Every now and then, I like to remind our students—and myself—why it’s important to chase butterflies. Not just the kind that float through the air on a warm afternoon, but the ones that live in our hearts, our minds, and even in our stomachs.
Because chasing butterflies isn’t just about catching something beautiful. It’s about remembering who we are, what excites us, and what we’re capable of becoming.
Remember What It Feels Like to Be a Kid Again
Think back to when you were young and saw a butterfly for the first time. You didn’t think about being too tired or too busy—you just ran. You chased it because it was beautiful and alive and unpredictable. It made you curious. It made you move.
That sense of wonder is something we lose too easily as adults. Life gets structured. Responsibilities pile up. We stop chasing things that don’t seem “productive.” But that’s exactly when we should run harder after them.
In Jiu-Jitsu, in wrestling, or even in life, curiosity is what keeps us growing. The moment we stop learning, we stop living. So keep chasing the butterflies of your youth—new ideas, new techniques, new adventures. Stay playful. Stay hungry. Stay curious.
Chase the Butterflies in Your Stomach
You know that feeling before a big competition, a promotion test, or even just stepping onto the mats with someone who pushes you? Those butterflies fluttering in your stomach? That’s not fear. That’s life reminding you that you’re about to do something that matters.
Too often, people try to avoid that feeling. They mistake nerves for weakness. But those butterflies are actually energy—they’re the body’s way of saying, “This moment is important.” If you can learn to breathe, stay calm, and channel that energy, those nerves transform into power, confidence, and focus.
So don’t run from the butterflies in your stomach. Chase them. They’ll lead you straight into the moments that make you stronger.
Chase the Butterfly Within
And finally, there’s the butterfly inside you—the part that’s always transforming. The version of yourself that’s just beyond today’s comfort zone. The one that’s bigger, brighter, and more capable than you realize.
Growth is uncomfortable because transformation always is. The caterpillar doesn’t become a butterfly overnight—it struggles, it changes, and it has to let go of what it used to be. But that’s the point. Every time you chase your internal butterfly, you get closer to that next version of yourself.
So keep chasing it. Whether it’s a new belt, a new skill, a new mindset, or a better way to live—trust that the process will make you better. Because it always does.
Keep Chasing
So wherever you are—on the mats, at work, or in life—don’t stop chasing butterflies. Chase the joy of learning something new. Chase the excitement of nervous anticipation. Chase the version of yourself that’s still waiting to unfold. Because chasing butterflies isn’t about what you catch. It’s about who you become along the way.