Roll Models Wanted: Gripping Conversations about Jiu-Jitsu and Life

If you listened to the latest episode of Beauty and the Gi, episode 34, you heard Emily Kwok talk about being present in the moment and not multi-tasking as one of the ways she manages training along with having a family and a professional career outside of jiu-jitsu.

This wisdom goes hand in hand with a book I’m re-reading called The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. They dedicate an entire chapter to why you need to focus on the task at hand and avoid multi-tasking. Multi-Tasking doesn’t work. Instead, start dedicating focus to one task or project at a time.

When you are practicing your self-care, no matter how you practice it, are you focused and truly present in the moment with it or are you multitasking at the same time?

Dedicate your focus and be present. Even if it is just 5 or 10 minutes of undistracted breathing, meditation, journaling, or whatever flavor of self-care you practice, you will feel more rejuvenated when you’ve been present with only that practice.

And I know, it’s a challenge with family, work, and life, in general, to take that time that time for yourself. It feels selfish, and more like a luxury than a necessity, but I promise you, Self-care is not selfish. It is an absolute necessity if you want to show up in the world as the best version of you so you can manage  “all of the things.”

If you know someone that prides themselves on their multitasking abilities,  please take 2 seconds to hit that share button and text them the link to this episode. Help them actually accomplish more by focusing on one thing.

Links and Resources

Episode 34 of Beauty and the Gi

The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan

Connect with Jen and AJ

Beauty and the Gi Podcast on Instagram @beautyandthegipodcast

Jen on Instagram @brassybroadjen

AJ on Instagram    @ajclingerman

@BeautyAndTheGi on Twitter

Emily Kwok and Rachel Casias share their experience integrating jiu-jitsu training into a schedule that also includes life, family, and work. This episode contains part of the Q&A session from the 2019 Roll Model Women’s Grappling Camp.

Calendar and Schedule Management are Critical

• Plan
• Know your priorities
• Schedule time for your priorities on your calendar

Rachel feels like jiu-jitsu makes her a better mother and better lawyer so she makes training a priority by scheduling it.

Scheduling is key for Emily. She is multi-tasking her life, but not multi-tasking in the moment.

Be clear with people about what you will and won’t do. When you are clear with people about what you will and won't do, it gives them more structure to operate around you.

Incorporating Different Kinds of Training into Your Training Schedule

Rachel shares what makes her better at jiu-jitsu is doing more jiu-jitsu. She is also doing more stretching as she is getting older.

You have to figure out what is right for you and prioritize it. It’s very individual.

Emily advises that it also depends on who you are fighting. If you are fighting bigger stronger opponents, then it might make sense to incorporate strength training into your training program.

The Q&A was recorded at the Roll Model Women’s Only Grappling Camp in May 2019.

Links and Resources

May 1-3 2020 is the next Roll Model Camp

The Fight Hub

Connect with Emily Kwok in Instagram

Connect with Rachel Casias on Instagram

Connect with Jen and AJ

Beauty and the Gi Podcast on Instagram @beautyandthegipodcast

Jen on Instagram @brassybroadjen

AJ on Instagram    @ajclingerman

@BeautyAndTheGi on Twitter

Your energy is precious. Guard it well. Mind the space around it.

Who are you letting into your space? Are you surrounded by people that are lifting you up, or tearing you down and wearing you out?

We know that controlling space is key to our success on the mat. It is also required for success and happiness off the mat.

On the mat, we learn that making space is imperative to create an opportunity to escape.

Are you as mindful of your space when you walk off the mat and out into the world? Do you need to escape from some energy vampires that are sucking the life out of you?

One of the mantras I’ve heard while in class is “When in doubt, shrimp out.” It holds true off the mat.

Connect with Jen and AJ

Beauty and the Gi Podcast on Instagram @beautyandthegipodcast

Jen on Instagram @brassybroadjen

AJ on Instagram    @ajclingerman

@BeautyAndTheGi on Twitter

Take time to treat yourself this week.

