This month, the GRACIEMAG team found inspiration in the tale of overcoming of Pablo Popovitch, the champion featured on the cover.

Every day, countless Jiu-Jitsu practitioners – be them elite athletes or not – consider giving up, succumbing in the midst of obstacles. But there’s always a better reason to forge ahead. How does one evaluate and dribble these obstacles to keep going, that’s what the article “Manual for overcoming,” in this month’s issue, aims to teach.

And there’s plenty more in GRACIEMAG 169. For the interview of the month, reporter Carlos Ozório traveled to Las Vegas to uncover how the all-powerful Dana White sees (and practices) Jiu-Jitsu. “I feel Jiu-Jitsu should be a part of everybody’s life,” said Dana.

In TRAINING PROGRAM, Rodrigo Comprido solves a riddle: how do you escape a fully-fastened choke with your opponent clamped to your back? The two-time absolute world champion (1999/00) offers five solutions. A priceless, one-of-a-kind offer.

Yet another feature in the latest issue, GRACIEMAG introduces 50 icons of Jiu-Jitsu culture (from the samurai to açaí). An instructive and playful article.

How many Jiu-Jitsu black belts are there in the world? Who were the standouts at the Chicago Open, Houston Open and Arizona Open? What vital lessons do kids learn by competing in tournaments like the Pan Kids? Those were the answers we went after this month.

GRACIEMAG further serves up a potent workout routine for your to perform with. . . a plain-old towel. Show you’re a warrior and add these exercises by Martin Rooney to your physical conditioning routine.

In the GMA section: a farewell to Luis Sucuri, Long Island Pride, and a special position for you to work on.

In CHOKE, with all the best from world the MMA, Dan Henderson responds to ten questions regarding his career, Anderson Silva gives readers a glimpse of his home life, and three elite female MMA fighters address what they have to overcome every day to win in life.

To round out the issue, Tererê vs. Marcelo Garcia in ANTHOLOGY.

Rush to the bookstore so you too can get encouraged. To subscribe to your favorite Jiu-Jitsu and MMA magazine, click here.