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Getting choked out five times in five minutes

Writer's picture: Dillan TaylorDillan Taylor

In the past month, I’ve experienced an increase in skill in Brazilian Jiujitsu. As a white belt, these confidence boosts are incredibly motivating.

Few feelings are better than the feeling of improvement. I feel more capable of helping and teaching newer students. Certain submissions and defenses are becoming more automatic. I was feeling high.

Then yesterday, I rolled against a purple belt in front of our coach. Naturally, he wanted to show his stuff…so he absolutely destroyed me.

He may as well have been wrestling a toddler.

All of the ego boosts I’ve felt in the past month turned to ash during those five minutes. But as horrible as it was, it was a truly beautiful experience.

Why? Because of the useful reminders which came from it:

1) Be proud of your improvements, but know that the work is never done.

2) There will always, always, always be people who are much better than you.

3) Everyone has something to gain by (respectfully) getting their ass beat.

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