The adage of “no pain, no gain” might be tried and true. But it is also misunderstood. First, pain is a signal. It’s that check engine light that comes on. A sign that something is wrong and should be investigated. Hiding from it certainly won’t fix your car and neither will ignoring it but sometimesContinue reading “#140 The Gain of Pain”
Tag Archives: mindset
#133 Lessons through struggle
If the Pan IBJJF championships have taught us something it is that we are all a “work in progress”. This past week we witnessed past victors displaying a championship performance such as Gustavo Batista and new champions crowned such as Joshua Cisneros and Thiago Macedo. Regardless of the outcome there are always lessons for bothContinue reading “#133 Lessons through struggle”
#129 Name Day
First of all, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the fact that people showed so much love for me on my birthday let alone that they even remembered throughout what has been a trying year for many. A long time ago, a mentor asked me, what the most powerful force in the world was, toContinue reading “#129 Name Day”
#127 You are great.
We all have our moments of brilliance. We also have moments where we are downright foolish. The key is… Those moments won’t define you. Better days are always ahead for those who possess the right mentality. The champion mentality. There will always be those who remember you for the bad, just as those who rememberContinue reading “#127 You are great.”
#126 Train the mind to conquer the body
This weekend I helped my brother move to Austin. If you’ve ever moved an entire house, you know it is a challenge. Navigating large awkwardly shaped pieces of furniture (seemingly designed in the least ergonomic fashion) through doors, up and down stairs and into a u-haul is something everyone should experience. You will quickly becomeContinue reading “#126 Train the mind to conquer the body”
#122 Don’t judge a book by it’s cover
In our world today governed by political correctness and man-shaming there is a longing for the times where it was not only accepted but encouraged to be a tough man. That doesn’t mean that because you are a rough and dangerous person you can’t also be a sweet person with a big heart. I knowContinue reading “#122 Don’t judge a book by it’s cover”
#121 Working on things
A true martial artist seeks constant evolution. Every second that passes is an opportunity to evolve in some way. We can never be defined because our nature is to be an ever changing entity. There are moments in life where we must act purely out of obligation. As a parent, a caretaker, a teacher weContinue reading “#121 Working on things”
#118 Show Yourself
What an inspiring day with the boys from Lovato’s School of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Martial Arts along with Xande Ribeiro, Victor Hugo and the other Six Blades Jiu Jitsu representatives who attended the IBJJF Oklahoma City Open. The night prior, Lovato and Xande gave beautiful speeches to most of the 88 competitors on theContinue reading “#118 Show Yourself”
#117 It’s not ok to be weak…
In Sam Sheridan’s book “A Fighter’s Heart” he witnesses the scene of a dog fighting ring in Brazil, Thailand and the Philippines – something that would be quite a shock to your average yuppie from the suburbs here in the United States. In western cultures, dog fighting is viewed as an inhumane act whereas countriesContinue reading “#117 It’s not ok to be weak…”
#115 Own It
At a young age, it’s normal to have little responsibility or desire for it. Having your mom make you meals or your dad go to work and pay the bills can be nice. As children our responsibility is often centered around good grades as well as some chores. The problem with having no responsibility asContinue reading “#115 Own It”
