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. 

“Mission First, Safety Always” - I love this

Russell Usauskas and Tim Jurgovan that's a good one

I’ve seen this sooo many time and I could watch it again and again

https://youtu.be/15A1KN6yCCs?si=zdZ0mk3fahogmhHS

This week we’ll be breaking down the key differences between the Anaconda, D’Arce, and Guillotine. Each of these submissions is not only a powerful way to finish but also an important point of control. Understanding the mechanics, grips, and body positioning that make them unique will give you options to attack and adjust no matter how your partner defends.

Let’s dig deep into the details and sharpen these essential tools! 💪

I truly love helping people and watching everyone grow in their own way.  Each of us has different milestones and paths, but seeing that progress is always inspiring. There’s no doubt that the strength of our community — and the motivation we find in doing hard things together — is what keeps us connected and moving forward. 💪✨

I've gotten a lot of positive feedback about the private lessons.  Awesome job Scott Tresch

oooo this is a good one... 

Before training, I always warm up — some of you joke about it 😆, but trust me, if I skip it, I’m not a happy human the next day. I like to think of it as starting the engines before the real work begins.

After training, the routine flips: first, I give my training partner a nice, sweaty hug (you’re welcome 😂), then I jot down notes on my session to track what I learned or need to improve. And if I’m in California? You know where to find me — Acai Café, enjoying a well-deserved açaí bowl (Jimmy Sinclair and Peter Thanos know what I'm talking about)