As someone who had previously had other martial arts experience, joining the local BJJ club, it was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I've now been in the club for a few months and while I still feel like I'm getting owned every class, i feel like every class I'm learning more and more. Such a great sport
Yea I just joined this past week and it’s crazy how many ways they can kick your butt. And it’s especially true when rolling at the end of class comes around, they don’t even try that hard and still whoop my butt
This. I come from a striking background (TKD, Kickboxing, Karate combined for about 14 years) and I thought that having a background in martial arts would help me more, but I just started a few weeks ago and I feel like I'm back at square 1. But somehow, it doesn't feel bad. I haven't been this much of a beginner in martial arts since I was like 6 years old.
I had the exact opposite experience. Bear in mind I’m decently large and very athletic and have boxing experience. I expected to get humbled by small men and women of higher belts. I did no GI but was able to pretty much explode out of any position and keep top control if I wanted. What’s with all the nonsense about BJJ being humbling? Tbh I’d put my self in the top 10 percent of population for natural athleticism though
Thanks to you James I am the ibjjf blue belt ultra heavyweight champion 🤷🏿♂️🤣 and do 3 hours of instructionals everyday, I will roll every week till the day I die OSS brother
All my life up until I was 19, I was the weak, unathletic kid who didn't really do sports or have active hobbies. Starting MMA at uni and keeping on with BJJ after I left has genuinely changed the person that I am. I am in shape and feel confident with my physique. I am at purple belt now, and I feel like I have value to my community, and people actually ask me for advice and I feel respected. Rolling brings you closer to other people than almost any other activity. The downside is that I now do not shut up about jiu jitsu.
I do BJJ but I also have a full time job and I’m naturally athletic and muscular so I don’t mention it much. It’s people who do BJJ that don’t look athletic or tough who are annoyed people don’t treat them like a badass who bring it up all the time. Imo if you don’t look like a badass you don’t get to be considered as one
Ex rugby player and powerlifter and started BJJ in my early 40s. It's been life changing. So fun. That sense of camaraderie is second to none, and it's basically like a game of chess with another human. It's visceral and humbling. Ive made some great friends as a result.
It is great that you have become so passionate about Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), James. I am glad to hear that you have enjoyed the martial art and sport so much. I am glad to hear that it has such a positive impact in your life, helping you both physically and mentally. I don't do BJJ, but I do judo. I've been training in judo for 14 years now and it changed my life. I would like to share my story and experiences with you, James, if you're interested. Prior to undertaking judo, I was incredibly inactive and overweight (shortly after turning 21, I weighed 132kg (291 lbs, or 20.7 stone). Not only was I consistently over-consuming calories, but I was eating poor quality foods and drinking a lot of alcohol. One night, at a friend's big birthday party, I got assaulted by two men. After the assault, I felt so humiliated, scared and helpless, I didn't leave my parent's home for a week or so. Eventually, I started to seek out a means to learn self-defence, and I chose judo. I chose judo because it was close to home and inexpensive... at the time, I didn't have a car (let alone a driver's license) and I didn't have income. Arriving to my first session was terrifying. There were heaps of fit people, doing crazy things with their bodies, and I was this really fat guy who was just nervous as all hell. My first training session was, at the time, physically one of the hardest things I had done in my life. At the end of the gruelling, sweaty 90 minutes, I was pale and feeling grossly sick, I went to bed that night without having dinner. I didn't want to go back to judo, but I thought about those two men who hurt me, and I believed if I didn't go back to judo, then they would "win" and I would be "defeated". So, I forced myself to go back. Like BJJ, judo is a competitive, grappling-based combat sport in which athletes compete in weight classes. I noticed at my judo club, people would regularly weigh themselves before and after a session. So, after two weeks of training, I weighed myself out of curiosity, and discovered I was 126kg (277 Ibs / 19.8 stone). I had lost 6kg (13 Ibs / almost 1 stone) in two weeks. Seeing that number felt like a spark had ignited a fire within me, I had never felt so motivated and positive. My direction quickly changed, it was no longer to "learn self-defence", it was to lose weight and become "healthy". Fast forward nine months later, I had lost a total of 36kg (almost 80 Ibs / 5.6 stone). Fast forward 13 or so years later, I received my blackbelt in judo. While I still train in judo, I admit I do not compete as much as I used to, but I am a qualified judo coach who is passionate about health, fitness, and the martial art of judo. I do not believe judo is the "best" martial art, but it is certainly my favourite. Whether it's judo or BJJ, my advice to anyone who is curious about starting a martial art is to just start now. You might be walking into one of the best things of your lives.
I do akideo, and like you I don't believe it to be the best martial art but it's fun. It's a dance! Alcomy for the body. Plus I've flipped some monsters with one hand.
What’s great about bjj is you can incorporate most techniques from all other grappling martial arts. I love using Judo in bjj. You’d be even more of a killer if you ever decide to give bjj a chance. Thank you for sharing your story!
@@chrisgarciartYes, absolutely, and I would say the same thing about virtually any grappling-based sport, in that movements and technique can be incorporated (or at least adapted) from one sport to the other. I've never trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) before. I did do a BJJ competition once about 10 years ago now and I did okay... had eight matches, won six, lost two, got a silver medal. I was happy with the result, but the rules of play were a bit confusing to me at first, especially with my background of judo. In my opinion, judo and BJJ are honestly the same thing, just with different rules, method of play etc. I think that is fair to say this, due to BJJ's lineage of judo, and judo's lineage of jujutsu. Someone of BJJ background can walk into judo and find comfort and familiarity, while someone of judo can do similar with BJJ. I wouldn't mind doing BJJ but for me, it comes down to commitment and time. I train in judo, I am a judo coach, but I also like to go to the gym to lift weights, and I like walking my dog... so, I do have the "time" but due to the other activities I enjoy doing, I don't have the "commitment" for it, you know? To do BJJ, it means I would need to reduce the other activities I like doing, and if I'm being honest, I don't want to do that, at this point in time. Thank you for your kind comment.
My experience at BJJ has been its filled with people without natural athleticism, competitiveness, or aggression and I personally find that ruins the experience. I want to test myself. I don’t like having to go at 30% it feels so fake when I could just explode and demolish the person in front of me, which is what would happen in a real situation
I recall something that gave me a great deal of motivation to push through when I started. It went something along the lines of: As a white belt, your goal is to survive (superior opponents) As a blue belt, your goal is to escape (superior oppnents) Gave me a nice chill-pill and made it easier to enjoy the journey. If I can survive its a win, if I can escape its an even bigger win.
I am 3 months into my Jiu-Jitsu journey. I attend training at a Gracie Barra in Arizona. Everything stated in this vid is 100% spot on. I will only add that learning Jiu-Jitsu is like learning a new language. The range of motion our bodies are used to from regular life is completely different from what we are asked to do in Jiu-Jitsu. Your brain has to remember where all of your limbs are and track your opponents limbs all at the same time. Jiu-Jitsu is more than a martial art it is a journey of self discovery.
Mate I've got a shoulder that got dislocated twice, the last time being maybe 15 years ago. So that arm has limited movement and I feel like it could be dislocated again if it kind of got pulled in the wrong way. So with that old injury and I never took martial arts before either, do you still think this would be a good choice for me? All the grappling worries me a bit. And just to clarify, my shoulder isn't one of those joints you can just pop back in and go on with things, the original dislocation happened from a bike accident and I needed to get surgery to get it to stay in, cause the muscle got all torn up. So if it comes out, we're talking week of recovery then physio; at least that's how it went the other times it came out.
@@PocketAmbience hey dude. I have a 100% torn labrum that's a 16 year old injury from HS sports. I chose never to fix it because I didn't want to be out 8+ months of my athletic "prime," and just protected it in various ways because thankfully it's my non dominant arm. I started BJJ about 2 years ago and don't get me wrong, there are some parts that aren't ideal w/ a weakened shoulder, and I can't lie to you and say I'm never out a week then easing back in as a result of it. That has happened twice in two years, same move caused it both times. I can without question say BJJ is still a fit for you, I even do muay thai and just need to be really conscious of throwing left hooks with the right technique. The key is just knowing when its a "good" shoulder day and when it's not, doing maintenance on the rest of the shoulder to keep it as strong as possible, and just knowing things happen. Ease yourself in and roll with folks you trust not to target it, and tap early and tap often if it's a sub on that shoulder. You'll be just fine man!
@@stevenparsons1211 Thanks man, I appreciate you laying it out clear like that, as it sounds like a very similar injury. I'm going to try it out and I'll just monitor and guard the shoulder as I progress (as you said). Coincidently, I'm also going to give muay thai a go; get some practice with both grappling and striking. So good to know your shoulder is surviving that too. Appreciate the advice, thanks again 👍
Jiu jitsu has changed my life as well. I have never been an aggressive person, fighting has never been something I have ever done or wanted to be involved with, but like you said, it isn't about that. It's so much more than that. I think it hit all our basic human needs, physical touch, a hierarchical system, comradarie, a clan, physical exercise, problem solving. It's opened up my mindset to challenge myself in other avenues in life, ive overcome anxieties to go to travel to different gyms on my own where I don't know anyone, to try new things that may have seemed overwhelming before. It extends beyond the mats. Everyone should do it. The only con is that you will become obsessed.
