Jiu Jitsu and the Power of Grit by Joy Ip

When I first started jiu jitsu, I was the smallest one in a training room full of predominantly males. Most days I was getting sat on, armbarred or choked out. There were many occasions where I ran to the bathroom to cry after being pinned in the same positions over and over. Despite the endless beat ups and frustrations, I decided to keep training. I wanted to get my black belt one day.  

In life, we often encounter challenges that test our resolve and determination. It is during these difficult moments that grit becomes incredibly valuable. Grit is a unique combination of passion and perseverance, a steadfast commitment to long-term goals, and the ability to bounce back from setbacks. As a jiu jitsu athlete, the art of jiu jitsu has taught me many valuable life lessons, but out of all of them, grit stands out to me the most. 

Grit is the ability to sustain interest and effort towards long-term goals despite encountering difficulties, setbacks, or distractions along the way. It involves a deep passion for one's objectives and an unwavering determination to pursue them relentlessly.

At its core, grit comprises two essential components: perseverance and passion.

PERSERVERANCE

Perseverance is the ability to keep going despite challenges, setbacks, and failures. 

It means staying committed to your goals and maintaining effort even when faced with adversity. It is what enables individuals to push through obstacles without losing sight of their goals. 

Perseverance is a fundamental aspect of jiu-jitsu. It requires countless hours of practice and a willingness to push through physical discomfort and mental fatigue. When you first start out in jiu jitsu, most days you’re the nail, getting submitted over and over. Through perseverance, jiu jitsu athletes persistently pursue improvement to sharpen techniques.

PASSION

Passion on the other hand, is the intense enthusiasm and love for what you do. It provides the energy and drive needed to sustain long-term efforts. When you are passionate about your goals, you are more likely to remain dedicated and motivated, even in the face of difficulties, keeping you focused on the bigger picture.

My passion for jiu jitsu led me to commit to stepping onto the mats every day for the last decade. No matter a good day or a bad day, I show up and learn. Jiu jitsu athletes wouldn’t dedicate over a decade of their lives pursuing their black belt if it wasn’t for their intense love, enthusiasm and passion driving them to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to the martial art.

The mindset of jiu jitsu athletes aligns closely with the principles of grit. Progress is not always linear, and setbacks are opportunities for learning and improvement.
There is a need to approach challenges with a growth mindset, embracing the belief that skills can be developed through dedication and hard work, and that failures are opportunities to grow, sharpen techniques and develop better strategies.

You learn to be resilient when practising jiu jitsu. It demands the ability to handle discomfort, adapt to unpredictable situations, and maintain composure in the face of adversity. In life, you need resilience to bounce back from losses, injuries, and setbacks. Learning from each experience and using it as a stepping stone for growth. 

Grit is a powerful attribute that enables individuals to overcome obstacles, achieve their goals, and reach their full potential. It combines passion, perseverance, resilience, and a growth mindset. Like jiu jitsu, developing grit is a lifelong journey that requires dedication, self-reflection, and continuous effort. We want to build grit in our lives, that way, we can unlock our inner mental strength and embrace any challenges.