choke? Where were my hips when I put the pressure on? Competition is a chance to encounter real truth. I don't know of a clearer truth than submission grappling. There are lucky punches in fighting. There are no lucky positions or submissions. It is truth.
My art teacher, Jack, told me something that stuck with me many years ago. He told me, "Talent is cheap, and will is everything". That's truth. Talent only goes so far. Will powers the body to act. Where does this deep drive come from? I guess that depends on what you believe the meaning of life is. I won't attempt to answer that. Let's talk about reality. Let's talk about what it takes to win.
I believe there is a hierarchy of facets in competition. Mindset is first. Technique is second, and physicality is third. Mindset is the direct correlation to willpower. Without the proper mindset, technique and physicality go out the window. It's like having a race car sitting in a lot without a driver. Technique is more important than physicality. Jiu-Jitsu was made for the smaller guy to defeat the bigger guy. I can't count how many times my friend Diego (who was at least 30 pounds lighter than me) choked me out. Strength is a great weapon, but can't trump knowledge. Physicality is important. We can't enforce our will in battle without a body. The body manifests the will into physical reality.
Mindset has done wonders for me. I worked hard for years on my technique, and strength. I didn't have the mindset, and I suffered for it. It's never too late to check yourself. Create an abundance mindset. Take note of all the things you have, and you'll be shocked by how much there is. Surround yourself with strong people, and you will get stronger in all ways. Don't let people naysay you. They will only bring you down. Go for it, and don't stop. The world has so much to offer. Remember, he made it for you and me!