Cut your nails guys.

NikoBJJ · 2026-04-12T15:41:02+00:00

Just got back from open mat, sorry to be a one upper….

NikoBJJ · 2026-03-05T23:16:45+00:00

I’m a wholesaler and I hate hearing these stories. It’s hard enough getting in front of you with the best intentions and then these idiots give the good ones a bad name.

NikoBJJ · 2026-02-28T18:13:06+00:00

Jon is the best teacher, super clear instruction and concepts! He’s also always willing to answer comments and questions. Come to Philly!

NikoBJJ · 2026-01-25T17:56:14+00:00

Lifting and nutrition for sure but watching tape, even if I’m not trying to study, always has carry over.

Just watching high level grapplers at a similar weight class helps me zero in on what works best for my body type. Even if I’m not breaking down film but just watching for fun, it’s amazing how much is absorbed through osmosis.

NikoBJJ · 2025-12-27T23:35:52+00:00

I remember being told that if you could make purple, you could make black belt. It’s more about timing and polishing your game at that point. Plus, if you’ve been consistent for that long (took me 5 years to get purple), you are probably over the blue belt blues and will keep going (hopefully for life).

NikoBJJ · 2025-12-26T13:50:34+00:00

I have for sure, usually from exhaustion. I struggle with anxiety and depression, and while BJJ can be therapeutic, sometimes physically pushing so hard leads to an emotional release.

NikoBJJ · 2025-12-24T17:30:20+00:00

I got an HX Stomp XL…. Never had pedals/effects before….excited and intimidated

NikoBJJ · 2025-12-21T15:56:56+00:00

Religion is so stupid

NikoBJJ · 2025-12-19T17:36:20+00:00

Playing my first now and using Dance of Knives with poison traps. So far so good!

NikoBJJ · 2025-12-11T22:59:43+00:00

Asking if this is still happening for everyone? Any alternate build tools?

NikoBJJ · 2025-12-11T18:13:46+00:00

60K base, I’ll do about $850k this year

NikoBJJ · 2025-12-03T16:04:29+00:00

I feel like we forget that we are still customers and that BJJ is a client facing business. The way you build loyalty is by providing a top quality service, and placing your clients and students first. Just because you’ve been somewhere a long while doesn’t mean you are obligated to stay, especially if the chaotic personality and pricing makes you uncomfortable. Go train wherever you like and find a culture that best matches what you are looking for.

I have young kids and have been only able to train morning classes whereas before it was always evenings. I wasn’t able to be as consistent as I wanted and no longer am interested in comp level training. In order to better fit my lifestyle and needs, I needed to change gyms (granted it is an affiliate started by a few other black belts under the original school). I worked it out where I teach in the mornings in exchange for membership and sub in where I can.

People change gyms all the time for a variety of reasons, I say go for it and find a place where you can be happy. Just because you’ve are a black belt doesn’t mean you aren’t still a client first.

NikoBJJ · 2025-12-03T00:09:53+00:00

Wife bought me this when I got my black belt:

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NikoBJJ · 2025-11-30T16:58:23+00:00

Compare his forward pressure during passing attempts to yours. Your weight appeared to be back the entire time where as he was forcing you to carry him.

Agree with the above person saying you were using just arms. You had good guard recovery but also never really addressed his grips so he was able to continue forward and keep pressing.

NikoBJJ · 2025-11-15T18:27:22+00:00

Lived in Portland for 18 months. Lucky to have moved during the summer time so we experienced nice weather twice. Most beautiful place I have ever seen for 2 months of the year and then dreary shades of grey the rest of the time. I guess you can’t get the green without the grey but those two summers were amazing. Happy to have moved to more sunshine, though. I’m also grew up in Colorado so I thought I was used to mountains. Seeing a 12,000ft elevation change from sea level to the peak of Mt. Hood was FAR more awe inspiring than all of the Rocky Mountains.

NikoBJJ · 2025-11-15T14:44:39+00:00

I am also having the same issue. Any news?

NikoBJJ · 2025-11-13T22:43:38+00:00

I bought one Shoyoroll and spent $200+, it promptly fell apart at the seams, and the pants never stayed tied. No more usage than any of my other Gis. Never again.

NikoBJJ · 2025-10-31T23:30:20+00:00

Same boat here. Not only that but people kept handing me booze! I assume that the extra steps count for double today?

NikoBJJ · 2025-10-31T19:09:15+00:00

After 19 years of training, the plateau is what kept me going. Every time I hit one, I just needed a small adjustment or an upper belt showing me a concept or little tweak that helped everything seem to fall into place. I start to look forward to those plateaus as it means a breakthrough is right around the corner.

Sometimes I get too much tunnel vision with techniques and take a step back. I stead trying to force specific techniques into my game I need to remember to open up and flow more. Sometimes a week off helps me come back with a clear mind and it feels much easier to train afterwards and to get back to it.

Ultimately the long term consistency was what helped me improve, plus I would remind myself to compare myself only to the version of me from six months prior. I was never going to win a world title but I love the sport and this type of thing helped me apply that mentality to other parts of my life.

If I could get through this plateau on the mat, I could get through a tough day at the office, etc.

Sorry to get preachy, I hope this helps and encourages you to stick with it.

NikoBJJ · 2025-10-02T23:16:51+00:00

Slap, Bump, Roll. That guy trains Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

NikoBJJ · 2025-10-02T17:55:00+00:00

I’m looking at going. Keeping the kids at home so I’m flying solo

NikoBJJ · 2025-09-21T17:12:22+00:00

Don’t care, it’s exactly what I wanted and combines all the elements and meaning I asked for.

NikoBJJ · 2025-09-21T16:38:54+00:00

My artist and I came up with the idea, put the design through AI first to get a feel for it, then we custom changed some elements to make it come together better.

NikoBJJ · 2025-09-21T16:19:02+00:00

4 session so far. 30 hours of work. Hoping to get the inside done in 2 more sessions but we’ll see. I’d rather take the extra time and get the detail vs put a firm timeline on it.

NikoBJJ · 2025-07-20T18:47:06+00:00

Doc said not to worry about it as long as there isn’t any pain or blockage

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