Introduction

> The sheer physical power and aggression of a male chimpanzee are staggering — so much so that even the formidable Gordon Ryan would stand no chance against one in physical combat, losing every time without contest.

> In martial arts, recognizing the limits of human capability is crucial. Understanding that even the most dominant human fighters are no match for certain animals highlights the importance of respect for natural strength and the boundaries of human prowess.

Road to ADCC

> It was a challenging time when our team hit rock bottom in New York due to training difficulties and personal tensions. The decision to move to Puerto Rico led to amplified tensions within the team, eventually resulting in a split before ADCC.

> Despite the setbacks, we remained resilient and rebuilt the team in Texas, attracting talented individuals like John Carlo and Luke Griffith. We focused intensely on ADCC preparation, with a condensed training schedule and a laser focus on essential skills.

> Through hard work and dedication, the team overcame obstacles, with key members like Gordon Ryan making a remarkable recovery and standout performances by athletes like Nicholas Meregalli. In less than a year, we turned things around from our lowest point to achieving our most successful team performance at ADCC.

Danaher Death Squad

> The split of the team was definitely an emotional experience, one that felt like a family breakup rather than just a professional one. I still hold onto the belief that “even the most intense family breakups can be reconciled,” and I’ve witnessed that connection when I ran into old squad members—it felt like nothing had ever happened.

> On another note, I’ve come to realize that ego plays an essential role in competitive sports; it’s what drives athletes to strive for greatness. Suppressing that ego isn’t healthy, because that competitive spirit is necessary. "Everyone's being programmed to be an alpha competitor," and in a room full of such strong personalities, conflicts are inevitable. Yet, navigating these disputes successfully is key, and I’ve managed to do that for many years despite the inherent volatility.

Mental preparation

> Physical Skills Over Mental Tricks: My belief in mental preparation is grounded in physical skills. Confidence truly emerges from "the performance of physical skills." When athletes accumulate these skills and see success in conditions similar to competitions, that’s where genuine confidence arises—not from cheesy motivational speeches or artificial confidence boosters.

> Progressive Resistance Training: I develop both offensive and defensive skills in athletes by progressively increasing their resistance. Offense starts with easier opponents to build confidence, akin to "starting with a wooden bar in weightlifting." Defense, however, begins at the deep end to identify vulnerabilities, then progresses similarly.

> Competition as Normalcy: I teach that the pageantry and theater surrounding competitions are illusions. The key is recognizing that a match is "just a grappling performance." The goal is to "ignore the hype and distraction" and treat the competition as an extension of daily training—focus only on the athlete, the opponent, and the referee.

> Efficient Match Strategies: With Gordon Ryan, the strategy for ADCC focused on ensuring efficient and low-energy matches by targeting submissions via leg locks or back control. This approach minimized injury risks and energy expenditure, setting him up to face the toughest opponents without being burnt out—this strategic efficiency was crucial for his performance at ADCC.

Gordon Ryan

> Efficiency was key in my matches, focusing on energy conservation and making the opponent work harder than me.

> My approach included offering my legs in the opening, leading to quick match finishes under two minutes.

> Facing Andre Galvao required a perfect tactical game from him, and he went for a takedown rather than stalling, showing great respect.

> Dominating strategically from top position, I put pressure on Andre to defend his back, leading to a strangle finish despite his strong defenses.

> Trash talk before matches gives way to mutual respect at the end, highlighting the shared skills and camaraderie of grappling.

Giancarlo Bodoni

> Giancarlo's journey from struggling in competitions to dominating at ADCC illustrates a core truth: "Confidence comes from skill level." When he moved to Austin, he faced his weaknesses head-on, refining his leg lock defense and submission techniques through relentless practice.

> The importance of delayed gratification can't be overstated. It's essential to accept that "when I bring on new moves, my overall effectiveness will diminish initially." Giancarlo embraced this, enduring initial failures and frustrations to build a more well-rounded skill set.

> It's fascinating to see how success breeds confidence. Each victory Giancarlo achieved, whether it was finishing lower-ranked opponents or dominating in local competitions, reaffirmed his capabilities and slowly transformed his mindset towards competition.

