By Jason O'Grady

Jason O'Grady is the General Manager at Compliance Council

"Learning how to learn is absolutely one of the keys to success in life in general, and Jiu Jitsu in particular."

- John Danaher

I have always had an interest in martial arts, though as a child I never really had the opportunity to pursue as a discipline. One day in 2013, I walked past a boxing gym on the North Shore, the next day I went in, the following week I was a member and I have never looked back.

About 3 years in to training, I had competed several times in boxing and kickboxing, and realised that it was a young mans game, and that at the ripe age of 30 (a dinosaur compared to opponents who had been boxing since they were kids), I decided to commit the ultimate sin in a martial arts gym – and join the ‘jits’ guys.

5 years later, I am still training 3 – 4 times a week at least, and whilst always improving, I also understand how much more I have to learn on a weekly basis and that drives me to work harder at the art.

What I love most about Jiu Jitsu is the wisdom it provides you that is applicable to your personal and professional life, and the confidence it gives you as a person.

The 5 lessons I've learnt from Jiu Jitsu that I practice in personal and professional life are:

• Life is a series of belts. You start off as a white belt, you practice, learn and fail enough times to progress to the next belt. As a business owner, you need to be self-aware of what belt you think you are compared to reality (and I have a very long way to go before I am a black belt). That is what makes the journey even more exciting.
• Learn when to tap out, and learn when to ask for help.
• You will always find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, you need to learn how to not only cope, but improve your position whilst in a state of discomfort.
• Never assume that because you are bigger and stronger – that you are better than your opponent.
• Respect the people who have been there before you, they will be the ones who will provide guidance when you need it the most.

Jason O'Grady (Centre) receiving blue belt in May 2019.