What's Actually Made Me Better This Year
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.
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When I’m asked what I use to get getter, some will expect an instructional of some kind. While those are beneficial, they have rarely been the cornerstone for me.
This year for example it’s been heavily influenced by concept which allowed me to sharpen my perspective and refined existing systems for efficiency.
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Bjj Mental Models
I’ve been following Bjj Mental Models for quite a while and have been fortunate enough to appear on two episodes. In the last two years, I’ve become a friend of the show.
Overcoming Trauma With Jiu-Jitsu
Leaving Your Gym
What I love most about Bjj Mental Model’s approach is that it’s less about specific techniques and far more about approaches and concepts. If this was something that I could have had when I was a White and Blue Belt, I feel that I would have advanced quicker and without so much of the pitfalls that I ran into.
There’s an immense back catalog, premium series, and a fantastic Discord community group.
Chris Wojcik’s The Grappler’s Diary
I came across Chris Wojcik on X/Twitter a while back. Chris’s writing grabbed me from the jump; raw, technical, humble, and full of lessons most people avoid or miss completely.
At the time, he was writing these one page blog that he would post on Instagram. These posts were simple but full of so much insight and information.
What I’ve learned from Chris is that you don’t need to be perfect. You need to be honest, consistent, and aware.
Chris “Bones” Burns & The Bjj Project
Chris is a Rickson Gracie Black Belt and owner of Zero Point Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. I absolutely love his videos on Instagram and get a kick out of his personality. I’ll admit, he’s not for everyone.
I recently signed up and tried their Bjj Building Blocks program and loved it. As someone who’s been training for 14 years, you would think that I would have learned many of the basic. For example, one of Chris’s videos discusses that there is actually a difference between a Hip Escape an a Shrimp.
Chris and The Bjj Project cover simple techniques that will help you get more fundamentally sound at Jiu-Jitsu. If you haven’t watched him teach, I recommend it.
Jiu-Jitsu Camps
The immersion aspect of Jiu-Jitsu camps is unrivaled. There absolutely nothing like living out your Jiu-Jitsu training. Pushing away the responsibilities of the 9-5 and even family obligations for that matter, allowed you to focus on being in the moment while training.
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Final Thoughts
None of these influences were magic. They were consistent nudges in the right direction, tools that helped me think clearer, train smarter, and teach better. If you’re feeling stuck, maybe it’s not about doing more, but perhaps about changing pace and doing something different.
If you’re interested and would like to take advantage of one of a few scholarship spots that I’m giving out for free, comment and ask to be added.
You’ll have full access to:
General Discussion – Connect with other members, share experiences, and exchange ideas.
Ask Me Anything – Post your questions about training, mindset, or anything BJJ-related and get my direct input.
Technique Breakdowns – Detailed explanations and coaching notes on key positions and movements.
Video Reviews – Upload your training footage for personalized feedback.
Courses – Structured lessons and training plans to guide your progress.
All I ask is that you participate, ask questions, and make the most of the space. The more you engage, the more you will get out of it.
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!