Last weekend, our team traveled to Las Vegas for the IBJJF World Master Championships, one of the largest and most prestigious tournaments of the year. The energy inside the convention center was electric with thousands of competitors, coaches, and supporters all gathered to showcase the art of Jiu Jitsu on the world stage.
This year, the matches were especially intense. Across divisions, many bouts were decided by the smallest margins; referee decisions or single advantages. It was a reminder of just how tight the level of competition is at the World Master, where every grip, transition, and second on the clock matters.
While we had competitors battling in tough brackets throughout the weekend, we want to give special recognition to two of our own:
Colin competed at Jiu Jitsu Con Kids, showing heart and skill against a tough field in the gi and nogi and earning a bronze medal in the nogi division. His performance continues to inspire his teammates and sets the tone for the next generation at EDH Jiu Jitsu. Sonja stepped into the tournament battled her way through uncertain injuries earning a bronze medal.
We’re proud of every one of our teammates who stepped on the mat. Whether the outcome was decided by points, advantages, or referee decision, the lessons learned from this level of competition are invaluable. Competing on this stage isn’t just about the medal. This experience is about growth, testing yourself, and representing our team with integrity.
Congratulations to the entire EDH Jiu Jitsu family who made the trip to Las Vegas. We’re already looking forward to the next one!
“Jiu Jitsu is not about being better than someone else. It’s about being better than you used to be.”
At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we believe in more than just winning. We believe in growing.
Whether you’re a white belt showing up for your first class or a seasoned black belt refining the details of your game, the purpose of training isn’t to prove yourself, it’s to improve yourself. That’s why our academy culture is centered around practicing with intent, not competing during practice.
Practice Is for Practice, Not for Proving
One of the most common mistakes students make, especially early in their journey, is confusing training with competing. Rolling isn’t about dominating your partner or racking up submissions. It’s about applying techniques under resistance, learning how your timing and mechanics hold up, and identifying where you need refinement.
When your focus in practice becomes “winning” every round, you may look tough but you limit your growth. You avoid risky positions. You force bad habits. You don’t ask questions. You hide from the things you need to work on most.
But when you train with the mindset of improving, not proving, you allow yourself to make mistakes, to experiment, and to evolve.
Setting an Intention Every Class
At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we encourage our students to come to class with a training intention:
Are you working on passing the knee shield today? Trying to keep better posture in closed guard? Practicing your submission chains from the back?
Your intention gives you direction. It turns every rep and every round into meaningful practice, and not mindless survival or ego-driven sparring. This is what we call deliberate practice, and it’s what turns average students into exceptional martial artists.
Your Only Real Opponent Is Who You Were Yesterday
The quote says it best:
“Jiu Jitsu is not about being better than someone else. It’s about being better than you used to be.”
This is the kaizen mindset of continuous improvement. It doesn’t mean you win every round. It means you finish class having learned something, tested something, or taken one step further in mastering your craft.
That’s why we celebrate effort and progress at our gym. We watch for students who are thoughtful in their approach, who ask questions, who study outside of class, and who are more interested in understanding Jiu Jitsu than just collecting taps.
The El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu Difference
In a world where everyone wants quick results, we take a long-view approach to training. Our structured curriculum helps students track their progress across key positions and movements. Our instructors emphasize the why behind the how, and our team supports one another on and off the mat.
We believe Jiu Jitsu is for everyone no matter your age, background, or athletic level and that its true value lies in personal growth, resilience, and technical mastery.
If you’re looking for a place where you can learn Jiu Jitsu in a thoughtful, supportive, and goal-oriented environment, we invite you to join us at El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Whether you’re a beginner or a competitor, it’s time to train with purpose.
Come see what the right mindset can do for your Jiu Jitsu and for your life.
📍 Located in El Dorado Hills
📆 Adult and Youth Classes
Schedule a Trial Class: 916.595.4064 edhbjj@gmail.com
“Where there’s discomfort, there’s fear… And through this daily suffering, you learn to survive… Sometimes, you don’t have to win. You cannot win. But that has nothing to do with losing.” — Rickson Gracie
At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we train more than just the body, we train the mind. One of the most powerful lessons Jiu Jitsu teaches is how to face fear with courage and transform discomfort into confidence.
The Role of Fear in Jiu Jitsu and in Life
Fear is natural. It’s what you feel before stepping into your first Jiu Jitsu class. It’s what rises up when you’re stuck underneath side control, out of breath, unsure of your next move. It’s what you feel before competition or before facing any significant challenge in life.
But fear isn’t the enemy. Fear is the starting point.
At our academy in El Dorado Hills, we don’t teach students to pretend fear doesn’t exist—we teach them to train through it.
Finding Comfort in the Uncomfortable
In Jiu Jitsu, we put ourselves in uncomfortable situations on purpose.
Why?
Because it’s in these moments; under pressure, off-balance, trapped, we learn to slow things down, breathe, and solve problems. This ability to stay calm in chaos is a mental skill that transfers far beyond the mat.
Whether you’re stuck in a bad position or facing a stressful moment in your daily life, the lesson is the same:
You don’t always have to win but you must not quit.
This mindset shift is at the heart of what we teach at El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu: That survival is strength, and that being present and prepared is more powerful than panic or perfection.
Courage Is Facing Fear: Confidence Comes From Preparation
Fear without preparation is anxiety.
But fear with preparation? That becomes courage and eventually confidence.
