Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior.
Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits.
Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values.
Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny."**
– Lou Holtz
At Gracie Humaitá Jiu-Jitsu Barrie, we teach that attitude is everything—on and off the mats. As the #1 ranked Jiu-Jitsu school for kids, adults, and families in Barrie, our goal is to help students build strong, confident, focused lives that begin with how they think.
This week’s focus completes our ATTITUDE series with a powerful truth: your thoughts shape your words, your words shape your habits, and your habits shape your future.
In training, school, work, and life, your thoughts direct your:
✔️ Mood
✔️ Motivation
✔️ Effort
✔️ Leadership
That’s why we emphasize positive mental habits just as much as proper grips and posture. Because when your mindset is strong, your performance follows.
Here’s what his quote looks like on the mats:
✅ Positive thoughts: “I can get better,” “Every roll teaches me something.”
✅ Positive words: “Nice work,” “Thanks for the advice,” “Let’s train again.”
✅ Positive behavior: Helping others, rolling safely, focusing under pressure
✅ Positive habits: Showing up consistently, practicing respect, always improving
✅ Positive values: Leadership, resilience, courage, humility
Each step builds the one that comes after. And it all starts inside your mind.
These are questions we encourage every student to reflect on—because self-awareness leads to personal growth.
🥋 Rolling and drills test patience, control, and self-talk
💬 Instructor feedback trains students to reframe, not retreat
🤝 Partner work builds communication, accountability, and support
🔥 Hard rounds show students what they believe in the middle of challenge
That’s where character is forged—and our academy is built around that principle.
We help students catch phrases like:
❌ “I can’t do this.”
❌ “Everyone’s better than me.”
❌ “I’m just not strong enough.”
And replace them with:
✅ “I’m improving every time I show up.”
✅ “Others are ahead now—but I’m on my way.”
✅ “This challenge is helping me grow stronger.”
These reframes are practiced just like submissions—until they become automatic.
Parents often share:
💬 “My child doesn’t get discouraged as easily.”
💬 “They’re more encouraging with their siblings and friends.”
💬 “They’ve become more consistent in everything they do.”
That’s because we train:
✔️ Emotional intelligence
✔️ Personal responsibility
✔️ Self-reflection
✔️ Purpose-driven thinking
For adult students, mindset work leads to:
✔️ Clearer thinking under pressure
✔️ Less reactivity during stressful moments
✔️ Better time and energy management
✔️ Growth in all areas—not just Jiu-Jitsu
Because maturity and mental strength aren’t just for the mats—they’re for real life.
Every student is challenged to:
This mindset reset is what builds black belt thinking.
At Gracie Humaitá Barrie, we teach that leadership isn’t about being the best in the room. It’s about:
✔️ Staying focused under pressure
✔️ Speaking with purpose
✔️ Acting with integrity
✔️ Encouraging others
And all of that begins with how you speak to yourself first.
Jiu-Jitsu teaches that habits become identity. And our students’ habits include:
These habits become values. And values become character.
At Gracie Humaitá Jiu-Jitsu Barrie, we help students lead their lives through focus, discipline, humility, and positive thought. If you want your child—or yourself—to grow strong mentally, emotionally, and physically, join the #1 Jiu-Jitsu school for kids, adults, and families in Barrie today.
– Professor Trevor Lewis