I don’t want my next stripe. I want to be an expert in each technique I have learned. Forget belts. All it does is get dirty, in my way and it doesn’t even keep my pants up.
top work Hernandez. I'm almost 4 months in and just under 25lbs lost. Hoping for another 25lbs by end of year but in no hurry, just taking it day by day. Keep it up
6 months in, no stripe, lost 30 pounds, kicking ass and loving it!! At this point, I would keep training even if I knew I would never earn a stripe. I don't care about the belt, just the experience
i think this is the best mentality to have. all the belts and stripes will come when they're meant to if you just keep showing up and working as best you can.
Only issue I have w no stripe promotions or no belt promotions... you'll never get to the level to help instruct or transfer out to other schools with validation.
@@thatkindofguy234 thanks, i saw judo black belts in white belt and MMA fighters with about 8 MMA fights in tournaments so there is a sandbag stuff going on, that aint me.
@@El_Cid_Campeador in judo, the challenger is wearing a dark blue belt, and the challenged is wearing a white belt during the fight. So in Judo it is very common to see a black belt with white belt.
Doctor Stapes I agree, before I started I was like i can't wait to be a black belt wingo..... after my first day of class I didn't care why? Cause at the gym i go to we all learn the same stuff, it's time where i would pic a move up before the black belts would......the only difference between a white belt and a black belt is (at least at my gym) is technique and dedication. We all know "A black belt is a white belt that never quit"...
same thing, been at bjj for a couple months now havent got no stripes, havent asked for them and dont care for them really, just there for the sport and to stay healthy
3 years, still a white belt lol. Couple of injuries have been getting in the way. I've given up worrying about it, now i'm just happy to be there. As long as your having fun that's the main thing right (at least that's what i tell myself each night as I cry myself to sleep).
It took my friend 3 years to get his blue belt. He wasn’t as consistent as he could have been with training but he got there. You’ll get there too. In the end, it’s not a race.
Honestly 3 years at wb to me legitimizes your blue so much more. I know to many blues that are garbage. It’s weird man, you’ll know when you’re blue and it’s coming. You’ll realize the new blue is easy, and the guys up for purple soon are the challenge
6 months since my last response and I am now a blue belt. I went from one strip white to blue . Hope you made it to blue as well my friend and if not I believe it's coming soon. Stay in shape and keep your head up.
I hate this kind of bs argument, the student have the right to know what is expected from him/her, and you should be clear about the time/schedule for the teaching process.
@Chewjitsu Watched Karate kid with my kids this weekend.....the following scene came on and I couildn't help but think of my 6-month journey through BJJ. Miyagi talked about karate, but that was his passion, not BJJ. Same mentality applies. Thanks for all your help Chewy, you've been a great helping hand and motivational voice as I make this BJJ journey during this time in my life. Daniel: Hey, what kind of belt do you have? Miyagi: Canvas. JC Penney, $3.98. You like? Daniel: [laughs] No, I meant... Miyagi: In Okinawa, belt mean no need rope to hold up pants. [laughs; then, seriously] Miyagi: Daniel-san... [taps his head] Miyagi: Karate here. [taps his heart] Miyagi: Karate here. [points to his belt] Miyagi: Karate never here. Understand?
Thanks for the advice. I am 44 years old and I have been training in Brazil with my 13 year old son. I have too much fun and the guys give me props for being really strong. I am a white belt no stripe and I have been training for 6 months. The instructors are so cool and the guys help me learn all the time. I have the privilege to roll with the higher belts on a regular bases which I count as a privilege. Though I haven't competed I am very competitive in the gym and have wondered why I haven't been promoted as well, but I just made up my mind to just let it happen when it happens.
2.5 months in and received my first stripe today! I feel like its my attitude that had to do with my promotion. Gotta be humble, smiling after every time you get subbed, and take the time to learn the techniques.
I love this. This, and that you're going to be doing jitsu for the rest of your life, so why hurry? Every step where you've not yet made it to your next belt is a chance to learn, and if your coach hasn't thought to promote you yet, they see from the outside something you still need to do before they think to promote you. But promotion isn't the only goal. The grind itself, and getting better at it, is more important, regardless of the colour of the belt holding up your pants.