> Giancarlo's remarkable growth exemplifies that hard work and dedication can conquer adversity. From a position of vulnerability, he became a threat to his opponents, culminating in a heartfelt achievement at ADCC that was as much about skill as it was about his unwavering commitment to improvement.

Garry Tonon

> The strategic aspect of jiu-jitsu and how different approaches suit different athletes was a key focus. "There are two broad ways: promoting your own movement or restricting the opponent's movement. Quick, agile athletes like Gary thrive on creating movement, whereas people like Gordon Ryan excel by controlling their opponent's movement."

> Reflecting on Gary Tonon's loss, I stressed the importance of letting each athlete play to their strengths. "Gary got away from his true nature of relentless submission attack. If anyone should be blamed for this, it’s me, as I emphasized positional pressure too much during the training camp."

> On the topic of when to tap, I conveyed a balanced view, prioritizing safety in training while recognizing the high stakes in competition. "Tap early and often in training to protect your longevity. In a final or crucial match, it’s a personal decision. I teach technique, not morals; each athlete weighs their own risks and rewards."

Nicholas Meregali

> Setting audacious goals can push your performance to new heights, even if they seem impossible at first. Nicholas Muragali's journey from ghee World Championships to ADCC with just six months of training showcases the power of ambitious targets to drive excellence.

> Commitment and hard work can turn a seemingly crazy goal into a remarkable achievement. Despite initial doubts, Nicholas nearly succeeded in winning both ghee and ADCC titles in the same year, showing that bold goals can elevate performance to extraordinary levels.

> Incremental progress, learning from scratch, adapting techniques, and overcoming injuries were key steps in Nicholas's plan to achieve his ambitious goals. From defending leg locks to developing new grips and positions, each challenge was met with dedication and strategic training to bridge the gap between aspiration and reality.

Ruotolo brothers

> Mastering the game of grappling isn't just about the time spent on the mats; it's about the journey of transforming weaknesses into strengths. The Rotolo brothers, starting their training at such a young age, exemplify “what counts is not your age but your mat age.” Their evolution from being susceptible to leg locks to now winning championships with their own leg lock techniques is a remarkable demonstration of that. They’ve displayed maturity in recognizing their flaws and turning them into focal points of development, which is something I deeply admire.

> Moreover, the brothers’ physical attributes—like their extraordinary reach—have been cleverly leveraged to create a game that thrives on movement and tactical pressure rather than brute force. Their success lies in their ability to specialize in unique strangleholds that capitalize on those strengths while continuously refining their overall abilities. They’ve effectively integrated their bottom game as a component of their offense, showcasing an impressive understanding of their body mechanics and making them significant contenders in the sport.

Takedowns

> The critical aspect of mastering takedowns in jiu-jitsu lies not merely in learning the takedowns themselves but in understanding the prerequisites—stance, motion, grip engagement, and off-balancing the opponent. As I like to say, "The takedowns are more or less like an afterthought." Nicholas, for instance, had to learn these basics from scratch, and his progress within six months was astonishing.

> The stance and tactics in jiu-jitsu differ significantly from other grappling sports like wrestling due to match duration and the nature of submission threats. An upright posture is favored to prevent vulnerabilities such as guillotines, and the scoring in competitions like ADCC focuses more on demonstrating control in the aftermath of a takedown rather than the takedown itself. Tackling this critical three seconds post-takedown is often where even the finest wrestlers struggle under ADCC rules. As I've emphasized, "Three seconds in a scramble after a takedown is a fucking eternity."

GSP

> One key insight I shared with Lex was about George St. Pierre's mastery of takedowns in MMA. The way George combined wrestling skills with striking was groundbreaking. He revolutionized the approach to takedowns by merging striking setups with wrestling finishes, making it look effortless even against highly skilled wrestlers. This innovation was born out of a need to adapt to the unique challenges of MMA, where getting to a takedown is a whole different game compared to traditional wrestling.

> Another important point I discussed was the process of innovation in martial arts. I emphasized the significance of identifying current weaknesses in combat sports and integrating techniques across grappling and striking. Rather than focusing on specialization and forcing a fight into one's domain, I highlighted the importance of overlapping skills in areas like shoot boxing, clinch boxing, fence boxing, and grapple boxing. By reframing the approach to combat sports and breaking them down into fundamental skill areas, true progress and success can be achieved through the integration of striking and grappling within each domain.

