April 30, 2026

#372 Should YOU Compete in Jiu Jitsu?

1 hour 6 minutes

Should You Compete or Waste Money?

If you’ve ever sat on the fence about competing in Jiu-Jitsu… this episode is for you.

We break down the real reasons people compete (and the lies they tell themselves), whether tournaments are actually worth the money, and how competition can completely change your Jiu-Jitsu, and your mindset.

This isn’t just ADCC vs IBJJF. It’s about who competition is for, who it’s NOT for, and how to actually get value out of it.

If you’re a competitor (or thinking about becoming one), this episode will help you decide: 👉 Should you compete at all? 👉 Which tournaments actually make sense for you? 👉 And how to stop overthinking it and just go.

Why most people compete (and why they’re wrong)
The real benefit of competition (it’s not medals)
How competition forces faster improvement
ADCC vs IBJJF: pros, cons, and who they’re for
Why local tournaments might be the smartest move
The biggest mistake beginners make with competing
How to know if competing is right for YOU

Add 1 “performance day” per week (competition-style rounds only)
Stop talking about competing, be about competing
Treat each tournament like a rep, not a result
Compete more locally before chasing “big” events

🔥 What You’ll Learn🥋 Try This in Training (Mini Playbook)

Add 1 “performance day” per week (competition-style rounds only)
Stop talking about competing, be about competing
Treat each tournament like a rep, not a result

Compete more locally before chasing “big” events

ISAJJ Rash Guards: https://imposedwill.com/collections/i-suck-at-jiu-jitsu-showJiu-Jitsu for Imbeciles, feat. Rob Biernacki(FREE): https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com/isuckDatsusara 10% OFF with Promo Code “ISUCK”: https://www.dsgear.com/ The Competitor’s Journey: https://www.simplifyingjiujitsu.com/comp

00:00 – Should You Even Compete?
01:00 – Why People Say They Compete
02:00 – The Truth: Competing Is Selfish
05:00 – The Real Value of Competition
07:00 – Competition vs “Who’s Better”
08:30 – Why Competition Forces Growth
10:30 – Stop Talking, Start Competing
12:00 – The “Performance Day” Hack
15:00 – Why Competition Changes You
18:00 – Regret & Missed Opportunities
21:00 – Fear of Competing Explained
23:00 – Just Sign Up (Big Mistake People Make)
24:30 – Which Tournaments Matter?
26:00 – ADCC vs IBJJF Overview
27:30 – IBJJF Pros
33:30 – IBJJF Cons (Cost, Politics)
38:00 – ADCC Pros (Clout, Culture)
43:00 – ADCC Cons (Organization Issues)
48:00 – Local Tournaments Explained
49:30 – Why You Should Compete More Often
53:30 – The Real Answer: Just Compete
55:00 – What To Do After You Lose
59:00 – Why Competition Changes You Forever
1:02:00 – Final Advice for Competitors