Started a year ago and it’s one of the best things Iv ever done! The difference it’s made to my mental health and overall life I cannot describe!! I was struggling so much before I started jujitsu with anxiety and depression on and off and jujitsu has literally changed me! Love these types of videos James 🙌👏👏
Have practiced japanese karate, kick boxing and boxing and other striking martial arts/Combat sport for 33 years wanted to learn a completely different martial art when I turned 50. After 3 months practicing, I can tell it probably is changing my whole life perspectives. I just love it
As a woman who's always struggled with weight/body image, jiu-jitsu has really helped to shift my attitude towards my body and weight. Pressure/heaviness is now something I appreciate being able to use to my advantage, and something that helps me hold my own against the guys. At the same time, comps have given me incentive to ensure my weight doesn't fluctuate too much so i don't have to change weight class etc Also it's just really, really fun.
I trained kyokushin karate for almost 20 years, full contact, no pads. I didn't pick up any serious injuries, just bruises and cut my eye open once. I trained bjj for four and a half years and had so many injuries: separated both shoulers (grade 1 & 2), tore my ribcage apart, dislocated my jaw, tore meniscus, broke my ankle. I was the smallest and oldest guy in my gym so more prone to being injured i guess and just unlucky. It's not the techniques that cause injuries, it's people throwing their bodyweight around in a wreckless manor ‐ mong energy. I hated having to stop as its a great martial art, but it almost stopped me surfing (the rib/sternum injury). At 51 i had to call it a day.
glad I read this. thanks for sharing. I love surfing and gym but all my mates do BJJ... however I'd like to try but don't want more injuries that ruins surfing or gym
@@zacmason Major key to avoid that is picking the right people to roll with, just observe and see who is a good partner, you're not obligated to go with someone you don't want to.
@@ortonphotoart5770 that’s not true either. I’m not bored yet, I know guys way younger than me that have all sorts of issues. Do you know what it’s like to see kids in their early 20s icing down their knees because they can’t move?
One the biggest things 5 years on jiu jitsu has taught me is to be more mindful to not underestimate anyone. Now I started to reach a point where I can face my ego and not rely on excuses. Only last week, I was shattered and recovering from shingles. I went to train anyway and felt weak and low energy. Coach says we will have extra long rounds for one hour straight. A few dominant rolls against some blues and then roll after roll with high level guys. Getting caught and can’t stop it. Then coach pairs me with a massive white belt and I had nothing left, but had to face it. Caught him quickly and then after that It took me every bit of grit to not actually tap from pressure (something I don’t do). I physically felt like I could pass out from my lungs not being able to take air in. The round ends and you are faced with the reality that you just can’t underestimate anyone! In the early days of training I would have been clutching for the excuse that I am not on form or I was battered from before.
I started BJJ in March 2022, doing 1-3 sessions per week. I found that problems I faced in my life appeared to be smaller. This I believe is due to the fact that problem solving in BJJ is done in the present. You cannot operate in the past or future when defending attacks or running attack sequences. So aside from the physical benefits, BJJ has had an incredible ability to help me work problems in other areas of life more calmly and effectively than I could before starting.
I started a few weeks ago and can attest that it's a great idea for everyone. Go in expecting to be well out your depth and be respectful to everyone there. If you are respectful, people will go out of their way to help you. It's the best atmosphere I've been a part of!
I've been doing bjj and mma for 2 years, and karate for 14 years. I can say that I've fallen out of love with mma and karate from time to time, but I always look forward to each session of bjj. For me, I love the calmness of being on the mats mixed with the adrenaline of trying to dominate positions or submit my partners. I've also found the community is really supportive, I've been ragdolled and subbed 10+ times by guys who still shake my hand and will have a conversation with me after. The mutual respect is a really big part of the community.
Thank You James! I've been contemplating switching from bodybuilding, which I've been doing for 5 years, to BJJ as I've come to realise that I lack the skills to defend myself effectively. After watching your video, I'm convinced that BJJ is exactly what I need to improve my self-defense abilities. It solidified my decision to pursue BJJ.
If you want to learn to defend yourself, BJJ is the last option you should pick. If you are ever going to need to "defend yourself" e.g. in the street, bar fight, carjacking, home invasion, etc, the ABSOLUTE last place you want to end up is on the ground. Why? Because another guy comes along and stomps on your head and you die. Not an exaggeration, even a 10 year old child could kill a person by stomping on their head. Or the person has a weapon and now you are tangled up on the ground and can't run away, and you die. Maybe, maybe BJJ helps you if you also know some striking and wrestling, and its 1-on-1, and they don't have a weapon. But that is an awful lot of maybes to defend yourself. The reason why BJJ is becoming so popular is the risk of injury for a combat sport is WAY lower than pretty much any other option. No striking, no slams, no impact outside of accidents. A lot less can go wrong in BJJ compared to getting punched in the head, kneed in the face, kicked in the ribs, or getting spiked into the ground.
@@JohnSmith-rr3jt " Because another guy comes along and stomps on your head" - Then make friends who are willing to make things physical. You can find them in a place like... a BJJ gym for example. :)
Bjj is good for self defence as 90% of fights end up on the floor. I’ve guillotined (standing) a guy in a night club before. However I’d combine it with Muay Thai or boxing and definitely keep it on your feet if possible.
@@anon2034 yes I agree. You definitely don’t want to be rolling around on a nightclub floor. Glass everywhere and a kick in the head. I combine Bjj with Muay Thai.
Perfectly said James. I played rugby for years, had shoulder surgery, had knee surgery and in the end had to hang up my boots. I put off trying BJJ for about a year as I thought it would ruin what I had left of my body... I was wrong, and I'm so glad I stepped on to the mats. Almost 10 months in now, just did my first comp at white belt, I didn't do great but, but I don't mind, the people who beat me deserved it. This sport becomes apart of your life, there's a reason everyone is talking about it.
Been training BJJ for four years. Nail on the head with being in a relaxed state after a hard day of work. Also the respect and humility component is spot on
Mate I've got a shoulder that got dislocated twice, the last time being maybe 15 years ago. So that arm has limited movement and I feel like it could be dislocated again if it kind of got pulled in the wrong way. So with that old injury and I never took martial arts before either, do you still think this would be a good choice for me? All the grappling worries me a bit. And just to clarify, my shoulder isn't one of those joints you can just pop back in and go on with things, the original dislocation happened from a bike accident and I needed to get surgery to get it to stay in, cause the muscle got all torn up. So if it comes out, we're talking week of recovery then physio; at least that's how it went the other times it came out.
@@PocketAmbience hey mate, I’ve had a similar injury but you can watch it and training partners are aware of injuries in BJJ. Everyone has something they are nursing. I think you’ll be fine. Focus on smooth rolling and you should be good
@@JamesSmithPT just got my first stripe as a white belt at 54 years of age. Being comfortable with being uncomfortable is the way... Then reap the rewards 😊
Jiu jitsu is the best thing that's ever happened to me. As an introvert I'm more comfortable with people, I love the personal development, the exercise, the self defense I learn as a woman, most of all the community. Highly recommend to everyone especially women to give it a try!
I've been weight training since 2006, competed in bodybuilding & injured my back in 2017. Got fat & depressed. Started Muay Thai in 2019-2021 but tight hips and continually aggravating my back injury stopped that quick. Started BJJ in 2021 and my body is back to better than I've ever been. I'm more flexible, mobile and fit than I've ever been in my life. Got my blue belt in September last year & the obsession has grown from there. Highly reccomend you turn up to your local club & do their trial. You'll be quickly surprised just how helpless you are as a 6' tall, 125kg man at the hands of a 60kg female purple belt. That humbling has taught me more about myself, than all the personal development, books and meditation I've done. BJJ is a life changer.
I’ve been doing BJJ for just over five years and it’s by far the best decision I have ever made. For me the best thing about it is the amazing community of people. Also the fact that even though I am 90kg I can spar with people half of my size and have just as much fun, something I don’t think happens in other martial arts.
Love the breakdown of BJJ in this video. I've been going since November of last year. My journey has taken me on definite highs and lows, my confidence has been broken down and built back up again. I've gained resilience I didn't think I had. Best decision I've ever made was walking on the mat.
James, sincerely thank you for this video. I have been kickboxing for nearly 2 years now and as much as I've thoroughly enjoyed it, having a black eye or being concussed almost weekly has been quite impacting on my professional life as a junior doctor. I have done a few classes of BJJ and it was an absolute blast. I've been toying between kickboxing and undertaking BJJ more seriously and your video has highlighted why BJJ truly is the better martial art to pursue in the long run.
Iv been training BJJ for 6 months. Nothing else like it turned my life around. I smoked, I was drinking, stressed with the pressure of life and family. Started BJJ and it’s like therapy 3 times a week. Met some really cool people. The whole team want everyone to be the best they can be. Now Iv stopped smoking not drinking and enjoying my time with my family. Sounds cliche and it probably is but there’s a lot of people at my gym that will tell the same story about themselves. Osu
I've been training for just over a year. I've lost 37 pounds, greatly increased my cardio and endurance, learning to deal with stressful situations, and just plain have fun.
Cracking video! Started BJJ in January, and it is phenomenal. Such a great sport, full of brilliant people, and a great community. It's rather addictive.
Bjj Brown belt here (hoping to get black soon). Love how much bjj changes the lives of perplexing who try it. Everyone that try’s and sticks too it seems to find a reason to get active, get stronger, eat better etc. The comradary is amazing. It’s my physical and mental, and social health thing all in one.
