May Week 3: ATTITUDE – Leading Every Roll with the Right Mindset

"Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue." – Lou Holtz

At Gracie Humaitá Jiu-Jitsu Barrie, we believe that the most important skill you can bring to the mats isn’t physical—it’s mental. As the #1 ranked Jiu-Jitsu school for kids, adults, and families in Barrie, we know that attitude determines whether a student progresses or plateaus, whether they learn from adversity or let it hold them back.

This week, we’re focusing on ATTITUDE: how we think, how we lead ourselves, and how we build habits that create growth in Jiu-Jitsu—and beyond.

You Can’t Always Control the Day—But You Can Control Your Thoughts

Life happens. Some days are smooth, and others are frustrating. But regardless of the day you’ve had, your attitude is still your choice.

In Jiu-Jitsu, we teach our students to pause and ask:

  • How do I want to respond right now?
  • What can I learn from this roll or drill?
  • Am I letting frustration lead—or focus?

That’s what separates those who endure the journey from those who enjoy and grow through it.

How We Build Attitude at Gracie Humaitá Barrie

🥋 Tapping out: Students learn to say, “Thank you,” instead of, “Why me?”

🔥 Tough technique: Encourages students to be patient and present

💬 Constructive feedback: Reinforces that growth begins with humility

🤝 Partner drills: Build character, cooperation, and courtesy

Each class isn’t just about getting stronger—it’s about thinking stronger.

Ask Your Child (or Yourself):

  1. When something is hard, how do you usually think about it?
  2. Can you shift your perspective from frustration to opportunity?
  3. Are you aware when your attitude is helping or hurting your growth?

We teach that leadership starts with one person: yourself. And it begins with attitude.

Lou Holtz’s Wisdom and the Jiu-Jitsu Student

💬 “Virtue appears from good deeds.”

→ In class: Show respect. Help your teammates. Lead with integrity.

💬 “Wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind.”

→ In class: Stay calm in rolls. Focus on learning. Be open to being coached.

💬 “To walk safely through life…”

→ We need character, clarity, and the ability to control our emotions. These are the true outcomes of Jiu-Jitsu training.

Reframing the Tough Moments

We help students reframe limiting thoughts:

❌ “I’m not good at this.” → ✅ “I’m getting better every time I show up.”

❌ “They always beat me.” → ✅ “They push me to improve.”

❌ “I feel like quitting.” → ✅ “This is hard—but I’m building strength through it.”

This is how confidence is built—not from easy wins, but from mental resilience.

Challenge of the Week: Shift Your Thinking

We ask every student this week to:

  1. Write down one thought that is limiting their growth
  2. Flip it into a positive, forward-focused statement
  3. Repeat it daily
  4. Reflect at the end of the week on how it changed their training

This exercise builds awareness, responsibility, and mindset strength.

Why Families in Barrie Trust Our Program

Parents tell us every week:

💬 “My child’s mindset has shifted.”

💬 “They don’t panic when things go wrong anymore.”

💬 “Their confidence now comes from their thinking, not just their success.”

That’s because our program prioritizes:

✔️ Mental discipline

✔️ Growth mindset

✔️ Emotional control

✔️ Leadership values

Adults Thrive with Attitude Training Too

Whether you're in your 30s or your 60s, mindset development is still essential. Our adult students benefit by learning to:

✔️ Stay calm under life stress

✔️ Be consistent despite challenge

✔️ Lead with humility and optimism

✔️ Balance discipline with empathy

Jiu-Jitsu becomes a system for personal development at every stage of life.

Leadership Begins in the Mind

Our students learn quickly that:

✔️ A black belt is earned through thoughts before it’s worn around the waist

✔️ Leadership is about lifting others—not just winning

✔️ Emotional control beats ego every time

This is the kind of environment we create at Gracie Humaitá Barrie.

Train Your Mind to Train Your Life

Jiu-Jitsu is more than takedowns and submissions. It’s a mindset practice. It teaches you how to:

  • Stay steady under pressure
  • Learn with humility
  • Respond with purpose
  • Lead from within

And this is why our students walk taller—not just because they’ve trained harder, but because they’ve learned to think clearer.

Want to Build an Attitude That Shapes a Better Future?

At Gracie Humaitá Jiu-Jitsu Barrie, we help kids, teens, and adults develop the mindset that leads to strong technique, better behavior, and lasting self-belief. If you want to grow in confidence, discipline, and purpose—join the #1 Jiu-Jitsu school for kids, adults, and families in Barrie today.

– Professor Trevor Lewis