After winning the $1 million prize at the recent CJI tournament, Nicky Rodriguez has revealed the secrets behind his focused approach between rounds. Rather than sipping water or chatting with his coaches, Nicky focuses on his breathing to maintain a consistent rhythm.
“In between rounds, I just look to catch my breath as good as possible,” Nicky explained to Tim Welch. “I feel like if you’re chatting with your coaches or sipping water, that’s not the way to do it.” Instead, Nicky practices controlled breathing techniques, likening the cardiovascular system to “a balloon” that needs to be properly inflated and deflated.
This mindful approach to recovery appears to pay dividends for Nicky, who described feeling “careless” and “free” when competing without overthinking his opponents. “I feel like honestly I compete the best when I’m like I’m careless, I’m free and I’m just kind of living in the moment,” he said.
Nicky’s ability to remain focused and composed between rounds was on full display during his dominant CJI tournament run. While some grapplers may get caught up in the intensity, Nicky was able to consistently regulate his breathing and bounce back for each new challenge.
This mental toughness, combined with his well-rounded grappling skills, make Nicky a formidable competitor.
Rodriguez is not the first to do this. Famously, Rickson Gracie practiced breath work daily because he understood it as the cornerstone of his physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
For Gracie, consistent breath work was essential to maintaining the composure, endurance, and clarity needed to excel in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts in a competitive environment. By making breath work a daily habit, he could regulate his stress levels, optimize his energy use, and stay centered, even in the most challenging situations.
This routine not only enhanced his performance in the ring but also allowed him to cultivate a deeper connection between his mind and body, making him a more effective and resilient.
Prior to his matches, Rodriguez also incorporated specific breathing exercises like Breath of Fire to further optimize his cardiovascular system. “Your cardiovascular system is similar to a balloon,” he explained. “The first time you fill it up, it’s kind of hard to get it to size, but once it’s inflated, you can deflate it and reinflate it much easier.”
This holistic approach to managing his breathing and recovery proved instrumental in Rodriguez’s dominant performance at the CJI tournament. Rather than relying on traditional tactics like hydration and coaching, he tapped into the power of controlled breathing to maximize his physical and mental preparedness.
