Chris Matakas

I will become a better me for you, If you will become a better you for me. - Jim Rohn

In the past few days I have been asked numerous times why I train Jiu Jitsu. My inquirers expect answers involving arm bars and berimbolos. In truth, these are the farthest from reasons why I practice this beautiful art.

I train because it makes every area of my life better, and it makes me better at every area of my life.

I am a better son, brother, friend, and teacher because of the daily sacrifice and effort I put toward my craft. WIth all the advantages modern society has created, it has left us wanting. We no longer need to struggle to survive. Our basic needs are now met with minimal physical strife or mental challenge. Technology and the advances of man have left us over-stressed and under-performing.

We are now forced to actively pursue our struggles. If we do not go out of our way to stretch our comfort zones and grow, no one nor nature will do it for us.

I train Jiu Jitsu because it challenges me daily. It gives me a reason to eat the proper foods. Jiu Jitsu is a plaything for my intellect and problem solving faculties.

Jiu Jitsu forges friendships in a way I’ve never known. Being involved in an art as intimate as this, where bodily connection is a prerequisite, the common cultural boundaries of personal space are broken. You will never see more hugs, high fives, and physical expressions of love than on the mats.

Jiu Jitsu gives me an ideal to strive toward. Technical mastery lies on an infinite continuum and completion of this skill is impossible. Every time I train I have something that I can improve upon, and this will hold true for each and every training session that lies between me and my grave.

We hear life is about the journey and not the destination. With no destination possible, one is forced to acknowledge the journey and embrace the peaks and valleys.

I believe the best use of ones life is to serve others through a medium you are most passionate. Jiu Jitsu allows me the opportunity to give someone my time in the pursuit of THEIR dreams. It affords me the gift of willingly spending my non-redeemable life in the interest of another. Jiu JItsu has given me the opportunity to positively influence countless lives.

Jiu Jitsu is a vehicle for self-discovery and growth. It reminds me of my ego, of my insecurities, and of my shortcomings.

I know that the way in which I train this art is the way in which I live my life. If I inefficiently explode out of a position at the risk of my partner’s health, you can be sure I will act in the same way off the mats.

If I put my partners health first and my ego aside, and take care of a less experienced partner by putting their safety as top priority, I will most assuredly do the same in my life.

A man needs at length something to do. Jiu Jitsu ensures that I will never stop learning or growing, and that I will have an ideal to strive toward for the rest of my days.

I train Jiu Jitsu because I recognize that I am a piece of the whole, and as I grow so does that which contains me. The whole of man advances with the growth of a single individual. Every life I influence is benefited from the fact that I have devoted such a large portion of my life to this pursuit. I will be a better husband, father, and whatever other future roles I may hold because of my time in this sport. In making me a better man, I know that society as a whole is improved.

I train Jiu Jitsu…

For everyone else.