Whether you’re training for your first stripe or preparing for a big competition, every class, every rep, every round is an act of preparation. You begin to face challenges with a different mindset:
“Yes, I’m nervous, but I’ve trained for this.” “Yes, this is hard, but I’ve been here before.” “Yes, there’s pressure, but I’m not alone.”
Confidence isn’t built overnight. It comes from showing up, day after day, doing the work when it’s hard, when no one is watching, when it’s uncomfortable. And at our academy, you’re never doing it alone.
Building Mental Resilience at El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu
Our programs for youth, teens, or adults are designed to build not just strong martial artists, but strong people.
We teach students to breathe under pressure
We help them develop problem-solving skills in live situations
We coach them to build emotional control and resilience
We support a community where vulnerability and growth go hand in hand
When you learn to stay composed on the mat, that same discipline starts to show up off the mat in school, in work, in family, and in life.
You Can Do Hard Things
The path to confidence begins with accepting your fear and doing the work anyway.
We invite you to experience that growth with us. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your mind and body, El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu is a place to train courage, earn confidence, and find peace in discomfort.
📍 Located in El Dorado Hills, CA
💪 Classes for Kids, Teens, and Adults
🧠 Focused on Self-Improvement, Mental Strength, and Technical Mastery
At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we believe that true growth on the mat doesn’t come just from beating others, it comes from learning how to beat yourself.
There’s a powerful quote from Leo Vieira that captures this idea perfectly:
A champion should ask himself: “If I were to compete against myself, what would I practice to beat me?”
This reflection is more than a clever thought, it’s a practical tool for growth. It challenges you to turn inward, to take an honest look at both your strengths and your weaknesses, and then develop a plan to address both.
Know Your Game
Every Jiu Jitsu practitioner, whether white belt or black belt, has tendencies. Maybe you always pass to your right. Maybe you avoid leg locks. Maybe your top game is dominant, but you panic when playing guard. Instead of ignoring these patterns, Vieira’s quote asks us to study them, just like an opponent would.
At El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, we encourage our students to look at themselves through the eyes of a future opponent. If you were going to compete against yourself tomorrow, how would you prepare? Would you target your cardio? Your reaction to pressure? Would you take advantage of your tendency to get swept on one side?
Train to Beat Yourself
Once you’ve identified your habits, the next step is to address them on the mat. If your guard retention is your weak point, drill it. If your attacks from mount are sloppy, tighten them up. If you coast when you’re ahead in a round, fix that mindset.
By doing this, you become a more complete grappler. You stop relying solely on your strengths and start refining your whole game. This mindset is what separates casual practitioners from serious martial artists.
Continuous Improvement: The EDH Way
Our training culture at EDH Jiu Jitsu is built around kaizen: constant improvement. That means we’re not focused on just being better than someone else; we’re focused on being better than we were yesterday. And the most effective way to do that is to turn inward, reflect, and evolve.
Whether you’re preparing for a tournament or just trying to improve one round at a time, ask yourself the Vieira question:
“What would I need to train to beat myself?”
Then, get to work.
Looking to train Jiu Jitsu in El Dorado Hills or the greater Sacramento area? Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your competitive edge, El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu offers adult and youth classes that develop not only your technique, but also your mindset. Come train with a team that values thoughtful growth, accountability, and excellence.
For many people, the early hours of the morning are a time to hit snooze and sleep in. But at El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings look a little different. Our 6am class is a gathering of dedicated individuals who make the commitment to start their day on the mats—whether they’re sharpening their skills, getting a good workout, or simply enjoying the camaraderie that comes with early morning training.
Committed Practitioners from Across El Dorado County
What’s special about our 6am class isn’t just the technique being drilled or the sweat left on the mats—it’s the people who attend. From all over El Dorado County, students drive in for the early session, making it a hub of dedicated practitioners from cities like Placerville, Cameron Park, Shingle Springs, and Folsom. Each morning, our mats host a mix of seasoned competitors and newer students who are driven by the same goal: to improve their Jiu Jitsu and start the day on a high note.
For many, the draw of the early class isn’t just about fitting training into a busy schedule—it’s the sense of community. There’s something about training before the sun rises, surrounded by like-minded people, that builds bonds and creates a deeper level of respect. You’ll find doctors, business owners, and students all rolling together, leaving behind the stresses of their daily lives for an hour of intense focus and fun.
The Benefits of Early Morning Jiu Jitsu
Training Jiu Jitsu first thing in the morning offers unique benefits. Not only do you get the advantage of a clear mind and energized body to start the day, but it also creates momentum for everything else. Whether you’re looking to push yourself physically or mentally, the early session builds discipline and consistency.
For those commuting from neighboring cities in El Dorado County, the effort to attend shows a level of dedication that is contagious. Seeing teammates make the drive before dawn only motivates others to work harder, pushing the level of training higher.
Join the 0600 Crew
If you’ve ever considered joining an early morning class, there’s no better time than now. Our 6am sessions are welcoming, inclusive, and challenging. No matter your skill level, you’ll find a place on the mat. Start your day with a team of motivated individuals and see the impact it can have on the rest of your day.
We’re proud of the growing community of early risers who make the trek from all over El Dorado County to train at El Dorado Hills Jiu Jitsu. Their dedication speaks volumes about the passion that exists within our academy. So, set that alarm, pack your gi, and join us for an unforgettable start to your day.
