There’s 1440 minutes in a day, and only six of them matter. The first two start standing – neutral. No score, no advantage, just neutral. The first second counts, same as the next, and same as the next; no time should be wasted. It’s like saying if the ground were to break and you were about to fall to your death. Would you jump just so you have the extra few seconds to live? It’s that first second that I would need when there’s one left and I’m just a fingertip away from either tying or winning. Nine out of ten times the first takedown wins the match. If I get taken down, it’d be that one out of ten percent. It’s all about dominance and who wants it more; I want it more. The first two points are earned since my opponents mind and body will have plenty of energy. The next two minutes start with an advantage. On top, it’ll take all my strength, balance, and speed. On bottom, it’ll take an explosion to get the hell out. If neutral again there’d be less than four minutes to score; I have to score fast. At last the final two minutes arrive. This is where I’d take everything I have left and throw it on the mat. I score, score, and score until there are no more points left to score. This is where that extra push up, that extra takedown, that extra work out after practice, that extra sprint, and that extra push counts. The buzzer beeps and I’d be back to reality to find my hand high in the air. It’s not just six minutes; it’s what happens those six minutes.

-Jorge Heredia II