The Power of Intuition: Trusting Your Gut and Knowing When It Can Lead You Astray!
- Self Defense Academy COS
- Jul 13
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 21
Have you ever had a gut feeling about something—a sudden sense that you should take a different route home, avoid a certain situation, or leap at an opportunity without fully knowing why? That’s intuition at work, a mysterious yet powerful force that guides us through life’s uncertainties. Intuition, often called a gut feeling, is like an inner compass, offering insights when logic alone isn’t enough. But where does this instinct come from, and how do we know when to trust it? More importantly, what happens when we realize our intuition can sometimes lead us astray? Through my journey with Jiu-Jitsu (Ju Jutsu), I’ve learned not only to honor my intuition but also to recognize when it’s clouded by fear or bias—a lesson that’s transformed how I navigate both the mat and life itself.
What Is Intuition, and Where Does It Come From?
Intuition is that instinctive nudge, a wordless knowing that seems to bubble up from nowhere. Scientifically, it’s the brain’s ability to process vast amounts of information subconsciously, drawing on past experiences, patterns, and cues that we might not consciously register. The amygdala, a part of the brain responsible for processing emotions, plays a key role in these rapid, instinctive judgments. It’s like an internal database, compiling everything you’ve learned, seen, or felt, and delivering a quick verdict when you need it most.
For example, when you meet someone new and instantly feel uneasy, that’s your intuition at work, piecing together subtle cues—body language, tone, or even past encounters with similar people. Evolutionarily, intuition was a survival tool, helping our ancestors spot danger or opportunity in split seconds. Today, it guides us in everything from business decisions to personal relationships.
But intuition isn’t infallible. It’s shaped by our experiences, biases, and emotions, which can sometimes distort its signal. Fear, stress, or past traumas can hijack our gut feelings, making us misread situations or react impulsively. Understanding this is key to sharpening our intuition—and for me, the journey to this discovery began on the mats.
JuJutsu: The Ultimate Intuition Teacher
Jujutsu is more than a martial art—it’s a profound teacher of self-awareness, discipline, and, surprisingly, intuition. When I first stepped onto the mat, I thought intuition was my ally. I’d feel a gut instinct to move a certain way, push with my arms, or turn away from an opponent. In doing these things, even though I was told to try not to do them. I was dead wrong. That gut feeling I trusted? It was sometimes fear masquerading as instinct, urging me to reach out or overreact instead of staying calm and strategic.
In JuJitsu, sparring session is a microcosm of decision-making under pressure. You’re constantly reading and feeling your opponent’s movements, predicting their next move, and responding in real time. Your intuition kicks in, telling you to bridge out of a mount or avoid a submission. But here’s the catch: JuJutsu exposes when your intuition is off. That gut feeling to thrash wildly out of a chokehold? It’s often fear, not wisdom, and it usually makes things worse. The mat teaches you to pause, breathe, and discern whether your instinct is grounded in experience or hijacked by emotion.
This realization was a game-changer. JuJutsu showed me that intuition isn’t always a mystical guide—it’s a skill that needs refining. By repeatedly facing high-pressure situations in a controlled environment, I've learned to distinguish between true intuition (based on pattern recognition and training) and fear-driven impulses. For example, early in my training, I’d feel a gut urge to “escape” a bad position by flailing, only to exhaust myself or fall into a trap. Over time, I've learned to trust the intuition that came from hours of drilling techniques, not the knee-jerk reactions fueled by adrenaline.
This lesson extends far beyond the mat. In life, how often do we let fear-based intuition—disguised as a gut feeling—steer us wrong? Maybe it’s avoiding a tough conversation, shying away from a new opportunity, or judging someone too quickly. JuJutsu taught me to question my instincts, to ask: Is this my gut leading me, or is it fear talking? That clarity is a powerful tool for making better decisions in every aspect of life.
Why Questioning Your Intuition Is Empowering
Realizing that your intuition can be wrong isn’t a weakness—it’s a superpower. It gives you the ability to pause and reflect, to separate signal from noise. When you understand that fear, stress, or bias can cloud your gut feelings, you gain the clarity to act with intention rather than impulse. This is where Jiu-Jitsu shines as a training ground. Every sparring session is a chance to test your instincts, refine them, and build confidence in your ability to read situations accurately.
For instance, in a spar, you might feel an instinctive urge to defend against an opponent’s move, but training teaches you to stay calm, assess their strategy, and respond with precision. That same mindset applies to life: when your gut screams danger about a new job or relationship, you can step back and ask whether it’s intuition based on experience or fear of the unknown. This self-awareness transforms how you navigate challenges, making you more resilient and adaptable.
Hone Your Intuition at Self Defense Academy Colorado Springs
If you’re curious about sharpening your intuition and learning to trust your gut with clarity, I invite you to join us at Self Defense Academy Colorado Springs. Our JuJutsu classes are more than just physical training—they’re a journey into self-discovery, teaching you to harness your instincts while recognizing when they’re leading you astray. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, our supportive community will guide you in refining your intuition, building confidence, and mastering the art of staying calm under pressure.
Ready to start? Come try a complimentary trial class at Self Defense Academy Colorado Springs! Experience firsthand how JuJutsu can transform your understanding of intuition and empower you in ways you never imagined. Stop by our academy to give it a try. Your gut’s telling you to give it a shot—this time, it’s probably right! YOU Are Worth Defending! The Power of Intuition: Trusting Your Gut and Knowing When It Can Lead You Astray!
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Thought of the Moment: "Your intuition knows what to do. The trick is getting your head to shut up so you can hear," - Anonymous
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