What Jiu Jitsu Taught Me About Business, Failure and Winning

From Tapping Out to Scaling Up:

What Jiu Jitsu Taught Me About Resilience and Leadership

I’ve been choked unconscious on the mat and I’m grateful for it.

Why?

Because being choked in Jiu Jitsu taught me things that no business course, influencer, podcast, or book ever could.

Our world glorifies winning. Life often feels like a continuous pursuit of success.

Social media feeds us the highlight reels of people's lives. But in Jiu Jitsu and in business failure is not only inevitable, it’s essential. In failure is where true growth actually happens.

The most crucial insights come from our failures. Through Jiu Jitsu we can reshape our approach to business, setbacks, and ultimately, success by embracing the failures and growing from them.

Competition can bring our your best and test your abilities under extreme pressure.

The Mat: A Microcosm of Life

When you step onto the Jiu Jitsu mat, you're stepping into a miniature version of life and business. It’s a space dedicated to learning, growth, and resilience. Each roll, regardless of the outcome, serves as an opportunity for reflection and improvement.

For example, consider a person who loses a match. Instead of feeling defeated, they analyze their performance, focusing on what went wrong and how they can improve. In the business arena, similar experiences occur. When a project doesn’t go as planned, like when a marketing campaign fails to reach its target audience and generate the results, the lessons learned can make the team dial in the details to make the next attempt more successful. Companies with a growth mindset are 2.5 times more likely to achieve significant performance metrics compared to those that fear failure.

When I started training over 20 years ago,  I’d get frustrated when I tapped. Over time, I realized every failure on the mat was simply feedback.

"You left your arm out."

"You didn’t posture."

"You overcommitted."

That feedback loop created growth.

People that do Jiu Jitsu learn humility, this makes it easier to confront harsh business realities. This mindset allows for greater transparency and an openness to change, turning weaknesses into strengths.

Embracing Failure: The Path to Improvement

On the mat failure is feedback, when training Jiu Jitsu there is no hiding or faking it. If you're caught in a submission, you tap and learn or you just quit and never come back. In Jiu Jitsu, tapping to a submission is a sign of growth. It means surrendering to learn a new technique. This is not the end; it's an essential part of the journey. Similarly, in business, recognizing when a strategy isn’t working and being flexible enough to pivot is critical to success.

The importance of failure lies in how we respond to it. For instance, a tech startup may launch a product that doesn't gain traction. By analyzing customer feedback and market trends, they can revise their approach and reintroduce a more refined product. Research indicates that 60% of successful entrepreneurs attribute their success to learning from their past failures. Embracing this philosophy creates a company culture that views failure as a valuable learning experience, rather than a setback.

Consistent strategic improvement leads to long term success.

Strategy Over Power: The Importance of Thinking

A striking feature of Jiu Jitsu is its focus on strategy. You learn early on that raw strength and power isn’t enough for success. Critical thinking about your position and your opponent's moves is essential.

In Jiu Jitsu, you typically don’t go for a submission until you have the right position. You control and flatten your opponent to establish a superior position before going for the finish. If you rush it, you lose it.

In business, we see the same is often true. Temporary power may bring quick wins, but sustainable success comes from thoughtful strategies and a strong understanding of your business and the market. For example, a company may notice increased competition and instead of reacting hastily, a well-prepared organization takes time to evaluate its competitors and explore innovative product offerings, ultimately gaining a competitive edge.

Every experience on the mat emphasizes the importance of continual analysis and strategy adjustment, which directly informs how we make decisions in business settings.

Before you go for the "submission" in business, whether it’s launching a new offer, hiring a team, or scaling, get your positioning right. Build a strong foundational base by mastering the fundamentals.

Community Matters: The Role of Networking

Jiu Jitsu fosters a strong community among teammates, a group dedicated to mutual support and growth. Each training session becomes a chance to share knowledge, build confidence, and show respect.

In the business world, a robust network is equally critical. Engaging with mentors and professionals not only enhances learning, it also fosters collaboration. Research indicates that individuals with strong professional networks are 70% more likely to find a job or a new opportunity.

When professionals share insights and experiences, they build a resilient community. It’s not just about personal achievements in business but also about collective growth and improvement.

Persistence: The Art of Never Giving Up

Every training session tests both physical and mental endurance. The challenges faced in rolling can be tough, but teach persistence and calmness under pressure.

I've never experienced anything that tests your composure like a 250lb person laying on top of you trying to choke you or crank your joints. In those moments, your breath, confidence and belief in yourself become your anchors. Many people will panic and tap, but the win comes when you stay calm and present to work and find a solution to the massive problem.

Business can feel the same way. There are moments when you're overwhelmed with pressure: deadlines, client issues, cash flow dips. If you lose control, you make poor decisions. If you stay calm through the pressure and chaos, you can successfully navigate your way out.

