How does one begin a journey in Jiu-Jitsu? How does one push for success in this difficult endeavor? We need to understand the mindset of success first. There is no way without a positive mindset. I didn’t always have it, and Jiu-Jitsu can help teach us mindset as well.
I began my Jiu-Jitsu journey on different occasions. I did not truly walk the path until 2010 or 2011.
I was first introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when I lived in Miami circa 2004. I was 18. The details are hazy to me now. I had located a small gym, and was perplexed by this system of self-defense. I was confused during my intro class. We were on the floor, and rolling around in Japanese uniforms. It was alien to me. Where was the punching and kicking? What was it we were actually doing? It was abstract, and strange. I was paired up with an older guy, and he was weird. I won’t delve more into that… let’s just leave it at that.
Later on, during a summer break, my friend Hannah brought me to her Jiu-Jitsu gym in Massachusetts. Hannah had been training for a bit, and she was a blue belt. I went into class with her. I did the warm up exercises. We drilled a bump sweep, and kimura. Then we rolled. I had no sense of what to do. I couldn’t punch or kick (I was lucky my partner couldn’t either). We started standing. This is not common practice. I may have lied, and said I had wrestled. This was partly true, if you count two weeks on the high school wrestling team. My partner took me down repeatedly with double legs. I had no defense. I had no technique. I was muscling my way out of defeat. I was able to do a caveman collar choke, and felt like I defecated in my gi pants. It was a fascinating experience to feel so utterly incompetent. My ego was too big, and I rejected Jiu-Jitsu. It had much to teach me, but I was too damn proud to listen. Often we opt for comfort when we should be throwing ourselves eagerly into discomfort
I moved to New York City. I knew I wanted martial arts back in my life. I wasn’t sure which one made sense. Anything involving striking seemed like the right choice. Every comic book I had ever read involved the bad guy getting knocked out via a crisp right hand. I had never seen a choke before in any of these stories. BJJ was out front and center in the UFC, but it still seemed illusory. It was a total and utter abstraction of fighting.
I began searching for gyms. I was open to any or all martial arts. I had experience in Karate, boxing, kickboxing, and JKD. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for, but I was searching. I used to box in Miami, and I was terrible at it. I wasn’t sure what would fit me.
I looked online for gyms in the Brooklyn area. I found a boxing gym that was no longer. I found a JKD gym. Then, I discovered a MMA gym. Williamsburg Mixed Martial Arts took me in. I only took MMA striking. In my mind, real fighting was striking. Grappling wasn’t a thing in my eyes. It was a sport. It wasn’t street applicable or so I thought. Professor Roger encouraged me to throw on a gi, and try Jiu-Jitsu once again. I trusted my professor, and knew he was about as tough as it gets. I shut my mouth, and did as he suggested.
I worked with my buddy, Marc Liu. Marc was tough, and I’m sure rolling with me at twenty-five percent. It was like encountering a super hero only I wasn’t a super villain. He destroyed me without breaking a sweat. The rest of the team worked with me, and I began learning my way around the mat.
Now, this is where some of you out there might get miffed. White belts know almost no Jiu-Jitsu. Why should they? They just started. Jiu-Jitsu isn’t something you can learn from a manual. You need to put yourself out there, and take the smashing. That’s the white belt protocol. Take your licks, remove your ego, be pleasant, and the higher ranks will take mercy. They won’t stop smashing you, but they will start helping you get better. Over time, you’ll be better at staying alive. Over time, the lashings will become less. Over time, you will know Jiu-Jitsu. It takes years. So, be prepared for the long haul. Rome wasn’t built in a day. The combined wisdom of warriors isn’t earned in a weekend.
Jiu-Jitsu competitions are cool, but it isn’t what it’s about. It’s about learning mystic truths. I have been blessed to do well in recent tournaments. It’s gravy, but not the meat and potatoes. Jiu-Jitsu tournaments are predominantly filled with white belt competitors. There are only a few who diligently work toward earning a brown or black belt. White belts fill the biggest brackets in tournaments. I believe that this is to fund the tournaments so they can make money. White belt competition is not helpful for anyone. White belts don’t really know anything. You end up watching a battle of insignificant proportions. This becomes a waist for the spectators and competitors. It is a waste of time.
I implore the white belts to take your time. We all start in the same place. There will be a time to compete. There will be a time to test your Jiu-Jitsu. I promise you that if you heed my steps of process you will gain knowledge. Once you have this knowledge, testing your Jiu-Jitsu is no longer a waste of time. It actually serves a purpose. So, take your licks, remove your ego, be pleasant, and the higher ranks will teach you.
Have respect for the practice. Honor it by being patient. Have reverence for the endeavor by honoring the process. When you take your time, open up to the teachings, and leave your ego at the door you will succeed. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Keep the art alive, and be patient. Save battle for when you are ready for it. You will be happy that you did.