Nick Mavrick

Hometown:
Chicago
Current Rank:
Black Belt
What year did you start training?
2007
How did you get started?
Badly broken wrist made traditional styles and striking difficult. I needed a grappling style that would require less impact on the wrist.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve encountered in your training, and how did you overcome it?
Fear and anxiety about losing over and over, panic in uncomfortable spots. I got comfortable with the idea of “winning or learning.” I began to focus on my breathing-calming my breath-when I got into bad positions. Then, things seemed to slow down a bit and started to survive. Eventually, I began to thrive
What’s your favorite thing about training or teaching, and why?
I am a high-motor guy. Training is a way to release some of that static energy. Teaching is my chance to help people in whatever way it is that they need help that day. Jiu jitsu is something that improves lives across the board. I get to facilitate that improvement. I get to bring something positive to the world.
What are your personal goals on and off the mat?
I have been studying martial arts in various forms for 21 years. I have 3 brown belts and no black belts. I am patiently driving toward that black belt. Off the mat, my number 1 thing is being the best Dad that I can possibly be-Black Belt Dad. There is nothing more important to me than my kids.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I got married in a thousands of years old bulding near the Colosseum in Rome after a bizarre adventure with a crazy cast of characters.