There is an inner competition inside of us all. Everyone is fighting something inside, at different times, during our entire lives. We try to resist the things that corrupt our success, and chase what may lead to the championships and greater victories in life. Something greater than ourselves is what we are fighting for, and most of our battles are fought from the inside.
What happens in a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, or Mixed Martial Arts school is not unlike a sociological experiment. Most of the people may be there for a different reason, but several different people are there for a similar reason. We can break that down in the simplest of ways, but perhaps we can break it down in a different way. We are preparing for a contest within our lives. In a future self defense situation, we are preparing ourselves to win. Those who wish to compete in tournaments or fights, are preparing for the measuring stick of combat as the true test of where they are in relation to everyone else. Who is better prepared? Is the question to be answered. If weight loss or general fitness is our goal, then maybe we are competing against something that has been defeating us for quite some time.
There is quite a bit of fear that must be dealt with during the inner competition, and this controls our decisions and exposure to outer competitions. For some, it is easy to be thrown into a situation and just react. For others, the idea of the unknown is frightening. For another person, a situation or event hanging over their head builds a generous amount of anxiety over time to the point they are no longer interested in that experience. Maybe we are afraid of public perceptions? Where otherwise we probably would of gladly engaged in a competitive activity. These are all fears that must be managed in a healthy way well before engaging in a real world competition. These fears are stifling and often counterproductive. How free would you be if you were able to let these fears go?
During every kickboxing class, the more advanced students are allowed to participate in the free movement stage of combat: free sparring at various percentages of force. During every Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, and submission wrestling class the students are allowed to free roll and grapple from either the standing or ground position. These are all micro competitions in a controlled environment. We are attempting to win usually, unless we are performing a situational drill, and our opponent is who we are competing against for the most part. There is a level of comfort here. You are performing in a familiar environment, against people you probably know quite well, and under a predictable timeline of class. Some students would identify themselves as a non competitor, that they have no interest in competition. What they are referring to are kickboxing, MMA fighting, or grappling competitions.
The above outlined competitions are in unfamiliar areas, often requiring GPS usage or a good map to find. You walk into the building, and are surrounded by strangers as everyone rushes around like bees in a bee hive. It’s often quite loud, and you are being directed to different areas by signs and helpful event employees. You enter the main room, and are surrounded by competitors warming up and preparing for war. You wait around patiently for hours, often experiencing some adrenal fatigue as the other competitors lock up in a pace not often see at your familiar gym. Your match start time is determined by how long it takes to get through the other weight classes before yours, and how quickly people are finished. Just thinking about it gets your heart pumping. When your name is finally called, you are rushed over to the ring and told to wait. The referee points to the center and tells you to shake hands. Your facial muscles tense, you take a few deep breaths, and you go after your opponent. Or maybe they go after you, and before you know it are being smashed as your opponent, (a stranger you just shook hands with for the first time) as they gain points and advantages against you. There is a huge roaring crowd watching your match, the question is… what are you thinking about? Let’s back up for a second. This is a competition just like at your gym. It’s a different environment. What bothers you most? Is it the environment, the people watching? Are you afraid somebody might see you lose? This is a negative self fulfilling prophecy, one that probably has been stifling your progress and was born in the familiar gym long before this foreign tournament. A fights a fight, but what are you fighting? Fear is something that needs to be managed before it is attributed to and scapegoated as other things. If you want to be free, if you want to grow, you need to let that go.
Let’s go back even further. In any gym I’ve ever been in, there were members that I had never directly trained with, and may never train with. I invite them but they decline. Or maybe they trained with me before, but avoid it in the future. Assuming you were not a dangerous, reckless training partner, what are they avoiding? Maybe there is a difference of experience, maybe they are not comfortable competing unless they know they can win. It’s satisfying for them to win, but a hollow victory. They are micro managing their competitions in a controlled environment in a counterproductive way. These people have lost the inner competition within themselves. Their growth will be stifled; their longevity in the sport is in question. Those that cannot win against ego, their days are numbered in these competitive sports. They have not mastered inner game, nor won the inner competition; they are displaced within the concept of external competitions and matches. This cannot be the world of a champion, and maybe they are ok with that. It is comfortable, and safe within the box. Just don’t expect to go anywhere. This doesn’t have to be your story, and you can write new chapters in your life or even change the character.
One of the great beauties in life is how adaptive people are, and our ability to change if we want to. We can heal and adjust, work hander and change for the better. We can exercise our mind, body, and soul. We are not limited by any insecurity, limiting statement, or environment; unless of course we choose this for ourselves. Make the choice, and work towards becoming your best self. Master your presentation in life and live to face challenges, and let them define you. Live as a champion.
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