I started Jiu Jitsu a month ago, and mannnnn you hit the nail directly on the head. You shot a perfect bullseye. I swam for 9 years of my life and considered one of the best workouts you could do until I started Jiu jitsu, and to add onto everything you just said. I dont know any other sport were you can go from the mindset of “im gonna murder this dude” to then shaking hands and being good buds after
I've been doing bjj for 2years and before this i done almost 15years of weight training, same routine week in, week out. Since starting bjj everything has changed. I do more cardio than ever, im entering running races, weight training is more on the crossfit style, today ive just played my first 11 side football match, this all goes back to bjj for the fitness aspect, confidence, even my eating is tracked purely down to wanting to compete in the near future . My family see a difference in my attude when ive been to a class. Bjj massively changed my life
This is 100% correct. Although I will say that as amazing as this hobby is. It requires a lot of dedication in terms of time. You really need to be doing three lessons a week to see improvement. Two lessons a week minimum to simply maintain your ability. It’s very difficult to do if you have young children and a full time job.
3 months of training 5 days a week, loving this, wish I started earlier. Big refresher after being out of sports for 8 years and only working out in the weight room since. Only white belt at my gym’s competition team.
I read one of your books about 6 months ago and was inspired than to try out bjj for the first time and I’ve been training ever since. I can’t thank you enough for your passion of the sport really helped to push me to start the best thing I’ve ever done, thank you.
The experience of feeling helpless and discouraged by someone who seemingly has an advantage over you can be quite profound. I can recall a specific instance in my journey with jiu jitsu when a purple belt, who happened to be a girl half my size, tapped me out repeatedly. This humbling encounter served as a significant blow to my ego. However, rather than allowing it to demoralize me, I chose to use it as a catalyst for growth. I began focusing on improving my grappling skills, and as a result, I have progressed to the level of a purple belt myself.
Being tapped by an experienced girl was the funniest shit ever. She wasn't half my size and we weren't going 100%, but it's still absolutely comical to be pretzeled by someone so much weaker than you. I knew that bjj was part of mixed martial arts training before singing up, but when weaker coaches managed to submit me, I could be assured that this stuff is for real.
Combat is the ultimate sport. BJJ is the closest to the real thing we can get without going full gladiator fights. That's the primal urge of every man. 🙂
Love BJJ, don’t love the injuries. Knees currently blown out by a spazzy white belt jumping guard. It’s the best sport, and addictive, but the injuries are jarring
I recently was listening to a strength training podcast and it was mentioned by a doctor that one of the reasons jiu jitsu is so damn good for us is that the actual physical contact with a person you trust gives the human brain what it needs as far dopamine hits. People are craving interactions with others and jiu jitsu gives us this .
Don't start it if you can't afford to get injured (time, money). You WILL get injured if you commit to BJJ long term. Severe injuries are rare and uncommon but small scale ones are common place. I love BJJ but I also love my health. It is important for anyone starting to fully understand the risks involved in a combat sport before starting it. If you do start, you need to train at a good gym with a good culture, be selective with your training partners and vary the intensity of your training to suit your risk appetite/goals. If you're a smaller person (weight and height), BJJ will suck for you as virtually everyone else is going to be bigger and stronger than you. This will be your experience for months until you gather the necessary skills to survive. BJJ may be the most rewarding thing you'll ever do and I love it. However, there are plenty of other non combat sports out there that can substitute well for BJJ in terms of the social and health benefits. My suggestion is to try out a free trial class and decide for yourself if it interests you enough to commit to it and the risks.
I think this will be my problem. I am too focussed on not getting an injury. I had to tell a huge bloke a few weeks ago when going to put his foot into my hip (I was in a standing position) to make sure he actually reaches my hip and not my knee, which he had just done when drilling. I still have to be able to go to work the next morning!!!
This is a great post and a factor many need to consider when they have work the next day and perhaps unable to take sick leave during a cost of living crisis.
@@thebesttheworst2277 I am able to take sick leave… but if I keep having to ring my boss to take time off work for self-inflicted issues then it’s not going to go down well. I will see what it looks like in reality injury-wise.
Yeah we have a few smaller guys that get frustrated because the big guys smash so easily. Not only is the size an advantage but the skill is equal or superior to the smaller guys(they just started). I just tell them to stick with it.
I’m 45 this year. I’ve been going to class 3 days a week for 7 months now. It took me 4 years from my first email to my coach to when I finally went and took my first class. Don’t be afraid! Just go. You will NOT regret it. Tap early and tap often!
We owe it to the tradition of Judo and Kano to also share how wonderful Judo is, but overall this is of course a lovely message here James. I’ve recently started both
Got hooked 6 months ago, 2 stripes in. What this man is saying is true, if you have the faintest idea of giving this a try do it as soon as you can. It changes the way you think about yourself and gives you a sense of self confidence and assurance.
A few criticisms here: 1. The whole 'no ego' thing is bollocks. The higher belts often have such ego they barely greet you on the mat or make eye contact with you because they're so arrogant about their skills. 2. The clubs are often so focused on money that they price normal people out. Exorbitant membership fees, branded Gi, branded rashguard, branded shorts, everything has to be bought from the club. You're just another guy on the conveyor belt. 3. Being able to throw a proper punch is absolutely crucial if one of your primary motivations is self-defense. I was a member of a very popular London club mentioned in James's video, for 1.5 years.
I did Judo as a kid before moving to rugby in my late teens for 25yrs, retired and started CrossFit… went to my first BJJ class 8weeks ago and although I’m 14st, pretty fit/strong it’s so humbling being folded up by someone half your size
I'm a much better PT for your books, talks, content and academy, but after years and years it took a bad break up for me to finally take your advice and I started BJJ 2 months ago, and it's the best thing I've ever done, I just got my first stripe last week, I was so proud and still feel like a complete novice, yet I'm so excited to keep learning and improving. It's pulled me out of a very dark hole and I'm so grateful for your public encouragement of the sport. Plus they're the best workouts of my life. I wish I started sooner!
I started about 10 weeks ago and it's the best thing I've done in years. I'm less angry, I'm making healthier choices outside of Ji Jitsu to make me better for Ji Jitsu; for example not drinking on a Friday night or any weekday. In my spare time I'm working on flexibility and strength - before I couldn't stick at the gym more than 2 weeks. I did 3 years of boxing when I was 18 before dislocating my shoulder and thought, I could fight. Ji Jitsu has given me a new found confidence and filled the gap missing from boxing.
@@Anonymt8 I find boxing more enjoyable to participate in and watch. I don't get in street fights but if I did I'm confident I can KO most people but on the off chance I am tackled to the ground. All the boxing skills in the world go out the window . That's why I wanted to learn BJJ. We have quite an accomplished wrestler at our BJJ gym, he is very strong but I've managed to make him tap as a novice BJJ participant. Def recommend trying BJJ
@@fullstackryan interesting, i started wrestling to get much stronger which i got, and now i want to start boxing.And if i am honest, the last thing that i would do in a street fight is go to the ground even though i can wrestle because everything can happen on the ground
I joined a no-gi class on March 1st this year and last week after my 6th week I finally tapped someone 50lbs heavier than me! Next round someone smaller than me tapped me very quickly and checked my ego! Can't wait to get to class today to roll! My wife is sick of me talking about it haha!
Great intro into the mindset needed as a beginner. My apprenticed mate. I too played rugby for 20 years and went to my first class last night. Humility, discipline, and community are what make both sports special.
A lot of BJJ fighters have chronic pain in almost every ligament imaginable... I started last november, and every practice I go to, it hurts somewhere new... I don't think I roll very hard, or with my ego, and I definitely tap fast if someone has me in a submission. But I basically can't spar 2 days in a row, because I want to take time to recover, whether that by my upper back, lower back, hips, knees, wrists, ribs, you name it. I do think the injuries you obtain in BJJ are less severe than the head injuries you might obtain in boxing, but I felt as if this video was not an honest representation of the injuries people might experience when they begin BJJ. BJJ hurts.
Depends a lot on the care you take of your body. When I first started I wasn’t that flexible and my body wasn’t in the best condition (little muscle and I was a bit overweight) but as I’ve gotten more flexible and started to work out I can train so much more
@@mazerunner7640 It takes a lot of conscious effort for some yes. I'm very conscious of stretching, and taking rest days, I'm like 6 foot, 85 kg, 18% bodyfat (prolly), and normal flexible. I'm not the most sporty person in the world, but I'm not in some "at-risk" outlier group of people in terrible shape. I have to take very regular rest days, to recover in certain areas and potentially see a physiotherapist because of the issues BJJ exposed in my body.
I feel the same. Have done weightlifting and running for over 15 years. Bjj stresses my ligaments differently and I feel like I have to take ibuprofen the next day to get out of bed. I still do bjj for the thrill of rolling but I need more recovery than dudes in their 20s
Spot on, most long term bjj practionars I know can't put on their socks without warming up basicly lmao. Love the art tough but damn is it rough on the body.
I've trained bjj for 16 years and I welcome this recent surge in popularity. When I started everyone who did bjj did it for MMA. I ran a tournament last week and I had a womens division, and a 48 year old heavyweight and a 63 year old lightweight who fought in the adult (less then 30yo) divisions. It isn't for everyone, but it's for a lot of people.
Just started BJJ this week and had my second session last night and what a great experience it is, I feel this is something I will stick at for a very long time 😊
I’m starting on Monday. Just got out of the gym because I wanted to ask how it all goes and the energies were amazing and I felt so welcome. I said I don’t know a single thing, he said doesn’t matter, just come. I’m so pumped. I’m happy I passed by, I’ve been toying with the idea and searching on google but today I actually went in the gym and it really changed me from wanting to starting.
