Why I Love Making Rashguards — and Why I’m So Particular About Them

I didn’t start making rashguards because I wanted to be in the apparel business. I started because I couldn’t find rashguards that actually felt right when I trained. Not just in how they looked, but in how they moved, how they fit, and how little I had to think about them once a round started. Jiu jitsu demands enough attention on its own. The last thing you want is gear pulling you out of the moment.

When I’m on the mats, everything else fades away. That’s rare for me. Like a lot of people who gravitate toward jiu jitsu, my brain doesn’t naturally slow down. It analyzes, loops, and overthinks. Training gives me a way out of that — but only if nothing is distracting me. A rashguard that rides up, twists, feels cheap, or fits awkwardly breaks that flow instantly. Once I noticed it, I couldn’t un-notice it.

That’s where the obsession started.

I became particular because jiu jitsu made me particular. Small things matter when you’re tired, under pressure, and trying to stay present. Fabric weight matters. Stretch matters. How the collar sits matters. How it feels after dozens of washes matters. If something is off, your body knows before your mind does. I design rashguards with that reality in mind.

I also care deeply about how rashguards feel mentally, not just physically. For a lot of us, jiu jitsu is where we regulate ourselves. It’s where anxiety drops, where focus locks in, where we finally feel aligned. Gear should support that state, not compete with it. Loud designs, unnecessary elements, or gimmicks pull attention outward. I want rashguards that help you disappear into the work.

Being particular isn’t about perfectionism — it’s about respect. Respect for the hours people put into training. Respect for the discomfort. Respect for the fact that many of us are using jiu jitsu to manage more than just fitness. When someone puts on a rashguard I made, I want them to forget about it entirely once the round starts. That’s the goal.

At Grip N Guard Fightwear, every rashguard starts with how it will feel during real training, not how it will look on a screen. I test things. I notice things. I get annoyed by things most people would ignore. And I don’t apologize for that. That level of care is the point.

Jiu jitsu taught me that flow only happens when unnecessary friction is removed. Rashguards are a small part of that, but they matter. When your gear fits right, stays put, and moves with you, your mind stays where it belongs. You’re not adjusting. You’re not distracted. You’re flowing.

That’s why I love making rashguards. And that’s why I’m so particular about them. Because when something helps you stay present under pressure, it’s worth getting right.