Shelby Murphey is a top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor.
She recently won the brown belt roosterweight title at the 2023 IBJJF World Championship – and has been promoted to black belt on the podium.
Needless to say, Murphey competes a lot. And she believes that everybody should try competing at least once in their life, too.
Here is why, in her own words:
Stepping out on the competition mat is the most honest way to realize that you are in this by yourself.
When we train Jiu-Jitsu, we feel a community around us.
[But] when you step on the mat and it’s just you and a referee and your opponent…
The people on the mat with us and the people who are supporting us off the mat too.
Things change a little bit.
And why do “things change a little bit”?
Well, according to Murphey, it’s because competing makes you realize that it’s just you on the mat:
You realize that it’s just you that’s out there, supporting yourself.
You start to realize: “Oh, whether I win or I lose, that’s something I did. Not because of my peers or my teacher, but because of me.”
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