Burt, just wanted to update you on something with me in relation to an article you wrote a few years ago. When grappling, I was having a panicked, claustrophobic reaction when being pinned on the bottom for any length of time, and it really took away my confidence and desire to train. I was really ashamed of this, I was supposed to be this tough fighter, but I would have to tap out just to compose myself. Your "Face Your Fears" article really helped me with that, making me realize that I shouldn't be embarrassed for feeling that way...only embarrassed if I didn't do my best to face that fear and "slay that dragon", so to speak. Well, now it's a few years later, and while I'd be lying if I said that fear has been completely eliminated, it has been reduced so drastically that it's almost never a factor. First of all, it made me concentrate a lot on my escapes and posture while on the bottom, so I don't find myself stuck nearly as often. But more than that, it's a mental thing. I look at the bottom escapes as the "cool techniques" instead of the flying armbars and rolling kneebars. I begin and end nearly every training session with those, putting myself in bad positions purposefully, facing that fear so often it's become casual. I am more elated when I pull off a slick escape than when I do a slick submission. In addition, I use some of the positive visualization ideas you talked about to help me. Since I no longer feel ashamed of that panicked feeling, I can calmly realize when it might be about to happen and start doing things to calm myself back down. Ever seen the movie Happy Gilmore? Well, I've got a "Happy Place" I go to in my mind...which looks very similar to the Hawaiian beach you are always training on in all the pictures...but in my place, my girlfriend is there...bringing me a Corona...wearing a...well, I digress. 
Anyway, don't mean to ramble, but just thought I would share that with you on this forum so others could see it as well. I know that hearing other people say they had a similar feeling sometimes helped me out a lot, made me feel like less of a pansy while I was dealing with it. Honestly, I feel I am stronger having acknowledged this fear and facing it than if I had never had it at all. Thanks again for your article and your advice, it continues to help me every day I train. And sometimes, on days I don't.
Best,
Jeff

Anyway, don't mean to ramble, but just thought I would share that with you on this forum so others could see it as well. I know that hearing other people say they had a similar feeling sometimes helped me out a lot, made me feel like less of a pansy while I was dealing with it. Honestly, I feel I am stronger having acknowledged this fear and facing it than if I had never had it at all. Thanks again for your article and your advice, it continues to help me every day I train. And sometimes, on days I don't.

Best,
Jeff
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