Make It Inevitable: Lessons from Jacob Miclot’s Path to Black Belt

True Believer Jiu Jitsu
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Make your goals inevitable, act with character, and share your passion. Those were the fundamental lessons that Jacob Miclot shared with his students when he accepted his black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu — an accomplishment nine years in the making.

Miclot began practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the summer of 2009. Since then, he has relentlessly worked to compete at the highest levels — consistently participating in competitions run by the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). Miclot realized his passion for teaching after earning his brown belt in 2014, and he opened True Believer Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in February of 2015.

Miclot received his black belt from Gutemberg Pereira on behalf of Júlio César Pereira in January of 2018, under the Grappling Fight Team (GFTeam) mantle. As with anyone who achieves the rank of black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Miclot had valuable insights to share from his journey.

On Inevitability

Inevitability, or the predetermination that something is bound to happen, was the cornerstone of Miclot’s mentality as he worked toward his black belt. “If you just set in your head that something is inevitable, and just accept the process, the rest just happens,” he explained.

After earning his purple belt, Miclot set in his mind that earning his black belt was an inevitability, so long as he made the right choices. He committed himself to the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, forging his path through the mindset of inevitability.

With his newly donned black belt, he told his students to do the same. “That’s what you need to do today. If you really like [Brazilian Jiu Jitsu], just put it in your head as an inevitability today. I’m going to show up. I’m going to get better. I’m going to do whatever I can because it’s inevitable.”

Act with Character

For Miclot, acting with character and making the right choices along the way stemmed from setting his goal as inevitable. “And then that allows you to act with character. And I think that’s the most important thing. We do Jiu Jitsu to see what can make us better — not to be bullies, not to be tough,” he told his students. “I’m going to reach whatever goal I want to reach, but I’m going to do it going to sleep at night. I’m not going to screw people over. I’m not going to hurt people’s feelings. Do it right and make it inevitable.”

Share Your Passion

The final lesson Miclot shared was the importance of sharing your passion — whatever it is. “You guys have different passions. For some of you it’s Jiu Jitsu. For some it’s photography. For some, it’s your job. But if you share that passion with people in a positive way, they’re going to help you. They’re going to push you forward.”

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Moving Forward

Since opening True Believer Jiu Jitsu in 2015, Miclot has strived to create an inclusive and competitive culture, where people of all ages, interests and athletic ability can reach their goals through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The lessons he shared after earning his black belt echo the mission of the gym.

“Whatever your passion is in your life, share it, please,” Miclot emphasized. “If we got together more often and just shared our passions and the things we like — the things we want other people to do well at — everything’s going to go better.”

You can watch the full video below.