People who train: Stories from the Mat – Tyler

Tyler is a self-proclaimed long-term white belt who started Jiu-Jitsu about four years ago. Along his Jiu-Jitsu journey he has ran into some detours with bouts off the mat with cancer. Tyler's motivation and resilience to keep training is an example of pushing through setbacks and challenges through life to keep going.

Why Jiu-Jitsu?

During middle school, Tyler's height kept him from joining the basketball team. Instead, he found his place on the wrestling mat at the urging of the wrestling coach. Wrestling taught him valuable mental toughness and resilience during his early years. Fast forward to 2021, amidst his battle with cancer, Tyler watched his sons train Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra. Though unable to join them on the mat, he remembered his will to return. He is grateful for the support not only for himself but also for his sons and the encouragement from the Jiu-Jitsu coaches at Gracie Barra.

\"There is a lot that you learn on the mat that you don\'t get anywhere else in life.\"

- Tyler

Resilience

Tyler emphasizes the importance of mental health in his life, talking about how Jiu-Jitsu serves as a cornerstone in maintaining his focus and overall well-being. To him, Jiu-Jitsu isn't just a physical activity but a form of therapy that imparts valuable life lessons. Consistent training not only enhances his physical health but also makes him a better father, husband, and individual. The supportive community at Gracie Barra plays a pivotal role in his journey and continues to draw him back to the mat.

The strength of the Jiu-Jitsu Community

Throughout his battle with cancer Tyler found strength in the support of the Jiu-Jitsu community. Despite facing multiple stages of the illness, he emphasizes the remarkable solidarity and encouragement he has received from his fellow practitioners over the years. Their support means a lot to him as a student.

\"Adversity is going to happen - what matters is how you respond to it and here on this mat it happens, and you learn that you can do a lot more than you think you can.\"

- Tyler

Benefits for his Children / Battling Cancer as a Father

During his absence for cancer treatment, Jiu-Jitsu served as a crucial outlet for Tyler's children to navigate the challenges they faced. Tyler is grateful for the Jiu-Jitsu school and the mat providing them with a means to process their emotions and cope with the difficult situation. Reflecting on this tumultuous period, Tyler admits to grappling with worries about his ability to support his family and fears of mishandling the situation. However, he found incredible support from the community surrounding him and said they were able to overcome the hardship together.

Advice for Starting Jiu-Jitsu

\"Just do it! There are people from all over the place on the mat and it doesn\'t matter if you are not the fastest or strongest you build resilience and become a better person.\"

- John Smith

Tyler emphasizes that if someone wants to become the best version of themselves Jiu-Jitsu is for them. There are a lot of people here that push you and hold you accountable and help you reach your goals at Gracie Barra.

Check out Tyler's favorite technique out at the end of the video here: Spoiler: It will surprise you!