·By Pete McHugh
The Varsity
What keeps the white belts coming back, night after night, when they get smashed every round? An OG named Big Al had the answer — and it changed how I think about running an academy.
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Brick by Brick
Saunas are hellish. So are fasts and cold showers. So is showing up to train when the couch calls louder. Why these difficult choices, brick by brick, build the willpower that sets you free.
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A Splendid Torch
A passage from George Bernard Shaw on what it means to be 'thoroughly used up' by the end of a life — to make the torch burn as brightly as possible before handing it on.
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Gratitude. Practice It.
We never appreciate a healthy body, the time to train, or the awareness to even seek out Jiu Jitsu until we lose them. A short reminder to be grateful while you're still on the mat.
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10 Benefits of BJJ
Confidence, camaraderie, endurance, mental toughness, and six more — what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu actually gives you beyond a black belt.
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The 4 Ts of Your Favorite Training Partner
Discipline gets the glory, but we make it to black belt on the backs of our favorite training partners. The four traits — Tough, Technical, Threatening, Trustworthy — that make one great.
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Jiu Jitsu, the Long Haul
Five days before an MMA fight, I tried a flashy submission against a stubborn training partner and tore my knee. A reflection on ego, restraint, and training for decades — not just the next round.
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Precious Cargo
A daughter shoved at a playdate. A father's panic. A small but useful realization about giving kids the skills to never feel powerless — even when they feel afraid.
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Evolve or Die
Once you reach a certain level in Jiu Jitsu, it gets easier to hide your weaknesses than confront them. A short essay on why the beginner's mindset still matters — even at black belt.
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Walt: Authenticity
A Sunday-night doorbell from a quiet stranger raising money for MS research changed how I think about authenticity — and how we run McHugh Jiu Jitsu.
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