Meet Nicholas Rahn from Warrior's Next Adventure
Nick Rahn Founder and President of Warriors Next Adventure 501c3 located in St Paul Minnesota.Check out Warriors Next adventure on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. Theyt are shooting a documentary “PTSD vs Jiu-Jitsu” April-June 2021 traveling the country to 35 different jiu-jitsu gyms. Click HERE to check the go fund me for stop locations.
Do you Serve or have you Served in the Military Law enforcement or as a First Responder? If so when and where?Active Air Force Security Forces 2006-2012, 2013-current 911 dispatcher for the Minnesota State Patrol
How Did You Begin Your Jiu Jitsu Journey? Where are you now on your Journey? Where do you train now? I started jiu-jitsu on my first “deployment” to Qatar in 2007, but kept deploying so it was hard to keep training constantly. I had a boxing match in Camp Bucca Iraq for Friday night fights in 2008 and 2009 I won my first NAGA tournament in 2009 and my first MMA fight in October 2009. I took a break to spend more time with my family. 2014 I started training again and 2015 I started fighting MMA again and had 3 submission victories making it to the top 3 ranked amateur welterweight MMA fighter in Minnesota 2018. I currently train at Tracks BJJ in Coon Rapids, MN
What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)? I purchased a white board and dry erase markers and hung it on my wall. I wrote the quote on it “what’s the benefit” every time I think of making a decision I think what’s the benefit to what i'm about to do. I quit drinking in January and have been skyrocketing Warriors Next Adventure since. Mindset is everything.
How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? Do you have a “favorite failure” of yours?
In 2015 I had my biggest failure. I wrote a blog on Warrior's Next Adventure Podcast called 6 principles to improve your state of mind. I had been going down a bad road and decided to take my own life. I put a gun to my head and I pulled the trigger. Lucky for me, the primer was struck, but the primer was a dud. Since then I have evolved and started a nonprofit to help veterans become better versions of themselves. I’m happy I failed because I wouldn’t be making the impact I am now.
What is one of the best or most worthwhile investments you’ve ever made? (Could be an investment of money, time, energy, etc.)I invested in my mind. Like I said above, mindset is everything. When you dig deep inside yourself and really take the time to figure out who you are as a person, you can identify the problems and find the solutions. Read, Research, learn as much as possible. Ask yourself “what is the benefit”? does playing video games help me evolve? Does getting drunk help me evolve? Yes you need self care time but why not make your self care time reading or learning something that will make you a better person?
What is an unusual habit or an absurd thing that you love?I cannot see animals and not pet them. One of my life’s principles is “pet the puppy” when you have the urge…who cares what anyone thinks, go pet that damn puppy.
In the last five years, what new belief, behavior, or habit has most improved your life?Myself 5 years from now is my hero, build a version of yourself you wish/want to be. Then lay out a path that leads to that person. 2015 I tried to kill myself. Now here in 2020 I am a founder of a nation wide nonprofit that has helped hundreds of veterans take a different look at life.
What advice would you give to a smart, driven student new to Jiu Jitsu. What advice should they ignore?”I tell new white belts to come into the gym and leave your ego at the door. Get used to losing, take risks and tap often. The best way to get good at something you suck at, is get into those positions you suck at. And most importantly…never stop training jiu-jitsu. I’m a 13 year blue belt. I quit because of many reasons and every time I came back, I was a better me.
I would say ignore people who constantly talk about who they tapped out. Jabbing and joking is fine but someone who brags about tapping an upper belt or another new white belt is annoying. I’m not innocent but I’ve grown.
“What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?”Bad recommendations in the mental health world I hear are people using alcohol or other substances to numb the pain. Substance is linked to way too much hurt in the world. I would say if you want to become better, try sobriety for a while. If you think about it…that substance will be there if it doesn’t work so why not give it (sobriety) a try.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, or have lost your focus temporarily, what do you do? (If helpful: What questions do you ask yourself?)”
When I am out of focus, I meditate. Meditation is how I have helped myself grow over the last 5 years. Any time you are stuck in a rut. Take some time and meditate on it and I assure you, you have all the answers inside.
Nick
thank you for Sharing my story! If anyone wants to chat more email me at warriorsnextadventure@gmail.com.
And everyone go buy a gi or rashguard from Dd214bjj.com!