Im a white belt and got my 1st stripe last week. I was suprised when I got it. Didnt really think about belts, im more into learning techniques. Its great. 🙂
I train 2 x per week for just under three years and I'm a two stripe blue belt and I feel like I should be a mid to high ranked white belt LOL. I always feel like I'm being promoted too fast!!
I agree with what you say about attaining a belt and expecting something magical to happen. Aside from the excitement of getting promoted on that day, life goes on and everything is business as usual.
I listened to this 3 times to soak the knowledge in. Very helpful on how I should think about the belts. I enjoy learning new moves because it widens my eyes with amazement that with practice there are ways to take down your opponent. Like today sensei taught us that if someone does a spin kick that while you see the head turn that you can anticipate where to grab the leg and do a take down. I found it fascinating how quick thinking can change an outcome.
Man I love this video. I just started training three weeks ago and it’s amazing. Everybody is nice, it’s a great workout, I know people are taking it easy on me to let me work on my techniques but they are being disrespectful and just letting me win. I love the process right now. You know how you read a great book and you come to like the last 50 pages and are like no i don’t want it to end. Bjj for me so far is like that great book. I’m Going to work on my discipline and stay with it. Im loving this white belt phase. No pressure. Lol
Thanks for all your videos and advice. It's great hearing your perspective coming from wrestling. I'm back on the mat after 15 years away. Your info is inspirational. Thank you
took me 7 months to get my first stripe in BJJ, 8 weeks later stripe 2. my coach told me my BJJ and skills increased massively since my first promotion. since then i'm having better rounds against the blue belts. i'm doing the same strategy think I've got to them mentally or something. love the channel your videos are just conveniently what im curious about.
Just got my first stripe yesterday 🔥 I’m officially 3 months of training the end of this week and casually train 3 times a week on average. Starting to connect the dots as far as attack and defense. Plan to do my first tournament in October 🙏
you summed that up great I'm glad I watched this video the belts will come embrace the grind fall in love with training im a 3 month in white belt and love it
Thanks man. I absolutely needed to see this. I am a 2 stripe white (double promoted baby) . I have been training 6 months but a year total over 8 YEARS. Took a LONG break but now I am back. I am laying the smack down so much that I have to ease back and work on things like guard retention. I outweigh everyone by at least 20lbs or more so I am not naive that I am a destroyer in my weight class, but open weight is a different story. I have tapped a couple blues and a purple (I outweigh him by 60lbs though). I definitely feel no white belt has anything for me. It isn't hard to stay humble though. To which he answered with a heel hook! Good thing time ran out. Almost got tapped by a visiting chick from stateside. I kept her at bay with my guard for a while but she did eventually get on my back before the round was up and oh man, it was close. Good thing she burned all of her grip energy on one our blue belts taking her lightly. Was a NASTY choke. I was scared when it was my turn hahaha! With a competition comping up in three weeks, I was hoping the smash the hell out of the country wide (island) contest and get promoted to blue on the podium. But hey, what's the rush? If I am successful and win, I should enjoy it and try to keep it up until my coach thinks I am ready for the next level. Anyhow, long winded comment but thanks again. Time to buy some sunglasses.
Hi Chewi, I wanted to thank you for your advice and attitude. I have been practicing BJJ for 3 years on and off due to my job/family I am currently a white belt with 1 stripe in ONE Jujitsu in Lyon, France and I don't care at all neither do my coach's all we care about is training hard in good spirit. I have partners who started with me and are now Blue with 2 or more stripes and that's great for them cz they deserve it. My only goal is to be able to practice BJJ as long as possible. Thank you and great job with the videos!
hypothetically this is true but I definitely noticed some benefit, I can't say for sure if it was increased confidence in my own abilities or if it made other people hesitant but I 100% had an easier time dealing with Blue Belts after I got my Purple Belt promotion. And I am talking about all the Blue Belts in the school became easier to deal with not just a handful of them and in some cases a week prior to the promotion when I had a Blue Belt also we would have like 50/50 matches trading Taps etc. And then a week later I get my promotion and these people get zero Submissions on me and are lucky to get one or two transitions in their favor over an entire round. For a bit I started to think the belt might be magic
If they mean nothing than it's time we do away with them like wrestling and boxing that never had them to begin with. There's no sense confusing people. I was left very dejectes when people who knew less technique, had less hours put in and I beat all the time get promoted ahead of me just because more they've been there slightly longer (but with fewer hours.)
