According to coaches and society, crying is for weak babies who can't Do the Thing.

However, is it really a sign of weakness, or is it a valid emotional response to a high-intensity situation?

Erin Herle, BBJ Black belt, mental health advocate, and mental performance coach, has a lot to say on this topic, as she draws from her experience as a woman competitor in a male-dominated sport, and as a performance coach with a masters in sports psychology.

She also shares her experience in utilizing emotional intelligence in competitive BJJ as a coping mechanism for different emotional states.

And the main topic is a frank conversation about the importance of being trauma-informed in the world of jiu-jitsu, especially how gym owners and coaches could benefit from fostering a safe learning environment for students.

Her and Olivia, LPC, discusses the importance of recognizing and managing emotions in sports, especially in combat sports like Jiujitsu, where the proximity and full-contact can be extremely triggering for people, especially those who have experienced trauma or abuse. They also discuss fostering psychological safety in gyms can create an environment conducive to emotional health and better performance.

For anyone practising BJJ, this is a must-listen.

Chapters:

• (00:00) Mic Drop


• (1:55) Erin 101


• (6:29) Emotional Regulation 101


• (12:10) Adeline Gray


• (14:05) The Bluest Belt


• (19:01) Tools and tips for emotional regulation


• (25:02) Being trauma-informed in BJJ


• (26:47) Olivia's take


• (29:34) Erin's take


• (33:04) Psychological Safety


• (35:39) Discernment


• (43:46) Why gyms may be reluctant


• (51:52) Navigating rumiunation


• (55:09) 5 points of emotional appraisal


• (57:46) Personal responsibility


• (59:38) Closing remarks

Find out more at http://therapyismytherapy.co

Read transcript