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E15 | The Plateau is a Lie

Published on: 10th June, 2025

In this short-form episode of Tapped In, we dive into the why I believe that the plateau is often a lie.

What You’ll Learn:

* The Belief of Plateaus is Common

* How It Doesn’t Exist

* What You Can Do

One Quote to Reflect On:

There is no such thing as a plateau. You’re either learning in silence or coasting in denial."— Josh Waitzkin, The Art of Learning (inspired phrasing based on his philosophy)

Hope you enjoyed the article and the audio companion. I’m looking forward to continuing a these. Both for the growth of Substack but also for own personal development.

Thank you,

David Figueroa-MartinezFounder, DFM CoachingCoach | 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!



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About the Podcast

Tapped In: A JiuJitsu Podcast
A Bjj/Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Podcast By DFM Coaching
Tapped In: Structure, Strategy, and the Inner Game of Jiu-Jitsu

Tapped In is for grapplers who train with intention, not just for medals, but for mastery.

Hosted by BJJ black belt and coach David Figueroa-Martinez, this short-form series explores the mindset, structure, and strategy behind real Jiu-Jitsu growth. Each episode blends sharp coaching insight with grounded reflection, covering everything from game-planning and mat culture to ego management and mental resilience.

No fluff. Just clear, tactical thinking for those who want to train with clarity, lead with purpose, and stay steady in the chaos.

New episodes weekly. Train smarter. Think deeper. Stay tapped in.

About your host

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David Figueroa-Martinez

I’m David Figueroa-Martinez, Jiu-Jitsu black belt, mindset coach, and founder of Tapped In. This podcast isn’t for hype or highlight reels. It’s for grapplers who train with purpose.

I teach structure, not chaos. Mindset, not ego. Progress, not performance.

Through each episode, I share grounded lessons from the mats, the mind, and the moments that shape who we become, as athletes, as leaders, and as people.

I also run DFM Coaching, where I help White and Blue Belts build clarity and structure through personalized systems, and write Choke Point Chronicles, a weekly series diving deep into strategy, growth, and culture in Jiu-Jitsu.

Whether you’re a White Belt looking for direction or a black belt trying to stay sharp without selling your soul, this is where we train the inner game.