A few months ago, I started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
At first, it was just about learning something new—having something that challenged me and gave me an hour to reset. But there was another reason I haven’t talked much about.
I wanted to remember what it feels like to be a beginner.
To feel lost.
To doubt yourself.
To get your ass kicked—literally and figuratively.
Because that’s exactly what many of you feel when you walk into CrossFit Ares for the first time. And I wanted to feel it again so I could better lead you through it.
This little “experiment” has worked better than I ever imagined.
When I started in December, I bounced around different class times—9AMs, evenings—until I settled into Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon.
Even then, life got in the way. Work got busy. I missed days. At one point, I missed two full weeks.
But I didn’t beat myself up.
I didn’t quit.
I stayed in the mindset. Watched videos. Kept the fire lit. And then I just… went back.
That’s what progress looks like. Not perfection—just persistence.
Even now, I walk into class and don’t know what half the words mean. I forget the drills. I make dumb mistakes. And yeah, I feel dumb sometimes.
But I show up.
I ask questions.
And slowly, it’s starting to make sense.
One good position. One sweep. One small win. That’s all it takes to remember why you’re doing this.
The wins might be small—but they stack up.
This whole thing reminded me how easy it is to make excuses when you feel like you’re behind.
You think you’re not ready.
You think you’re not good enough.
You think it’s never going to click.
But you know what?
That’s growth.
That’s what it feels like to be stretched. To be changed. To be better than you were yesterday.
And yeah—it doesn’t feel good all the time. But it’s real. And it’s worth it.
There were days I thought about quitting. Days I thought, “I’m never going to get this.”
But I made a commitment: show up and learn.
Some days are good.
Some days are garbage.
Most are somewhere in between.
But every day is a chance to get a little better.
This wasn’t just about me.
It was about understanding what it feels like to be new, lost, overwhelmed, and unsure—and doing it anyway.
When you walk into CrossFit Ares for the first time (or the first time back), and you feel like you’re failing because it’s hard?
You’re not.
You’re growing.
You’re doing the same thing I did. And one day, you’ll look back and realize all those days of showing up added up to something incredible.
Experience is the best teacher.
It’s how I live. It’s how I lead. And it’s how CrossFit Ares was built.
So wherever you're at—starting over, falling off track, trying to find your way—just know:
I get it.
I’m walking it too.
And I’m here to lead the way.
Be proactive. Define what it means for you, and set yourself up to live the best damn life you could have asked for.
– Coach John
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