Jiu Jitsu is like life; we start off raw and malleable, all the possibility and optimism of a child. Of course, along with that comes the initial fear of the unknown. Will I just get smashed? Even if I don’t get smashed how do I win if I don’t know anything? How will I react to having someone laying on me or trying to submit me? Will I hurt someone? Will I do the wrong thing in class and get yelled at? Will my classmates be cool? Will they help me?  Am I too old/young? Am I strong enough?

Most of those fears are confronted the first day we step on the mats.  For those that persevere through the growing pains and insecurities of those initial days on the mats, the reward of these answers is tantamount to winning the lottery. The confidence, the character built by perseverance, the development of mental and physical toughness and the sense of accomplishment the first time you accomplish anything at all on the mats are the unadvertised benefits of a life devoted to Jiu Jitsu.

For me, Jiu Jitsu was initially just a hobby, something to learn after work and keep myself busy because I wasn’t getting any younger (shocking). Then a funny thing happened; my nephew who was 5 at the time saw me coming home sweaty and tired but with this completely satisfied grin on my face every day after class. He could tell I was much happier and seemed infatuated with whatever I was doing and he asked me about it. Then he asked if he could try it. After assuaging my sister’s fears and telling her I would go with him to his class so he wouldn’t be scared, we got him enrolled.

The first day he went to class it was a big one , or at least that’s what I remember. The instructor, Grant, had everything under control. He was calm, confident, and had an ease around the kids that was unshakeable, but the thing I remember most was his energy and kindness. As the class progressed through the warm up and games to the first technique of the day I was summoned out of the crowd. It’s a lot easier showing technique to 5 year olds if it’s shown on an adult by an adult rather than by an adult on a 5 year old. After a couple classes of this pattern repeating itself I was asked to bring my gi to the kids class and dress out. I was not even remotely interested in teaching little kids something I was still barely beginning to grasp myself. My nephew was ecstatic that I was there and my thinking was that I’d do just about anything for that kid. So I just kept showing up with my gi and tried my best to assimilate those skills that seemed to work so well for Grant. I was there to learn a new skill set, get in shape, get stronger and tougher and have fun but life had a different plan.

After assisting for about a year and getting my blue belt I was asked to meet Grant for lunch one day. I showed up just expecting lunch with my friend. He informed me that after he graduated he was going to move to California and he thought I could take over his class. I was horrified. I was also honored, challenged and intrigued. The rest is history. Just like that first day on the mats I dreaded all of the potential disasters but nonetheless charged headlong into the breach.

My nephew doesn’t do Jiu Jitsu anymore. He became enamored and pretty damn good at football and baseball. I became a Jiu Jitsu instructor. I found that those gifts I had received from my own study could be multiplied exponentially and that I could teach confidence, perseverance, character and respectfulness for ones self and others.

Along the way there were many bumps and detours. Some of my students have gone on to accomplish much more than me in the world of competitive Jiu Jitsu and wrestling. The rest are on their way. I never intended to become a Jiu Jitsu instructor. The lessons I learned on the mats had given me the confidence and skills to walk confidently down that path. Most of all I learned that we could all make a difference. If Jiu Jitsu could have such a profound impact on my life at 25, imagine what I could do for a bunch of kids. If I was brave in the face of my doubts and fears I could have a legacy far beyond my years. My son is one of my students now, his little brother is chomping at the bit to get out there as well. I only hope they find the joy and fulfillment that I have found.

Ben Sandoval