@@nicks3037 Yes I did, he fed me some line about everyone having to wait 6 months in between promotions regardless of hours put in or progess made. Said it was an academy rule. I couldn't help but notice this rule wasn't applied to several members who did free work for him at the academy. I've since moved on and could not be happier.
Great timing on this video ... I've fought 9 MMA fights ... my 6 wins were by submission (one of which was a flying triangle). I've never put a Gi on until a few months ago and I definitely spent the last two weeks wondering when my new coach would get me out of this white belt. Great insight here: just enjoy the process.
I have just started a month or so ago at 51. i love being smashed and humbled, it's nice when the higher belts give you advice, I don't even know most of these peoples names but I respect them and because of that they respect me. I feel like I have finally found my people. Thanks for all of your great content Chewie Simon
@@cityspud123 Sure Did 2 stripe white belt, still crap but not as crap as when i started. Hope you have a great lesson and remember Comparison is the thief of joy.
I was a top 4 in the state wrestler in high and started training no gi jiu jitsu at 18 and joined the jiu jitsu club at western Carolina university for a few years and continued to train on and off after. I joined up with a Gracie backed gym in my home town under the name of Professor Mario Aiello. Naturally as soon as I got used to using a Gi I started competing evenly with the blue belts and never struggled with the white belts at all. I appreciate the message in this video because I am currently a no stripe white belt, but I help teach a lot and my instructor uses me as a means to teach often because of my current knowledge. I'm gonna continue to be patient and see where the future leads. Thanks for the message man. Much respect
Thanks 🙏 for the great advice. I was starting to get the blue belt blues because I went from white to blue in a year & was used to getting a stripe every few months of hard work (group & private classes & studying on the side). Took me a full year to get that first stripe on my blue and then another year & a half later I hadn’t gotten that second stripe yet & wasn’t sure what I was doing wrong. Just got the second stripe and I get a sense my instructor was really making me work more from bottom for it. Your instructor knows best...now I’m inspired to keep grinding along...
I think I needed this video. I've been at it for over a year with no stripes. I was super dedicated at first going in 2-4 times a week (uni schedule permitting) and then it slowly petered down to just 2 days to now I'm finding it very difficult to get my butt back in the gym because I'm watching all my peers progress. I'm clearly a self-fulfilling prophecy at this point (not going=no progress) so I think I just need to get my head out of this mindset of what progession actually is versus what you can see on your belt.
"Let that be a byproduct"...I like that phrase, perfectly stated. Jiu-jitsu, like all martial endeavors should be about the journey, not a destination. This is a great video.
I was a 0 Stipe white belt for two years, and I had the similar situation. people were telling me I was gonna get my blue belt like 6 months. I was tapping blue belts at like 4-6 months too. I changed gyms for different reasons, but my new coach has a requirement that you are well rounded (I had been making myself more well rounded before I knew that, I learned his standards a few weeks before getting promoted). So talking to your coach about what he's looking for is a good idea. Also just like Chewy said, the belt doesn't change that much. I stand further up when we all line up at the start of class, that's all haha.
theomen49 I understand you comment so far as competion is not concerned. But belt does matter in competition so there wouldn't be sandbagging which is unfair
Your videos are awesome. They've helped me even though I don't do jui-jitsu. I'm a karate first degree black belt and they still help me since they explain certain points of view that I haven't thought of yet.
I've been a white belt for 5 years. I have 1 stripe. I can tap blue belts. I assume the reason is that my attendance very inconsistent and I usually only go to No Gi class.
@@john-michaelforrestall2537 iprefer , no glove , or glove ... no gi , this is the real deal , gi is from 200 years ago ,i grab the sleeve , i turn around the wrist .... it's illusionn and it's rubbish imo.glove or no glove
@KingOfKings & see that is a picky nuance for your coach to have. FIVE years as a white belt all because you didnt make jiujitsu be the only thing your life consists of ... yet you've gone plenty of enough times to smash all the blue belts? That coach has a bias & its getting in the way. One thing I have noticed REPETITIVELY said in the BJJ community, more specifically online, is that "wHiTe BeLtS dOnT kNoW wHaT tHeY aRe TaLkINg AbOuT." Then comes the part where you're trying to have a meaningful conversation, but now have to interrupt with this long explanation about having rolled for 5 years & listing off your accomplishments. Too many are mid-level blues after 5 years that will have the mentality that you cant know what you're talking about because they DO judge your belt color. They fail to realize that all coaches are drastically different & there is a HUGE inconsistency & divide when it comes to seeing ALL bjj partakers & how/when they got their promotions. I feel for ya dude.
