JT Torres is an athlete that knows and respects the value of sweat equity.

The two-time ADCC World Champion credits mental toughness and fortitude as key factors in his success as an athlete – attributes earned through grueling training and sheer will.

While training at Team Lloyd Irvin in Camp Springs, Maryland, Torres found himself as one of the senior black belts and one of the very best in the room. To be sure, there were hungry challengers on the mats – Keenan Cornelius and DJ Jackson among them, but they needed a little extra help to really PUSH JT to the limit. 

Enter: The aerodyne.

I used to hop on aerodyne bike doing sprints: 10 rounds of 20-seconds go's. After the sprints I would jump on the mat and get a roll in with DJ for 5 minutes. After that round, I would jump back on the bike for another 10 rounds at 20 seconds on. Then I'd do a 5-minute round with Keenan. 

These sessions would just kill me physically, but I have to say: those training sessions helped me out tremendously with my mental game.

 It made it physically impossible to fight back because I was so exhausted, but I wouldn't break and keep fighting. That's something that I carry with me to this day.  - JT Torres

WATCH: JT Torres Recount the Value of Sweat Equity

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

The "shark tank" was equally important for JT on the path to cultivating mental toughness:

"I used to do training sessions where I used to sit in my guard, seated position, and there was a row of guys that would rotate in ever 45 seconds to a minute. Shark tanks basically, and it was brutal. It’s hard to compete against someone who doesn’t get tired, which is basically what you're simulating by having 5 guys stay fresh and rotating in." 

JT Torres has brought his "embrace the grind" mentality to his own academy; see what one of his training sessions looks like below.

WATCH: Road To Worlds 2017 - Essential Jiu-Jitsu