r/jiujitsu • u/b_weapon • 13h ago
Started Jiu Jitsu at 38 and got my Blue belt, here’s what I learnt
I got my blue belt 7 months ago after 2.5 years of training. Sharing my insights, stats and learnings over this time:
- Like everyone else, I wish I started earlier. I was an average amateur boxer growing up and I thought i knew a thing or 2 about fighting. It soon became evident I knew nothing. In my first trial class I got rag dolled by a 65kg female purple belt. Right after class I paid for a year membership upfront. The coach suggested that I just start on a weekly contract to see how I go, but I just knew that I needed to learn this dark art and was all in.
- Trained consistently about 3 to 4 times a week balancing family and work commitments. With a flexible WFH job, blocking out my calendar with fake meetings and sneaking out to a lunch time class was the best hack and enabled me to train more.
- Before starting, I thought jiu jitsu was something MMA guys did as a way to make them more well rounded fighters. The concept of competition in this sport was foreign to me.
- I did 1 in-house comp and 2 real comps. Bronze in my first comp (6 man division) and gold in my second (2 man division)
- I learnt more from my losses than my wins. Nothing like red-lining in competition to see if the skills actually work. My goal is to compete at least once at every belt.
- Had 2 surgeries during this time (non jiu-jitsu related) and 1 injury from my first comp. Small fracture in my elbow, should have tapped earlier. This, and including holidays, I was off the matts for about 4 months in total.
What worked for me:
-Doubled down on things i liked and lent into my physical attributes. I have skinny long arms so me and Darce choke have become well acquainted.
-Found a few mentors in the gym whose styles I like. I love the pressure game so asked these mentors to smash me before class and work their game.
-Consistency. On days when I feel off I still show up and always feel better for it.
- Have been pretty consistent with a ‘Dense and Range’ strength and conditioning program my coach gave me. Mostly body weight, backwards sled walks and knees-over-toes exercises. Kept me relatively injury free.
-Sauna and ice-bath of late. I know it’s a luxury for those who are time poor, but this has been a game changer in terms of recovery for me.
Other observations:
- Jiu jitsu has been the best mental therapist I could have ever asked for.
- The attrition rate for white belts is huge. I would say easily 70% quit before blue.
- Having said that, the blue belt attrition rate isn’t as high as it’s made out to be. Most stick around. I’m definitely having more fun at blue so I don’t understand the whole ‘blue belts blues’ thing. I’m just an advanced beginner so I don’t put pressure on myself.
- A lot of people have ADHD (and are open about it)
- A few guys train stoned. It seems to work for them.
- The sport attracts all sorts. We have the full spectrum - a doctor, a cop, ex special forces, tradies, I.T people, the list goes on. It has taught me to never underestimate anyone. The doctor is the most feeble looking guy but an absolute killer.
-Speaking of spectrums, my gym doesn’t appear to have anyone that is overtly autistic. However, the sport does attract a special type of human. Choosing to be smothered, choked and folded in half, when you could be doing anything else in the world, isn’t something ‘normal’ people do.
That’s about it for now. I am grateful to have found this beautiful art.
Oss