One of my black belts just had a breakthrough that I am really proud of, and I want to share it with you because the lessons go way beyond the mat.
Brandon Libel has been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with me for 19 years. Black Belt for the last 10. And up until this past weekend, he had never won a single match at Black Belt in Competition.
Brandon does not compete all the time but once a year or so he would train for and compete in various different tournaments. It wasn’t that he was getting smashed or submitted every time—he was right there losing by advantage, losing by 2 points. But he kept coming up short.
That bothered him. He felt like it was an embarrassment to himself, to me, and to the whole team. It wasn’t I understand why he felt that way but I look at it is either win or learn.
He was competing in to heavy of a weight class. By moving to weight class that fit his frame it allowed him to perform better.
This time he finally decided he was done losing. He committed to making 181. Three weeks out he was walking around at 183-185. One week out he was back up at 192. Two days before the tournament he was still sitting at 190. He called me, asking if I could move him back up to 195. Deadline had already passed. So I couldn’t move him.
His choices were simple: miss weight or make it happen.
He chose to make it happen.
Saunas, long walks, zero food, zero water— He even gave blood the day before (not something I recommend) but it knocked off that last few pounds). He made weight.
Brandon First match? Submission in under a minute. His very first Black-Belt Competition win.
He told me it felt incredible!
Second match he pushed the pace hard, and lost by an advantage to the guy who ended up winning the division. But he felt better and he only lost to the guy that won the division. Plus he feels like he can beat him next time out.
He won his first IBJJF match and placed 3rd in his division.
Conclusion:
He won his first and hopefully the beginning of many more Black Belt wins. I personally believe that this confidence and affirmation will push him to win more matches in the future..
— Travis Lutter