When it comes to choosing a jiu-jitsu academy, most people obsess over finding the perfect instructor, the right culture, or the most competitive training environment. Retired Navy SEAL commander and jiu-jitsu black belt Jocko Willink thinks they’re overthinking it. In a recent appearance on Jack Osbourne’s podcast, Willink made a surprising claim: proximity matters most.
“One of the main questions that people will ask me is, ‘What school should I go to?'” Willink explained. His answer is pragmatic: “Get out Google Maps, put where you live and where you work and which one is close, because proximity is the Trump. Proximity is the highest weighted thing.”
For someone who has trained jiu-jitsu since the early 1990s—long before the UFC made Brazilian jiu-jitsu widely known—this advice might seem counterintuitive. Willink’s journey began in 1992 when a “skinny old master chief” named Steve Bailey introduced him to the art during a deployment in Guam. This was before the UFC, when virtually no one understood grappling. Willink was so impressed by Bailey’s ability to submit everyone effortlessly that he committed to learning “whatever freaking magic” the technique represented.
Willink’s proximity-first philosophy comes from experience. He knows that consistency beats perfection, and the best training program in the world is worthless if you can’t actually show up. “If you have five schools to choose from, choose the one that’s closest to you,” he advised.
This does not mean ignoring other factors. Willink recommends visiting the closest three schools to assess fit. Some schools are traditional, requiring students to wear a gi and bow in and out of class. Others are more relaxed, allowing students to wear whatever they want. The key is matching your personality to the academy’s culture—but only after narrowing options by location.
“You go to one as a traditional place and we’re wearing a gi and you’re bowing in and you’re bowing out. You found your home,” Willink said. Conversely, if strict formality feels uncomfortable, find a more casual environment. “You got to find out what fits your personality, what you like and what’s your vibe.”
Willink’s own academy follows this open approach. He runs a relaxed, competition-focused gym that accommodates real-life schedules. Unlike traditional schools that might bar latecomers, Willink welcomes anyone who shows up, even if they’re ten minutes late. “These are people that have jobs, that have families, that have kids, like they’re going to be late for class,” he explained. The priority is getting people on the mat, not enforcing rigid rules.
Whether waking up at 4:30 AM to work out or showing up to train despite being tired, the key is simply doing it. “Feel burnt out. Cool. Whatever. It doesn’t matter. Just keep doing it,” he said about maintaining discipline.
For anyone stuck searching for the perfect jiu-jitsu academy, Willink’s message is simple: stop overthinking it. Find what’s close, visit a few options, pick one that feels right, and start training. The best school is the one you’ll actually attend.
