
Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone
I remember it like it was yesterday. The date was January 2, 2002. I peered through the window of my airplane, taking in the sights
In 2007, I began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), a discipline that has not only challenged me but also taught invaluable lessons about life, leadership, and business over the past 15 years.
In the summer of 2007, I was driving to the Loveland Gold’s Gym for an afternoon workout. As I drove to the gym, I passed a local mixed martial arts and jiu jitsu gym. I had made this drive hundreds of times, but on this day, I decided I would stop by after my workout to see what this gym was all about. I had no intention or interest in trying a BJJ class, nor did I know much about BJJ when I stepped in the doors; I just happened to arrive 10 minutes before one of their BJJ classes was about to begin.
Upon entering the gym, I met Noah, who invited me to join a class on the spot. At 27 years old, with over 200 pounds of muscle and a confident attitude, I was eager but unprepared for what BJJ would teach me. As I stepped onto the mats, Noah directed me to go and partner up with a young kid who looked to be half my age and was most certainly half my size. Noah told me to go easy on him and gave me a firm pat on the back.
Without much direction or instruction, this young kid told me we would begin the class by lightly grappling. He explained that the goal was for one of us to take the other person to the ground, control them, and get them to submit by tapping out (where you tap your hand a couple of times on your opponent’s body, signaling you’re calling it quits). He reminded me several times that I could quit at any point by tapping out.
What seemed like a simple task would soon teach me just how challenging BJJ could be.
It sounded straightforward. I assumed my size and strength would easily overpower my opponent, allowing me to quickly submit him. However, I would soon learn BJJ is about much more than raw strength. He and I slapped hands, bumped knuckles and I immediately attacked him. I drove forward and grabbed him with all my force and strength. As I did so, he fell to his back and elevated my body into the air, making me go upside down then land on my back. He was now mounted on top of me, and I had no idea how this happened. All I knew is I had to escape. I began to flail and flop my body around trying to escape. I then pushed him off me in a bench press like motion. He grabbed my arm, spun around the side of me, landed on his back and arm locked me. As he continued to put pressure on my arm, I was forced to tap out, submit, and say “uncle”.
Eyes wide and mouth open, I was in shock. How did this happen? My shock turned to frustration and aggression as we slapped hands and bumped knuckles again. This time, I attacked him with more speed, force, and strength. I ended up on my back again with him on top of me. I continued to try and shake him off me and this time I turned to my stomach. As I did so, he wrapped his skinny little arms around my neck and choked me. As my world began to close in, I was forced to tap out again.
That day marked one of the most humbling moments in my life, yet it sparked my love for BJJ. Over the past 15 years, I’ve trained consistently, and for the last decade, I’ve had the honor of teaching both adults and children. Over my years of training, I have competed in many tournaments, and even have had to use jiu jitsu off the mats a couple of times to defend myself and my family. In 2019, my longtime friend and training partner, Troy Pettyjohn, and I founded NOCO Jiu Jitsu.
Jiu jitsu has taught me many lessons about life, business, and leadership, and I would love to share some with you in this blog.
But Before we get into the lessons, here is a quick introduction/recap as to what jiu jitsu is. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu relies on timing, technique, and leverage to outmaneuver opponents. The goal is to bring them to the ground, control their movements, and secure a submission through a joint lock or choke. An opponent not tapping out would render them unconscious or with broken bones. The idea of using timing, technique and leverage allows a much smaller and weaker trained opponent to ultimately control and submit a larger and stronger opponent. For any of you that watch mixed martial arts and UFC, BJJ is what happens between opponents when the fight goes to the ground. Think of it as a human chess match where your goal is to check mate your opponent.
Here are some of the lessons I have learned over my years of training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu:
I hope this blog inspired and encouraged you to continue your business and leadership journey. Please know I am cheering you on all the way!
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