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E9 | Audio Companion: Things They Don't Tell You

Published on: 20th May, 2025

In this short-form episode of Tapped In, we dive into the “Nobody Tells You This About Jiu-Jitsu, But They Should” post. We’ll cover the many unwritten rules and approaches that can make your experience within Jiu-Jitsu easier.

What You’ll Learn:

* Skill Over Belts

* Understanding Progress

* Coachability

One Quote to Reflect On:

"Not everything in Jiu-Jitsu is taught—some things you’re expected to feel, observe, and figure out in silence." – Unknown

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!

🔊 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



Get full access to Choke Point Chronicles | BJJ at www.chokepointchronicles.com/subscribe
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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.