The Ethics of Jiu Jitsu: Building the Right Way in a Noisy World

The Ethics of Jiu Jitsu

There’s something about jiu jitsu that goes beyond techniques.

Yes, we learn how to control, submit, and defend ourselves. But underneath all of that, there’s supposed to be a code. A way of carrying yourself. A level of respect—not just on the mats, but off them too.

And lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about that.

Building the Right Way

As I’ve built Forged Jiu Jitsu here in the Springfield area, I’ve tried to be intentional about how we grow. Not just how many people come through the doors—but who comes through them. I’ve made a conscious effort to stay in my lane. To not go after other schools’ students. To not create division. To not build this thing by tearing something else down.

Because to me, that doesn’t feel like Jiu Jitsu.

The Tension

Recently, I’ve started seeing advertising in the area that feels… different.

Things that dismiss other schools. Encourages them to ditch their current school and join the new one. Stuff about being the most qualified gym in the area, and how they are the only school with their accreditation.

And I’d be lying if I said it didn’t get in my head a little bit.

Because when you’re building something, and it’s not growing as fast as you’d like, it’s easy to start questioning things.

Am I doing this wrong? Should I be more aggressive? Am I losing people because I’m not saying those kinds of things?

My philosophy has always been that I want to learn to bake more pie not cut into someone else's slice. I want to grow Jiu Jitsu as a whole and as a byproduct of growing Jiu Jitsu my school will benefit as well. The whole “High Tide Raises All Boats” mentality.

Fear vs. Foundation

That’s when I realized something.

That line of thinking is rooted in fear.

Fear that what I’m building isn’t enough.
Fear that someone else is going to take something that was meant for me.
Fear that louder wins over better.

But when I really step back, I don’t believe that.

I believe that what God gives, no one can take away.

I believe that building something the right way matters.

And I believe that the kind of people I want at Forged aren’t looking for hype—they’re looking for real.

What Jiu Jitsu Is Supposed to Teach

Jiu jitsu teaches patience.

It teaches discipline.
It teaches control—not just of your opponent, but of yourself.

You don’t rush positions.
You don’t force things that aren’t there.
You don’t abandon fundamentals just because something flashy is fun.

You trust the process.

And I think that applies here too.

Staying Aligned

The truth is, I know what we’re building.

I know the level of care that goes into every class.
I know the attention our students get.
I know the kind of community that’s forming.

And I know that I haven’t cut corners to get here.

So instead of reacting, instead of trying to match noise with noise, I need to stay aligned with that.

Keep showing up.
Keep teaching well.
Keep building the kind of place people are proud to be part of.

Final Thought

Fear will always try to creep in when you’re building something.

Especially when you start comparing yourself to what others are doing.

But jiu jitsu teaches us something important:

Position over panic.
Control over chaos.
Patience over reaction.

And maybe that’s the answer here too.

Stay in position.
Stay disciplined.
And trust that what’s being built the right way will last.