Edge Of Tomorrow
Live. Die. Repeat.
Choke Point Chronicles is where strategy meets storytelling. Each post explores the tactics, psychology, and culture of Jiu-Jitsu, written for students and coaches who want to train with intention and think deeper about the art.
Tapped In is a short-form audio series built for grapplers chasing mastery, not medals. Weekly insights blending mindset, structure, and real-talk in just 15-20 minutes.
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In Edge of Tomorrow, Tom Cruise’s character dies over and over again, each time restarting the same day with more information, better timing, and sharper reflexes. It’s frustrating, brutal and brilliant.
At first he doesn’t understand what’s going on or why. He ends up living out a few cycles before finally beginning to understand what’s causing it after he finds a specific person in the movie who this has happened to.
For anyone training in Jiu-Jitsu, the parallels are almost too perfect to ignore.
Lessons We Can Learn
Failure Is The System, Not The End - Framing failure as part of the system lessons the concern or worry about experiencing. It’s like learning how to box and expecting never to get it. If you go into it with the understanding that you will, you can mentally understand that it’s an ingredient of the process.
Reps Build Timing - I’m going to define reps both as static and Eco Games. Understanding how to use reps in building up the level of resistance will improve your timing and responses.
Coachability - Your willingness to receive genuine and honest feedback is probably the number one skillset that you’ll ever need.
Mentorship Accelerates The Journey - While on the same subject, mentorship is actually different than just having an instructor. Mentorship covers for more personal subjects that you’re going to encounter. Your mentor will help you adapt, overcome, assess and digest aspects of yourself that you’re not even aware of.
Progress Is Never Linear - Some days you’ll be moving towards your goal, others you’ll be starting over, and on some days you’re just doing to sit for a bit. It’s never linear.
A Episode You Might Like..
Increasing Your Rate Of Failure
I want students to feel so comfortable with failure, that their creativity begins to blossom. Worry and concern of being judged should not exist in the training room. We wall make mistakes. There are times when I think I have everything under control and one of my students does something completely unexpected and I end up getting reversed or better yet submitted.
It’s all part of the process.
Whenever I find that a student is doing something unique or different, I purposefully put myself back in that position so I can get a better look at things.
I love when I can review fresh approaches. Sometimes what they did was a fluke and others times it’s intentionally driven. Either way, it’s a point in time for me learn something new.
Thank you for reading.
David Figueroa-Martinez
Founder, DFM Coaching
Coach | Writer | Grappler
DFM Coaching is dedicated to helping you overcome mental hurdles and achieve your full potential in BJJ. Whether through in-person instruction, seminars, private lessons, remote coaching, or video analysis, I provide personalized support tailored to your needs. Keep pushing forward, and let’s grow together!
🔊 EPISODE 1: “Why Tapping is a Skill, Not a Shame”
Rewiring how you view loss, pain, and quitting
• Reframe tapping as a decision, not a defeat
• Learn why pain is feedback—not failure
• Discover how the tap protects your longevity and growth
🔊 EPISODE 2: “From Proving to Improving”
Outgrowing gym performance anxiety
• Stop rolling to impress and start rolling with intent
• Let go of fear-driven intensity and chase progress
• Build quiet confidence rooted in awareness, not approval
🔊 EPISODE 3: “Respect Doesn’t Mean Submission”
How to train assertively and kindly
• Stand your ground while being a safe partner
• Hold standards when no one’s watching
• Build a balanced training style—push hard, protect spirits