By Kristi Miedecke

JiuJitsu Brown Belt

The Power of Persistence

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on my journey—not just in Jiu Jitsu but in life. There have been moments of triumph and moments of discouragement, from navigating injuries and health challenges to managing the emotional weight of feeling stuck. Through it all, I’ve realized one thing: persistence matters more than anything else. On good days, on bad days, the key is to keep showing up—for yourself, for your goals, for your team.

Comparison Is the Thief of Joy

I’ll admit it—I’ve fallen into the trap of comparing myself to others during promotion time. But every time I let myself go there, it didn’t serve me. It distracted me from my own growth, made me feel stuck, and drained the joy out of my training.

Over time, I’ve had to intentionally shift my mindset. Instead of focusing on what others are doing, I began to ask myself, What are my goals? What can I do to improve today? That change didn’t happen overnight, but it transformed how I show up.

The truth is, everyone’s journey is different. The person you’re comparing yourself to might be facing challenges you can’t see. Or maybe they’re just on a different timeline. The only comparison that matters is who you were yesterday versus who you are today.

When I first started Jiu Jitsu, I was looking for a way out of a deep depression. I needed something to help me rebuild my sense of purpose and increase my social support. Walking onto the mat for the first time was terrifying—I had to push myself way out of my comfort zone. I’ll never forget that feeling, but I’ll also never stop being grateful for it.

Jiu Jitsu is unique because it’s an individual sport that thrives in a team environment. Your progress depends on your own effort, but you’re never alone in the process. You’re supported by a community of training partners who push you, challenge you, celebrate your wins, and help you grow through your losses.

This dynamic mirrors mental health and social connection so well. Growth starts with us—with showing up and doing the work—but we need others to help us along the way. Whether it’s on the mat or in life, we can’t thrive in isolation.

Life Happens—And That’s Okay

I won’t lie: right now, I’m discouraged. It’s hard not to be when I think back to my first year at purple belt. I was at my peak—fit, competing, and winning. I felt unstoppable. But then I seriously injured my shoulder and elbow, and everything changed. I couldn’t compete, my training slowed down, and I found myself in a downward spiral of discouragement.

It felt like I’d lost so much of what I’d worked so hard to build, and the frustration was overwhelming. But I’ve realized something important: setbacks are inevitable. Injuries, life circumstances, and even mental roadblocks—they’re all part of the process.

What matters is how we respond. I’ve had to remind myself that progress doesn’t disappear because I had to take a step back. The foundation is still there. It’s okay to feel frustrated or disappointed, but it’s not okay to quit. I’ll come back, and so will you. The key is to give yourself grace, trust the process, and, most importantly, keep showing up.

The Long and Short of It

Jiu Jitsu has taught me to balance short-term and long-term goals. Some days, it’s about making it through a training session. Other days, it’s about keeping the bigger picture in mind: what kind of person, teammate, and martial artist do I want to be?

And here’s what I’ve learned over the past six years: growth isn’t linear. It’s messy and unpredictable, and it doesn’t happen on anyone else’s timeline. So whether you’re on the mat or navigating the challenges of life, just keep showing up.

Final Thoughts

Persistence is a skill. It’s not about being perfect or always feeling motivated. It’s about making the decision to show up, over and over again. Through injuries, discouragement, comparisons, and setbacks, the lesson remains the same: just keep going.

Because at the end of the day, it’s not about being the best. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.