I started BJJ just over a year ago. Since then I lost 16kg, 8" off my waist, and just by going out there and rolling with others have massively helped my mental health. Been a great stress drainer after work. It sounds cheesy but it really helped turn my life around both physically and mentally. It's great watching yourself and everyone around you improve. Of course I am regretful that I didn't start sooner, it's definitely a weird feeling when your first ever comp is at Master 1 and not Adult 😅, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm loving it now and can say I feel healthier at 30 than I ever was in my 20s. I really can't thank the coaches and everyone else at my club enough.
I feel like either I'm just shite or i just don't enjoy it as much as striking and people kind of make me think that i should enjoy it more when i just don't. Not sure if it's me or it's just not for me really? It's fun to sub people but i get annoyed with jiu jitsu guys a lot of the time. About 30% of them seem quite nobby and unhelpful and i just wish there was striking involved so they would stop being so bloody cocky, fuckin teddy bear rolling about the floor. Hits and jits is way more fun imo
I really miss BJJ. I moved away from Cardiff, where they had an awesome dojo. Where I am now, classes are limited and just don't quite scratch the same itch. In my first 3 months, I just got stangled by men. I wondered why I wasn't getting better. I then went to a different class (same school, different time). They had an open matt, and for the first time, I made about 3 or 4 people tap. I was amazed, and it felt great. Little did I know, I had been getting better, I just didn't know it because the people who I trained with were also getting better. On the injury side of things, I did pick up a lot of injuries, but nothing serious. It did help my confidence knowing I learned how to defend myself (in a few scenarios), but mostly, it humbled me, teaching me that a scrawny, geek looking Harry Potter fan may actually be a deadly force to be reckoned with
Also started 6 years ago - got my elbow popped twice in different armbar situations, knee injury from a knee reap, rib cartliage pop from rolling out a back take, neck popped from getting flipped etc. and now I'm a 2 stripe white belt! lol. Jiu jitsu is amazing but just remember that it's a combat sport - you can still get injured.
Everything you said it's true. I used to get mad all the time, and fight in the streets alot. Now, I just walk away. It's like BJJ calms you down. Love from Angola
That talk about losing and not being defeated really hit at the right time of my life. Thanks James for this video. And yes, I train jiu jitsu. Everything you said is spot on. At least for now, I'm only starting.
Great content James… I’m in my late 40s and only started Bjj a year and a half ago.. it was a way for me to release my energy/ego and learn a new skill. I Totally love Bjj, and won’t trade it for anything else… I train x3 times a week regularly without fail and do an open mat sparring sessions every Sunday. The guys/girls I train with are my 2nd family and it’s brought another route to new friends. As an ex rugby player, I thought I’d be able to handle myself, so how wrong was I…😂. It’s given me a different mindset to who I am and I’m more chilled out now than before I started this journey. Working on my blue belt and seeing I get on with that at our grading in June. Thank you and all the best..👍👊🏾
Great Vid!! I am 61 and just started BJJ it has been 6 weeks. I started, because I wanted a challenge and it is!! I get humbled everyday by young adults, but I still go. I was jazzed when I passed someone guard for the first time a couple of weeks ago!! LOL!! Plus learning self defense, survival skills is essential. Love all the points you made, and I played rugby when I was young, I cannot play that at 61, but I can roll at 61! Thank you
This is so on point. I finished my first session five days ago and am only just starting to not ache and feel exhausted, but Jiu Jitsu is all I’ve thought about since! Go and join a club. It’ll change your life very quickly for the better!
i've been watching you here and there over a few months and i didnt even know you trained bjj.. thats awesome! i've been training for about 2 years and you've said the same thing i say to people who are interested in training. i also travel a bit for work and i've been lucky enough to train at a few different gyms and rarely do they ever make me pay for a drop in. i've made friends all over the world who i keep in touch with just because i have rolled with them a few times.. I always catch up with them whenever im in their city. such an amazing sport. changed my life!
Thanks James, I have wanted to do this for a while and have made many excuses (too much cardio (bulking), too busy, and don't want to pay for two gym memberships). Watching this video has made me book my first class, nice!
I would just mention, about the CTE and knockouts from striking sports is that not everyone who goes to Muay Thai, Boxing, and any other striking sports etc. is going to compete and that you are generally in a very safe and controlled environment to learn. There are definitely inherent benefits to joining these sports as well and sparring generally works off of mutual respect and agreement to control how much strength and aggression is applied. There is value in learning how to defend yourself standing from a striking opponent as this is generally how an aggressor on the street will present.
Played rugby for the last 13 years and been looking for something new to start since stepping back from it, now I'm going to my first BJJ class on Friday and I'm buzzing for it. Watching your videos has definitely helped me make the jump 🙏🏻
The best part about jiu jitsu is how it makes you a humble humble-shark of the ground who is on a personal enlightenment journey to humble mountain etc etc
You know what, I’ve heard you talk about it a lot and this video has indeed pushed me over the edge as you put it. I’m gonna start next month and let’s see what happens!
I started BJJ a few months ago, and I’m really enjoying it. The only thing that annoys me is that after an evening class, I always struggle a lot to fall asleep. It usually takes me around 4 hours to actually drift off. Does anyone else experience this and might got some tips?
He’s absolutely spot on. I’m just a hobbyist so don’t compete but the feeling and confidence it gives you after a great class is like nothing else. Great video 👏
did a comp as a 6 month white belt and got wreckt by some older guy with califlower ears and a scar over the eye. White belt my ass. No thanks @@triocha24
As someone who’s been hooked on bjj for over a year, this video spoke to me. Currently recovering from a knee injury unrelated to the mats, counting down the days until I can return.
You got me started this year, mate. There's nothing like putting my old body through training ha ha. Nothing but respect that comes with this sport. I love that my daughter and I can enjoy this together. Thanks James OSS 🥋
I plan on joining a local jiu jitsu club (my son goes at the moment) and have been talking to the owner over the last couple of weeks. This video was really good for me and I look forward to getting involved.
Used to love it, I studied Goju Ryu as a teen and joined a JJ and Muay Thai clubs at uni and carried on until too many shoulder dislocations stopped me (none done in training or fights, totally unrelated) and I'd encourage people to get involved.
As someone who had previously had other martial arts experience, joining the local BJJ club, it was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I've now been in the club for a few months and while I still feel like I'm getting owned every class, i feel like every class I'm learning more and more. Such a great sport
Don’t worry if you’re consistent enough you’ll be the one owning other people keep at it
Yea I just joined this past week and it’s crazy how many ways they can kick your butt. And it’s especially true when rolling at the end of class comes around, they don’t even try that hard and still whoop my butt
This. I come from a striking background (TKD, Kickboxing, Karate combined for about 14 years) and I thought that having a background in martial arts would help me more, but I just started a few weeks ago and I feel like I'm back at square 1. But somehow, it doesn't feel bad. I haven't been this much of a beginner in martial arts since I was like 6 years old.
I had the exact opposite experience. Bear in mind I’m decently large and very athletic and have boxing experience.
I expected to get humbled by small men and women of higher belts. I did no GI but was able to pretty much explode out of any position and keep top control if I wanted.
What’s with all the nonsense about BJJ being humbling?
Tbh I’d put my self in the top 10 percent of population for natural athleticism though
@@ivanhernandez7395how old are you?
I’m 26 and haven’t had this experience but everyone else tells me they have it.
Thanks to you James I am the ibjjf blue belt ultra heavyweight champion 🤷🏿♂️🤣 and do 3 hours of instructionals everyday, I will roll every week till the day I die OSS brother
love your videos, bro!
@@aluisiofsjrits you from videos where you argue with judo guys
@@MrSpiralling , LMAO. 🤣 I only educate them.
@@aluisiofsjr your debates are long, like so many paragraphs of writing, their has been some that have been pretty disrespect and some not
@@MrSpiralling , judokas are way more disrespectful because of their inferiority complex. Do you remember what video in particular?
All my life up until I was 19, I was the weak, unathletic kid who didn't really do sports or have active hobbies. Starting MMA at uni and keeping on with BJJ after I left has genuinely changed the person that I am. I am in shape and feel confident with my physique. I am at purple belt now, and I feel like I have value to my community, and people actually ask me for advice and I feel respected. Rolling brings you closer to other people than almost any other activity.
The downside is that I now do not shut up about jiu jitsu.
not a down side, we just bless others
Yes do your best not to talk about it much. Nobody likes the guy who makes 1 thing their whole personality lol
@@lifelessgaming9240 You mean like, you know, making gaming your whole personality. LOOOOOOL
@@James-zu1ei not at all pedophile. Just a username on a email from 10 years ago. Stop touching kids
I do BJJ but I also have a full time job and I’m naturally athletic and muscular so I don’t mention it much.
It’s people who do BJJ that don’t look athletic or tough who are annoyed people don’t treat them like a badass who bring it up all the time.
Imo if you don’t look like a badass you don’t get to be considered as one
Ex rugby player and powerlifter and started BJJ in my early 40s. It's been life changing. So fun. That sense of camaraderie is second to none, and it's basically like a game of chess with another human. It's visceral and humbling. Ive made some great friends as a result.
It is great that you have become so passionate about Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), James. I am glad to hear that you have enjoyed the martial art and sport so much. I am glad to hear that it has such a positive impact in your life, helping you both physically and mentally.
