Tommy Montoya

This is a principle I see often in Jiu Jitsu, but even more in the church and in business. Ambition isn’t the problem—misaligned ambition is. When people want to lead, open gyms, or carry influence without first submitting to the discipline, time, and structure that form true authority, it creates disorder. In the Jiu Jitsu community, individuals step into positions they haven’t been properly developed for, and in doing so they don’t just affect themselves—they bring confusion to the people they lead. Most beginners don’t yet know the difference between authenticity and appearance, so they follow energy, community, and convenience, but discipline is the standard and it cannot be rushed or faked.
This is not just cultural, it’s spiritual. In 1 Thessalonians 4 we are instructed to live in a way that is holy and honorable, to not take advantage of one another, and to make it our ambition to live a quiet life, mind our own business, and work with our hands. That goes directly against the spirit of self-promotion and independence without accountability. There is a form of lust here—the desire for position, recognition, and control without process—and when someone leads without proper formation they are shaping others with incomplete truth.
The instruction is simple: build quietly, focus on what has been entrusted to you, train consistently, and develop your discipline in order so that your life earns respect through what you demonstrate, not what you claim. Not everyone who steps out early has bad intentions, but immaturity in leadership still produces damage, which is why the standard must remain the standard. In the dojo and in the Kingdom, authority is not something you take—it is something entrusted over time through proven character, discipline, and alignment, because power is not found in position, it is found in alignment.

This is a principle I see often in Jiu Jitsu, but even more in the church and in business. Ambition isn’t the problem—misaligned ambition is. When people want to lead, open gyms, or carry influence without first submitting to the discipline, time, and structure that form true authority, it creates disorder. In the Jiu Jitsu community, you’ll see individuals step into positions they haven’t been properly developed for, and in doing so they don’t just affect themselves—they bring confusion to the very people they’re leading. Most beginners don’t yet know the difference between authenticity and appearance, so they follow energy, community, and convenience, but discipline is the standard and it cannot be rushed or faked.

This is not just cultural, it’s spiritual. In 1 Thessalonians 4 we are instructed to live in a way that is holy and honorable, to not take advantage of one another, and to make it our ambition to live a quiet life, mind our own business, and work with our hands. That goes directly against the spirit of self-promotion and independence without accountability. There is a form of lust here that shows up as the desire for position, recognition, and control without process, and when someone leads without proper formation they are not just learning, they are shaping others with incomplete truth. The spirit of true martial arts, what we know through Judo and Jiu Jitsu rooted in bushido, has always been built on honor, order, and discipline. A warrior was never self-appointed, he was formed, tested, and proven before he was entrusted with authority, and that is the spirit of the dojo. When that order is broken, what follows is not growth, it is dilution, and you begin to see environments built on convenience instead of conviction where anything goes as long as it keeps people coming through the door.

The instruction is simple but most people avoid it, build quietly, focus on what has been entrusted to you, train consistently, and develop your life and your discipline in order so that your daily life earns respect through what you demonstrate, not what you claim. Not everyone who steps out early has bad intentions, but immaturity in leadership still produces damage, and that is why the standard must remain the standard. In the dojo and in the Kingdom, authority is not something you take, it is something that is entrusted over time through proven character, discipline, and alignment, because in the end power is not found in position, it is found in discipline.

🦁 SEEING THE BIG PICTURE 🦁

Humanity has become divided by religion, race, culture, geography, and politics.
We argue over systems, doctrines, and identities — yet fail to see that, at the heart, we are one family.

Despite our differences, we all share the same desires:
to live freely, safely, and meaningfully.
To walk in peace, purpose, and abundance — where justice, liberty, and love reign.

The truth is, we’re all searching — consciously or not — for a Kingdom where all are equal, valued, and secure.
Yet many remain blind to it because we focus on the details instead of the design.

When an artist paints, a sculptor carves, or a builder lays a foundation,
they keep the finished picture in mind.
👉 Purpose defines the big picture. Without it, creation loses direction.

This same truth applies to life — and to Jiu Jitsu.
Centuries ago, monks developed a system of self-defense not to destroy,
but to preserve life.
What began as survival became a path of discipline, humility, and self-mastery —
a reflection of divine order and spiritual law.

Those who walk “the Way” of Jiu Jitsu align themselves with principles
of order, harmony, and purpose —
echoing the heart of the Creator Himself.

