Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you probably know the name Tom DeBlass. The head coach of Ocean County BJJ (OCBJJ), Tom is one half of the Fight 2 Win 91 main event, where he’ll be taking on NYC rep Tex Johnson. Aside from the fact that he’s headlining this event, Tom is also well-known as one of the most organically followed coach/athletes in the BJJ community, and he’s done it all without autofollow robots or any of the other tricks folks use nowadays to appear popular.
Tom DeBlass is actually popular. He’s an influencer and people follow him in droves to get his take on the world, BJJ and life in general.
Just as an example of his impact within the community, we combed his Facebook page to garner some of his knowledge on the above subjects. Keep in mind this just from September/October so this is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what Tom dishes out on a daily basis between his multiple social media feeds.
Tom DeBlass on TRAINING…
- When I was a lower level belt I would get submitted so many times in training. However, each time I got tapped I would slap hands and keep rolling. I never took a round off, never took a break, and never said no if someone asked to train. In my crazy mind if my training partner asked to stop training before I did, I was the winner, regardless of how many times they submitted me.Resilience and persistence will take you places you never imagined.
- Don’t get caught slipping. Eyes wide open, always.
- Everyday someone asks me what they can do to improve their Jiu-Jitsu. My answer is always the same. Show up.
- There are no seasons in Jiu-Jitsu. It’s 365 days 52 weeks a year. If you aren’t training you are falling behind. I have seen so many lower level belts “take a break” after competition. Sometimes it is a week, sometimes a month. If you are a competitor there is no breaks. You aren’t training for just one competition, you are training to become the best you can possibly be. When you are resting others are working. Work daily, work smart, work hard. Do not expect results without sacrifice.
- Preparation should be both miserable yet rewarding. Jiu-Jitsu in itself is one big contradiction. The gentle art where we try and break limbs. The art where strength doesn’t matter yet we must be strong. The art in which ego must remain under control yet we are always fighting to win. Every day is a lesson.
- It’s funny, you hear Jiu-Jitsu guys that never fought talking bad about some MMA fighters a how they need to learn BJJ. You are all just as bad as the ones sitting on the couch at home. If you never been in the cage getting your face smashed in you don’t know sh*t. MMA is not BJJ and your little guard you think you have changes a ton in 5 minute rounds when you are getting punched and elbowed in your face. Some of your favorite BJJ athletes got their ass beat in MMA.
- If you are a competitor you need to be testing yourself against the best. What is the worst that can happen, you lose? You will gain a priceless experience.
- Just because you got a taste doesn’t mean you’re ready. Last night I heard of a young man, my student, challenging grown men to submission matches and calling them names. This boy trains and he’s starting to build some confidence. What he didn’t understand is that the only reason he didn’t get his face slapped by these grown men is because he was my student. Don’t get it twisted white belts, just because you have some mat time doesn’t mean you’re ready to take on the world. There are some savage humans out there that won’t stop smashing your face in until they feel like it, are you ready for that? Remember, Jiu-Jitsu is for self defense, to have the ability to defend yourself if you need, but never to look for problems.
- If you aren’t willing to prepare, don’t even bother showing up.
- If you want it, you better damn sure work for it.
- I’m going to be honest, if you put out videos and you try and be a voice and give advice to the BJJ world yet you never train, or you’re never seen training to put it to the test, it’s hard for me to respect you.
- No one should ever pass your guard because you get tired. Your goal should be to get your technique to a level that your Jiu-Jitsu is effective even if you’re outta shape. Train harder, train smarter.
- You don’t know what you don’t know. 10 years ago if you would have asked 99% of black belts about leg locks they would tell you not to focus on them. Before being overly critical of the old school thought process lets ask ourself why. In my opinion, the first reason is the fear that focusing on leg locks would cause students to neglect the rest of their Jiu-Jitsu(which I believe to be true in many cases). The second reason is fear, they are damn dangerous. However, like many memes have been stating, “why would you ignore 50% of the human body!?” Leg locks are an essential part of the grappling arts and most humans have no idea what the true mechanically details actually entail, hence many tap in fear. In my opinion practicing offensive leg locks before perfecting the fundamentals is detrimental. Many lower level belts may catch a higher level belt in a leg lock and immediately think they don’t need to work on guard passing. That isn’t the case. However, leg lock awareness and defense should be implented as early as 3 stripe white belt. Jiu-Jitsu is about self defense, shall we tell someone no leg locks in the street?
- In my opinion the hardest part of Jiu-Jitsu is walking through the door. White belts, pat yourself on the back. You are doing better than 99% of the world.
- Regarding competition. Technique without grit will get you no where. Grit without technique will get you no where. You need both.
- My advice to young competitors, don’t hate your opponents. It’s silly really. This is BJJ, this isn’t a street fight. Before you train in class do you psych yourself up to dislike your training partners? So why do it in competition. You will see the higher level you get it is impossible to intimidate someone, so don’t waste your energy trying.