I don't do BJJ, but I do judo. I've been training in judo for 14 years now and it changed my life. I would like to share my story and experiences with you, James, if you're interested.
Prior to undertaking judo, I was incredibly inactive and overweight (shortly after turning 21, I weighed 132kg (291 lbs, or 20.7 stone). Not only was I consistently over-consuming calories, but I was eating poor quality foods and drinking a lot of alcohol. One night, at a friend's big birthday party, I got assaulted by two men. After the assault, I felt so humiliated, scared and helpless, I didn't leave my parent's home for a week or so. Eventually, I started to seek out a means to learn self-defence, and I chose judo. I chose judo because it was close to home and inexpensive... at the time, I didn't have a car (let alone a driver's license) and I didn't have income.
Arriving to my first session was terrifying. There were heaps of fit people, doing crazy things with their bodies, and I was this really fat guy who was just nervous as all hell. My first training session was, at the time, physically one of the hardest things I had done in my life. At the end of the gruelling, sweaty 90 minutes, I was pale and feeling grossly sick, I went to bed that night without having dinner. I didn't want to go back to judo, but I thought about those two men who hurt me, and I believed if I didn't go back to judo, then they would "win" and I would be "defeated". So, I forced myself to go back.
Like BJJ, judo is a competitive, grappling-based combat sport in which athletes compete in weight classes. I noticed at my judo club, people would regularly weigh themselves before and after a session. So, after two weeks of training, I weighed myself out of curiosity, and discovered I was 126kg (277 Ibs / 19.8 stone). I had lost 6kg (13 Ibs / almost 1 stone) in two weeks. Seeing that number felt like a spark had ignited a fire within me, I had never felt so motivated and positive. My direction quickly changed, it was no longer to "learn self-defence", it was to lose weight and become "healthy". Fast forward nine months later, I had lost a total of 36kg (almost 80 Ibs / 5.6 stone). Fast forward 13 or so years later, I received my blackbelt in judo.
While I still train in judo, I admit I do not compete as much as I used to, but I am a qualified judo coach who is passionate about health, fitness, and the martial art of judo. I do not believe judo is the "best" martial art, but it is certainly my favourite.
Whether it's judo or BJJ, my advice to anyone who is curious about starting a martial art is to just start now. You might be walking into one of the best things of your lives.
I do akideo, and like you I don't believe it to be the best martial art but it's fun. It's a dance! Alcomy for the body. Plus I've flipped some monsters with one hand.
Thanks for sharing Craig B. Very helpful story.
What’s great about bjj is you can incorporate most techniques from all other grappling martial arts. I love using Judo in bjj. You’d be even more of a killer if you ever decide to give bjj a chance. Thank you for sharing your story!
@@chrisgarciartYes, absolutely, and I would say the same thing about virtually any grappling-based sport, in that movements and technique can be incorporated (or at least adapted) from one sport to the other.
I've never trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) before. I did do a BJJ competition once about 10 years ago now and I did okay... had eight matches, won six, lost two, got a silver medal. I was happy with the result, but the rules of play were a bit confusing to me at first, especially with my background of judo.
In my opinion, judo and BJJ are honestly the same thing, just with different rules, method of play etc. I think that is fair to say this, due to BJJ's lineage of judo, and judo's lineage of jujutsu. Someone of BJJ background can walk into judo and find comfort and familiarity, while someone of judo can do similar with BJJ.
I wouldn't mind doing BJJ but for me, it comes down to commitment and time. I train in judo, I am a judo coach, but I also like to go to the gym to lift weights, and I like walking my dog... so, I do have the "time" but due to the other activities I enjoy doing, I don't have the "commitment" for it, you know? To do BJJ, it means I would need to reduce the other activities I like doing, and if I'm being honest, I don't want to do that, at this point in time.
Thank you for your kind comment.
My experience at BJJ has been its filled with people without natural athleticism, competitiveness, or aggression and I personally find that ruins the experience.
I want to test myself. I don’t like having to go at 30% it feels so fake when I could just explode and demolish the person in front of me, which is what would happen in a real situation
I just took my first bjj class on Friday. So difficult, but so rewarding already.
I 100% agree with you on that! Stick with it you got this!
I recall something that gave me a great deal of motivation to push through when I started. It went something along the lines of:
As a white belt, your goal is to survive (superior opponents)
As a blue belt, your goal is to escape (superior oppnents)
Gave me a nice chill-pill and made it easier to enjoy the journey. If I can survive its a win, if I can escape its an even bigger win.
its very humbling
@LimosineAndPEETZA92 You have to manage your expectations
@LimosineAndPEETZA92 I don't know about that. It seems like you have some strong feelings about bjj
I am 3 months into my Jiu-Jitsu journey. I attend training at a Gracie Barra in Arizona. Everything stated in this vid is 100% spot on. I will only add that learning Jiu-Jitsu is like learning a new language. The range of motion our bodies are used to from regular life is completely different from what we are asked to do in Jiu-Jitsu. Your brain has to remember where all of your limbs are and track your opponents limbs all at the same time. Jiu-Jitsu is more than a martial art it is a journey of self discovery.
Mate I've got a shoulder that got dislocated twice, the last time being maybe 15 years ago. So that arm has limited movement and I feel like it could be dislocated again if it kind of got pulled in the wrong way. So with that old injury and I never took martial arts before either, do you still think this would be a good choice for me? All the grappling worries me a bit.
And just to clarify, my shoulder isn't one of those joints you can just pop back in and go on with things, the original dislocation happened from a bike accident and I needed to get surgery to get it to stay in, cause the muscle got all torn up. So if it comes out, we're talking week of recovery then physio; at least that's how it went the other times it came out.
@@PocketAmbience hey dude. I have a 100% torn labrum that's a 16 year old injury from HS sports. I chose never to fix it because I didn't want to be out 8+ months of my athletic "prime," and just protected it in various ways because thankfully it's my non dominant arm. I started BJJ about 2 years ago and don't get me wrong, there are some parts that aren't ideal w/ a weakened shoulder, and I can't lie to you and say I'm never out a week then easing back in as a result of it. That has happened twice in two years, same move caused it both times.
I can without question say BJJ is still a fit for you, I even do muay thai and just need to be really conscious of throwing left hooks with the right technique. The key is just knowing when its a "good" shoulder day and when it's not, doing maintenance on the rest of the shoulder to keep it as strong as possible, and just knowing things happen. Ease yourself in and roll with folks you trust not to target it, and tap early and tap often if it's a sub on that shoulder. You'll be just fine man!
@@stevenparsons1211 Thanks man, I appreciate you laying it out clear like that, as it sounds like a very similar injury. I'm going to try it out and I'll just monitor and guard the shoulder as I progress (as you said). Coincidently, I'm also going to give muay thai a go; get some practice with both grappling and striking. So good to know your shoulder is surviving that too.
Appreciate the advice, thanks again 👍
I think that's a really good analogy: learning BJJ is like learning a new language
@@PocketAmbiencehow’s it been going man?
Jiu jitsu has changed my life as well. I have never been an aggressive person, fighting has never been something I have ever done or wanted to be involved with, but like you said, it isn't about that. It's so much more than that.
I think it hit all our basic human needs, physical touch, a hierarchical system, comradarie, a clan, physical exercise, problem solving.
It's opened up my mindset to challenge myself in other avenues in life, ive overcome anxieties to go to travel to different gyms on my own where I don't know anyone, to try new things that may have seemed overwhelming before. It extends beyond the mats.
Everyone should do it.
The only con is that you will become obsessed.
I know they are different sports, but this is what I felt with my TKD gym. A good atmosphere where we helped each other get better.
Started a year ago and it’s one of the best things Iv ever done! The difference it’s made to my mental health and overall life I cannot describe!! I was struggling so much before I started jujitsu with anxiety and depression on and off and jujitsu has literally changed me! Love these types of videos James 🙌👏👏
happy to hear that my friend much love
@@bluelightmoon777 🖤🙏🏻🤙🏻
Have practiced japanese karate, kick boxing and boxing and other striking martial arts/Combat sport for 33 years
wanted to learn a completely different martial art when I turned 50.
After 3 months practicing, I can tell it probably is changing my whole life perspectives.
I just love it
As a woman who's always struggled with weight/body image, jiu-jitsu has really helped to shift my attitude towards my body and weight. Pressure/heaviness is now something I appreciate being able to use to my advantage, and something that helps me hold my own against the guys. At the same time, comps have given me incentive to ensure my weight doesn't fluctuate too much so i don't have to change weight class etc
Also it's just really, really fun.
I feel the same way! I just started and was told to use my weight to my advantage and I’m glad I am ☺️
❤😊❤
You girls should try sumo 🤣🤣🤣
I trained kyokushin karate for almost 20 years, full contact, no pads. I didn't pick up any serious injuries, just bruises and cut my eye open once. I trained bjj for four and a half years and had so many injuries: separated both shoulers (grade 1 & 2), tore my ribcage apart, dislocated my jaw, tore meniscus, broke my ankle. I was the smallest and oldest guy in my gym so more prone to being injured i guess and just unlucky. It's not the techniques that cause injuries, it's people throwing their bodyweight around in a wreckless manor ‐ mong energy. I hated having to stop as its a great martial art, but it almost stopped me surfing (the rib/sternum injury). At 51 i had to call it a day.
glad I read this. thanks for sharing. I love surfing and gym but all my mates do BJJ... however I'd like to try but don't want more injuries that ruins surfing or gym
@@zacmason depends on your age and weight. If you are under 40, then you will probably be fine.
