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The Conversation That Made Me a World Champion
Hearing this completely transformed every aspect of my life.
Before my first time competing in the world championships in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I was, like most people would be, insanely anxious.
I was 19, full of doubt, and I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into.
In fact, the only thing I was really sure about was my doubt that I would not do well.
I told even my coach a couple of weeks before the tournament, “I know I’m not gonna win, I just want to go try it.”
Instantly (seemingly without even thinking) my coach said one sentence that completely changed the way I think about competing in sports — and doing pretty much anything in my life:
“If you don’t think you can win, don’t compete at the world championship.”
This made me change my entire mindset. This made me realize how unconfident I really was.
3 years later I won world the world championship at my belt level and weight class.
5 years after that, I am the happiest and most confident version of myself that I have ever been. I am a solid professional athlete — I can say that confidently.
