Professor Dr. Jason Shields on Jiu Jitsu, Meditation, Trauma, and Competition

Host Pete Deeley welcomes Professor Dr. Jason Shields to The Jiu Jitsu Mindset. Dr. Shields describes how Jiu Jitsu uniquely taught him resilience through losing, regaining control, and finding a “home” community, plus the tap as maximal threat with maximal safety. He explains his hyperfocus was cultivated through long-term inner work after severe childhood trauma from his Vietnam-veteran father’s PTSD and his mother’s healing path via transcendental meditation and supportive communities; he shares a key lesson of finding a thought-free witnessing space to self-regulate. Dr. Shields recounts discovering Jiu-Jitsu on YouTube, starting a club in Norway, and approaching training as a sport with physical preparation. He argues competition can be a powerful mirror and growth catalyst, shares a memorable Italy tournament after his mother’s death, and tells how coaching Marit Gabrielsen helped her overcome a trauma-based freeze response through jiu-jitsu.

In this episode

• 00:00 Welcome and Sponsor Plug
• 00:49 Meet Dr. Jason Shields
• 02:18 What Jujitsu Gave Me
• 04:39 Hyperfocus and Presence
• 06:01 Childhood Trauma Origins
• 08:42 Meditation and Self-Regulation
• 14:01 Trauma Perspective and Growth
• 17:20 Discovering Jujitsu on YouTube
• 20:22 Starting a Club in Norway
• 22:08 Training Like an Athlete
• 25:36 Jiu Jitsu as Chaos Partner
• 27:14 Size Mismatch Realities
• 28:12 Competition Mindset
• 29:40 Why Compete at All
• 31:28 Belts by Winning Worlds
• 33:55 Tournament Stress Benefits
• 36:55 Rome Tribute Tournament
• 42:13 Healing Trauma Through Jiu Jitsu
• 49:13 Love You Man Persona
• 50:02 Where to Find Him
• 50:55 Gratitude and Closing

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