According to Bruchac, the benefits of training—or “rolling”—with a martial arts academy are uniquely applicable to small business owners. Bruchac explained that combat sports offer the same physical conditioning benefits attainable through other forms of exercise, while adding in a mental component that allows trainees to strengthen not only their bodies, but also their minds.
- Resilience. Training in a sport where you are—quite literally—knocked down continually builds a sense of resilience and mental agility. This clearly can be an asset to small business leaders, helping them overcome the challenges of unpredictable regulatory, economic, and public health environments.
- Strategic Thinking. Helio Gracie, one of the founding brothers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, is quoted as saying the sport “represents the triumph of human intelligence over brute strength.” Professors like Bruchac, Fyvie, and Anthony coach their students to prioritize skill and strategy over blind aggression; deliberately training yourself to think strategically and anticipate your opponent’s reactions has obvious positive implications for business leaders and can give them a cutting edge in our competitive economic environment.
- Lifestyle. Above all, Bruchac highlighted how martial arts enable practitioners to live a “positive lifestyle,” founded in discipline and goalsetting, and wrapped in a sense of belonging within a community. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven mental health and community support to be a vital part of any business plan, and combat sports offer entrepreneurs an opportunity to build those strengths.
BEYOND THE MAT
Outside of their four walls, martial arts academies extend their influence to be pillars of our community. In addition to being a martial arts Professor, Bruchac is an award-winning children’s author, traditional storyteller, outdoor educator, and Director of the Ndakinna Education Center. Located in Greenfield, the Ndakinna Education Center—which Bruchac runs with his brother, father, and other local leaders—is a nonprofit organization that provides team building, character development, outdoor education opportunities to community members of all ages. Importantly, the Center also shares the stories, experiences, and culture of regional Native American peoples, notably the Nulhegan Coosuk Band of the Abenaki Nation, of which Bruchac and his family are citizens.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Eddie Fyvie also serves as a leader within our local community. This March, he volunteered his time and expertise to provide free Jiu-Jitsu lessons to local U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Cadets. The Cadets—representing an elite group hand-selected from the ROTC unit hosted at Siena College—were invited to participate in an international military skills competition hosted by the U.S. Military Academy; Fyvie offered free lessons and a one-month membership to all 15 Cadets to help them prepare for the hand-to-hand combat portion of the contest. More importantly, these lessons reinforced the physical, mental, and spiritual lessons of Jiu-Jitsu within the Cadets, all of whom are set to commission as Army Officers within the next two years. Fyvie’s generosity demonstrates that martial arts academies are so much more than just “gyms,” and the effects of his magnanimity will benefit our community, state, and country for years to come.
Fyvie, who fought in professional MMA events throughout the United States and Canada, sees Jiu-Jitsu as preparation for the chaos of the business world.
“In Jiu-Jitsu, the practitioner must deal with rapidly changing attacks under pressure. Wrong moves, or panicking, could result in unconsciousness from a well applied submission, and the match is over” Fyvie stated. “Remaining calm and anticipating your opponent’s moves is crucial to survival on the mats, and in the business world.”
GET STARTED
When asked if he had any advice for people considering combat sports, but not quite sure if it’s for them, Bruchac responded confidently that “there is a Jiu-Jitsu gym for everybody.” Bruchac encouraged interested individuals to try out a few academies to find one where they feel “welcome and safe.” He added that many programs—including his and Fyvie’s—offer free trials to beginners.
Fyvie’s Academy reinforced that message. According to their website, you don’t need to be experienced in combat sports or “in shape” to start training. They offer programs designed for locals of “all ages, sizes, and genders—the only requirement is effort.”
If you’re a small business owner, you’ve invested time, money, and effort into your enterprise; to take your business to the next level, consider investing those same resources into yourself. Call or click below to take the first step towards becoming the leader your business deserves:
- Saratoga Kyokushin Dojo & Alliance
Northeast Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy | 518-331-9962 - Eddie Fyvie Jiu-Jitsu Academy | 518-588-3134
- Atlas Jiu-Jitsu | 518-362-8527
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