“This is one of the rare business books that I wholeheartedly recommend. Lessons From The Mat speaks with great honesty and candor about overcoming the challenges we all face in life. Especially at this moment in time, it offers useful ideas for how to make important life choices.”

Peter Horan
Founder, Horan MediaTech Advisors

Lessons from the Mat deeply inspired me. As an entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience, I was captivated by its wealth of practical wisdom—unlike anything from my days sewing boat canvas and listening to business audiobooks, this book compelled me to pause and take notes. Its lessons on resilience and bold decision-making resonated with my journey building 187Killerpads and training in BJJ, reflecting my values of discipline and perseverance. This book is a must-read for entrepreneurs, young professionals, or anyone navigating life’s challenges, offering clear, actionable steps to achieve success. I only wish I’d had it sooner.

Vinton Pacetti
Founder of 187Killerpads, 2024 Florida Skateboard Hall of Fame Inductee, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt

“There is an old saying  “when the student is ready the teacher will appear”. Such is the case when Ben reached out to me to write some comments for this book. It was actually Ben doing me (and perhaps you) a much bigger favor because his book combines the timeless wisdom of Martial Arts with the modern challenge of running companies that are moving faster than anytime in history. I find myself at a fork in the road, at work and thank Ben for sharing his wisdom as a long time black belt, and brilliant, yet humble, leader who has worn every hat
in the C suite, across many different companies and industries. His book simplifies and connects the martial arts with practical application that helped guide my path and can assist you too.
Thank you sir!”

Howard Feldman
President Pioneer Security Services Inc.

“There are a few people you meet over the course of your career who truly make a lasting impact—individuals whose influence stays with you long after you've worked together. Benjamin Chen is one of those rare people in my life. I had the pleasure of previewing this book and was impressed by how effortlessly Ben weaves timeless leadership principles into the compelling narrative of his martial arts journey. The insights he shares are not only grounded in experience, but they also transcend technological change.In today’s era of AI disruption, it’s easy to assume that past business examples no longer apply or that traditional leadership practices have become outdated. I can confidently say that nothing could be further from the truth. I'm currently working with multiple companies navigating the complexities of adopting AI platforms and rethinking their business models—and each one would benefit greatly from the wisdom and guidance Ben offers in this book. His framework is not just relevant—it’s essential.”

Eileen Schloss
Public Company Board Director, Operations and Executive Advisor, NACD Directorship

"I’ve known Benjamin Chen for many years, and have seen firsthand the seriousness and sincerity he brings to his practice. This book is a thoughtful and insightful reflection of that dedication—one that distills the mindset and principles of martial arts into clear, practical guidance. As a lifelong martial artist, I’ve seen many people talk about applying martial arts to life—Lessons from the Mat actually shows how it’s done. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to walk the warrior’s path, in any field or pursuit.”

Moo Young Kang
9th degree Hapkido Grandmaster

“After more than 70 years on the mat, I can say this with confidence: What we train in martial arts applies far beyond the dojang. Lessons from the Mat captures that truth with clarity, compassion, and real-world wisdom. It honors the martial spirit while offering practical tools to help readers lead, adapt, and grow—whether they’re facing a boardroom challenge or a personal crisis. This is black belt thinking at its best.”

Jun Chong
10th-degree Taekwondo Grandmaster

"Reading Lessons From The Mat felt deeply personal—because many of the principles in this book are ones I had the privilege of learning directly from Benjamin when I worked under his leadership. As my boss, he didn’t just delegate—he guided. He often shared with me insights drawn from his martial arts practice, and one that has stayed with me is his belief that even the smallest daily step—one humble “跬步”—can change the trajectory of a life. He taught me to approach each challenge not with urgency, but with presence; not to chase results blindly, but to stay centered, aligned, and consistent.

His guidance helped me navigate uncertainty with clarity, and reconnect with a sense of agency, especially during moments when I felt overwhelmed. He never pushed for dramatic transformation, but encouraged steady, thoughtful movement—just as he writes in Chapter 9: Keep Showing Up. This book distills the same grounded wisdom he modeled in his leadership—wisdom rooted in decades on the mat and in the boardroom. It’s a powerful and practical framework for anyone seeking to grow with intention and resilience. I’m deeply grateful for the lessons I learned from him—and I know many others will be, too."

