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How jiu jitsu helped me become a better lawyer
People see me getting beat up all the time and they say Grey, what the hell are you doing? You're in your mid 40’s dude. I can't help myself. I have that fighting spirit, now more than ever.
People see me getting beat up all the time and they say Grey, what the hell are you doing? You're in your mid 40’s dude. I can't help myself. I have that fighting spirit, now more than ever.
Jiu jitsu has helped me physically, but the biggest benefits from jiu jitsu have been mental.
Mental benefits
Comfortable in uncomfortable situations
There is a fight or flight response in our DNA when someone has a dominant position over you.
Mental benefits
Comfortable in uncomfortable situations
There is a fight or flight response in our DNA when someone has a dominant position over you.
Jiu jitsu helps me be more comfortable in uncomfortable situations. That translates into being a better lawyer. It’s a constant struggle to relax and be comfortable when faced with stress. I’m working on my breathing, relaxing and even smiling while sparring.
When you’re relaxed, you think clearly. When you have a fight or flight response, emotions cloud judgment.
Being present
Jiu jitsu helps with being present. It’s hard not to be present when someone is trying to choke you out.
Being present
Jiu jitsu helps with being present. It’s hard not to be present when someone is trying to choke you out.
I’m not thinking about my bills, problems, or even my goals. A trial lawyer should always be present. A great trial lawyer listens to the witnesses’ response to the question, voice inflection, pauses, and looks thoroughly at the witness to see if there’s a tell when they lie.
One witness in a case I had consistently looked up and to the right when he lied.
Never give up
A trial lawyer should always fight for his client. Jiu jitsu has strengthened that resolve. You just have to keep getting up after you get knocked down.
Never give up
A trial lawyer should always fight for his client. Jiu jitsu has strengthened that resolve. You just have to keep getting up after you get knocked down.
Humility
Humility has never been a strong character trait for me. No matter how good you think you are, there’s always someone better. If you’re not humble, it will teach you humility real quick. Jurors respond better to the soft sell, and humility helps with that.
Humility has never been a strong character trait for me. No matter how good you think you are, there’s always someone better. If you’re not humble, it will teach you humility real quick. Jurors respond better to the soft sell, and humility helps with that.
Being more vulnerable with the jury is effective. For instance, I am more open and honest about weaknesses in my case. Being honest and vulnerable gives me more credibility with the jury. I’m not trying to bullshit them or pretend that I know it all.
Preparation
To have a great chance of winning in a legal case, you have to prepare more than your opponent. When I go home, I watch videos of techniques. I review what I’ve learned in class and implement that later. Law is the same. Know the facts cold, better than anyone.
To have a great chance of winning in a legal case, you have to prepare more than your opponent. When I go home, I watch videos of techniques. I review what I’ve learned in class and implement that later. Law is the same. Know the facts cold, better than anyone.
You have to know the law better than anyone. You must argue it successfully by using your best facts with an emotional tone. You have to touch people in their hearts before you can reach them. Then they will rationalize their decision.
Strategy
Strategy is key in jiu jitsu and in law. If you have a larger opponent, you have to defend properly and attack them where and when they are weak. Strategy is not something they teach you in law school. Strategy can be learned from trial and error.
Strategy is key in jiu jitsu and in law. If you have a larger opponent, you have to defend properly and attack them where and when they are weak. Strategy is not something they teach you in law school. Strategy can be learned from trial and error.
Good strategy is the result of wisdom obtained from years of studying how people act, why they act a certain way, what motivates them, what are their biases and their motives.
Consistency
@Firas_Zahabi said he doesn't redline when he trains. In other words, he doesn't go all out 100% every time. For instance, if you have a car and you redline that car every time you got in the car, it would last very long.
@Firas_Zahabi said he doesn't redline when he trains. In other words, he doesn't go all out 100% every time. For instance, if you have a car and you redline that car every time you got in the car, it would last very long.
But if you maintain the car and you drove it responsibly, it would last you a long time. The same is true with our bodies and our brains.
Take a guy who trains really hard two days a week. Let’s say he trains 50 weeks out of the year, taking two weeks off.
Take a guy who trains really hard two days a week. Let’s say he trains 50 weeks out of the year, taking two weeks off.
That's 100 sessions a year. Because he trains so hard, he’s too sore the next day to train. Then, take another person who trains three days a week but didn't redline it; they would have 150 sessions a year.
All things being equal, the person who trained more consistently would be better.
A trial lawyer’s brain is the same. There are diminishing returns when you’re working 12-15 hour days.
Training jiu jitsu has helped me in many ways, and, in turn, helped my clients.
A trial lawyer’s brain is the same. There are diminishing returns when you’re working 12-15 hour days.
Training jiu jitsu has helped me in many ways, and, in turn, helped my clients.
