Premiered 18 October 2021. Thank you for 2,000 subscribers — we appreciate your support. In this video, Gracie Jiu‑Jitsu Black Belt Eddie Kone demonstrates a simple, effective headlock escape using frames. This clip is from our Student Development Programme. Watch in HD. Eddie Kone Academy of Jiu‑Jitsu is now in East London, E17 (nearest station: Blackhorse Lane). We’re always enrolling new students — come along and take a free lesson.
Premiered Jun 15, 2024. A short clip from our Student Development Program: Striking for Jiu-Jitsu. Eddie Kone Academy of Jiu-Jitsu is now located in East London, E17 with the closest station being Blackhorse Lane underground. Our Academy is always enrolling new students – come along and take a FREE lesson.
How Jiu‑Jitsu Makes You a Better Person
Professor Eddie Kone • 7 September 2025
Lessons From the Mat for Everyday Life
Lessons from master Rickson Gracie
Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu (BJJ) is often described as more than just a martial art. For many practitioners, it’s a way of life — a discipline that reshapes the mind as much as it conditions the body. Beyond learning how to defend yourself, BJJ offers deep lessons in humility, patience, resilience, and respect. The longer you train, the more you realise that the benefits extend far beyond the mats, influencing who you are as a person, how you interact with others, and even how you navigate life’s toughest challenges.
In this article, we’ll explore how Jiu‑Jitsu makes you a better person. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned black belt, you’ll see that the lessons you pick up during training translate into personal growth, improved relationships, and a stronger character.
One of the first things every new student learns in BJJ is the concept of tapping out. When caught in a submission, you tap to signal defeat and keep yourself safe. For many people — especially those used to “winning” in other areas of life — this can be a humbling experience.
But humility is at the heart of personal growth. On the mat, you will tap countless times. You’ll be submitted by smaller training partners, by people younger than you, and by those with less experience. Every tap is a reminder that there’s always someone better, always more to learn.
Instead of crushing your ego, this process builds self‑awareness and humility. You begin to see mistakes not as failures but as stepping stones towards improvement. That attitude naturally carries into your everyday life, making you more open to feedback, less defensive in conflict, and more willing to admit when you’re wrong.
In Jiu‑Jitsu, you’ll often find yourself in uncomfortable situations — pinned to the mat, stuck under pressure, or fighting for breath while someone controls your movement. At first, this feels overwhelming. But with time, you develop resilience and learn how to stay calm under pressure.
This resilience translates into life outside the gym. Stressful meetings, unexpected setbacks, or difficult conversations don’t shake you the way they used to. You’ve already trained your mind and body to withstand discomfort, to breathe through it, and to keep problem‑solving.
BJJ teaches you to embrace the grind. That ability to persevere makes you a stronger, calmer, and more capable person in the face of challenges.
Improvement in Jiu‑Jitsu doesn’t happen overnight. The art is notoriously complex, and it can take years just to earn a blue belt. This forces you to commit to long‑term consistency rather than quick results.
Many people join with high motivation, but only those who cultivate discipline stick around. You show up on days when you’re tired. You train when you’ve had a tough day at work. You drill techniques again and again until they’re second nature.
This discipline spills over into your personal and professional life. You become more reliable, more goal‑oriented, and better at sticking to commitments. You learn that small, consistent actions compound into big results over time — a lesson that applies to fitness, career, and relationships.
BJJ is often called “human chess.” Every movement has a counter, and every position demands strategy. Unlike some sports, brute strength alone won’t get you far. Instead, you must think several steps ahead, anticipate your opponent’s actions, and adjust in real time.
This strategic mindset builds your problem‑solving skills. On the mat, you learn how to break down complex problems into manageable steps: escape first, establish position, then attack. Off the mat, this mindset helps you approach challenges in work and life with logic and patience rather than panic or frustration. You stop seeing obstacles as insurmountable walls and start treating them as puzzles to be solved.
Many new students get frustrated when progress feels slow. But Jiu‑Jitsu forces you to develop patience. You can’t master techniques overnight. You can’t force submissions. You must trust the process, train consistently, and accept that improvement happens gradually.
Patience is a virtue in everyday life as well. Whether you’re working towards career goals, fitness milestones, or personal growth, BJJ reminds you that good things take time. Instead of rushing or giving up too early, you learn to stay the course and appreciate incremental progress.
Respect is baked into the culture of Jiu‑Jitsu. You bow when entering the mat. You shake hands with training partners. You treat your instructors, teammates, and even opponents with courtesy.
