How Dark Seasons Build Greatness | Mental Toughness, Identity & Growth in Jiu Jitsu ft. Sula-Mae

In this episode of Get A Grip, Kendall sits down with elite jiu-jitsu athlete Sula-Mae Loewenthal for a conversation about identity, mental toughness, self-trust, and how life’s hardest seasons often shape who we become.

This episode explores the moments that build true resilience… from periods of darkness that eventually led to the most growth, to heartbreak, life transitions, and learning how to keep moving forward when everything familiar changes.

This conversation is for anyone building something meaningful — whether on the mats, in business, or in life — and learning how to trust themselves through uncertain seasons. Sometimes the most transformative chapters come from the messiest data, the hardest transitions, and the willingness to keep showing up before the outcome makes sense.

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🎧 Connect with Kendall

Instagram: @kendallreusing

YouTube: @kendallreusingbjj

TikTok: @kendallreusing

Website: kendallreusing.com

🎙️ Connect with Sula-Mae

Instagram: @sula_mae_loewenthal

Timestamps

00:00 Using your uniqueness in career, goals, and life

01:30 Dark seasons that led to the most growth

02:40 Sula’s origin story + going full time in jiu-jitsu

03:59 Heartbreak after leaving her academy, team, and old life

05:50 How to keep winning during major life transitions

07:40 Intentionally creating chaos to grow

11:00 Why becoming your own best coach changes everything

16:10 How to help people support AND push you

19:08 The power of collecting messy data as a beginner

22:00 Building autonomy and mental toughness in jiu-jitsu

23:03 Sweet Sweat ad – recovery, consistency, and showing up

24:44 Showing up authentically online

26:00 Creating impact beyond medals and shaping how life feels