Every time you train it’s a chance to be the very best person you can - if only for a few hours at a time. It’s a unique opportunity. The respect, comradery and co-operation displayed in jiu jitsu academies is becoming more and more rare.

When you arrive at the academy, push aside all the things that pull you down and tire you out. Politics, job stress, money troubles - leave them behind.

When you’re at the academy, it’s all about letting the very best of yourself shine through.

Not only that, the pride and respect you feel for your teammates will also be evident. You have clean, untarnished gi. You have well-manicured nails. When you set foot on the mats, you bow. You heartily welcome all of your friends, both new and old. Because if it weren’t for jiu jitsu, you might never have gotten to know any of these people. Think about it: When was the last time you approached a total stranger and shook his or her hand? The powerful feelings shared in jiu jitsu transcend cultures, languages, and the classes themselves.

When you train, remember the old judo maxim of “mutual benefit.” You are here to learn and help your teammates learn. Training is not a competition. It’s a co-operative effort among friends. The more your teammates improve, the more they can help and push you to improve. It’s a community project.

It’s essential that you concentrate wholeheartedly on your training. It’s easy to float through everyday life without paying attention to what’s happening to us or around us. We let our thoughts drift. Our bodies are on autopilot. But on the mats, you should be fully engaged. This is known as “being in the moment” in yoga - when the physical and mental states are centered on the same action. If your thoughts are on TV shows you want to watch or video games you want to play, or problems in the family or political issues, you won’t be able to give your best effort to your training.

When you’re sparring, you must put your heart into what you’re doing so that your teammates will truly benefit. Rolling in class isn’t a competition, but it isn’t time to slack off, either. You must be as good as you know how to be. That said, you don’t need to try to be the most outstanding student in the class or think you have to rise to world-renowned status. It means giving your best effort and being the best training partner you can be.

More than a sport, jiu jitsu is a journey of personal discovery. You might never be a world champion. But you should always strive to be your best. It’s a lesson that can be taken off the mats and back to the outside world.

While John normally sells Houston used cars, he loves to practice martial arts and lives that passion. Just remember to give him a shout if you are ever looking for Houston used autos!