Training teaches you to respect not only others but also yourself. You learn to listen to your body, train safely, and protect your health. You recognise the importance of rest, recovery, and self‑care. This respect extends beyond the academy. You become more empathetic, understanding, and considerate in your interactions with others. You realise that everyone is fighting their own battles — on and off the mats.
Over time, Jiu‑Jitsu builds real confidence — not the fragile kind that depends on appearances or external validation. You know that you can defend yourself if necessary. You know you can handle pressure and adapt to challenges.
This creates a quiet strength. You don’t need to prove yourself through aggression or ego. Instead, you carry yourself with calm assurance, which positively influences how others perceive and respond to you.
In your career, relationships, and social interactions, this confidence helps you communicate better, take healthy risks, and stand firm in your values without arrogance.
BJJ academies are more than training spaces — they’re communities. You sweat, struggle, and grow alongside teammates who share the same journey. Over time, these training partners become friends, mentors, and extended family.
This sense of belonging is vital in today’s world, where many people feel disconnected. Jiu‑Jitsu provides a tribe, a support system where people uplift each other, celebrate progress, and offer encouragement during setbacks. Strong communities build stronger people. Training partners push you to be your best, hold you accountable, and remind you that growth is never a solo endeavour.
BJJ constantly challenges your emotional responses. You’ll feel frustration, fear, adrenaline, and even panic at times. But through training, you learn to regulate these emotions. You realise that panicking wastes energy, while staying calm allows for clear thinking and better decisions.
This emotional control is transformative in everyday life. Whether you’re dealing with stress at work, conflict in relationships, or unexpected life events, you develop the ability to stay centred, breathe, and respond with clarity rather than react impulsively.
Perhaps one of the greatest gifts Jiu‑Jitsu gives is the mindset of a lifelong learner. No matter how long you train, there’s always more to discover. Even black belts continue to refine techniques, experiment with new strategies, and evolve their game.
This mindset keeps you humble and curious outside of Jiu‑Jitsu as well. You stop chasing perfection and instead embrace continuous learning — whether in your career, personal development, or hobbies. You understand that growth never ends, and that’s a powerful way to approach life.
At work: Approach challenges with problem‑solving instead of stress. Handle criticism with humility and adjust rather than defend your ego.
In relationships: Listen more, respect boundaries, and communicate with patience. Know when to push and when to yield.
For your health: Prioritise consistency over quick fixes, maintain discipline, and respect your body’s needs.
In stressful moments: Breathe, stay calm, and think logically instead of reacting emotionally.
Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu isn’t just about submissions, positions, or competition medals. It’s about becoming a better human being. Every roll, every tap, every lesson on the mat is a reflection of life itself — full of challenges, growth, setbacks, and victories.
When you train BJJ, you’re not just learning self‑defence. You’re cultivating humility, resilience, patience, respect, discipline, and confidence. You’re joining a community that uplifts you and developing skills that ripple into every area of your life.
In short, Jiu‑Jitsu makes you a better person because it teaches you how to live. So the next time you step on the mat, remember: you’re not just training techniques — you’re training character.
I look forward to meeting you on our mats.
Eddie Kone
Golden Rules for Longevity
Professor Eddie Kone • 24 August 2025
Golden Rules for Longevity on the Jiu‑Jitsu Mats
Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu (BJJ) is often called the gentle art, but anyone who has spent time on the mats knows there’s nothing gentle about it. The grind is real — sore fingers, stiff necks, bruised ribs, and the occasional ego check are all part of the package. Yet, while injuries and setbacks are common, they don’t have to define your journey.
Longevity in Jiu‑Jitsu isn’t about who can train the hardest — it’s about who can stay consistent over the long run. As the saying goes: “The best ability is availability.” If you’re sidelined with preventable injuries, it doesn’t matter how talented you are — you can’t improve from the sofa. The true masters of this art aren’t just those who win gold medals; they’re the practitioners who find ways to stay on the mat year after year, decade after decade.
In this article, we’ll break down the golden rules for longevity in Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu — rules that can extend your career on the mats and keep you training well into your 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond.
Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu isn’t just a sport — it’s a lifestyle. Many people start training for fitness or self‑defence but end up falling in love with the art. The problem is, too many practitioners burn out early because of injuries, ego‑driven training, or lack of awareness about their partners.
Longevity means being able to train consistently, avoid major injuries, and keep improving over decades — not just months or years. The goal isn’t to win every roll. The goal is to be able to roll for life.
One of the most overlooked aspects of Jiu‑Jitsu longevity is understanding age differences. When a 25‑year‑old purple belt goes 100% against a 50‑year‑old recreational blue belt, it doesn’t prove toughness — it just shows immaturity.