Good shit this is a cool video. I'm 22 now only getting older I figure why not start now... not to be a badass just to stay active and surround myself by good people. I like what you said about the belts that's a good way to look at it. I only rolled one time with the homie that actually does jiujitsu and it was fun and a cool concept. He told me recently that he just got his blue belt and he's like 31 so I see that it doesn't matter how old you are when you start. Might have to find a gym and see what it's all about. Definitely gonna subscribe mane.
I do a different art but i think the frustration is the same everywhere, i remember when i was a brown belt for like 4 years got really frustrated. Almost thought about taking black under someone else as i had offers but wanted to stay loyal to my instructor. Well i got my black belt but now i kinda miss those days as my art doesnt use stripes or coral or red belts so my belt will never change ever again amd i kinda miss that. If i get a degree i get a really nice piece of paper. So now i live vicariously through my students. Enjoy the journey
im the a white belt myself and I am enjoying every minute of it. I like to get complements on how I should be blue, that means you are a great white belt! on the other hand I do not want to be the blue belt getting smashed by the white belt, that would be a very disappointing experience if you ask me. big fish in a small tank or a small fish in a big tank!?
thats right, knowledge is the thing you learn and can pas to others, thats what the belt represent, some ppl say time but the time is for anyone else different, you can't pas time to others.
Great advice. Train for the love of jiu jitsu. Train for life. The belts will come. Don't set yourself up for burn out by focusing on a belt. It will come!
I come back to this video sooo many times. 😅 1 year down ✅ no stripes just chilling and going to class. I know they don’t “matter” but I can’t help but wonder what that first one feels like. Been one hell-of-a first year and I’m just getting started! 🙌😉 This video is always a great reminder to just enjoy the process…
6 months in, just received my first stripe. I’m grateful for it, but I train because I love it. The gym is awesome, and the people are fantastic. I’m losing weight, I’m gaining confidence and I’m genuinely enjoying myself. Enjoy the journey and enjoy doing what you love!
at 3.19 he makes a valid point. I worked so hard for my black belt and on the day I got it I was buzzing. I'm not sure what I expected when I got it....... the sky's dint darken, there was no crack of thunderand the whole syllabus was not dumped into my head via a cosmic phenomenon like the highlander movies. it was just another day and the club and the learning process if anything started again...... I think this is why so many martial arts have high rates of drop out?? who knows
I spent 20 years training in old school TKD and 12 years in shotokan. When I started gi BJJ I was so excited to be a white belt again and not have crazy high expectations put on me.
I’m an 8 year white belt lol. I trained off and on in bjj over the years while being consistent in judo, only being consistent in bjj for 5 months before the pandemic. I’m a nikkyu in judo, so I definitely have an edge over other white belts but hey, I recognize there areas I definitely need to improve before I can be a legitimate blue.
Totally agreed, happy to be a white belt, just want to learn and grow, and enjoy the experience. What I gain from the mats isn't quantifiable by the colour of my belt or how many stripes I have, but from what I learn and the experiences I create. #bjjlifestyle
I started in March of 2017; just got my first stripe in late September. I wasn’t expecting it at all! It happen to be a small class that day; normally there are 15-20 students on that day there was 5 of us including the professor. I really think it has a lot to do with observation of your technique... what that is, I have no idea! I was honored to get the stripe and continue to show up 2-3 times a week.
2 years of Jiujitsu and Luta Livre, I'm a nogi bluebelt but 2 stripes Whitebelt. Enjoy your time like chewy says, I enjoy both much, sometimes nogi more and sometimes gi training
I just got my 1st stripe tonight after 7 months, 5 shoulder dislocations, and a surgery but I stuck with it. (got hit by a car) I roll pretty conservatively due to previous injuries and I was a bit shocked by my promotion. I'm glad I got the stripe but at the same time I don't want people to expect anything out of me, I'm not good. Lol
The best advice I can think of for achieving higher level belts is to consciously try to learn and maintain the techniques drilled in class. I have a notebook now and when I learn new a technique is class I do two things. I drill it A LOT for the hour class and then when I go home I think about it and then I write it down in my notebook. I went 5 years training on and off as a white belt and "fighting" a lot. Sparring hard and my conditioning is very high now (I have been a kickboxer for years so I had that advantage for the "fighting grit" side of training). When I decided I needed to rank up I stopped sparring and focused on LEARNING something new each lesson and really retaining it. I got my blue belt within 4 months of changing this mindset. Stop FIGHTING and start LEARNING. Drill drill drill drill drill
I was a 0-stripe white belt for almost a year. I switched gyms, due to moving, at 7 months. Then, when I got to a famous gym here in LA, due to my performance, when I finally got promoted, I got THREE stripes at once!! So, it all comes in due time!! Be patient, and build that game!!
