The perspective of a Lead Instructor

I hope we have many lead instructors on STEEM as having pioneers and warriors and adventurers and strong leaders like the ones I have trained with and known will definitely benefit us all. Even more practitioners that are leaders in their own right and may chose the destiny of running their own school.

Here is a recent post by my original lead instructor who grew up in Brazil, credits BJJ for leading him away from potentially bad paths, and made the faith-based trek to Canada to learn a new language and way of life. I am so glad he did. (Not doing so bad on the english eh?)

"🚨LONG POST ALERT🚨

The only privilege at my academy is the privilege that you earn.

The particular aspects of my life that I want to discuss are my Jiu Jitsu, my team, and my beliefs.

There are no special clubs for anyone based on gender, sexual orientation, race, or religion. We are all flawed human beings and we are all trying to struggle our own way to make ourselves better; special recognition is given to those who have demonstrated their passion for the martial art and their desire to be a better person. I also try to take into account everyone’s personal struggles outside the academy because we don’t all enjoy the same privileges. Maybe you have to work many hours and have a family, maybe you’re poor, maybe you’re rich. These things can affect how often you can train, and I understand this.

I want to be very clear – I try my best to treat everyone equally. I don’t care what your background is, what gender you are, whether you are gay or straight, or what country you’re from. We have at the academy people from all backgrounds, and with the love and respect I have for my Jiu Jitsu, I want to make sure that everyone gets the best possible training. The only difference occurs with how much a person is willing to give back to jiu jitsu through their training and their passion. I don’t look at the clothes they wear, where they come from, or what colour their skin is. What I look at is how much they want to learn and their behavior on the mats.

When we put on the gi we are all part of the same family. We look at each other across the mats and the important difference is the technique and the knowledge we've obtained through hard work. Some people might find my classes strict because I discourage talking during class…you can socialize and discuss things before and after class – while you’re on the mats I want to make sure that you learn and grow as much as possible. This is also being considerate to those in the class who are there to learn.

At my jiu jitsu academy everyone has two main responsibilities – the first is to improve themselves as a martial artist and as a person. The second responsibility is to be the best training partner they can be for everyone else. My personal responsibility is to do the best I can to facilitate the environment for this to happen, and to be there for when students have difficulties.

I can’t be the best instructor for everyone; that is an impossible task. What I can do though is try my best to spread the knowledge that has been passed down to me and refined in my own humble experiences.

With respect to my beliefs – you can be Atheist, Muslim, Buddhist, or Christian – I don’t care and I have never desired to convert anyone. I have great respect and love for all of the people and on the few occasions I mention my faith, I am always quick to add that it applies only to me. If I share how thankful I am to Jesus for his part in my life I am only expressing how grateful I am for all of the wonderful things I have experienced. I don’t think that everyone should think the same way, and I don’t want everyone to become Christian like myself. Maybe everyone should be grateful though – if you’re Muslim be grateful to Allah, if you’re Hindu be grateful to Vishnu, if you’re Atheist you can be grateful for the only life you have.

I want to end this by saying that I love and respect everyone, and that when you come to my academy with a desire to learn, that is all I care about. I will do what I can to support your journey regardless of your background – the only warning I provide is that it will be hard work (no matter who you are)."

Good words to live by no matter who you are. @jiujitsu , @bjjworldtraveller , @patriciorayaz, @bluegrassbjj94 and all the other practitioners: THANKS FOR BEING LEADERS and feel free to tag your original head instructors if you are one yourself now.