An elite practitioner emphasis is on training, sparring, instructing or assisting is on creating students (or peers) who can each achieve their individual potential on the mat. An elite practitioner seeks to help the eager student develop and get the most out of each technique.

An elitist practitioner, on the other hand, is more interested in their own progress - even at the expense of a training partner or a student. This can lead to injuries and an emphasis on talent or attributes rather than technique. The elitist focuses more on what they can get, rather than what they can give.

One of the most amazing aspects of martial arts is that it can provide even the most inflexible, uncoordinated student with a few tools which, when used properly, can dramatically increase chances of survival in a self-defense situation.. In an elitist context, however, there is no space at all for this type of student to learn and grow. This student can survive, even flourish, in an environment which encourages elite martial artists, but not in one that encourages elitist martial artists.

This distinction is so critical because the media machine surrounding events like the UFC encourages a portrayal of martial artist as elitist. The common perception has become one in which only the strong, tall, young person can take advantage of the benefits that martial arts has to offer.

In other words, the rising tide lifts all boats. In the elite environment, the elite practitioner embraces this philosophy as a way to generate safe, demanding and beneficial conditions for all possible students.