Why This Matters
Older athletes recover slower. Muscle recovery, tendon health, and joint resiliency decline with age. Respect keeps training sustainable. Training culture is everything.
How to Apply It
If you’re younger, let your older partner dictate the pace. Train with precision and control.
Golden takeaway: The measure of maturity on the mats isn’t how hard you can go, but how intelligently you can adapt.
When someone tells you they’re injured, what they’re really saying is: “I’m trusting you to protect me.” That trust is sacred.
How to Apply It
Ask about injuries before rolling. Avoid those areas completely. Roll with your partner, not against them.
Golden takeaway: If your partner is injured but still chooses to train with you, they’re placing trust in your hands. Don’t betray it.
Ego is the #1 enemy of longevity in BJJ. There is no glory in refusing to tap.
How to Apply It
Tap early. Remove the stigma. Follow the black belts’ example.
Golden takeaway: Every early tap is an investment in your long‑term training.
Train with consistency, prioritise recovery, check your ego, cross‑train wisely, and know when to rest.
Stories that show the long game wins.
Respect age. Respect vulnerability. Respect humility.
Anyone can train hard for a year. The true challenge is still training in 20. Ask yourself: Am I training for today — or for the rest of my life?
Come Train With Us
At EKBJJ, we’ve built a culture where longevity and safety matter as much as technique and competition. Whether you’re a beginner, a seasoned grappler, or someone returning to the mats after years away, you’ll find a place here. Come and join us at EKBJJ for a free lesson. We look forward to meeting you.
The Lost Art Reborn
Professor Eddie Kone • 11 August 2025
Teaching Gracie Jiu‑Jitsu as a Complete System of Self‑Defence: The Lost Art Reborn
In today’s fast‑paced world of sport‑based martial arts and high‑level competition, it’s easy to forget the original purpose behind Gracie Jiu‑Jitsu: survival. Long before points, medals, and superfights, Gracie Jiu‑Jitsu was designed as a complete system of self‑defence. Its aim was to empower the smaller, weaker person to defend themselves effectively against a larger, stronger, and often armed opponent in real‑world situations.
As someone who has dedicated his life to the art and legacy of Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu — particularly in the lineage of Grandmaster Helio Gracie, Royler Gracie and Master Rickson Gracie — I believe it’s vital we continue to teach the full scope of Gracie Jiu‑Jitsu. This means preserving not only the ground grappling techniques made famous in modern competition but also the striking, clinching, takedowns, and weapon defence components that complete the system.
Gracie Jiu‑Jitsu was born out of necessity. In the rough streets of early 20th‑century Brazil, Helio Gracie adapted traditional Japanese Jiu‑Jitsu techniques to suit his frail frame, prioritising leverage, timing, and efficiency. The result was a revolutionary system that allowed practitioners to control, neutralise, and survive real violence — not point‑scoring violence, not tournament‑ready violence — but real violence.
From day one, this system included striking to close the distance, clinch and takedown tactics, ground control and submissions, defence against common attacks, weapon defence, and multiple‑attacker problem solving. To teach Gracie Jiu‑Jitsu today without these components is to teach only a fraction of the system — and to risk leaving students vulnerable in real‑world scenarios.
Modern Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu has exploded globally due to its success in MMA and submission grappling. This is a wonderful evolution in many ways. Athletes are more technical than ever, and the level of competition is phenomenal. But here’s the catch: sport BJJ is not self‑defence BJJ.
A flying triangle in a tournament doesn’t help much if someone sucker punches you in a car park or pulls a blade on you in a mugging. In a street situation, there are no points, no referees, no weight classes — and often no rules.
As instructors, we must ask ourselves: Are we preparing our students to survive, or just to compete?
1) Striking & distance management. 2) The clinch — bridging the gap. 3) Ground control & submissions for survival, not points. 4) Weapon defence. 5) Standing self‑defence techniques. 6) Mindset & awareness.
Fundamental modules, live scenario training, integration with sport BJJ, role‑specific training for law enforcement and civilians, and regular striking/clinch drills with pads for realism.
Women and smaller individuals, police and first responders, parents and teens, older practitioners, and anyone who values peace of mind.
When we teach Gracie Jiu‑Jitsu in its complete form, we honour the legacy of those who came before us. Our responsibility is to prepare students for reality — not just for the mat.
Gracie Jiu‑Jitsu was never just about medals. It was about survival, confidence, and protecting what matters. Teach, train, and live Jiu‑Jitsu in its fullest form.
Eddie Kone
EKBJJ Assistant