“I believe we must pursue mastery for who we become along the way in its achievement. When we progress in Jiu Jitsu, that newfound experience and wisdom transcends into all areas of our lives. We use Jiu Jitsu as the vehicle for growth, but that growth radiates over all of human activity. Someone who devotes time and energy in learning this skill is learning far more than how to subdue an opponent. The student learns persistence, perseverance, pattern recognition, problem solving, and most importantly, learning how to learn. In the arena of life, these virtues are far more valuable than any guard pass.”

“Who you are as a person far outweighs what you do in an athletic arena.”

“There are no trophies for the real victories in life.”

“Jesus was not a carpenter forever.”

“Every interaction with another is an opportunity to serve.”

“Your happiness is in direct proportion to the amount you serve others.”

“Service, it seems, is the only antidote to existential frustration.”

“Life is always easier when lived for others, and living for others is the best way I know to live for yourself.”

“There is no higher calling than the service of your fellow man, and to do so through your own personal mastery of a craft is a gift enjoyed by few.”

“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.”

“I believe the devil exists in those little, seemingly unnoticeable moments when we choose to value our own insecurities over the service of others.”