From BJJ Mental Coach Gustavo Dantas:

“In continuation of the series “Top Ten Mental Mistakes Jiu-jitsu Competitors Make and How to Avoid Them”, today I will be sharing with you the number five mental mistake: “Hyping Opponents Up”.

Nowadays with the power of the Internet and social medial, more and more standout competitors are gaining more exposure online and in specialized magazines. As a result, people end up putting those standout competitors on the “pedestal”, being influenced by the hype, shaking their confidence and compromising their performances.

During an interview with the 2x Judo Olympian Travis Stevens, who is also a Jiu-Jitsu competitor,Graciemag asked him: What advice can you give to those who take on someone who has been seen as a prodigy? (Referring to his match against Paulo Miyao at the Copa Podium). Here is a small reference from the interview:

“…When you put people on a pedestal all that means is you assume that you can’t or won’t win. And YOU are the only person who decides whether you win or lose.”

I will be sharing with you three strategies to cope better with this situation and avoid the same mental mistake that I have made it before. You will also hear about why I took third at the 1996 Worlds (Purple Belt/Light) and I had no business in taking first place. Like Henry Ford said: “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right?” #dontbelievethehype

Check out the video, “like” and subscribe to The BJJ Mental Coach Channel. Stay tuned for more video blogs, and if you have any questions or suggestions , please contact me at info@thebjjmentalcoach.com

Enjoy!

Gustavo Dantas
The BJJ Mental Coach
“Bringing Innovation to Jiu-Jitsu”