You Will Get Better

I wrote a piece, kind of like an audition, for a jiu-jitsu brand who is looking for a writer. This is what I submitted:

Sunday rolls have become a tradition in Denver, North Carolina. Yes, I assure you it exists. It was started by a blue belt named Jeff Boone (of the BJJ Campaign Podcast) as an opportunity to train an extra day. It’s become a training ground mostly for the junior belts of the Fight to Win (run by Steve Hall) schools and Jeff, being a social person, uses his network to bring a few more people to the fold. It’s become an important part of my development.

This Sunday I finished my rolls with a white belt named Skip. I’m a 240lb blue belt. Skip a 150lb white belt about a month in. I let him work his offense, I didn’t go overly aggressive, and I told him to breathe towards the end as he almost tapped due to not being able to catch his breath. 

Afterward, he sounded a little defeated and asked me if he was improving any. While I’m hesitant to give substantial BJJ advice (hello, blue belt?) I am not hesitant to encourage someone who needs help and give them advice that I’ve heard from people much better at this than I am. I told him he has gotten better but to give himself six months and then gauge where he is then vs when he’s started. I told him to only compare himself to himself because just like real life in BJJ the path you have to walk is your own. I told him to breathe through his nose. I told him to keep coming! He will get better. I also learned Skip was trying out jiu-jitsu for the first time ever at 56! I feel he left the conversation feeling better.

Parting shots? We all need encouragement. Give yourself adequate time to gauge your progress. Keep coming to class! Breathe through your nose!