Part 14 of 21 improvements BJJ has had on my life. This series was inspired by Tangled Triangle: 21 Days of Improvement. You can read my Part 13 here!
14/21 Improvements from BJJ: Opportunities
I just got back from a trip to Tokyo, where I watched CupcakeArmbar win in only 16 seconds! Amazing! I met some new people, including a reader who gave me a fight magazine (comment, Sir Ponytail!!), the gal I was supposed to compete with (hello, Olivia!), and Aziz, a blue belt who lives in Saigon.
- Cupcake with an Armbar for the win!
It struck me that jiu jitsu has given me some wonderful opportunities, including visiting foreign countries, training with amazing people, places to stay, people to train with. At the tournament I met someone who invited me to visit them in Okinawa and stay at their house – beaches, SCUBA diving, BJJ – what’s not to love? I had the chance to meet and stay with Cupcake Armbar in Malaysia, I have had the opportunity to write for Jiu Jitsu Style magazine, review gis, and more.
When I’m scared to tackle an obstacle, I close my eyes and pretend I’m an 80 year old man who regrets not tackling all the obstacles he wanted to in life. Then when I feel like that old man, I say to myself, “I wish I was young again”, then I open my eyes….And BOOM! I’m young again. – Hopsin
These did not come by chance. Yes, some landed in my lap, but I worked for others – putting my name out there, getting involved in communities, and networking. I began creating and seizing those opportunities.
Jiu Jiu’s Question: What opportunities have you seized since starting jiu jitsu, or any other new sport/endeavor?
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