- Technique with no tactical strategy will only get you so far. When you go home after a tough training day, you must remember this is chess, not checkers. Remember that the ability to problem solve is going to make your days on the mats much easier. Just because someone has been getting the best of you in training, it doesn’t mean they are better than you. They may simply have better strategy. Work harder!!!
- Drives me crazy when parents with absolutely zero knowledge of Jiu-Jitsu try and coach their children from the side lines. All it does is make the child nervous. Guess what, your 7 year old knows more than you if you never trained. Focus on making Jiu-Jitsu a positive experience for them, stop coaching if you never even wrapped a white belt around you.
Tom DeBlass on RELATIONSHIPS…
- If your friends aren’t clapping when you win, find new friends.
- I believe one of the most important qualities to possess is the ability to be happy for other people. It’s crazy to me that some people have more envy than they have vision. I can say with all my heart, whoever you are I’m truly happy for your success. If you can’t say the same about me, buckle up, because I’m here to stay.
- In our group chat, when you lose in a competition you aren’t coddled and told it’s ok. You aren’t told “ahh it happens don’t worry!” No, you are told truth. You better damn well worry. And guess what, it’s all your fault. The ones that achieve any kind of greatness take full responsibility. They also work tirelessly to fix the mistakes that they made. No it’s not ok to lose. Will it happen? Yes. Should we be ok with it, no. Every loss I have ever taken still pisses me off until this day. Winning doesn’t make me a better or worse person, but any victory I have obtained happened because I always gave full attention to my weaknesses and worked hard to fix them. If Gordon Ryan lost in the finals of absolute he would have come back to so much abuse in our chat, the crap talk from strangers wouldn’t even compare.
Tom DeBlass on ADVERSITY…
- We cannot control life at all times, but we can control how we choose to react in each situation. Keep a positive mind.
- The world can crumble around me and my focus will remain the same. No excuses, just hungry. Every damn day.
- My scars were earned and so is my smile. The days I wake up not feeling happy I look in mirror and smile until I actually believe it’s real. Happiness starts with mindset.
- Remember, yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come. Focus on the current moment, it makes life much better.
- I have always smiled through my suffering, this made me aware that others are also doing the same. Open doors, smile on eye contact, give compliments. Be a light in a dark world.
- We are all a walking disaster compiled of imperfections and mistakes, and that is ok, there is beauty in that. There is no lie in life once you are able to accept that perfection is unattainable. We are all imperfect, and one day we will all die. Never fear facts, learn to accept them.
Tom DeBlass on TRANSFORMATION…
- The last 4 weeks I have dedicated to changing myself. Everyday I have been praying, asking God to help me in the areas of life where I struggle. Regardless how successful you may think you are, there is always so much room for imrovement, always. I am no where close to where I want to be, but everyday I am getting better. It is a conscious effort that I must put in, but I feel myself becoming a better person.
- The courage to step out of your comfort zone and try is an amazing feat and deserves to be celebrated.
- You may as well stand and fight, because if you run you will only die tired.
- So many people quit on their goals because they seem so far away from them. On the way to your final goal there will be many smaller goals that must be accomplished. Make sure you celebrate your small victories. Be proud of yourself always.
- In every aspect of life. Remind yourself, nothing in this life worthwhile comes easy.
- It’s easy to judge. Dare to fail, because you might just find greatness. (And no you aren’t a bitter soul if you don’t compete, just bitter if you judge others when you aren’t even willing to try)
- It’s better to start now rather than never start. I’ve met so many people that didn’t find their true passion until 40s or sometimes 50s. One day of happiness is priceless.
Tom DeBlass on LIFE…
- You don’t need money, you need a vision. The money will be the consequence.
- I am a much better sinner than I am a saint, and that is ok, because I am just a man. It’s ok because everyday I open my eyes I have the opportunity to try and become better, and with the help of God that is what I vow to do.
- If I inspire you in any way whatsoever, find comfort in knowing I can most likely be certifiably insane. I have also failed more times than I have succeeded. But guess what, I wake up disciplined every damn day. Move at your own pace and stop comparing yourself to others. You’ll get there.
- For me personally, walking away from a confrontation takes more effort than engaging and smashing someone. It’s not an easy task, but it is the right thing to do. Work a little harder on improving yourself today, it’s worth it.
- Youngins listen. As you grow older you are going to realize a few things.
- 1. Not everyone that smiles at you is your friend.
2. No amount of money will buy you happiness.
3. Revenge isn’t as sweet as they say.
4. Forgiveness is better than holding grudges.
5. Peace of mind is priceless.
6. Suffering is normal, but finding a way to feel better is imperative.
7. Being kind is awesome.
8. Sometimes regardless of how hard you try it won’t be good enough.
9. You’re going to make many mistakes.
10. Most things you get upset about aren’t that important.
11. God is in control.
- 1. Not everyone that smiles at you is your friend.
