Brazilian Jiu Jitsu & Mental Resilience

Abstract

Since the later eighteenth century, the United States Army began to put a large emphasis on soldiers' physical fitness scores as an indicator of operational readiness. In the early 2000s, the United States Army began looking at operational readiness with a focus on mental wellness termed resilience. Following twin pandemics, the term resilience has become a buzzword in not just soldiers' lives but everyday citizens of the United States. According to the U.S. Army, the six trainable resilience competencies are self-awareness, self-regulation, optimism, mental agility, strengths of character and connection. This study examines the martial art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and its ability to build the six core competencies of resilience as well as increase physical fitness through those that participate in the practice. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black belt professors and participants were interviewed and given the Army's definition of each core competency and asked whether the martial art contributed to everyday resilience.