Everyone, no matter what their goals may be, needs a word or two of support in their everyday life.
From someone who they trust and can look up to – maybe even from someone who is their mentor in one way or another.
It’s been the same way for Gordon Ryan when he first started dedicating himself more seriously to Jiu-Jitsu.
He shared an interesting anecdote from back in the day:
I met John Danaher when I was 16, started training consistently with him at 17, and full time with him at 18.
One session when I was 17, I was hurt or sick and watching the session.
He looked at me and said: “Gordon, what are your aspirations in grappling? What are your goals?”
Ryan was shy to answer, but then received a wholesome answer from Danaher:
I knew what I wanted, but saying it aloud seemed so far-fetched at the time.
I hesitated for a second, kind of looked down at the ground, and said: “I want to be the best Jiu-Jitsu athlete ever.”I looked up at him, almost waiting for him to laugh.
He simply nodded his head in approval and went back to watching class.
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