From fitness routines to unconventional ice-dunked mornings, billionaires are known to follow fancy wellness trends. While Telegram CEO Pavel Durov starts his days with ice baths, Twillio CEO Khozema Shipchandler has a 4.30 am wakeup time. And, as the work-life balance advocates preach 12 hours of shuteye, the average corporate employee struggles to get to sleep.
Since every human recovers in different ways, sleeping is scientifically one of the most effective ways. Actor and entrepreneur Mario Lopez swears by the mental and physical benefits of Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ). A martial arts variation of the Japanese jujutsu, which involves restricting the movement of one’s opponent through joint locks and chokes.
Jiu-jitsu for CEOs
Speaking to Business Insider, he shared that it was “amazing for both the body and the mind.” Himself a state-ranked wrestler in high school, Lopez turned to jiu-jitsu in his 40s. Today, he is a purple belt through consistent practice. Calling it a “full-body workout,” jiu-jitsu has built strength, endurance, and flexibility. “Mentally, it teaches patience, humility, and problem-solving. It’s helped me stay calm under pressure,” Lopez expressed. Among other such CEO jiu-jitsu enthusiasts are Tesla’s Elon Musk and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg, along with PayPal’s Dan Schulman.
Jits magazine reported in May 2023 that Mark Zuckerberg, formally trained in jiu-jitsu, competed anonymously at the BJJ Tour Silicon Valley. Not only did he win a silver, but also a gold in the white-belt category. He had previously remarked that it was a ” primal art” which kept him “grounded.”
Similarly, Musk began training for it in 2023 and received his lessons from combat veteran John Danaher, Georges St-Pierre, and Lex Fridman. While there is no official record of his mastery, Musk’s videos have gone viral, where is seen doing light drills and training. He had described in his own words that martial arts is a “mental toughness discipline”.
Blending fitness with mindfulness
Jiu-jitsu has often been linked with having both mental and physical benefits. The intense nature has proven effective for those who haven’t grown up as athletes and simply want to reduce stress. “It’s a constant problem-solving in real time. It teaches you to move on from a plan that didn’t work,” said instructor and black belt Ray Feliciano, who trains CEOs, reported BI. For CEOs and tech titans, rolling on a mat, physically fighting with an opponent, allows them to disconnect, unlike their jobs that might keep them tied to their desk.
How jiu-jitsu helps improve longevity
A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports in 2021 found that BJJ has a direct impact on cognition. “The sport preserves cognitive health through enhanced cerebral circulation,” the study found. A review in Grafton Martial Arts Journal (2024) highlighted that jiu-jitsu improves heart rate recovery, blood pressure, and lung capacity.
These findings also mirror a study on leisure-time exercise as a life expectancy factor and slowing down the ageing process. With a positive impact on health and increasing overall joint mobility, BJJ has been proven by several studies to increase life expectancy and reduce signs of ageing.
Disclaimer: Always consult a doctor before starting any diet or fitness routine. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