@@zacmason Major key to avoid that is picking the right people to roll with, just observe and see who is a good partner, you're not obligated to go with someone you don't want to.
@@ortonphotoart5770 that’s not true either. I’m not bored yet, I know guys way younger than me that have all sorts of issues.
Do you know what it’s like to see kids in their early 20s icing down their knees because they can’t move?
I started at 42. 43 now. Age doesn’t matter. What matters is your approach. You can play it safe and slow.
Choose your rolling partners wisely.
BJJ is the best meritocracy. There’s no losing or winning, just learning.
you haven’t competed yet
@@J88HNT sometimes you learn that you’re shit at bjj
Hate this saying. Tired old cliche. It implies you can't learn by winning, which is silly. You can learn as much from winning as losing.
@@humann5682 it implies you can learn no matter if you win or lose bro
There is definitely loosing. It’s called getting submitted.
One the biggest things 5 years on jiu jitsu has taught me is to be more mindful to not underestimate anyone. Now I started to reach a point where I can face my ego and not rely on excuses. Only last week, I was shattered and recovering from shingles. I went to train anyway and felt weak and low energy. Coach says we will have extra long rounds for one hour straight. A few dominant rolls against some blues and then roll after roll with high level guys. Getting caught and can’t stop it. Then coach pairs me with a massive white belt and I had nothing left, but had to face it. Caught him quickly and then after that It took me every bit of grit to not actually tap from pressure (something I don’t do). I physically felt like I could pass out from my lungs not being able to take air in. The round ends and you are faced with the reality that you just can’t underestimate anyone! In the early days of training I would have been clutching for the excuse that I am not on form or I was battered from before.
I started BJJ in March 2022, doing 1-3 sessions per week. I found that problems I faced in my life appeared to be smaller. This I believe is due to the fact that problem solving in BJJ is done in the present. You cannot operate in the past or future when defending attacks or running attack sequences. So aside from the physical benefits, BJJ has had an incredible ability to help me work problems in other areas of life more calmly and effectively than I could before starting.
This is really good insight
I started a few weeks ago and can attest that it's a great idea for everyone. Go in expecting to be well out your depth and be respectful to everyone there. If you are respectful, people will go out of their way to help you. It's the best atmosphere I've been a part of!
I've been doing bjj and mma for 2 years, and karate for 14 years. I can say that I've fallen out of love with mma and karate from time to time, but I always look forward to each session of bjj. For me, I love the calmness of being on the mats mixed with the adrenaline of trying to dominate positions or submit my partners. I've also found the community is really supportive, I've been ragdolled and subbed 10+ times by guys who still shake my hand and will have a conversation with me after. The mutual respect is a really big part of the community.
Thank You James! I've been contemplating switching from bodybuilding, which I've been doing for 5 years, to BJJ as I've come to realise that I lack the skills to defend myself effectively. After watching your video, I'm convinced that BJJ is exactly what I need to improve my self-defense abilities. It solidified my decision to pursue BJJ.
If you want to learn to defend yourself, BJJ is the last option you should pick. If you are ever going to need to "defend yourself" e.g. in the street, bar fight, carjacking, home invasion, etc, the ABSOLUTE last place you want to end up is on the ground.
Why? Because another guy comes along and stomps on your head and you die. Not an exaggeration, even a 10 year old child could kill a person by stomping on their head. Or the person has a weapon and now you are tangled up on the ground and can't run away, and you die. Maybe, maybe BJJ helps you if you also know some striking and wrestling, and its 1-on-1, and they don't have a weapon. But that is an awful lot of maybes to defend yourself.
The reason why BJJ is becoming so popular is the risk of injury for a combat sport is WAY lower than pretty much any other option. No striking, no slams, no impact outside of accidents. A lot less can go wrong in BJJ compared to getting punched in the head, kneed in the face, kicked in the ribs, or getting spiked into the ground.
@@JohnSmith-rr3jt " Because another guy comes along and stomps on your head" - Then make friends who are willing to make things physical. You can find them in a place like... a BJJ gym for example. :)
Bjj is good for self defence as 90% of fights end up on the floor. I’ve guillotined (standing) a guy in a night club before. However I’d combine it with Muay Thai or boxing and definitely keep it on your feet if possible.
@@marcwareham9351 Having a striking base is as important as having a grapling base.
@@anon2034 yes I agree. You definitely don’t want to be rolling around on a nightclub floor. Glass everywhere and a kick in the head. I combine Bjj with Muay Thai.
Perfectly said James. I played rugby for years, had shoulder surgery, had knee surgery and in the end had to hang up my boots. I put off trying BJJ for about a year as I thought it would ruin what I had left of my body... I was wrong, and I'm so glad I stepped on to the mats. Almost 10 months in now, just did my first comp at white belt, I didn't do great but, but I don't mind, the people who beat me deserved it. This sport becomes apart of your life, there's a reason everyone is talking about it.
Been training BJJ for four years. Nail on the head with being in a relaxed state after a hard day of work. Also the respect and humility component is spot on
Mate I've got a shoulder that got dislocated twice, the last time being maybe 15 years ago. So that arm has limited movement and I feel like it could be dislocated again if it kind of got pulled in the wrong way. So with that old injury and I never took martial arts before either, do you still think this would be a good choice for me? All the grappling worries me a bit.
And just to clarify, my shoulder isn't one of those joints you can just pop back in and go on with things, the original dislocation happened from a bike accident and I needed to get surgery to get it to stay in, cause the muscle got all torn up. So if it comes out, we're talking week of recovery then physio; at least that's how it went the other times it came out.
@@PocketAmbience hey mate, I’ve had a similar injury but you can watch it and training partners are aware of injuries in BJJ. Everyone has something they are nursing. I think you’ll be fine. Focus on smooth rolling and you should be good
This actually has pushed me over the edge to finally give it a go , going along to a intro no gi session next weekend - thanks for the push
Lets gooo
@@JamesSmithPT just got my first stripe as a white belt at 54 years of age. Being comfortable with being uncomfortable is the way... Then reap the rewards 😊
@@Paul_Larkin hey Paul, how’s it going as a newbie? I’m thinking of trying it and I’m 49
@@dddffhg25 it's going well but needs a good sense of commitment and the right school.
Jiu jitsu is the best thing that's ever happened to me. As an introvert I'm more comfortable with people, I love the personal development, the exercise, the self defense I learn as a woman, most of all the community. Highly recommend to everyone especially women to give it a try!
I've been weight training since 2006, competed in bodybuilding & injured my back in 2017. Got fat & depressed. Started Muay Thai in 2019-2021 but tight hips and continually aggravating my back injury stopped that quick. Started BJJ in 2021 and my body is back to better than I've ever been. I'm more flexible, mobile and fit than I've ever been in my life. Got my blue belt in September last year & the obsession has grown from there.
Highly reccomend you turn up to your local club & do their trial. You'll be quickly surprised just how helpless you are as a 6' tall, 125kg man at the hands of a 60kg female purple belt. That humbling has taught me more about myself, than all the personal development, books and meditation I've done. BJJ is a life changer.
I’ve been doing BJJ for just over five years and it’s by far the best decision I have ever made. For me the best thing about it is the amazing community of people. Also the fact that even though I am 90kg I can spar with people half of my size and have just as much fun, something I don’t think happens in other martial arts.
Love the breakdown of BJJ in this video. I've been going since November of last year. My journey has taken me on definite highs and lows, my confidence has been broken down and built back up again. I've gained resilience I didn't think I had. Best decision I've ever made was walking on the mat.
James, sincerely thank you for this video. I have been kickboxing for nearly 2 years now and as much as I've thoroughly enjoyed it, having a black eye or being concussed almost weekly has been quite impacting on my professional life as a junior doctor. I have done a few classes of BJJ and it was an absolute blast. I've been toying between kickboxing and undertaking BJJ more seriously and your video has highlighted why BJJ truly is the better martial art to pursue in the long run.
im just ginna start bjj probably and am convincing myself currently. Also junior doc, whereabouts are you mate?
@@Nootrop007 South Sydney
Iv been training BJJ for 6 months. Nothing else like it turned my life around. I smoked, I was drinking, stressed with the pressure of life and family. Started BJJ and it’s like therapy 3 times a week. Met some really cool people. The whole team want everyone to be the best they can be. Now Iv stopped smoking not drinking and enjoying my time with my family. Sounds cliche and it probably is but there’s a lot of people at my gym that will tell the same story about themselves. Osu
Started ju-jitsu 8 months ago because of you and Diren. Now I’m hooked!
I've been training for just over a year. I've lost 37 pounds, greatly increased my cardio and endurance, learning to deal with stressful situations, and just plain have fun.
3:06 - 100% bro. Something that I always looked out for, but I have NEVER seen it. BJJ makes you WANT to earn it.
Cracking video! Started BJJ in January, and it is phenomenal. Such a great sport, full of brilliant people, and a great community. It's rather addictive.
Bjj Brown belt here (hoping to get black soon). Love how much bjj changes the lives of perplexing who try it.
Everyone that try’s and sticks too it seems to find a reason to get active, get stronger, eat better etc.
The comradary is amazing. It’s my physical and mental, and social health thing all in one.
I started Jiu Jitsu a month ago, and mannnnn you hit the nail directly on the head. You shot a perfect bullseye. I swam for 9 years of my life and considered one of the best workouts you could do until I started Jiu jitsu, and to add onto everything you just said. I dont know any other sport were you can go from the mindset of “im gonna murder this dude” to then shaking hands and being good buds after
Rugby
For anyone who just started and is struggling. Keep going. It goes from unbearably difficult, to tough, to fun to being able to chill and flow.