Yet, many lose sight of God’s big picture —
consumed by pursuits, arguments, and distractions.
We’ve mistaken movement for meaning and activity for purpose.

The big picture isn’t about religion, status, or success.
It’s about original intent.
God, the Master Artist, created humanity with a vision —
for relationship, unity, and Kingdom expression on earth.

So as we build, create, train, and live —
let’s not lose sight of the bigger picture.
Let’s align our hearts with His divine purpose.

Because in the end, the goal is always the same:
to reflect the heart of the Kingdom and fulfill the intent of the Creator. 🙏

Now ask yourself: ⬇️
✨ What was God’s purpose as the Artist who created humanity?
✨ What was the end result He desired when He formed us in His image?
✨ As the Designer of the human race, what was His original intent for your life?

When we can answer these honestly and live by them —
we begin to see, and truly live, the Big Picture.
Oss 🦁

The Three Stages of Power: Kuzushi, Tsukuri, and Kake
​Jiu Jitsu is often called "The Gentle Art," and the secret to that gentleness isn't being soft, but being efficient.
​To master any technique—a sweep, a takedown, a throw, or even a submission—you must understand the three stages of a successful application: Kuzushi, Tsukuri, and Kake. These three Japanese words describe a universal principle of leverage and timing that lets the smaller person defeat the larger opponent. Forget brute force; we are learning a system.
​1. Kuzushi (崩し): The Art of Unbalancing
​Kuzushi (pronounced koo-zoo-shee) means "to unbalance" or "to break posture." This is the most critical phase, and it must happen first.
​The Concept: You are destroying your opponent's structural stability. A building with a compromised foundation is easy to knock down. An opponent with their balance broken is a lightweight opponent.
​In Action (Standing): This is the push, pull, or circular movement that forces them to step, rock onto their heels, or lean too far forward. We are using their own momentum against them.
​In Action (Ground): This is equally important. When you’re on the bottom, Kuzushi is the subtle hip bump, the grip break, or the angle change that gets your opponent's weight off their center before you attempt the sweep. If they are perfectly centered, your sweep is just a bench press. If you Kuzushi them first, the sweep is a gentle nudge.
​Remember the saying: "Remove the moon, and the mountain will fall." Don't try to lift the mountain. Just take away its foundation.
​2. Tsukuri (作り): The Perfect Fit
​Tsukuri (pronounced tsoo-koo-ree) means "to set up" or "to prepare." This is the phase where you adjust your body into the optimal position.
​The Concept: After you have broken their balance (Kuzushi), you must now fit your body into the best mechanical position to apply the technique. This is your body's "setup" phase.
​In Action (Standing): For a hip throw, this is the rapid pivot and sinking of your hips low, getting your butt right against their center of gravity. You become the pivot point.
​In Action (Ground): For an armbar, this is the rapid scooting of your hips to put your shin across their neck and your knee on their shoulder. For a triangle, this is the angle you create to get a deep bite with your legs. Improper Tsukuri—not setting your angle—is what forces you to struggle with your legs instead of simply locking the submission.
​Your body is the machine. Tsukuri is about moving the machine into place so the engine can run perfectly. If you try to execute a technique without a good Tsukuri, you are trying to lift a car with your back instead of a jack.
​3. Kake (掛け): The Final Ex*****on
​Kake (pronounced kah-kay) is the final phase: "the ex*****on." This is where you complete the technique.
​The Concept: If you've done your job with Kuzushi and Tsukuri, Kake should feel effortless. It is the final push, pull, or squeeze that finishes the job.
​The Test: If you have to grunt, strain, or use a lot of muscle in the Kake phase, it means your Kuzushi or Tsukuri was weak.
​In Action: The final hip extension of a throw; the final squeeze and angle adjustment of a choke; the final rotation and pull of a joint lock.
​Kake is the result of good preparation, not the act of struggling. Train yourself to look for the Kuzushi and focus on your Tsukuri, and the Kake will take care of itself.
​Integrating the Principle
​From now on, when you practice any technique, I want you to mentally label the three phases:
​Kuzushi: What did I do to break their posture or base?
​Tsukuri: How did I move my own body to gain mechanical advantage?
​Kake: Was the finish easy? If not, go back to step 1 and 2.
​This mindset will transform you from someone who just tries a technique into an artist who sets up a guaranteed outcome. Do you have any questions about how this principle applies to a specific sweep or submission you’re working on?