The fabric of fighting speaks to me on a level so deep that I feel as though my uniform has become part of who I am. What role do your closest material possessions play in your identity as an athlete, fighter, or martial artist?
Is getting your hand raised at the end of a fight the only way to know you’ve won? Is it possible to benefit from competition without winning?
As I prepare to compete in the IBJJF European Championships in Paris this week, I’m focusing on practicing gratitude. In doing so, I see my entry into this competition as an opportunity to win, to grow as an athlete and as a person, and to bring back lessons for myself, my teammates, and my students.
Pressure forces growth, and although the entirety of your existence doesn’t need to be you being beat down, there’s nothing wrong with absorbing some punishment as a means of personal development.
The beneficial social aspects of exercise and sports are sometimes overlooked, and it’s time away that reminds us why we are continually motivated to show up, work hard, and get better.