Renzo Gracie

> The journey that Henzo Gracie undertook when he brought Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to New York was nothing short of monumental. “Imagine going from training with Hicks and Gracie to having to tell some moron that guard is different from mount.” The contrast he faced highlighted not just his patience, but the extraordinary perseverance necessary to cultivate a thriving community from scratch.

> Moreover, Henzo's unique approach of allowing us the “complete freedom” to explore and innovate in our training taught me invaluable lessons. His only requirement was to “prove to me it’s effective.” That mindset not only nurtured a culture of creativity but also pushed the boundaries of what was possible in Jiu-Jitsu, ultimately transforming our gym into one of the greatest.

Boris

> Boris was a remarkable student and black belt of mine, known not only for his impressive grappling skills but also for his eccentric personality. Short in stature yet powerfully built, he embodied an intriguing contradiction by dressing like a complete "nerd" with glasses and a pocket protector, despite being one of the most formidable fighters around. He helped to shape the training environment, often opting for top positions and forcing others, including a young Georges St-Pierre, to develop their bottom game.

> Boris had a unique and unyielding perspective on his training timeline, staunchly declaring that he would only train until the age of 40. True to his word and to everyone's astonishment, on his 40th birthday, he thanked me after training and announced his departure for good. This sheer determination and ability to walk away at the peak of his prowess is something I still find incredibly legendary—it was quintessentially Boris.

Ali Abdelaziz

> One thing that really stood out for me was talking about Ali Abdul Aziz's journey and success in the MMA world. He has this incredible loyalty and integrity that I admire. Despite his humble beginnings, he has become the most successful manager in MMA history, guiding numerous champions to success. His story is truly inspiring and defies all odds.

> Another fascinating aspect was discussing Ali's judo background and how he effectively used those skills in MMA training. His proficiency in judo, especially in adapting it to nogi situations, showcased his ability to counter wrestling techniques with finesse. It's a great example of how diverse martial arts backgrounds can be integrated to create a successful fighting strategy in the MMA world.

Khabib Nurmagomedov

> Khabib is not just a dominant wrestler; he's a master of control, capable of exerting his grappling prowess over the most skilled opponents across disciplines. “He beat people from every cell... controlled them all in more or less the same way,” which showcases his incredible ability to adapt his strategy while maintaining fundamental principles.

> Engaging with legends like Hodger Gracie or Khabib reveals that their mastery lies in the elegance of simplicity. It’s miraculous to see how they dominate using basic positions, proving that “for the vast majority of people it would have to be explained to them,” yet for a select few, experiencing their technique first-hand could unlock a deeper understanding of the art.

Joe Rogan playing pool

> Watching Joe Rogan play pool was deeply inspiring; his absolute, unshakable focus on the game, despite being a celebrity with numerous distractions, highlighted a level of dedication and concentration that I aspire to attain in my own pursuits. His ability to allocate nearly 100% of his mind to a task and block out everything else, even in a relaxed, social setting, was both striking and motivational.

> The experience underscored how a singular focus on a task—embodied by Joe’s intense commitment to playing pool—can be driven by a competitive spirit and a hatred of imperfection. It challenged my perception of activities like pool and poker, revealing that they could be taken seriously and approached with an elite athlete’s mindset, transforming my understanding of focus and discipline.

Advice for grapplers

> Training as a hobbyist with limited time means maximizing the impact of each session by having a clear plan. Honest self-assessment through video analysis is crucial to identify weaknesses and learn from top athletes with a similar body type. Focus on specific areas, like escapes or guard techniques, across multiple sessions to see significant progress over time. Setting goals and tracking progress, such as aiming for a certain number of successful sweeps per week, can drive focused learning and improvement in your Jiu Jitsu game.

Day in the life

> Every day presents an opportunity to refine my purpose and productivity. I view my average day as “a perfectly productive average day,” focusing on teaching Jiu Jitsu and assessing what my students need. I prioritize my time, ensuring each class is tailored to the demands of both recreational and competitive athletes.

