How Jiu-Jitsu Helped Me with PTSD

About this video

McPhee discusses how Jiu-Jitsu serves as a mental health outlet and coping mechanism for veterans and others dealing with trauma and PTSD. He argues that finding an activity you’re passionate about and doing it consistently provides mental clarity, breaks the cycle of destructive coping mechanisms, and helps people move forward from difficult chapters in their lives.

Key takeaways

• McPhee argues that Jiu-Jitsu provides him mental clarity and survival focus that crowds out negative thoughts and destructive behaviors like substance abuse
• McPhee recommends finding what makes you happy and doing it consistently rather than staying stuck in one chapter of life; he emphasizes dedicating at least an hour daily to something you’re passionate about
• McPhee teaches that depression often stems from not knowing what makes you happy, and that the challenge and physical engagement of grappling helps him feel appreciative of life and better at his work

Episode details: published March 2, 2025 · 42.1K views · 6:30 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. McPhee’s service stories are his own accounts, attributed to him — not independently verified. His tactical and firearms instruction is his doctrine, presented as his teaching — not legal or safety advice from Self Growth Videos.

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