Oct 20 • Sunday Reflections
Sunday Reflections: October 19th 2025
This Saturday, I competed.
Four matches. Two divisions. 1st place in gi, 2nd in no-gi.
But the real win? Watching my student-athletes step on the mat with courage, composure, and heart.
I spent most of my morning coaching the kids, managing their nerves, celebrating their effort. Then I had to flip the switch and become a competitor myself. The mindset I've been coaching all week? Breathe. Flow. Play. Here's what I learned when I had to live it.
The Mindset: Breathe, Flow, Play (Sort Of)
Competition nerves are real. Even after years of training, your body knows when it's game time.
My focus all morning? Breathing. Staying regulated. Managing the nerves without letting them manage me. Did "breathe, flow, play" work perfectly? Not entirely. But it worked enough. I kept my composure under pressure. I stayed present when stuck in bad positions. I didn't panic, didn't force, didn't freeze.
Could I have pushed a better pace? Absolutely. But I'm satisfied with my performance and more importantly, I walked away with clarity on what to work on for the next one.
Preparation got me there. Breathing kept me grounded. And now I know what's next.
What Surprised Me Most? The Kids.
I'm always impressed by my student-athletes, but watching them compete never gets old.
Their resilience. Their composure. Their ability to adapt under pressure. These kids step onto the mat knowing they might lose. Knowing people are watching. Knowing it's uncomfortable. And they do it anyway. That's not just martial arts. That's character.
I competed Saturday, but honestly? Those kids inspire me the most.
The Real Takeaway: Courage Over Judgment
Here's what I tell my students before every competition: When you step on that mat, you might fear judgment. But the only thing people see is your courage to step out there in the first place.
No one's critiquing your technique. They're celebrating your willingness to try.
And for parents and leaders? The best way to get your kids to compete isn't to push them. It's to model it yourself. I'm not naturally a competitive person. I'm just a chill guy who likes to have fun while pushing myself. But my students needed to see that even their coach steps into the uncomfortable.
That's leadership. Not telling them to be brave showing them what brave looks like.
This Week's Focus:
My 1-year anniversary with my wife (got some surprises lined up). Debriefing all the competitors and giving them their 1% improvements. Heading back down to St. Louis for Eli's last football game. And making it an awesome week of coaching.
I've got some things to work on for my next competition; better pacing, sharper execution, more trust in my preparation. But this week? It's about showing up for the people who matter most.
1% Improvement: What's one area where you need to model courage instead of just talking about it?
Your kids are watching. Your team is watching. Show them what stepping out of your comfort zone looks like.
What's one thing you've been avoiding that you need to step into? ⬇️
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Sunday Reflections: October 19th 2025
