We're not made of steel. We're made of flesh and bone. We get beaten up, we endure, and we won't stop. We don't stop unless we get injured, and then we slow down for a bit. I've engaged in a lot of physical activity throughout my life. I've dabbled in all sorts of physical training. I see a clear delineation in training. I see that training is either strength and conditioning or learning technique. Strength and conditioning boils down to the opposition of force. Learning a technique is the manipulation of force. Both of these parts are very important to improving ones own level of fitness and knowledge.
I wanted to discuss this, because I see too many people hurting themselves (specifically in Jiu-Jitsu, but other endeavors as well). I used to be all about getting swoll, jacked, big, and all around hitting that beefcake status. When I was 22 I looked like an Italian gigolo. I have photo evidence (as shown above) if you don't believe me. When I came into Jiu-Jitsu I was bigger than I am now. It didn't matter though, because I knew nothing. I had no acquisition of skill. I didn't know how to manipulate force. I only knew how to oppose force. Jiu-Jitsu helped me learn that while strength and conditioning is very important, it can't trump knowledge. I also see this as a philosophical question. Why build the body if there is no function for it to execute? Maybe, it's about establishing status through aesthetics. Muscles look good. They can demonstrate health, vitality, virility, and confidence. That is valid, but it isn't quite enough for me.
How should one go about a physical activity where there is the potential to manipulate the force? Should they simply oppose all force? No, that will lead to injury. When dealing with another body in motion there are too many variables. You don't know what forces will quickly be thrust upon you. Fighting all force leads to injury, and sometimes serious injury. When we run, lift, swim, jump, and stretch we have control over fewer variables. Of course, these endeavors can also lead to injury. It can be more controlled though based on a more expected outcome of force. In grappling there is less predictability. You don't know which set of decisions your partner or opponent will make. We can't oppose all of these unexpected forces, and expect to overcome all potential force. There is a limit. The world record for the deadlift was made by Eddie Hall. He lifted a total of 1102.31 pounds! That is an unbelievable feat, but he didn't lift 1103.31 pounds. There was a limit. Obviously, Eddie Hall is in a class all of his own. My point is that there are limits to opposing forces. There is almost a limitless well to learn how to manipulate forces.
Both of these facets of physical pursuit are very important! We can't execute skill if we do not know the limits of our bodies. We also can't be content just staying put. There is a meditative aspect of strength and conditioning that transcends the act itself. We need a balance to these two modes of training. Everybody needs to find their own way.
I have a humble suggestion for grapplers out there. Don't go into it to oppose every force presented. Don't fight every battle presented with sheer physicality. Use your coconut! Employ knowledge, skill and physicality. You have two big things at your disposal. You have opposition and manipulation of force. Make use of them, and get that good money!