How to Push Your Limits

On breaking the ego and bending the body.

Photo via Jordan H Foto

You’re probably wondering how I ended up here.

This training in particular was supposed to be an “easy day” — if that really exists here in Austin. It was a Saturday and normally on Saturdays I roll with smaller partners and work on new skills. I build my ego up and let my body recover from the onslaught of world-class Jiu-Jitsu that hits me like a car accident every week.

But on this Saturday, I was doing comp rounds. 8 minutes on, a minute off, and 5 more minutes on with the giant gentleman above who was strangling me.

The picture above summarizes pretty much how the round went for me. I did not win. I did not do super well.

I got tapped, got my back taken, and finished the round very tired. I was not feeling the best about my Jiu-Jitsu. My ego was bruised and I think so were my ribs.

But the funny thing is when I zoom out and think about the progress I’ve made in the 12 months, that round where I got my ass beat went really well.

Today, we’re talking about losing, training, and how to safely push your limits.