Most people will admit that they start jiu-jitsu out of self-interest (they need to lose weight, want to protect themselves, find something new to do). This is not a bad thing, as most of us walk in the gym with no technical know how and lack solid relationships with our teammates. However, as time goes on the gym begins to sort itself out and you start to see individuals who are skilled, but have no interest in helping their fellow teammates.
In my time on the mats, I have realized that jiu-jitsu is a collective effort, and that the responsibility to raise the technical level of the gym is not just up to the instructor, but up to everyone with even an inkling of knowledge. Now this can somehow be hindered by egotistical individuals who feel as if you need to be training for 30 yrs to be able to teach someone, but that is another post. In my opinion, everyone has something to give in the gym, and just handing out ass whippings for free every day/night does not count.
If you really think about it, nobody is in the gym trying to get worse at jiu-jitsu. We all want to be technically solid, or else we would not be training. Yet, what most people don't realize is that iron sharpens iron (not really, but you get it). A lot of us complain about how our gyms are this and that, but we are the main reason why. It is impossible to get better at jiu-jitsu without the help of someone else and how you interact with your training partners can ultimately determine your skill level in the end.
I have seen good guys/gals who have the potential to be world champions, but their selfishness and inability to help others keeps them from developing and growing. It's simple: The more you give, the better you will get because everyone around you will benefit. You may be able to get away with the "every man for himself" attitude for a little bit, but eventually it will come back to bite you.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said "It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.”
Thanks for reading,
Jei