Stacy Ding
Operations Manager

This book is a gift to those seeking to more deeply understand their careers... and their lives. Yes it's cool to better understand a business career's major issues. Yes it's really cool for wanabees like me to get any insight into martial arts. But what's special about this book is that an extraordinary man--full disclosure he's my friend of decades--this very private man, has shared himself, which includes triumphs, tragedies, and an intense dedication to understanding why life is as it is. Lives come and go, fortunes are lost and made, all points of the globe are traversed, and all the while this intensely private and good man is using martial combat to understand the why of it all. By doing that, he helps us understand our own lives.

Keith McAllister
Recruiter, Executive, Journalist, Senior Managing Director at Teneo

I have had the privilege of partnering with Benjamin in building companies, and I am fortunate to count him as a dear friend. This book perfectly encapsulates who Benjamin is—both as a person and as a leader. He is deeply spiritual, yet remarkably practical. Every chapter brims with valuable insights and hope, all grounded in Benjamin’s real-world experiences, humility, and relentless competitive drive. I encourage you to dive in and enjoy this inspiring read!

Leo Spiegel
Entrepreneur, Investor and Advisor

As a Taiwanese founder and creative, Lessons from the Mat spoke to both my ambition and my tenderness. It reminded me that wanting health, love, and meaningful work all at once isn’t a flaw—it’s human. This book doesn’t offer control—it offers presence. And that, to me, is strength.
I often oscillate between clarity and confusion. Lessons from the Mat helped me accept that not knowing is part of the process—and that discipline, not certainty, is what moves us forward.

ChunYuan Jean
Founder & Creative Director, C JEAN | Fashion Designer & Interdisciplinary Artist

I felt that Benjamin‘s correlations of stories from the the martial arts world and business were incredible extremely valuable life lessons when dealing with adversity struggles and obstacles. The book felt almost like how to workbook for life.

Timothy Mallon
President Proteck First

I’ve never met anyone like Ben — someone so persistent and determined in everything he does. To me, he has always been a legendary figure, achieving success in so many areas. I’ve often wondered how he managed to do it all. This book gave me a deep look into his journey and the wisdom behind it, sharing lots of helpful lessons and inspiration along the way.

Hsin Lun Chiang
3D Designer

Though it draws from martial arts, this book offers clear strategies for anyone facing real-world challenges, whether in parenting, leadership, or daily life. What stood out to me most was how practical Ben’s insights are. “Consider fully, act decisively” isn’t just a principle; it’s a skill. One I’ve had to lean on in the mountains, on the mat, and especially as a parent of a child with autism. Lessons from the Mat delivers those kinds of tools, wrapped in a framework that is grounded in discipline, persistence, and clarity.

Two chapters especially hit home for me: Your Circle and Keep Showing Up. As a parent of a neurodiverse child, it’s easy to spiral into the unknowable: What will become of them? Will they be okay? Those questions are natural but often unanswerable. Your Circle reminded me to focus on what’s within reach. Helping my child meant shaping the routines, support systems, and values I could actually influence, day by day. That mindset gave structure and purpose to an unpredictable journey.

Keep Showing Up resonated deeply as well. I started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu well past my athletic prime and stayed with it through back surgery and plenty of reasons to stop. But I didn’t. And like parenting, it was that imperfect persistence that mattered most. You keep showing up, keep learning. Even if some days it just means stepping through the gym door, one day you look up and you’re a black belt. Not just in BJJ, but in life. This book gets that.

Jeff Kudo
Professor-Level Black Belt, Gracie Humaita | Parent, Writer, Mountaineer

As a lifelong martial artist as well (Chinese Kenpo Black Belt; Tang Soo Do (2 years), and BJJ (9 years and counting (currently Purple Belt)) - I have always gleaned nuggets from lessons learned from my training and brought into my various executive roles. I wish this book was written years earlier - I can see how the framework can help to develop a much deeper understanding of self awareness, management principles and strategy in an expedited way. 

Still - the one chapter that resonates most with me is Chapter 11 - Learning From The Masters. I have accepted the concept of me being a steward of knowledge that I have gained in my career. I feel this responsibility to leave my industry (Hospitality) a better place - definitely a debt owed. This book helped tie a ribbon around the concept of mentorship for me.

