Scott Curtis

Coach Scott brings his expertise as a Charles Gracie Jiu-Jitsu purple belt to our team at Kids Sparks, where he guides young learners.

When did you start BJJ? 

I began my journey in October of 2014, one year after I signed my two children up. I began training because I wanted the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu as a foundation for my family that we could share for the rest of our lives. I asked my wife to try it out a few months later, and she immediately saw the benefits. We became a team. A family on the mats too.

What about coaching do you like, or why do you coach?

When I began training, there was a point when I realized how many benefits this art had. Mind, spirit and body. It focused me, and inspired me to be a better man/husband/father. I feel the gift of Jiu Jitsu should be shared to all people, and my goal is to be an ambassador of the sport. I coach in hopes of helping to create more confident and mentally stronger kids.

What is your favorite position to teach?

For me, teaching side control shows the most options to advance from. It’s a good point to make evaluation s. Visually, we can see many more options. I feel when we can see the path to success, it helps begin the journey. We can go to mount, or switch to leg attacks. I feel very mobile in side control, and have plenty of movement options to defend myself too.

What three BJJ habits do you consider essential?

3 habits for not just Jiu-Jitsu, but for life. Listening. Hard work. Dedication. All of these (and a lot more) come directly from the mat and will enhance every aspect of life. The lessons from the mat give us a better opportunity to achieve incremental successes. The mat gives us goals to reach for. The mat also shows us where we fall short and gives us a direct chance to improve measurably.

What has training BJJ taught you?

I’ve learned patience. I’ve learned humility. I’ve learned to listen. I’ve learned that I’m not going to “win” every scenario in my life, but that answers to problems will present themselves when I’m focused and breathing. We have a saying in Jiu-Jitsu… and that’s to “embrace the suck”… we have to experience our shortcomings, and turn them into learning experiences. There’s always an answer to any problem… Jiu-Jitsu helped me recognize that there are paths to the best solution… and I just have to recognize when the answer presents itself.

When you are not on the mat, how else do you like to spend your time?

My main focus in life is to spend time with my family. I like working with my hands. I am very creative. There is a lot of complaining in our society… I believe in creating. Turning the noise into music. I’ve planted myself on “a hill to grow on”.