I still get "nervous" even after 80+ comps...

“Courage is not the absence of fear; but rather the judgment that something else is important than fear.” - Ambrose Redmoon

Today, I compete.

Not for the first time. Not even the tenth.

This is my 6th Blue Belt tournament, somewhere near my 20th Jiu Jitsu competition, not counting the 60+ other times I’ve competed back when I was chasing medals in Tae Kwon Do or running marathons.

I’ve got 8 men in my bracket. Three matches for gold. I know what’s coming.

And still…

…the nerves show up.

Even after hundreds of hours on the mat…

Even though I won this same tournament last year…

Even though I’m stronger, smarter, more seasoned than I’ve ever been…

I still get that cocktail of feelings:

Excitement, Anxiety, Anticipation, Doubt, Focus, Faith.

It’s like emotional soup, you can’t quite pick out the ingredients but you feel the heat.

And I’ve learned not to run from it.

Because it’s normal, alive and signals you’re doing something meaningful.

Nerves Signal a Healthy Nervous System

And it’s just your nervous system preparing you to rise… it’s the meaning we create that matters.

That adrenal spike. The racing heart, shallow breath, thoughts that swirl and spiral.

That’s fight-or-flight doing its job.

It’s primal. It’s ancient and it’s automatic.

No matter where you are in your pursuit of great things — you’ll experience some form of emotional soup.

It means you are striving beyond your current capacity and that’s where courage gets to come in.

And if you understand what’s happening on a biological level it can serve you.

But left unmanaged, it can hijack you, blackout, freeze, fold, or crumble under the pressure.

Competition is a focal point for self-awareness.

It will bring up all of your “ish” and give you an opportunity to build your mindset, reframe your self talk and shift your identity.

If you’ve ever felt the emotional flood due to an actual or perceived threat or in pursuit of something meaningful like competition here’s a few things that have helped me.

1. Mindset over management.

You can’t control every thought, but you can direct them.

I remind myself: control the controllable.

Attitude, effort, breath.

Let the rest go and trust the training.

2. Breathe through the wave.

When fear floods the body, the breath gets short and shallow. This amplifies the adrenaline and will inhibit your ability to think clearly.

Instead, focus on belly deep. Slow inhales, even slower exhales.

Before the match, in the bullpen, in the chaos, find your breath. Return to now.

3. Detach from the outcome.

If your identity is tied to the win, the thought of losing can shatter you.

But if your focus is on giving your best, on competing with heart, honor, and full expression, you’ll walk away proud no matter what. Aim to win the match, but focus on winning each moment.

4. Speak life.

The story you tell yourself matters. Fear and excitement feel the same biologically, so call it something powerful, what it is: a rush, a readiness, a rising.

Be your own inner champion.

5. Above all else… Gratitude over ego.

Today, I’m reminded:

What a blessing it is to love something so fully that you are willing to embrace physical discomfort in anticipation of an unknown outcome. 

To train for hours for a moment that may last minutes.

To risk defeat in pursuit of growth.

That’s passion. Purpose. Faith.

Alive.

To everyone competing today (all 50+ Progresso students and our competitors) and everyone else off the mats facing your own challenges and opponents…

You are not alone.

I’m rooting for you.

What you feel is normal.

And what you’re doing is rare.

You are choosing courage over comfort.

Presence over perfection.

Discomfort over passivity.

That deserves respect—win or lose.

KEEP GOING.

I’ll see you at the top.

Oss,

E