Connections and attachment has been very fascinating topic for me lately.  I recently had an opportunity to watch Scott Burr teach it. Very, very interesting... 

I feel like there are multiple questions wrapped into this one. But to start with - yes! Over my time on the mat, I’ve developed systems and processes not only to understand Jiu-Jitsu better, but to make it more efficient, effective, and enjoyable.

These systems have evolved constantly, adapting, changing, and improving over the years. That’s why I always encourage students to focus on one small area at a time. Build your own system (whatever system means to you). That focus allows you to create something truly unique, something that fits your body, your mind, and your personality.

From there, growth becomes more natural. You can continue to build, refine, and evolve and ultimately, keep doing what we all love.

I feel like this is such a loaded question... there have been so many lessons over my 25 years on the mat. But if I had to narrow it down, a few stand out the most.

First, I’ve learned that we are all capable of doing hard things. Jiu-Jitsu is complex, but it can be understood and even simplified with time, patience, and persistence. That lesson didn’t come easy to me.

Second, public speaking. To this day, I’m terrified every time I stand in front of a class, especially at big events like graduations or promotions. It never fully goes away, but I’ve learned to embrace it.

And third, perhaps the most important one... something a guest once said on The RŌL Radio podcast that stuck with me: Jiu-Jitsu magnifies your personality. If you’re a good person, Jiu-Jitsu will make you even better. But if you’re not, it has a way of exposing that and showing everyone your true colors.

Let's go team 👊

After 3 weeks of Turtle, we’re moving on to Side Control!

Side control is arguably one of the most important positions in Jiu Jitsu and grappling. Over the next few weeks, we’ll break it down step by step.

This week our focus will be on escapes. Both Gi and NoGi classes will include plenty of drills designed to sharpen your ability to get out and recover.

👉 If you’ve been looking to improve your escapes, this is the perfect week to join class!

https://rolacademy.tv/programs/side-control-escapes-series-by-thomas-rozdzynski?category_id=89231

Training hard doesn’t mean being rough or careless with our partners, and being a great training partner doesn’t mean going easy. It’s about balance. A true partner is someone who can push you to your limits without breaking you down… someone who supports, challenges, and motivates you when it matters most. We spend countless hours on the mats together, and through that we build strong bonds. Just as being a good friend is important, being a good training partner is equally essential. Together, we help each other grow.

I didn't know this... I learned something new today. Thank you for sharing

Final week 🐢 focusing on Turtle position in both Gi and NoGi. Let’s wrap this segment up strong by dialing in the key points for control and attack.

As a bonus, here’s a valuable concept we can all benefit from 👉 https://rolacademy.tv/programs/turtle-concepts-af9598

Let’s finish this segment with precision 💪🔥

Great question. There are many skills you need in Jiu Jitsu—strength, timing, flexibility, strategy—but if I had to choose the number one intangible skillset, it would be patience.

It keeps you calm when learning, prevents panic in tough positions, and allows you to wait for the right openings instead of forcing things. With patience, you stay consistent over years, turning small steps into big progress.

A few things come to mind when I think about staying calm under pressure. The first question to ask ourselves is: why do we panic?

Picture this: a piece of lumber, 12 inches wide and 10 feet long, lying flat on the ground. Walking across it would be simple for most of us. Now, take that exact same piece of wood and raise it 50 feet in the air. Suddenly, everything changes. It’s the same board, same size, same walk — the only difference is the height. But with that change, fear, hesitation, and panic often set in.

Why? Because our brains are wired to protect us. When we sense risk or the unknown, fight-or-flight mode kicks in, even if the actual task hasn’t changed. The same thing happens in Jiu Jitsu. Many times we panic or overreact not because the danger is greater, but because we’re uncomfortable with the position we’re in.

So how do we overcome that? Instead of focusing only on winning, train your brain to get comfortable in the uncomfortable.