Jiu Jitsu taught me that mental control is everything. Stay calm, breathe, and trust your training.

In business, setbacks are inevitable. However, the persistence cultivated on the mat becomes a useful tool in navigating adversity. For example, a small restaurant that faced initial failures adapted its menu and marketing strategy based on customer feedback. With resilience and commitment, they transformed their business and eventually doubled their revenue within a year.

Successful entrepreneurs embrace the reality of setbacks as part of their journey. They understand that tenacity in overcoming obstacles is often what leads to breakthroughs.

Embrace your journey and never give up.

Adaptability: Staying Fluid in Change

Jiu Jitsu places great value on adaptability. Each opponent presents fresh challenges, forcing you to modify your techniques and strategies on the fly.

In business, change is ever-present. From evolving market trends to emerging technologies, the ability to adapt is crucial. Companies that remain flexible are better positioned to capitalize on new opportunities. For instance, organizations pivoting to remote work during the pandemic saw an average productivity increase of 13%, as they adapted to the changing environment.

Sticking rigidly to outdated methods can lead to missed opportunities. By embracing a fluid mindset, businesses can foster innovation and agility.

There's no argument about a tap from a submission. You either got submitted or you didn’t. You either put in the reps or you didn’t. The mat tells the truth.

The business world is similar. At the end of the day, your results don’t care about your excuses, your feelings or your opinions. If your systems are broken, clients aren’t converting, or your habits are off, it shows. The data doesn't lie.

But that’s empowering, not discouraging.

Why?

Because it means you have control. You can fix it. You can train. You can adjust. You can be better.

Winning: Redefining Success

Winning in Jiu Jitsu often transcends the accolades received. Real success lies in the growth from both wins and losses. This philosophy echoes in business too.

Success should be redefined to encompass more than just the outcome of a sale or deal. It also involves nurturing relationships, enhancing services, and fostering team development. A well-rounded assessment of success might include customer satisfaction scores, employee development metrics, and community engagement statistics. Businesses that celebrate small victories and incremental progress create a continuous cycle of improvement and achievement.

Victory should be viewed as the ability to transform challenges into opportunities, reinforcing the journey towards true success.

The Intersection of Mindset and Leadership

In Jiu Jitsu, the mindset and character of the participants greatly influence their performance. This principle directly correlates with business leadership as well.

Leaders who embody integrity, resilience, and adaptability cultivate a culture that inspires others to follow. Companies with strong leadership principles report 50% higher retention rates and improved team performance.

Creating an environment that encourages discussion, feedback, and continuous learning empowers teams to take calculated risks and view failures as learning opportunities.

The Lifelong Journey of Learning

Both Jiu Jitsu and business represent lifelong journeys filled with ongoing learning. Mastery doesn't come quickly, both arenas require dedication and continuous education.

Committing to lifelong learning ensures professionals stay relevant amidst rapid changes. A mindset focused on acquiring new knowledge drives both innovation and individual growth. For instance, companies that support employee training programs see a 24% increase in employee engagement and productivity.

Individuals committed to their development are better equipped to take on fresh challenges as they arise.

A Black Belt is another phase in your learning where you really see the depth and dimension of technique.

Final Thoughts: Winning is Quiet

We often think winning is loud, bells ringing, medals flashing, posts going viral and big celebrations for hitting goals.

In Jiu Jitsu, the real victories are quiet: surviving a round with someone who usually taps you, catching a sweep you drilled 100 times, seeing a younger belt implement a move you taught them.

The lessons drawn from Jiu Jitsu extend beyond the mats and into every corner of life, especially in business. Insights on embracing failure, refining strategies, prioritizing community, maintaining persistence, and adapting to change hold incredible value.

These principles illuminate the path to achieving meaningful success. Jiu Jitsu empowers us with vital tools to navigate life, preparing us for both setbacks and accomplishments. As we transition from the mat to the business world, let’s carry the wisdom gleaned from each lesson learned.

Embrace the journey ahead with confidence, knowing that each step, whether it feels like a stumble or a leap, brings us closer to our objectives and an authentic sense of success.

That’s what real winning looks like, and Jiu Jitsu shows us the way.

Whether you’re trying to scale a business, optimize your health, or take your mindset to the next level, the principles don’t change:

Show up.

Learn from failure.

Stay calm.

Play the long game.

And most importantly, keep rolling.

Ready to Level Up On and Off the Mats?

Whether you're building a business, pushing your limits in training, or looking to unlock more discipline and clarity in your life, you're not meant to do it alone.

If you’re ready to turn pressure into power, failure into fuel, and mindset into your greatest asset, let’s work together.

Apply Now for Coaching or Private BJJ Training

Or connect with me on Instagram @jtinoue and let’s start the conversation.

Train hard. Think sharper. Win with purpose.