> Living a life of focused intention has led me to a minimalistic approach. While some might see it as a “monk-like existence,” it’s about filtering what truly matters and letting go of distractions. This dynamic of balancing deep engagement with freedom allows me to enjoy life while dedicating myself fully to my passion for martial arts.

Bear vs Gorilla vs Lion vs Anaconda

> Discussing animal combat, it's essential to understand that our initial instincts about which animal might be stronger can often be misleading. For instance, while a gorilla's strength and formidable bite force might seem advantageous, they typically don't engage in lethal combat, often relying on intimidation instead.

> In combat, three general elements are crucial: skills, attributes (both mental and physical), and experience. Additionally, four specific factors—initiation of combat, disengagement, the ability to end a fight, and endurance—play significant roles in determining the outcome.

> Lions, especially in Africa, have a unique combat experience unmatched by most predators. Their frequent life-and-death battles for pride control and hunting of dangerous prey like cape buffalo and elephants make them exceptionally battle-hardened.

> Comparing a grizzly bear to a lion is intriguing due to their differences. While a lion's ability to strangle and its social nature to take risks give it a lethal edge, a bear's sheer size and endurance could make it formidable in prolonged conflicts. However, a bear's risk-averse behavior in the wild might see it backing away from a lion.

> In hypothetical cage fights, depending on the context—short bursts favoring the lion for its speed and ability to launch ambushes, and longer, drawn-out battles possibly favoring the bear due to its endurance—the outcomes would vary. However, in the wild, the lion's combat experience and aggressive nature would likely give it the upper hand.

Tom Hardy

> One key insight is how Jiu Jitsu can be a bridge between the intensity of military life and the transition back to civilian life, providing a sense of camaraderie and shared experiences that help individuals navigate challenging psychological aspects.

> Another important point highlighted is the profound impact of Jiu Jitsu on individuals who have gone through traumatic experiences, such as war veterans, offering a path to rehabilitation, inner resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose through skill acquisition, honesty in training, and camaraderie on the mats.

Emojis

> The choice of my favorite emoji, the hugging face, reflects a deeper connection to the spirit of jiu-jitsu, where “when jujitsu players meet each other, they often shake hands and then give a quick hug.” It embodies warmth and inclusivity, a simple yet powerful expression of affection that resonates with the way we build our community.

> Expressing affection—be it through emojis or direct communication—is often seen as a risk, yet I believe that “the display of vulnerability is a display of strength.” In a world where many shy away from showing their emotions, I advocate for sending love openly, because it challenges the outdated notion that vulnerability equals weakness.

Love

> On the nature of romantic love, I find it compelling that remaining a beginner in this realm is more fulfilling than seeking expertise. Trying to master love like a skill could strip it of its inherent spontaneity and thrill. There’s immense value in "making dumb mistakes and looking like a fool," as the journey itself is richer when unplanned and unsystematic.

> While I have a deep understanding of combat and animal fights, contemplating romantic expertise feels oddly misplaced. For instance, discussions about a bear versus a lion in combat highlight my interest in organized and predictable scenarios, but applying that methodology to love would likely be disappointing. Some aspects of life, like love, are better enjoyed for their unpredictability and potential for lifelong discovery.

Fighting to the death

> There's mystery and controversy surrounding historical figures like Miyamoto Musashi, making it hard to definitively assess his prowess, but his writings offer deep insights into his character and times. His willingness to put his life on the line for honor reflects a different era's values that are foreign to us today.

> The notion of fighting to the death reveals a profound commitment to personal honor and value systems that may seem extreme in our modern world, where even minor conflicts like road rage can escalate. This contrasts sharply with a time when individuals readily risked their lives for principles and honor, shedding light on shifting cultural perspectives on life and death.

Knives

> Knives embody a transformation that resonates deeply with my students: "just as steel begins as ugly ore that can be cultivated into a beautiful blade, so too can a martial artist evolve from raw potential into something remarkable." It's a powerful reminder that mastery requires dedication and ongoing maintenance; neglect can dull both skills and character.

> Moreover, the paradox of steel's hardness and softness parallels the essence of Jiu Jitsu training—balancing intensity with care. "You must create an environment tough enough to simulate real combat without breaking the athletes," and this duality is crucial for developing both resilience and technique.