My heart was racing like a horse on steroids. The clock was on and I was under heavy pressure from side control, trying to escape and avoid being submitted. My opponent was skilled and determined, but I refused to give up.

As I fought with every ounce of strength in my body, a thought crossed my mind – this is exactly what Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has taught me: how to thrive under pressure.

Sure, BJJ is a combat sport that involves grappling and ground fighting, but it's also a mental game. It requires quick thinking, strategic planning, and the ability to stay calm under intense pressure. These skills not only benefit us on the mat, but they also translate into our daily lives.

In this letter, I want to share with you some practical ways on how to fortify your mind against any opponent, both on and off the mats. Here are a few techniques that BJJ has taught me.

Let go of the need to control. This may seem counterintuitive in a combat sport where control is key, but when we try to control every aspect of a situation, we often end up feeling overwhelmed and stressed. In BJJ, we learn to go with the flow and adapt to our opponent's movements.

This applies off the mats as well – when faced with a difficult situation, instead of trying to control everything, we should focus on what we can do and make the best out of it. Remember, redirection is often more effective than resistance and can bring you closer to your desired outcome.

Once we find ourselves in the flow state, riding the wave rather than trying to control it, we can effectively manage our stress levels and make rational decisions. This leads to the next lesson that BJJ teaches us – focus / concentrate your forces.

Imagine how difficult it would be to lock in a complex submission when your mind is wandering. In BJJ, we learn to focus our attention on the present moment and block out any distractions.

Whether it be finishing some work within 30 min so you can get ready for BJJ or it's to drill intentionally for 30 min before you have to leave for work – practicing focused attention helps us to be present and fully engaged in the task at hand.

This not only improves our performance on the mats but also allows us to be more productive and efficient in our daily lives. So, Lock In!

By now, you should be able to feel how desirable this state of mind is. Confidence comes from competence. Knowing that you can lock in and focus on the task at hand gives a boost of confidence. This confidence is not limited to just BJJ but can be applied in any aspect of our lives.

"But nothing comes easy, it takes much practice" - Nas

When pressure pins you down, listen to empowering music to help you escape, and then go back on the attack. Recite mantras that boost confidence and remind yourself of your strengths and capabilities.

As the new wave calls it, get into the right 'Vibe'. Trust that this force will take care of you and place you in a position to Thrive Under Pressure...

(Check out Submission Shark's original BJJ music album below)

The BJJ community itself is also an excellent source of support and inspiration, encouraging us to keep going and pushing through our challenges.

Surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals who share the same goals and values can help us stay motivated and focused.

If life's pressure is starting to feel overwhelming, take a step back and lean on your BJJ community for support.

Whether it be your favorite professor, training partner or even a mentor outside of the gym, their guidance and encouragement can help us stay on track and continue to excel in our BJJ journey.

Competitions can often be a high-pressure environment, and it's easy to get overwhelmed. Even just stepping on the mats can bring on feelings of anxiety and self-doubt. Breathing exercises is a practical way to alter our physiology and calm our nerves.

By focusing on our breath, we can enter a state of flow and perform at our best despite the pressure. This is because shallow and quick breathing can fuel feelings of anxiety, while deep and controlled breathing can help us stay calm and focused. Remember, BJJ and the pressure that comes with it should be fun, exciting, and rewarding.

Step on the mats with confidence and thrive under pressure with a brand that empowers and supports you. The clothing we wear can greatly impact our mindset and overall performance. This is especially true in sports like BJJ, where comfort, mobility, and durability are essential.

A logo is more than just a logo. It's a symbol that can help improve our mindset as it serves as a reminder of our goals and values. When pressure starts to weigh us down, we can look at our logo and remember why we started this journey in the first place.

Make the decision to choose what you deserve despite the pressure that comes with it. Are you going to lose out on what this life has to offer? Or are you going to rise above it, stay on track and achieve your goals?

The choice is yours.