FTA:

As a quick side note, curiosity is a blessing to me, because it leads me deep down the rabbit hole and as a result of my curiosity, I’m rarely (if ever) bored because there always something to learn, do, understand, experiment, attempt, or get better at.

One thing I have realized about myself is that I am willing to do things that don’t always reflect what the “normal” version of myself would do just to see what happens. Interestingly, what I’ve begun to realize as a BJJ Blue Belt is that performing moves that don’t reflect the “normal” me can also lead to new insights and by new insights I mean new possibilities and by new possibilities I mean new positions and new submissions.

Insight #1
You must be willing to do things that your “normal” self probably wouldn’t do in order to see new possibilities.

...

About a year-and-a-half after starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, I soon realized that everything you are gets exposed during the live training. You cannot lie and you cannot pretend. In a matter of 5 minutes, people can see what you’re capable of. Soon enough, I felt like I had to grapple with the same “issues” that have impacted other aspects of my life:

• Overthinking
• Overanalyzing
• Passivity
• Stiffness
• Not letting go
• Ignoring problems
• Not being vulnerable

...

Insight #2
The problems you deal with during BJJ training are analogous to the problems you deal with in other aspects of your life.

...

Insight #3
Both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and life itself are largely games of maximizing efficiency. The most efficient way is most likely the most “ideal” way.

Something makes me feel like I’ve been rambling for quite some time now so I will end this piece by listing all of the things that I’ve personally gained by training Jiu Jitsu thus far:

• I’ve become much more self-aware. That is, I have a better understanding of what matters and what does not matter to me.
• I am way more concerned with my health and the implications of what foods I put into my body. I mostly concern myself with what foods will minimize sickness and maximize my energy throughout the day.
• My body has become way more flexible.
• I’ve become much calmer.
• I’ve become less cynical.
• I’m better able to read people.
• I’m better able to deal with problems in life.
• I’ve become happier.
• I’ve developed a mindset where I believe I’m a work in progress and that I can keep getting better.
• I’ve met and befriended outstanding people that I probably would have never met: BJJ world champions, highly successful businessmen, incredible artists, and people that have overcome major problems such as obesity, heart attacks, living in their cars, and debilitating illnesses.
• I’ve finally found a great sport that is both mentally stimulating and physically demanding.