Jared Weiner, a long-time black belt competitor and head instructor of BJJ United, talks to me about his struggle with post concussion syndrome, depression, fear, doubt, drawing strength from his family, his friends, and his team, losing a friend to cancer, his philosophy of training and competing, his evolution as a coach in preparing his students for competition, the darker parts of Philadelphia, ⌠Continue reading 43: Adapt and Overcome: Jared Weiner on Brain Injury, Team, Family, and the High and Lows of Philly Streets â
Jared Weiner, a long-time black belt competitor and head instructor of BJJ United, talks to me about his struggle with post concussion syndrome, depression, fear, doubt, drawing strength from his family, his friends, and his team, losing a friend to cancer, his philosophy of training and competing, his evolution as a coach in preparing his students for competition, the darker parts of Philadelphia, ⌠Continue reading 43: Adapt and Overcome: Jared Weiner on Brain Injury, Team, Family, and the High and Lows of Philly Streets â
Jared Weiner, a long-time black belt competitor and head instructor of BJJ United, talks to me about his struggle with post concussion syndrome, depression, fear, doubt, drawing strength from his family, his friends, and his team, losing a friend to cancer, his philosophy of training and competing, his evolution as a coach in preparing his students for competition, the darker parts of Philadelphia, uncovering the reality of poverty and desperation, and more.
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Advice to those suffering through post concussion syndrome:
âDonât be afraid to reach out for help. I was too afraid to reach out. I didnât want to tell people what I was going through because Iâm supposed to be the leader here. I have students looking up to me. I didnât want them to see me in  my weaker state. You have to throw that bullshit to the side. Maybe my weaker state is a state they need to see so that if theyâre going through the same thing, theyâre going  to go get the proper help needed. If you smack your head around and youâre not feeling right, go see a doctor, take the rest you need, reach out to the right  people.â
On leading by example:
âIt is what it is. Iâm not the âeliteâ jiu jitsu athlete. Iâm not the best dude in the world, but Iâm on the mat with the guys every day. I try to put myself there with them and help with what I can help with. So maybe itâs important for them to see me in this state too, and see me fight through it, and lead by example in that way. Iâm still being a teacher⌠but in a different form.â
On never quitting in a match:
âYou have to finish the fight no matter what. Thatâs just my mentality. I would never stop a match unless there was a limb hanging off. Thatâs just what we do. We train hard in here. We fight hard in here. We smack heads in here all the time. Get cuts, bleed, we keep going. Thatâs what we do.â
One of Jaredâs favorite  shots that he talks about in the episode:
