If you’ve ever stepped onto the mats and immediately felt your belt unravel like a magic trick gone wrong, you’re not alone. Every beginner in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has asked the same question: “How do I keep this thing tied?” Good news — tying your belt isn’t complicated, but there are a few different styles, each with its own look and history. The Traditional Knot (Standard BJJ/Karate) This is the knot most instructors teach on day one. You wrap the belt twice around your wai

Most athletes don’t lose to their opponents, they lose to their own thoughts. In martial arts, this couldn’t be more true. Whether you’re stepping onto the mats for sparring, rolling in BJJ, or preparing for a belt exam, your mindset often determines your performance before the event even begins. Sports psychologist Bob Rotella once wrote, “While the correlation between optimism and success is imperfect, there is an almost perfect correlation between negative thinking and fai

Did you know that the brain goes through a major “pruning” process around age 11? According to Raising Mentally Strong Kids  by Daniel G. Amen and Charles Fay, “Connections that are used repeatedly in the early years become permanent, while those that are not used are pruned.” In other words, the brain literally trims away pathways it doesn’t need, making the circuits that remain more efficient. This is called the use-it-or-lose-it principle , and it has a huge impact on lear

If you’re looking to get fit, stay active, and challenge your body, both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Karate are fantastic workouts—but...