My Mastery: Learning to Live Through Jiu Jitsu

I enjoyed this book. I had seen reviews that said it was a short read, and it really is super short. I wasn’t quite expecting the style that he wrote in, but it was still really good and I took a lot of notes and highlighted a lot. I gave it four stars, because there could have been more meat to the book, especially for how it’s priced.

I've practiced jiu jitsu for a year and a half and am just starting to understand the art and my place in it. I feel very fortunate to have instructors that emphasize camaraderie and teamwork and the idea that the best training session is one where everyone learns and comes away feeling good. A lot of what Chris Matakas writes in this book echo what my instructors teach but Chris can obviously go deeper. A few big ideas that stand out: jiu jitsu just a vehicle to learning how to be the best you, your character is more important than your belt rank, a humble and giving attitude makes everyone around you better.I really enjoyed Chris' message and philosophy of life which has a much larger application than jiu jitsu.

This is a very impressive book from a guy who obviously ‘gets life’. He is a natural leader that is trying to drag the world to a better place. Come to think of it, he is a leader that is trying to create more leaders that will drag this world to a better place.I especially appreciate the part where he outlines the two pie charts. One chart of who you are and one of who you want to be – and then encourages you to take the steps to make the charts the same. It’s a great way to focus on what’s really important. I can’t thank the author enough for how these simple principles have changed, and will continue to change, my life.

This is a great book that provides insights that otherwise might take someone years to discover. The author shares lessons he has learned through years of study, determined practice and introspection as a Jiu Jitsu student, high-level practitioner, and teacher. Although BJJ provides the context for the concepts in this book, they can be applied broadly to other disciplines and life in general. Each section succinctly introduces concepts and tools to help you improve and bring more meaning to your training while growing as a person overall. This book is well written, a pleasure to read, and thought provoking. I am confident that anyone who reads it will learn concepts that will help them improve both on and off the mat. I will reference it often.

What's great about this book is that while there's a lot of things in it the martial artist can identify with and learn from, martial arts isn't a requirement for a reader to get something out of this. Starting the journey from white belt to black (or more universally "novice" to "master"), Coach Chris talks about life concepts that are relevant both on and off the mats, and provides material for martial artists and non alike to ponder to help themselves grow. As he says, Jiu Jitsu is the vehicle, and not the road.All of this is collected in an easy to read, clear and concise package for anyone to enjoy and learn from.

This book is excellent! My son attributes his success in his Army Ranger training to the many words of wisdom given by his former Jiu Jitsu coach, Chris. This book was the ONLY thing he wanted for Christmas-$4.99. It's a very easy read and will find yourself making many notes from each chapter. Whether you want to improve in school, sports, business or life, this book is a must-have! I bought it for my son, but have read it twice myself. As a communications consultant, I own hundreds of personal/professional self-improvement books and My Mastery is now my favorite one. I will be encouraging my clients to get it!

Great philosophy that explores different aspects of jujitsu, connecting all the dots and paves the way to a better understanding of what lies ahead.

Coach Chris inspires people from all walks of life on the mats daily. This written extension of a man committed to serving and bringing out the best in others contains words of wisdom on life wrapped in valuable lessons on learning BJJ. Will this book help you in your martial arts journey? Absolutely - but as an added bonus, it will teach you about how to learn, how to challenge yourself and how to become a better you.It is a great read - one that I will surely come back to often.

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