Your video was exactly what I needed to get back to my gym. Thanks for the push and motivation, greetings from 🇧🇷
I've been doing bjj for 2years and before this i done almost 15years of weight training, same routine week in, week out. Since starting bjj everything has changed. I do more cardio than ever, im entering running races, weight training is more on the crossfit style, today ive just played my first 11 side football match, this all goes back to bjj for the fitness aspect, confidence, even my eating is tracked purely down to wanting to compete in the near future . My family see a difference in my attude when ive been to a class. Bjj massively changed my life
This is 100% correct. Although I will say that as amazing as this hobby is. It requires a lot of dedication in terms of time. You really need to be doing three lessons a week to see improvement. Two lessons a week minimum to simply maintain your ability.
It’s very difficult to do if you have young children and a full time job.
3 months of training 5 days a week, loving this, wish I started earlier. Big refresher after being out of sports for 8 years and only working out in the weight room since. Only white belt at my gym’s competition team.
Started BJJ 8 months ago, I absolutely love it. I've never experienced a day where I went to train and regret training, It always improves my mood.
I read one of your books about 6 months ago and was inspired than to try out bjj for the first time and I’ve been training ever since. I can’t thank you enough for your passion of the sport really helped to push me to start the best thing I’ve ever done, thank you.
The experience of feeling helpless and discouraged by someone who seemingly has an advantage over you can be quite profound. I can recall a specific instance in my journey with jiu jitsu when a purple belt, who happened to be a girl half my size, tapped me out repeatedly. This humbling encounter served as a significant blow to my ego. However, rather than allowing it to demoralize me, I chose to use it as a catalyst for growth. I began focusing on improving my grappling skills, and as a result, I have progressed to the level of a purple belt myself.
Being tapped by an experienced girl was the funniest shit ever. She wasn't half my size and we weren't going 100%, but it's still absolutely comical to be pretzeled by someone so much weaker than you.
I knew that bjj was part of mixed martial arts training before singing up, but when weaker coaches managed to submit me, I could be assured that this stuff is for real.
Combat is the ultimate sport. BJJ is the closest to the real thing we can get without going full gladiator fights. That's the primal urge of every man. 🙂
Love BJJ, don’t love the injuries. Knees currently blown out by a spazzy white belt jumping guard. It’s the best sport, and addictive, but the injuries are jarring
I recently was listening to a strength training podcast and it was mentioned by a doctor that one of the reasons jiu jitsu is so damn good for us is that the actual physical contact with a person you trust gives the human brain what it needs as far dopamine hits. People are craving interactions with others and jiu jitsu gives us this .
Don't start it if you can't afford to get injured (time, money). You WILL get injured if you commit to BJJ long term. Severe injuries are rare and uncommon but small scale ones are common place. I love BJJ but I also love my health. It is important for anyone starting to fully understand the risks involved in a combat sport before starting it. If you do start, you need to train at a good gym with a good culture, be selective with your training partners and vary the intensity of your training to suit your risk appetite/goals.
If you're a smaller person (weight and height), BJJ will suck for you as virtually everyone else is going to be bigger and stronger than you. This will be your experience for months until you gather the necessary skills to survive. BJJ may be the most rewarding thing you'll ever do and I love it. However, there are plenty of other non combat sports out there that can substitute well for BJJ in terms of the social and health benefits.
My suggestion is to try out a free trial class and decide for yourself if it interests you enough to commit to it and the risks.
I think this will be my problem. I am too focussed on not getting an injury. I had to tell a huge bloke a few weeks ago when going to put his foot into my hip (I was in a standing position) to make sure he actually reaches my hip and not my knee, which he had just done when drilling. I still have to be able to go to work the next morning!!!
This is a great post and a factor many need to consider when they have work the next day and perhaps unable to take sick leave during a cost of living crisis.
@@thebesttheworst2277 I am able to take sick leave… but if I keep having to ring my boss to take time off work for self-inflicted issues then it’s not going to go down well. I will see what it looks like in reality injury-wise.
@@diddybopper2052 Same pal, can have upto 6 months paid but different story if self inflicted and happening often.
Yeah we have a few smaller guys that get frustrated because the big guys smash so easily. Not only is the size an advantage but the skill is equal or superior to the smaller guys(they just started). I just tell them to stick with it.
I’m 45 this year. I’ve been going to class 3 days a week for 7 months now. It took me 4 years from my first email to my coach to when I finally went and took my first class. Don’t be afraid! Just go. You will NOT regret it. Tap early and tap often!
We owe it to the tradition of Judo and Kano to also share how wonderful Judo is, but overall this is of course a lovely message here James. I’ve recently started both
Judo is also amazing yes.
I started with Judo as a child, had 30 year break from any martial arts and started BJJ in my 40s, a lot of my jiu-jitsu game is Judo based 🙏
Got hooked 6 months ago, 2 stripes in. What this man is saying is true, if you have the faintest idea of giving this a try do it as soon as you can. It changes the way you think about yourself and gives you a sense of self confidence and assurance.
I just received my black belt in BJJ I can honestly say that it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
How long did it take to get....congrats man!
@@jameschad9218 Thanks little under 7 years
I want to start bjj any advices?
Start now. Don't wait!
@@truecrimeradio1488 awesome! Best of luck for the future mate. Hoping to start for myself soon, just struggling to find a gym
A few criticisms here:
1. The whole 'no ego' thing is bollocks. The higher belts often have such ego they barely greet you on the mat or make eye contact with you because they're so arrogant about their skills.
2. The clubs are often so focused on money that they price normal people out. Exorbitant membership fees, branded Gi, branded rashguard, branded shorts, everything has to be bought from the club. You're just another guy on the conveyor belt.
3. Being able to throw a proper punch is absolutely crucial if one of your primary motivations is self-defense.
I was a member of a very popular London club mentioned in James's video, for 1.5 years.
I did Judo as a kid before moving to rugby in my late teens for 25yrs, retired and started CrossFit… went to my first BJJ class 8weeks ago and although I’m 14st, pretty fit/strong it’s so humbling being folded up by someone half your size
I'm a much better PT for your books, talks, content and academy, but after years and years it took a bad break up for me to finally take your advice and I started BJJ 2 months ago, and it's the best thing I've ever done, I just got my first stripe last week, I was so proud and still feel like a complete novice, yet I'm so excited to keep learning and improving.
It's pulled me out of a very dark hole and I'm so grateful for your public encouragement of the sport.
Plus they're the best workouts of my life.
I wish I started sooner!
I'm loving jjitsu but tore a bunch of rotator cuff muscles and haven't been able to train for months, so sad
I started about 10 weeks ago and it's the best thing I've done in years. I'm less angry, I'm making healthier choices outside of Ji Jitsu to make me better for Ji Jitsu; for example not drinking on a Friday night or any weekday. In my spare time I'm working on flexibility and strength - before I couldn't stick at the gym more than 2 weeks.
I did 3 years of boxing when I was 18 before dislocating my shoulder and thought, I could fight. Ji Jitsu has given me a new found confidence and filled the gap missing from boxing.
I am doing Wrestling since couple of months and i want to start with boxing, do you think that boxing is better than grappling martial arts?
@@Anonymt8 I find boxing more enjoyable to participate in and watch.
I don't get in street fights but if I did I'm confident I can KO most people but on the off chance I am tackled to the ground. All the boxing skills in the world go out the window . That's why I wanted to learn BJJ.
We have quite an accomplished wrestler at our BJJ gym, he is very strong but I've managed to make him tap as a novice BJJ participant.
Def recommend trying BJJ
@@fullstackryan interesting, i started wrestling to get much stronger which i got, and now i want to start boxing.And if i am honest, the last thing that i would do in a street fight is go to the ground even though i can wrestle because everything can happen on the ground
I joined a no-gi class on March 1st this year and last week after my 6th week I finally tapped someone 50lbs heavier than me! Next round someone smaller than me tapped me very quickly and checked my ego! Can't wait to get to class today to roll! My wife is sick of me talking about it haha!
Great intro into the mindset needed as a beginner. My apprenticed mate. I too played rugby for 20 years and went to my first class last night. Humility, discipline, and community are what make both sports special.
A lot of BJJ fighters have chronic pain in almost every ligament imaginable... I started last november, and every practice I go to, it hurts somewhere new... I don't think I roll very hard, or with my ego, and I definitely tap fast if someone has me in a submission. But I basically can't spar 2 days in a row, because I want to take time to recover, whether that by my upper back, lower back, hips, knees, wrists, ribs, you name it.
I do think the injuries you obtain in BJJ are less severe than the head injuries you might obtain in boxing, but I felt as if this video was not an honest representation of the injuries people might experience when they begin BJJ.
BJJ hurts.
Depends a lot on the care you take of your body. When I first started I wasn’t that flexible and my body wasn’t in the best condition (little muscle and I was a bit overweight) but as I’ve gotten more flexible and started to work out I can train so much more
@@mazerunner7640 It takes a lot of conscious effort for some yes. I'm very conscious of stretching, and taking rest days, I'm like 6 foot, 85 kg, 18% bodyfat (prolly), and normal flexible. I'm not the most sporty person in the world, but I'm not in some "at-risk" outlier group of people in terrible shape.
