Let me say this clearly: if you’re avoiding the toughest rounds in the room, you’re holding yourself back.

I’ve seen it over and over again – students who look sharp during drills, who dominate certain rounds, but disappear the moment it’s time to go with someone who really pushes them.

They find excuses. They hover near the wall.
They roll with the same people over and over – because it’s safe. Because they can "win".

But let me be honest with you…
That’s not training. That’s ego protection.

Jiu-Jitsu isn’t about staying comfortable. It’s about evolving. And evolution happens when you expose yourself to the things you’d rather avoid.

That higher belt who always passes your guard?
That explosive white belt who scrambles like crazy?
That teammate who always seems two steps ahead?

Those are the rounds that make you better.

Not the easy ones. Not the ones you coast through.
The hard ones – the humbling ones – that’s where your game is tested and refined.

If you’re avoiding those rounds, ask yourself: why?

Is it fear of being tapped? Fear of looking bad? Fear of feeling overwhelmed?

Whatever it is, the longer you avoid it, the more power it holds over you. And in doing so, you delay your own progress.

But when you face it... When you step into the round that scares you – something shifts.
You stop training to win and start training to grow.

You build resilience. You develop problem-solving. You sharpen your timing under pressure.
And most of all, you strengthen your mindset.

Jiu-Jitsu is a mirror. It shows you who you are and what you’re avoiding.
And it gives you the daily opportunity to choose courage over comfort.

So the next time you feel that hesitation, such as the urge to skip the round, to take the easy roll, to protect your pride – catch it.
Then do the opposite. Go face it.

Because the best version of you? The one you’re working toward?
That version doesn’t run from challenge.

That version leans into it.