Tim Perreira
Principal - Prime Costs, LLC

I’ve had the privilege not only to read Benjamin’s book, Lessons from the Mat, but also to call him a friend and training partner. He has artfully crafted a work that draws on the lessons learned through martial arts, business, and the trials and triumphs of life.

Lessons from the Mat is a clear, accessible guide that distills foundational principles anyone can apply to their own journey. Benjamin imparts his wisdom in a way that deeply resonates—philosophically grounded and thought-provoking. As I read, I found myself reflecting on my own habits and motivations—how I live, how I work, and how I can grow across all areas of life

Travis Sevilla
Owner at Art Theory Praxis LLC, Educator, Black Belt Jiu Jitsu instructor at Freedom Jiu Jitsu

Life’s lessons are learned from true stories – stories that resonate in our memory over time. In “Lessons From the Mat,” Benjamin Chen shares true stories about business, about “real world” experiences, and about personal growth as told by someone who lived them. Unfolding against the backdrop of martial arts, Ben offers us a useful toolkit on how to become both a better businessperson and a better human. “Lessons From the Mat” reminds us that the pathway to discovering personal passion lies less in mindlessly copying what has worked for others and more in building our own framework of self-discipline, understanding, and clarity of purpose. The result is unimaginable self-awareness.

Dave Clauson
Founder and CEO Coffeeseed

Knowing and training with Ben Chen for over a year now, I have gained the deepest respect for him. Ben is a great mentor, teacher, and inspiration. Ben has the unique approach of relating martial arts principles and philosophies to succeeding in the business world. I would highly recommend this book to anyone starting out or advancing in their professional careers or climbing the corporate ladder, regardless whether they practice or train in martial arts or not. Being later in my own career, I still found the lessons and principles insightful. I honestly wish I would have had a guide like this or a mentor like Ben earlier in life.

Highly recommended, a good read. Seiryoku-Zenyo

Phil Rosenberg
Senior Consultant

Through years of training jiu jitsu, you learn a lot about a person—their discipline, humility, how they handle adversity. What stood out to me in Lessons from the Mat was seeing how Ben applies the same mindset that’s made him successful in business and resilient in life to his jiu jitsu journey. It’s an honest, thoughtful reflection of character shaped by the grind of the mats, and a powerful reminder of how lessons in training often mirror the ones we need most outside the gym.

Kurt Schwertfeger
Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black Belt

Having shared the jiu jitsu mats with Benjamin for years, I can attest to his embodied understanding of persistence, self reflection, problem solving, and malleability, combined with other qualities found within Lessons From The Mat.

In nothing less than an act of service, the author has provided us with a concise, invaluable wisdom toolkit forged in the fire of first hand experience. These core principles largely encountered in the training room have a range of application spanning any and all facets of life.

Steven Loree
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Practitioner

Ben's incremental approach mirrors the philosophy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) beautifully. In BJJ, progress comes from consistently refining techniques through disciplined practice, comparing methods from the masters, and adapting what works best for your body and style. Embracing losses as learning opportunities, rather than defaulting to your strongest game, builds resilience and fosters growth. Patience is critical; chasing quick wins often stalls long-term development. This principle of small, steady improvements applies broadly, from martial arts to personal and professional pursuits, emphasizing discipline and adaptability over shortcuts.

John Turbeville
Professor of Geology and Oceanography

This book provides a practical roadmap to thriving outside of your comfort zone.

Yes, it’s full of wisdom that will help you improve your performance in both BJJ and in business right away.

The real gift, though, comes from a newfound confidence and even hunger you will feel toward living outside of your comfort zone.

If you are ready for your life to feel like an adventure again, this book is for you.

Brian Koehn
BJJ purple belt and owner of Communication Candy, Inc.

This book is a powerful and inspiring guide that shows how to discipline, focus, and resilience cultivated through martial arts can transform every aspect of your life. Benjamin reveals practical ways to harness martial arts skills beyond the dojo. A must-read for anyone who wants to become a blackbelt in any area of their life.

Chang Hwang
Brazilian jiujitsu 4th degree blackbelt