I have to take very regular rest days, to recover in certain areas and potentially see a physiotherapist because of the issues BJJ exposed in my body.
I feel the same. Have done weightlifting and running for over 15 years. Bjj stresses my ligaments differently and I feel like I have to take ibuprofen the next day to get out of bed. I still do bjj for the thrill of rolling but I need more recovery than dudes in their 20s
Spot on, most long term bjj practionars I know can't put on their socks without warming up basicly lmao. Love the art tough but damn is it rough on the body.
As a beginner you should probably be drilling more and rolling less.
I've trained bjj for 16 years and I welcome this recent surge in popularity. When I started everyone who did bjj did it for MMA. I ran a tournament last week and I had a womens division, and a 48 year old heavyweight and a 63 year old lightweight who fought in the adult (less then 30yo) divisions. It isn't for everyone, but it's for a lot of people.
Just started BJJ this week and had my second session last night and what a great experience it is, I feel this is something I will stick at for a very long time 😊
I'm taking my first class next week. I'm excited and kinda nervous too.
Did you quit or are you still on it?
Played rugby for 20 years. No desire to be that close to another large man ever again in my life.
I’m starting on Monday. Just got out of the gym because I wanted to ask how it all goes and the energies were amazing and I felt so welcome. I said I don’t know a single thing, he said doesn’t matter, just come. I’m so pumped. I’m happy I passed by, I’ve been toying with the idea and searching on google but today I actually went in the gym and it really changed me from wanting to starting.
using russell brand to promote bjj aged well 😭
I started BJJ just over a year ago. Since then I lost 16kg, 8" off my waist, and just by going out there and rolling with others have massively helped my mental health. Been a great stress drainer after work. It sounds cheesy but it really helped turn my life around both physically and mentally. It's great watching yourself and everyone around you improve.
Of course I am regretful that I didn't start sooner, it's definitely a weird feeling when your first ever comp is at Master 1 and not Adult 😅, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm loving it now and can say I feel healthier at 30 than I ever was in my 20s. I really can't thank the coaches and everyone else at my club enough.
4:30 a Bas Rutten neck crank!
I’m at the end of my first week, third session tomorrow! I’m so sore! 😂 Loving it though, obsessed already!
I feel like either I'm just shite or i just don't enjoy it as much as striking and people kind of make me think that i should enjoy it more when i just don't. Not sure if it's me or it's just not for me really? It's fun to sub people but i get annoyed with jiu jitsu guys a lot of the time. About 30% of them seem quite nobby and unhelpful and i just wish there was striking involved so they would stop being so bloody cocky, fuckin teddy bear rolling about the floor. Hits and jits is way more fun imo
I really miss BJJ. I moved away from Cardiff, where they had an awesome dojo. Where I am now, classes are limited and just don't quite scratch the same itch.
In my first 3 months, I just got stangled by men. I wondered why I wasn't getting better. I then went to a different class (same school, different time). They had an open matt, and for the first time, I made about 3 or 4 people tap. I was amazed, and it felt great. Little did I know, I had been getting better, I just didn't know it because the people who I trained with were also getting better.
On the injury side of things, I did pick up a lot of injuries, but nothing serious. It did help my confidence knowing I learned how to defend myself (in a few scenarios), but mostly, it humbled me, teaching me that a scrawny, geek looking Harry Potter fan may actually be a deadly force to be reckoned with
Considering the risk of injury and of getting infections (herpes, molluscum contagiosum, ringworm), you really don't need to start jiu-jitsu.
Good for you i aint stopping, been in the game for 5 years
Also started 6 years ago - got my elbow popped twice in different armbar situations, knee injury from a knee reap, rib cartliage pop from rolling out a back take, neck popped from getting flipped etc. and now I'm a 2 stripe white belt! lol. Jiu jitsu is amazing but just remember that it's a combat sport - you can still get injured.
Everything you said it's true. I used to get mad all the time, and fight in the streets alot. Now, I just walk away.
It's like BJJ calms you down.
Love from Angola
Great video. At a point in my life where I dont know what to do with myself. Going to go to the local bjj gym today.
Started 6 months ago and absolutely love it too!!! Life and game changer!
That talk about losing and not being defeated really hit at the right time of my life. Thanks James for this video. And yes, I train jiu jitsu. Everything you said is spot on. At least for now, I'm only starting.
Starting bjj was best decision i ever made. I even started weight lifting which i could not imagine before. Thanks for this dude.
Thanks for sharing. I'm 40 years old. Just started the journey this year.
Brown belt here and been doing this for a very long time. All perfect points and well put together. Can’t overstate how true all of this is.
I believe this is by far your most important video I’ve watched. Thanks for everything, James! Keep up the great work
Oss!
Great content James… I’m in my late 40s and only started Bjj a year and a half ago.. it was a way for me to release my energy/ego and learn a new skill. I Totally love Bjj, and won’t trade it for anything else… I train x3 times a week regularly without fail and do an open mat sparring sessions every Sunday. The guys/girls I train with are my 2nd family and it’s brought another route to new friends. As an ex rugby player, I thought I’d be able to handle myself, so how wrong was I…😂. It’s given me a different mindset to who I am and I’m more chilled out now than before I started this journey. Working on my blue belt and seeing I get on with that at our grading in June. Thank you and all the best..👍👊🏾
Great Vid!! I am 61 and just started BJJ it has been 6 weeks. I started, because I wanted a challenge and it is!! I get humbled everyday by young adults, but I still go. I was jazzed when I passed someone guard for the first time a couple of weeks ago!! LOL!! Plus learning self defense, survival skills is essential. Love all the points you made, and I played rugby when I was young, I cannot play that at 61, but I can roll at 61! Thank you
Been doing mma and bjj for around 6-7 months, it’s great and I fell in love with it from the start. Really wanna go all the way with this.
Been doing it for a year and a half. Everything he says here is spot on.
Couldn't agree with this more, that first lesson was the most humbling experience I've ever had, hooked instantly
This is so on point. I finished my first session five days ago and am only just starting to not ache and feel exhausted, but Jiu Jitsu is all I’ve thought about since! Go and join a club. It’ll change your life very quickly for the better!
Thank you. 39 yo purple belt here. Training 4 years. Hooked on bjj. You're so right on.
i've been watching you here and there over a few months and i didnt even know you trained bjj.. thats awesome! i've been training for about 2 years and you've said the same thing i say to people who are interested in training. i also travel a bit for work and i've been lucky enough to train at a few different gyms and rarely do they ever make me pay for a drop in. i've made friends all over the world who i keep in touch with just because i have rolled with them a few times.. I always catch up with them whenever im in their city. such an amazing sport. changed my life!
I also travel the country for work and knowing I might be able to go to some local gyms in the evening is encouraging!
I've got my first class tomorrow evening. I'm really looking forward to it 😂
Thanks James, I have wanted to do this for a while and have made many excuses (too much cardio (bulking), too busy, and don't want to pay for two gym memberships). Watching this video has made me book my first class, nice!
I would just mention, about the CTE and knockouts from striking sports is that not everyone who goes to Muay Thai, Boxing, and any other striking sports etc. is going to compete and that you are generally in a very safe and controlled environment to learn. There are definitely inherent benefits to joining these sports as well and sparring generally works off of mutual respect and agreement to control how much strength and aggression is applied. There is value in learning how to defend yourself standing from a striking opponent as this is generally how an aggressor on the street will present.
CTE isn't really a thing in MT. Far less head contact, especially if you play at range.
Played rugby for the last 13 years and been looking for something new to start since stepping back from it, now I'm going to my first BJJ class on Friday and I'm buzzing for it.
Watching your videos has definitely helped me make the jump 🙏🏻
The best part about jiu jitsu is how it makes you a humble humble-shark of the ground who is on a personal enlightenment journey to humble mountain etc etc
You know what, I’ve heard you talk about it a lot and this video has indeed pushed me over the edge as you put it. I’m gonna start next month and let’s see what happens!
I started BJJ a few months ago, and I’m really enjoying it. The only thing that annoys me is that after an evening class, I always struggle a lot to fall asleep. It usually takes me around 4 hours to actually drift off. Does anyone else experience this and might got some tips?
He’s absolutely spot on. I’m just a hobbyist so don’t compete but the feeling and confidence it gives you after a great class is like nothing else. Great video 👏
Bro you literally just do 1 comp and you’ll instantly get twice as good
You can do it ! Its fun 😅
@@triocha24 haha because you get a medal?
did a comp as a 6 month white belt and got wreckt by some older guy with califlower ears and a scar over the eye. White belt my ass. No thanks @@triocha24
As someone who’s been hooked on bjj for over a year, this video spoke to me. Currently recovering from a knee injury unrelated to the mats, counting down the days until I can return.
You got me started this year, mate. There's nothing like putting my old body through training ha ha. Nothing but respect that comes with this sport. I love that my daughter and I can enjoy this together. Thanks James OSS 🥋
I plan on joining a local jiu jitsu club (my son goes at the moment) and have been talking to the owner over the last couple of weeks. This video was really good for me and I look forward to getting involved.
Used to love it, I studied Goju Ryu as a teen and joined a JJ and Muay Thai clubs at uni and carried on until too many shoulder dislocations stopped me (none done in training or fights, totally unrelated) and I'd encourage people to get involved.
started 2/3 months ago, managed to cop a rib injury when rolling so now i’m out 😢
absolutely obsessed with the sport and can’t wait to get back!
I love the way you talk, the way you explain something new, your voice. great content. The first youtuber that made me follow upon your first video.