For years and years and years… and, I mean YEARS… Surfing was the one thing that kept me sane. It was my “man hour” — it was the time I got for me, to unwind, relax, express myself, exert myself, and become better in and of my own. Well, after having done a couple local-style bucket list achievements via surfing, I almost got swept out to sea. That was that, especially since I was a newly wed and my wife doesn’t surf.

Instead, my efforts turned to…!

BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU

You have to understand that surfing was so big in my life that I started to make life lessons from surfing experiences.

• If danger is coming at you, you must paddle towards it — duck under or dive over; but, never sit there waiting for it to come crashing down.
• Success is best found when you go in the same direction, same speed, same force as the waves in life.
• The closer you are to danger, the farther you are from harm.
• Always find your safe spot just outside the line-up; stopping at the breakers will only cause you misery.
• When tossed by a wave, just curl up into a ball — protect yourself and go with the wave… you’ll come out the other side & you’ll be fine.
• Stuff like that!…. and, it was ENDLESS.

Well, BJJ has now taken it’s place.

I see so much similarity in terms of the life lessons available via BJJ. Things like:

• If you’re in the right position, the threat is decreased (kind of like where you are on the water for surfing).
• Be efficient in your movements; don’t let the opponent make more moves than you.
• Life is like chess, not checkers. Your game should be strategic, not reactive.
• Use your body as a whole, together. Try not to muscle or isolate your movements.

There are lots of great lessons, and honestly, you’re better hearing them from an instructor than myself, a humble student of the art.

The other big reasons why BJJ is important to me has to do with self defense. See, surfing, for me, was ultimately selfish past time. The only person truly gaining anything from surfing was me. It was the moments away, the moment on the waves, in the water, etc. However, when I got home, my family didn’t really gain anything from it. However, with BJJ, I gain a conditioning of body and mind that can also be utilized to defend my family should the unfortunate situation arise.

Not to mention, it is incredible exercise! Happy training!

Just testing this out with my #BJJ blue belt promotion pic. I’m hoping to launch come New Years. Stay tuned!

A photo posted by Ben Fung (aka @DrBenFung) (@daddyintheraw) on Nov 13, 2015 at 11:51am PST