Jon Friedland: Jiu-Jitsu, Fear and the Practice of Stoicism

Jon Friedland, founder of Neutral Ground Academy and author of Jiujitsu Stoic, joins the show to discuss the intersection of martial arts and Stoicism. He shares how jiu-jitsu exposes the limits of ego-driven toughness and why returning after a hard first class requires courage. The conversation covers competition nerves, using the Stoic dichotomy of control to detach from outcomes, and the paradox that a black belt can inflate rather than deflate the ego. Jon also reveals a simple self-coaching question that helps him find clarity under pressure, and reflects on how he sustains a beginner's mindset after nearly three decades of training.