Nothing worthwhile ever came from divided attention.

~ Chris Matakas

Chris Matakas Attention Focus Jiu Jitsu Mindfulness

To base your self worth relative to others is to play a losing game. If you are at the bottom, you will be filled with self-loathing. If you are at the top, you will be filled with self-aggrandizement and ego. This will most certainly be one of your greatest obstacles to achieving whatever degree of mastery you are capable.

~ Chris Matakas

Chris Matakas Bjj Ego Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts

The highest aim was never to master Jiu Jitsu, it was to master myself.

~ Chris Matakas

Chris Matakas Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts Mastery Self Mastery

If you are fortunate enough to have a particular activity with which you find greatest joy and technical success, it is your responsibility as a growing human being to continue that study. Whatever your endeavor, if you can expand upon the knowledge in your strongest subject, that new found understanding of all things will trickle down to every other area of your life.

~ Chris Matakas

Chris Matakas Bjj Jiu Jitsu Knowledge Martial Arts Mastery

We must remember that regardless of our differences in rank we are all equal as human beings. You can always tell how caring and compassionate others are in their actions towards those below them. Of course you are going to treat your black belt professor kindly, but how do you treat the white belt taking their first class? In spite of the division in belt rank there must be no division as people.

~ Chris Matakas

Chris Matakas Equality Golden Rule Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts

Consistently failing is nothing more than an indication that you are progressing. The more we fail the farther we will see. Failure is not an option, it is the only option. A master is a master because he has had the courage to fail and the wisdom to learn from it.

~ Chris Matakas

Chris Matakas Failing Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts Progress

Your progress as a Jiu Jitsu practitioner is a direct reflection of the standards you have for yourself.

~ Chris Matakas

Chris Matakas Bjj Jiu Jitsu Progress Standards

I have never been as alive or awake as I have been through Jiu Jitsu.

~ Chris Matakas

Chris Matakas Awakening Jiu Jitsu

We can lose the roll, we can lose position, but we can constantly strive to win the moment.

~ Chris Matakas

Chris Matakas Jiu Jitsu Losing Winning

Anyone can be tough for a season. It takes a special kind of human to rise to life's challenges for a lifetime.

~ Chris Matakas

Chris Matakas Endurance Grit Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts Toughness