Connect with Jen and AJ

Beauty and the Gi Podcast on Instagram @beautyandthegipodcast

Jen on Instagram @brassybroadjen

AJ on Instagram    @ajclingerman

@BeautyAndTheGi on Twitter

Questions about tapping during training leading up to a tournament, fear about competing, and adrenaline dumps before competing. This is from the Q and A session with Rachel Casias and Emily Kwok recorded at the Roll Model Women’s Grappling Camp during May 2019.

Links and Resources

Register for the EGO Tournament

Connect with Emily Kwok in Instagram

Connect with Rachel Casias on Instagram

The Fight Hub

Connect with Jen and AJ

Beauty and the Gi Podcast on Instagram @beautyandthegipodcast

Jen on Instagram @brassybroadjen

AJ on Instagram    @ajclingerman

@BeautyAndTheGi on Twitter

Building on last week's theme of Grace, AJ shares how her motto of "Shake it off and step up" gets her through life when challenges seem to be piling up.

Connect with Jen and AJ

Beauty and the Gi Podcast on Instagram @beautyandthegipodcast

Jen on Instagram @brassybroadjen

AJ on Instagram    @ajclingerman

@BeautyAndTheGi on Twitter

Do you feel guilty when you don’t compete? How do you deal with taking breaks from competing?

Episode Summary

In this Q & A session with Emily Kwok and Rachel Casias from the 2019 Roll Model Camp, they address the issue of guilt and competition.

Rachel reminds us that this is our journey. There is nothing wrong with competing or not competing.

Emily talks about taking a break from completion to have a life and coming back from self-doubt and setbacks.

AJ and Jen also share their takeaways from the conversation.

Links and Resources

Register for the EGO Tournament

Becoming the Conscious Competitor - Emily Kwok

Connect with Emily Kwok in Instagram

Connect with Rachel Casias on Instagram

The Inner Game of Tennis

The Fight Hub

Connect with Jen and AJ

Beauty and the Gi Podcast on Instagram @beautyandthegipodcast

Jen on Instagram @brassybroadjen

AJ on Instagram    @ajclingerman

@BeautyAndTheGi on Twitter

You work hard. You train hard. Sometimes things fall through the cracks. Give yourself a little grace today. 

Connect with Jen and AJ

Beauty and the Gi Podcast on Instagram @beautyandthegipodcast

Jen on Instagram @brassybroadjen

AJ on Instagram    @ajclingerman

@BeautyAndTheGi on Twitter

Teammate Valarie Garcia visits the podcast to talk about her goal of getting in 150 rolls during the month of July.

Valarie walks us through how she mapped out her goal of initially getting 100 rolls in for the month of July and then bumping it up to 150.

We also talk about shifting your mindset around competing at a new belt level when you get promoted shortly before a competition.

Valarie also shares the unexpected benefits from working toward the 150 roll goal.

Connect with Jen and AJ and Valarie

Beauty and the Gi Podcast on Instagram @beautyandthegipodcast

Jen on Instagram @brassybroadjen

AJ on Instagram    @ajclingerman

@BeautyAndTheGi on Twitter

Valarie on Instagram @GoalSeekingMama

Playing “The Game” this month has Jen revisiting The Four Agreements, the book by Don Miguel Ruiz that was written as a practical guide to personal freedom.

The first Agreement is “Be impeccable with your word.” This agreement is a good reminder of the power of our words to plant seeds that turn into thoughts that become actions.

Just like we are responsible for actions on and off the mat, we need to practice responsibility for the words we use around ourselves and others.

Make it a practice today to use positive words and plant positive seeds. This is a foundation of good self-care.

To hear how this impacts you on the mat, give episode number 7, “The Downward Spiral” a listen.

And if you need a quick Self-care Sunday read, pick up The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

Links and Resources

https://beautyandthegi.libsyn.com/7-the-downward-spiral

https://beautyandthegi.libsyn.com/23-the-game-sunday-self-care-series

Connect with Jen and AJ

Beauty and the Gi Podcast on Instagram @beautyandthegipodcast

Jen on Instagram @brassybroadjen

AJ on Instagram    @ajclingerman

@BeautyAndTheGi on Twitter