414: If Your Bear Defeat With Courage and Tenacity, in the End You Will Win. With Tom DeBlass
Nov 29, 2023
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Tom DeBlass, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner and MMA fighter, discusses overcoming childhood bullying, the importance of giving moves recognition and credit, struggles with depression, training methods, the humbling wake-up call in jiu-jitsu, their journey in MMA and submission grappling, struggling with violent thoughts, reflections on success, lessons from a loss in MMA, training with King Mo, challenges and benefits of gaining weight in the military, the financial opportunities of instructional videos in jujitsu, visiting a dying father in hospice, empowering bullied kids through martial arts, the affiliate program and vetting process of Ocean County BJJ, Jocko Fuel and Origin USA products, the importance of jiu-jitsu training in the Navy, clothing and steak recommendations, the impact of Warrior Kid books on children's lives, and the importance of persevering through hardships and defeat.
Training with top fighters teaches valuable lessons and helps gain experience.
Raising children at a young age brings challenges and requires adjustment.
Passion for martial arts and pushing oneself to the limit drives success in MMA.
Transitioning from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to MMA brings new experiences and challenges.
Victories and accomplishments alone do not lead to lasting fulfillment.
Finding happiness in serving others through coaching and supporting students is fulfilling.
Deep dives
Discovering Jiu Jitsu and Training with Kurt Pellegrino and Ricardo Almeida
After a humbling experience in Jiu Jitsu training, the author joins the heads-up clan, training alongside top fighters like Hyun Gracie, Half Gracie, and Ricardo Almeida. He learns valuable lessons and gains experience through intense sparring sessions.
Becoming a Father and Dealing with Divorce
The author navigates becoming a father at a young age, highlighting the elation and terror he felt upon learning about the pregnancy. He discusses his journey of raising his children and the challenges he faced, including his divorce and adjusting to co-parenting.
Competing in MMA and ADCC
The author recounts his experiences in amateur MMA fights and competing in the prestigious ADCC world championships. He discusses his training and the tough competition he faced, demonstrating his passion for martial arts and his drive to push himself to the limit.
Transition from Jiu Jitsu to MMA
The protagonist reflects on his transition from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to MMA and his early experiences in the Ring of Combat organization.
Finding True Happiness
The protagonist explores his search for happiness and the realization that victories and accomplishments alone do not lead to lasting fulfillment.
Acceptance and Service
The protagonist embraces acceptance of his past failures and finds happiness in serving others through coaching and supporting his students.
The Impact of Personal Loss
The narrator reflects on the illness and passing of their father, discussing the difficulties of watching a loved one suffer and the emotional process of saying goodbye.
Financial Security Through BJJ Fanatics
The narrator highlights the positive impact of partnering with BJJ Fanatics, an instructional website, on their financial stability. They emphasize the significance of connecting with their audience through social media and the residual income that instructional videos provide.
The Last Moments with a Loved One
The narrator recounts the poignant final moments they spent with their father in the hospital, expressing the deep emotions and the significance of finding closure and conveying love and forgiveness.
The Power of Jiu-Jitsu in Overcoming Bullying
Tom DeBlass discusses how Jiu-Jitsu has the ability to empower individuals who have been bullied, allowing them to regain confidence and stand up for themselves. He highlights the positive impact Jiu-Jitsu has on kids through his organization, Buddies Over Bullies, which provides free training and support for children who have faced bullying.
Tom DeBlass's Journey of Personal Growth
Tom DeBlass shares his personal journey of overcoming challenges and hardships, including his father's struggle with addiction and his own battle with COVID-19. He emphasizes the importance of facing and embracing one's mistakes and using them as opportunities for growth and positive change.
The Impact of Discipline and Work Ethic in Jiu-Jitsu and Life
Tom DeBlass highlights the significance of discipline, work ethic, and mental toughness in both Jiu-Jitsu and life. He encourages individuals to embrace challenges and strive for personal growth, emphasizing that success comes from perseverance and taking responsibility for one's actions and choices.