C4 Challenge #27 (Capacity)

A case for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and a challenge accepted

I recently had a dear old friend write me an email that succinctly ended with this statement “with the paths that we are on, I would consider Jiu Jitsu an essential component of a complete man”. 

The care with which this email was crafted is obvious. He had taken time amidst the significant demands of his every day to write out his thoughts and insights with his own earned life lessons. Contained within was not only an argument for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) but also a challenge for me.

Life is so amazing and truly miraculous this way if you are open to listen. Over the past couple of years my wife and I have been considering BJJ. It has been in our awareness with life presenting sign posts quite frequently. We have listened to podcasts by Robb Wolf and his wife Nickie on Jiu Jitsu and the life altering impact it has had on their entire family. A close neighbour is highly skilled at BJJ as a result of his work in a tactical police unit and it has often entered into our conversations. We have heard stories from many friends and acquaintances who have started the BJJ journey.

My wife and I have wanted to engage in learning a new skill together. But, when we researched local BJJ clubs in our area we were always left wanting.

Art of self defense. George Cruikshank. 1821,

As an adult learner, I know how I learn best. Focusing on fundamentals is everything. Learning from experts is key. Staged progression in a controlled environment is required for rapid development and is necessary to avoid injuries. Integrating practical application from the start is vital to provide context. My wife and I did not want to be thrown into an environment of the “deep end” to flounder unnecessarily and risk injury along the way. In our rural environment there just didn’t seem to be any options. So, the idea of BJJ has been just that, an idea with no further action. Until now.

All of these BJJ synchronicities with podcasts, friends, and this nagging “gap” in my own psyche linked together with my friend’s email.

Here’s the email: