Blue Belt Asks Which Books To Read for Mental Toughness in BJJ & Life 

For me, even reading a book takes mental toughness.

I’d say “Can’t Hurt Me” David Goggins.

Genuine tears came to my eyes when I heard you talk about feeling weak as a child. Thank you as always for being so humble and vulnerable.

Mental toughness is something that happens when you survive hard stuff. You have to go through tough things to know you can survive them and the more you do it, the easier it gets. I use a concept in dog training when building mental toughness in dogs: "Always challenging, never overwhelming".

From what i gather, it's discipline. You don't learn it you do it.

You gotta read the Stoics! Seneca, Epictetus, & Marcus Aurelius will give you the foundation you need to be formidable.

To develop mental toughness, follow the advice of Eleanor Roosevelt: "Do one thing every day that scares you."

Your channel helps me in multiple ways. Not just jiu jitsu and fitness, but life sometimes.

Maaan David Goggins is THE MAN, thats a great book suggestion- stay hard! Oss!

New camera angle looks really good man!

Definitely want to see your book collection! Getting back into reading and like alot of the books you have suggested already

I love your videos so much!

Miyomoto mushashi! I believe it’s spelled. His book is amazing and his theory of acting in the moment without delay and how it comes about is fascinating!!! The five rings. A difficult read if you’re not ready to have a depth to your read that can be as deep as the ocean. Also, check the 4 agreements

Yes, saw question, knew answer. Same here.

I still have a ways to go myself and what chewie said was totally true but for different reasons.....Mindset, grit, the war of art, gates of fire, mans search for meaning, break point, can’t hurt me, the upside of stress, the art of learning have helped me become a bit mentally tougher.

Great advice here.

The alchemist- Greetings from Germany

Man chewy you got me into jiu jitsu, and now you’ve shown up again after I took a break! I’m back in business chewy is the man

Hey @chewjitsu, great videos mate. I'm starting BJJ this weekend and i've been spamming your content. For context before i ask (and without being egotistical because all of these were more than 10 years ago) im orange belt in kickboxing which i obtained very young and ive done a few months of MMA, Muay Thai and Tae Kwon Do so i've got a very basic understanding of martial arts in general and a very slight background with grappling. My question is that shal i just not mention any of these things when asked and just tell whoever im rolling with to take me as a total beginner or is it worth mentioning so they don't go too soft on me? With my MMA class it was 16's and under and i was 15-16 so i am very used to being the bigger guy guiding the younger cats. I really don't wanna make the wrong impression in the class. I've been noticing a lot about BJJ youtubers talking about the unwritten rules for absolute beginners and i'm looking to be the new guy that more advanced people want to see joining their classes. I could probably elaborate more but i feel like this is already getting too long of a question but please ask if you want to hear more of my mindset going into it.

Mental toughness come from being relentless, and continuing to hammer. Rinse and repeat. This can be applied to almost anything with reference to bettering ones self. It takes time for some but again rinse and repeat: eventually you will get where you want to be. But beware … it never ends. When you go down the path of discipline it just keeps going.

Just went through a bad break up. I think need to do something different. BJJ has always look fun to me. I think I'll finally go to a gym. Also I currently picked up a book called the 4 agreements. Agreement 1: Be Impeccable With Your Word. Agreement 2: Don't Take Anything Personally. Agreement 3: Don't Make Assumptions. Agreement 4: Always Do Your Best.

That’s dope I think less people are reading now and days so this is great

With Winning in Mind - Lanny Bassam

I'll read the big 3 with Stoicism. One of my favorites is How to Think Like a Roman Emperor. Part history part philosophy.

If you like Seneca, try reading Diogenes of Sinope and the Ancient Greek Cynics, they were the precursors to the the stoics, the real OGs.

I can’t remember who it was, maybe one of your students, but I saw a video of someone doing an impression of you and now I can’t help think of it whenever I watch you. 🤙

It takes what it takes - Trevor Moawad

50 shades of gray

The book of five rings is agreat one for dealing with conflict and controlling the mind. There is more in that book, but these 2 are big subjects.

nice

Damm Chewy. My names Elijah, an I didn't even send this to you an yet it this relates to me entirely. It's like I was meant to watch this! One day Professor Chewy, I'd like to head to you gym one day an train if that's okay?

cool

Read Jim Loehr’s Developing Mental Toughness

The rational male by rollo tomassi

Marcus Aurelius, Steven Covey - "7 Habits of highly effective people", Jocko Willink - "Extreme Leadership"

Read "Cant Hurt Me" by David Goggins, ultramarathon runner and Navy Seal edit: He mentioned it in the video lol

We're gone fail. But truly, the universe doesnt know words. There are no fails or losing in the universe stand points, things are just it. Things are just be. You dont lose, you just be what you be.

For me it's my rolls with the dudes at my level. There's 200 students in my gym with about 5 of us in the gym who are monsters (newer gym). Basically whoever gets on top, wins. God its just never ending suffering with those 5 no matter what you do underneath, it is a very unique thing to be able to sweep or get on top of any of them. Trying every little thing youve learned with everything you have and it failing is a very defeating feeling. The way I beat it is when I feel like I want to quit, i tell my body to shut up and push harder even if it means throwing up hardcore and coming back 15 mins later. Just gotta remind yourself that these are the moments your cardio boosts

The brain is a muscle. The parts of it you exercise will become stronger.

Alan Watts. Anything Zen Buddhism helps me. Try Brad Warner "Hardcore Zen"

Hello.

Chewie do you have a box we can send fan mail/gifts too?

you can not get mental toughness from reading a book...... it takes pain, blood, sweat and tears.....

Wrestling tough.

Read meditations from Marcus Aurelius

Ever see a dude and think man, that guy looks like me, one good looking guy. That’s what I think when I see Chewy lol

The Bible

I have to "defeat my inner bitch" (as Joe Rogan says) every single day lol

Look@ROUGE WARRIOR...by dick marcinko

Learn Austrian Economics

Knee on belly will have you questioning all your life’s decisions😂

I stopped going to BJJ few weeks back because i'm not getting better at it and now i get mad every time i see BJJ videos pop up. I dont get how everyone except me is getting good at this fucking sport.

I would recommend reading scripture “The Bible” for mental toughness.

Should be a gentleman agreement to not do knee on belly.......