I remember hearing this on some Fightworks Podcast interview that training every day (or several times a day) is actually the best way to avoid injury.

I’m not going to try to defend the logic of that with some statement like “your body gets used to it”, except that I am, because it’s true, despite whatever common sense you may have about the matter.

I changed my training program to include a BJJ training session every day 12-1:30pm, no exceptions. I run (fast pace) to training (from work) and back. The running adds up to about 2.5 miles total for the day is a nice little addition to the training. The key difference has been the no exceptions part. Before I used to take off a day here and there, but that actually makes everything more difficult.

That training regimen is my core. Everything else is extra (a very important extra, but extra). Why have a core? I don’t know if my brain works different than others (it probably doesn’t), but if I do something everyday (especially at the same time every day), I get used to it much easier. It starts requiring a lot less motivation and mental energy. It’s just what I do at noon, I run and train BJJ. Stayed up all night programming? Doesn’t matter, BJJ at noon. Shoulder, finger, ankle, back hurt? Doesn’t matter, BJJ at noon. Egyptian people revolting against their government? Doesn’t matter, BJJ at noon.

I relax more, I learn more, I enjoy it more, and I’m never really sore. I mean the kind of sore where you’re mentally drained and just don’t want to move.

My shoulder is still in pain constantly during training but it’s getting better through physical therapy, ice, heat, and advil. Despite the unpleasantness of training with an injury, I still go, I still train hard, and I still love it. Except of course for the fact that I can’t do judo, wrestling, or any stand up yet. That part I hate.