Most jiu-jitsu students (and especially, quitters) don’t know there are jiu-jitsu schools that operate different than theirs. Most people just join the nearest one to them, or the first one that answers the phone. Convenient travel time is important, but it doesn’t trump cultural fit.

And then they assume all schools are the same. And if they ended up at one that’s not a fit, they say, “Jiu-Jitsu’s not for me.”

Recently, I had a trial student attend class and afterward, he told me he was simultaneously trying out another school. He said he appreciated how detailed we were in showing technique. He’s not the first to say something like that. I’m so curious about how some of these other schools teach anything.

I had another former prospect take our ten-day trial, and at the end, he said, “I prefer sport.” I couldn’t believe what I heard. First, I didn’t know that he was trying out another school. (That’s 100% OK with me, and actually recommended, by the way.) Second, he was the sweetest, softest kind of person, so it caught me by surprise. But in the end, I was glad for him, because he did the work of actual research and finding out what was a fit for him.

If you’re not thrilled at your school, know that other schools are out there.

Don’t be someone that says, “I used to do jiu-jitsu.”

Instead, be someone that says, “I used to train there, but now I train here.”