Following Your Own Path

To evolve is to browse widely, to experiment with many sources, and then commit deeply to those that resonate with you in the moment. You will encounter countless instructors, styles, and philosophies. Some will light you up instantly, others will feel slow, dense, or even uninspiring. That’s natural. The art is too vast, too rich, for everything to make sense all at once.

Consider John Danaher. His systematic approach has changed the landscape of modern grappling. But for a beginner, the depth of his conceptual frameworks can feel overwhelming. For someone further along, though, his precision may open paths that once felt impenetrable.

Contrast that with the Mendes brothers. Their game is fluid, built around transitions, and seamless distance management. Their style can be intoxicating—an invitation to move, flow, and create. Yet someone searching for simplicity or efficiency may find it dizzying, only to rediscover its brilliance years later when their timing and guard play have matured.

And then there is Roger Gracie. His game is often considered basic, but that would be a regrettable misunderstanding. What some see as crude ore is, in truth, the raw material placed into the hands of a master. The fundamentals are not basic; they are forged, tempered by fire, and hammered again and again with precision. The result is no rough edges, but steel sharpened to an edge. What may appear simple reveals its complexity only after you’ve tried to stop it.

The lesson is this: don’t study someone just because you feel you ought to, or because they are the current trend. Don’t force yourself into a style that feels alien just because the community is buzzing about it. Follow the teachers who make sense to you now, even if others call them outdated or overly complex. Trust that the ones who bore you today may become vital later. The way is not linear. Your learning must align with your stage, your temperament, and your needs.