By Frank “The Crank” Camacho
Head Kids’ Instructor – Purebred Jiu-Jitsu Guam
When tournament day rolls around, every kid has the same goal—to win.
I get it. I’ve lived it. And yes, winning feels great. But one thing I’ve learned after years of competing and coaching is this:
We can’t always control whether we win or lose.
What we can control is how we show up. And that matters way more in the long run.
At Purebred, I teach my students to lock in on four things—whether they’re stepping onto the mat, facing a tough moment in life, or chasing a goal. These four things build competitors. They build character. And they last way beyond jiu-jitsu.
1. Attitude
On the Mat:
Let’s say your bracket changed. You’re up against a tough opponent—maybe someone who’s beaten you before. Do you panic? Or do you show up with confidence and focus, ready to give it everything?
Attitude is your anchor. A strong mindset helps you perform, adapt, and stay in the fight—no matter what happens.
In Life:
Whether it’s a challenge at school, a job interview, or a tough day at home—your attitude is your power. You can’t always choose your situation, but you can choose how you carry yourself through it.
2. Effort
On the Mat:
You’re down on points. You’re exhausted. Two minutes left on the clock. This is where effort makes the difference.
Are you going to coast to the end—or go all out and finish strong?
I tell my students: If you give everything you’ve got, you’ve already won something.
In Life:
Effort is what separates average from great. Whether it’s school, work, or family—people respect those who show up and give their best, even when things get hard. Effort is a habit that will take you far in life.
3. Aggressiveness
On the Mat:
Not about being wild or trying to hurt someone. It’s about being first. Being decisive. Are you waiting around, or are you making the first move? Are you pulling guard, hitting the takedown, attacking the pass?
Aggressiveness is about having a plan and going after it.
In Life:
It turns into initiative. Are you waiting for someone to hand you an opportunity? Or are you out there chasing it, working for it, creating it? The ones who move first—lead.
4. Gratitude
On the Mat:
You trained for weeks. You showed up. Win or lose—you got the chance to compete, to test yourself, to grow.
Look around. You’ve got your coaches, teammates, family. The mat isn’t just a place to fight—it’s a place to be thankful.
In Life:
Gratitude grounds you. It keeps your ego in check when you’re winning and lifts your spirit when things don’t go your way. It reminds you that you’re never doing this alone—and that every step forward is a gift.
Final Thoughts:
If you only focus on the scoreboard, you’re missing the bigger picture.
Because it’s not just about collecting medals—it’s about building who you are.
Attitude. Effort. Aggressiveness. Gratitude.
These four things? They’re not just for tournament day.
They’re for every day.
So the next time you feel nervous before stepping onto the mat—or into any challenge—remember this:
“I don’t know what the outcome will be. But I do know how I’m going to show up.”
And that’s what creates real growth—in jiu-jitsu, and in life.
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