Have your instructors helped you in other aspects of life other than jiu-jitsu?

What are some lessons you learned from jiu-jitsu that apply to everyday life?

"Just show up." Sometimes I don't feel like training. But even if I don't feel like it, I make it my goal to show up to class. Then, when I'm there, I get into it, and I enjoy training. Consistency is critical to progressing in jiu-jitsu and everything else in life. You don't have to love every second of it. But you do have to show up.

How often do you train?

3-4x per week.

What made you want to start training?

I always wanted to learn how to defend myself, and I knew lifting weights wasn't enough for self defense. Then I heard Joe Rogan and Jocko Willink say that "jiu-jitsu is a superpower" and knew I had to try it. The fact that it had a deep intellectual side made me more drawn to BJJ over other martial arts.

Do you plan on training your whole life?

Absolutely! I'd like to train BJJ into my 80s, 90s and even beyond.

What’s it about jiu-jitsu that makes it so addicting?

I think it's a mixture of the constant problem-solving, exercise endorphins, and community. As a hobby, jiu-jitsu has everything you want -- and that's why so many of us get hooked on the spot despite how challenging it is.

What has jiu-jitsu done for your physical health?

I've had some pretty rough injuries from jiu-jitsu, but nothing that I haven't been able to overcome or work around. So in order to keep training, jiu-jitsu has forced me to stay on top of my strength training, diet, sleep, stretching, recovery, etc. I want to be my best when I'm on the mats, so I have to take care of myself to do so.

Has jiu-jitsu benefited your mental health?

Absolutely. Training jiu-jitsu has made me much more mentally resilient. It's hard for minor annoyances to bother me when I'm used to having 200lb men try and choke me unconscious.

If you could restart your jiu-jitsu journey, would you do anything differently?

I would have started training as a freshman in University at 19 years old instead of starting at 27 years old!

Other than that, I would have taken it more seriously right away as a white belt. I also would have liked to compete at white belt.

What’s your advice for someone that’s never tried jiu-jitsu before but is interested in trying it?

Try a few different gyms so you can feel out the vibe. Many people quit jiu-jitsu because they have a bad first experience. Look for a gym that is welcoming, hygienic, safe, and approachable. It should feel like a place you enjoy being, and look forward to going to. Keep searching for a gym until you find one that you actually enjoy. A good vibe and culture is key to sticking to a sport that is as difficult as jiu-jitsu.

Do you have any aspirations in jiu-jitsu?

My aspirations in jiu-jitsu are to get my black belt and encourage as many people as possible to try their first BJJ class.

What’s your favourite move?

Triangle choke, either from closed guard or mount. That's my go-to move.

If you didn’t discover jiu-jitsu, where do you think you’d be now?

I'd be far less fit, competent, tough, and confident. BJJ is one of my primary hobbies and it's a huge part of who I am. I don't even like to think where I'd be without it.

Would you like to see the sport become more mainstream?

Absolutely. One of my missions in life is to encourage more people to start BJJ and stick with it as a hobby. It has tremendous physical, mental, and social benefits.

Have any of your training partners pushed you to reach your full potential?

Yes, all of my training partners push me to reach my full potential.
The black belts humble me and show me the holes in my game.
The browns, purples, and blues push me to hone my A-game.
And white belts encourage me to try out new things on them.
Every training partner I have is super valuable.

When you were first starting, what was the most difficult concept of jiu-jitsu that you had trouble getting?

When I first started jiu-jitsu, every roll was a fight to the death. I would use 100% effort on every move, and gas myself out quickly. So the concept of patience was difficult for me to grasp at the beginning. But over time I learned to slow down, conserve my energy, and be patient. It took around 6 months, but once I did that, my game started to develop.

If you could roll with any practitioner, dead or alive, who would it be?

I'd love to roll with a legend like Rickson Gracie in his prime. He's a mythological figure in the sport, and I'd be curious to see what rolling with a legend like him feels like.

If you had to describe Jiu-Jitsu to someone that's never heard of it before in under 5 words, what would those words be?

"Chess with your body."

What has been the most memorable moment you've had on the mats so far?

Giving black belts challenging rounds is always a memorable experience for me.
Also rolling with white belts and blue belts and seeing how much they've improved is incredibly rewarding and fun.

Was there a difficult moment in your life where jiu-jitsu helped you get through it? If so, please explain.

Yes. BJJ has given me a few injuries, but it's also helped me deal with my injuries as well. I was super down when I tore my meniscus. But instead of moping around at home, I would go to class and just watch. I may not have been able to train, but I was still able to learn. It was also great for me to get out of the house and be around my training partners. And when I did come back on the mats, I could implement what I learned by watching.

What inspired you to start your website?

I saw a lot of great video content on BJJ, but not a lot of great written content. I started BJJ Equipment to change that.

Writing is also how I learn, so I wanted to blog about my experience learning BJJ. So I hope my "public journal" would help other people learn BJJ along with me.

Do you have any advice for other content creators looking to get started?

There are so many content creators out there, so if you're going to start, be unapologetically you. Lean into what makes you unique and what you're good. That's the only way to stand out and attract an audience that appreciates you.

What can the BJJ community expect to see from your website?

On my website BJJEquipment.com, you can expect to see honest gear reviews, insights on how to learn jiu-jitsu, and comprehensive guides for beginners and hobbyists. I strive to create the best written content on BJJ.

What would you like to say to everyone that has supported you on your journey?

Jiu-jitsu is a community-based sport. It's impossible to learn it on your own. Thank you for undergoing this journey with me. Oss!

When the journey is over, how would you like to be remembered?

I'd like to be remembered for being one of the most helpful, encouraging, and useful practitioners of the sport.