October 2026 | Episode #30
Pictured: Jaxon Bergmann works to pass ‘Z’ Berven’s guard.
Before the First Match
On November 7th, several of our young athletes will step onto the competition mat in Lincoln.
For some, it won't be their first tournament. For others, it will.
Either way, we don't want November 7th to be the first time competition feels “real”.
Pictured: Austin Martinez and Owen Sanchez start in closed guard.
Competition is Different
You walk toward the center of a large mat. There's someone standing across from you whom you've never met. A referee is between you. Your coaches, teammates, and family are all watching, but from the center of the mat they all seem so far away.
Then the match starts. The person across from you is moving faster, gripping harder and attacking with more intensity than you anticipated.
We've seen what can happen next…
Those first few moments can create a bit of "shock and awe." An athlete who is normally comfortable in the gym suddenly finds themselves reacting instead of thinking. Maybe they give up an early takedown or their guard gets passed. Now they're behind on the scoreboard, trying to reorient themselves to the reality of competition while also dealing with adrenaline, fatigue, the clock and an unfamiliar opponent.
Technical preparation matters. But competition requires more than knowing techniques.
It requires composure and decision-making. Athletes have to understand the rules, recognize the score and make good choices while another person is actively trying to prevent them from succeeding.
Pictured: Finn Gourley looks for an armbar as Hayden Hill wrestles up.
Making the Unfamiliar Familiar
That's a big part of why our youth competition team has been spending additional time together on Sunday mornings.
We're not trying to eliminate the nerves or the pressure they'll experience on competition day.
Instead, we're trying to make more of the experience more familiar.
Our athletes have been exposed to greater intensity, different competitive situations and opportunities to make decisions under pressure. We're teaching them to understand the game they're playing, not simply the techniques they know.
The more unfamiliar things we can make familiar before November 7th, the more attention they can actually give to doing Jiu-Jitsu.
Pictured: Danielle Locklear lays on the pressure.
On October 12, we'll take another step with our In-house Youth Tournament.
Think of it as a dress rehearsal.
There won't be medals on the line. Instead, we want our athletes to experience the process. Weigh in. Get ready for a match. Hear your name called. Walk onto the mat. Listen to the referee. Keep track of the score. Make good decisions.
And, inevitably - make mistakes.
That's part of the preparation too...
If you get taken down, what happens next? If you fall behind, can you stay composed? If your first idea doesn't work, can you adjust?
We're not trying to make competition comfortable.
We're preparing our athletes to perform under pressure.
Pictured: Ezra Guerrero and Lincoln Sanchez scrimmage during a passing round.
One Team
In preparing for competition, there’s one final component that’s even more top of mind than ever.
On competition day, Jiu-Jitsu is an individual sport. Once the match begins, nobody else can score your points, escape a bad position or make a decision for you.
But getting there is still a team effort.
Every hard round requires someone on the other side. Every weakness that gets exposed requires a partner who challenged you enough to find it. And every improvement you make allows you to become a better training partner for someone else.
We recently reminded the team that one athlete having a standout performance won't guarantee the success of Team LŌKAHI.
We need everyone improving.
When one athlete gets better at escaping, their partners have to become better at controlling. Better guard retention demands better passing. Better takedown defense forces better attacks. As one person improves, the people around them have to respond.
That's how the room gets better.
Our more experienced competitors have a responsibility to help prepare our first-time competitors. Our first-time competitors have a responsibility to show up ready to work. Even the kids who aren't competing can play an important role by giving their teammates productive rounds.
Everyone has a role.
And that's what we mean when we talk about raising the level of the room.
Pictured: Truett Jorgenson works to keep top position against Jack Hopson.
November 7th
When our athletes arrive in Lincoln, they'll still be nervous.
… and that's okay.
Competition is never easy. But we want our athletes to recognize the situation and trust the work they've already done.
I've felt this before.
I can handle this.
I know what to do next.
We can't control who stands across from us. We can't guarantee a result. We can't promise that everything will go according to plan.
But we can control how we show up.
And over the next month, we'll prepare together.
One Team. Team LŌKAHI.
Pictured: Class is in session.
“From my very first day, everyone made me feel welcome, and it didn’t take long to feel like I was part of the team.”
“I trained at Lōkahi for about four months while I was living in Omaha for work, and it honestly became one of my favorite parts of my time there. From my very first day, everyone made me feel welcome, and it didn’t take long to feel like I was part of the team.
I met some awesome people, made great friends, and had plenty of tough and fun rounds. Coaches Ryan, Matt, and Isaac are all incredibly knowledgeable, but more importantly, they genuinely care about their students and create a great environment to learn and improve.
I only stopped training at Lōkahi because I had to leave Omaha. I’m really grateful for the time I spent there and for everyone who made it such a great experience. If I’m ever back in Omaha, I’ll definitely be stopping in for some rounds!
”
What’s Coming Next?
October 7th
Youth Belt Promotions
October 10th
Youth In-House Tournament
November 7th
Nebraska Jiu-jitsu Championship Fall Open
Lincoln, NE
December 5th (Morning)
Adult Crucible and Promotions
December 5th (Evening)
Holiday Party
You’ve been asking for it…
You heard it here first.
Pre-order begins end of October.
Collective Member Spotlight
We’d like to congratulate SHOSHANA LOCKLEAR on her recent promotion to Yellow belt!
Shoshana embodies so much of what we hope to see in our young grapplers. She is a welcoming and supportive training partner to newcomers and experienced students alike, never shies away from a tough roll, and is always ready for a challenge, whether in the practice room or on the competition mats.
A leader in our Youth program, Shoshana regularly stays to train alongside the adults, too. And while she may be soft-spoken, she meets adversity with heavy pressure, quiet determination, and a big smile.
Congratulations, Shoshana! Well deserved!
OCTOBER Birthdays
Wishing all of our Collective Members a very happy birthday!
Stephen Franco — 10/2
Ashlynn Ortega — 10/5
Aaron Thiemann — 10/5
Jack Hopson — 10/6
Gabe Trindad, Jr. — 10/7
Phil Wainright — 10/8
Mike San Pedro — 10/10
Justin Lammert — 10/10
Shoshana Locklear — 10/14
Gregory Gelfond — 10/15
Rory Helweg — 10/26
Matt Beck — 10/31
*Don’t see your birthday? Update your profile on the app or speak with someone at the front desk!
“LŌKAHI just raised the bar of what a Jiu Jitsu school should be! 10 out of 10!
”
Good vibes. Quality Jiu-jitsu.
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