GETTING BUTT-HURT WILL HURT YOUR JIU-JITSU

In Jiu-Jitsu, progress comes with discomfort. Not just physically—though sore muscles and bruises are part of the deal—but mentally and emotionally, too. One of the biggest mental roadblocks that can stall your growth on the mats is getting “butt-hurt.”

Let’s be clear: it’s normal to feel frustrated. Maybe your training partner tapped you several times. Maybe the coach corrected your technique in front of others. Maybe you didn’t get the stripe or belt you were hoping for. But staying in that emotional place—holding onto resentment, comparing yourself to others, or feeling personally attacked—will hold you back.

Here’s how getting butt-hurt can actually hurt your training:

1. You stop learning.
If you take feedback personally instead of seeing it as a tool to improve, you’ll miss out on valuable instruction. Your coach isn’t criticizing you—they’re investing in you.

2. You train with an ego.
Once your emotions take over, you may start to roll to “win” instead of learn. That leads to tension, injury, and a lack of progress. You’re here to get better, not to dominate every round.

3. You disconnect from the team.
Being overly sensitive can create distance between you and your teammates. BJJ is a team journey—when you isolate yourself emotionally, you lose the support and camaraderie that makes training fun and sustainable.

4. You rob yourself of growth.
Every tap, every tough round, every tough word from a coach is an opportunity to grow. If you let your feelings get in the way, you’ll plateau—or worse, quit.

How to toughen up emotionally:

• Take feedback as a gift. It means someone cares enough to help you improve.
• Leave the ego at the door. Tap, smile, and move on.
• Ask questions, not make excuses. “What can I do better?” is more powerful than “That’s not fair.”
• Stay consistent. Show up even on the tough days. Especially on the tough days.

Remember: toughness in Jiu-Jitsu isn’t just physical. Emotional resilience is a skill—and just like your guard passes and submissions, it’s something you have to practice.

Don’t get butt-hurt. Get better.