#117: Travis Motl - Overcoming Entrepreneurial Doubt, White Belt Problems, and Creative Blocks
Jan 18, 2024
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Travis Motl, retired Navy veteran and Jiu Jitsu blue belt, discusses overcoming entrepreneurial doubt, white belt problems, creative blocks, the rise of Jiu Jitsu, Navy experiences, letting go of firefighting dreams, managing claustrophobia, and Twitch streaming.
The Elbows Tight Podcast aims to provide relatable content for new Jiu Jitsu practitioners and discusses the challenges they face.
Solo episodes on the Elbows Tight Podcast have received positive feedback, showing the value of sharing personal experiences and struggles with the audience.
Travis Motl found a sense of community and fulfillment in Jiu Jitsu, leading him to devote his time and effort to the sport.
Jiu Jitsu fosters a unique environment of personal growth and support, where competitors strive to help each other become better.
Deep dives
Starting the Elbows Tight Podcast
Travis Model started the Elbows Tight Podcast together with a friend, John, as a way to document their journey and struggles as white belts in Jiu Jitsu. They focused on providing relatable content for new practitioners and discussing the challenges they faced.
Transition to Solo Episodes
After John decided to step away from the podcast, Travis continued the Elbows Tight Podcast as the sole host. Initially unsure if listeners would enjoy solo episodes, Travis received positive feedback and found that sharing his personal experiences and struggles resonated well with the audience.
Goals for Elbows Tight
Travis aims for Elbows Tight to be a go-to resource for new Jiu Jitsu practitioners, offering relatable content and valuable insights. He focuses on creating a safe and relatable space for people to learn and grow, highlighting the struggles and journey that many practitioners go through.
Fitness Journey to Jiu Jitsu
Travis first began his fitness journey by getting into cycling and later transitioned to CrossFit to lose weight and improve his health. However, once he discovered Jiu Jitsu, he fell in love with the sense of community and the exciting challenges it presented. Travis has since devoted his time and effort to Jiu Jitsu, finding it to be a rewarding and fulfilling pursuit.
The importance of growth and community in Jiu Jitsu
Jiu Jitsu creates a unique environment where individuals strive for personal growth while supporting each other's improvement. Unlike other sports, the goal is not to defeat opponents, but to help them become better. The speaker shares their personal experience in skiing and highlights the distinct sense of camaraderie in Jiu Jitsu where competitors push each other to excel and then engage in discussions about self-improvement afterwards.
The evolving nature of podcasting
The speaker reflects on their initial expectations when starting a podcast and the changing landscape of podcasting over the years. They mention the gradual shift away from gatekeeping and the increased sharing of knowledge within the podcasting community. Drawing a parallel to the early days of Jiu Jitsu, the speaker appreciates the value of open knowledge sharing in both fields.
The transformative power of Jiu Jitsu
The speaker discusses the personal growth experienced through practicing Jiu Jitsu. They highlight how the sport challenges individuals physically, mentally, and emotionally, leading to personal development in multiple aspects of life. The speaker shares anecdotes from their own journey, including initial setbacks and the determination to overcome them, emphasizing the transformative nature of Jiu Jitsu.