LA schools are like. Almost all the big ones have serious heritage, so that lineage means something. Took me 2 years to get blue, and I was taking home gold at tournaments. You don't get promoted until you're on the level of others at your school in that rank, not for beating others at your belt from other schools. I've heard that's how it is in Brazil, but who knows, maybe it's a little bit of sandbagging as well for the schools rep.
im 8 months into bjj and no stripe even tho i submit most white belts with clean arm triangles, armbars, rear naked chokes etc against bluebelts im doing pretty good i can sweep some of them get them into a bad position and i usally survive without getting tapped. problem with my gym is we have many instructors too many people, less space and i dont know i think i will switch too. we have white belts here which could beat other bluebelts. its just weird and not fair
@memento3682 I understand your frustration, but that depends on your goals. If you are a performance-based person, you may be at the wrong gym, as many gyms promote you off of many other things that have nothing to do with performance. However, there are gyms that are definitely performance-based, but many of these gyms also pressure you to compete.
I am 43 now....and a white belt. Started in July. For me and I would go for the tremendous health and weight loss benefits and the enjoyment. I guess in my 40s belt colors are not that important to me. In my teens or 20s they probably would have been.
This sounds exactly like me 2 months ago. Now I'm a 3 stripe white belt and my instructor told me I could be a blue belt but he wants me to enjoy competition and try other positions I'm not comfortable with in tournaments where I won't get punished as much like competing at blue belt (I'm a guard guy)
That's exactly what my instructor told me, don't be a belt/stripe chaser. I started training Bjj (and muay Thai and boxing but they're irrelevant atm) almost 4 months ago and I got told that exact same the you just said. Enjoy your time, learn the techniques, get the basics close to perfection as possible. It's a long journey and it'll happen when it's time. Don't get discouraged, your instructors are watching you, they're watching your techniques, your rolls and when the time comes they'll promote you. Enjoy your time on the lower tier, that's what I've come to realize. Because rolling with a purple belt (done it a few times) isn't fun. Lmfao Oss!
Cody Wilson did you start Muay Thai and BJJ at the same time? I’ve recently started Muay Thai but thinking about BJJ don’t know if this is too much for me as a beginner.
I’ve been a white belt for 2 years give or take. I changed gyms mid way thru those 2 years and also tore my labrum in my very first competition.. I have 4 stripes on my belt and I pretty much dominate the white belts and have success against blues and some times purples.. I’ve. One to a point that I no longer chase the belt. I chase progress and try to develop my skills. I can’t say that I won’t be happy when I get the belt since it’s been a struggle just to get to this point. It’s been rough but I wouldn’t change it..
7 months in. My gym only gives out stripes for the kids class, so I've learned to not worry about stripes or belt but to focus mainly on the technique!
4 months here, training only 2x a week. Just got my first stripe today. I'm not the best and it takes me longer than my peers to get the techniques but I work hard and have been consistent. My coach said I've been one of the most consistent white belts which most likely contributed to my promotion. In my opinion, I feel like i don't deserve it cause I'm bad but it feels great to have my hard work recognized. I have certainly learned more in the last 4 months in bjj than the past year in my regular life.
The first BJJ school I went to used to hold back students from promotion so they could win tournaments. One example was this guy named Travis who was a white belt for 5 years. He was submitting everyone at white belt.
One thing I really hate in some gyms is the idea that higher belts "have to smash you" and lower belts "put a target on you". The training environment should feel like a team atmosphere (imo).. not gladiator school.
I'm a 3rd stripe white belt with same issue came into bjj with 1.5 years no gi been in gi 6 months but been beating blue belts from the beginning telling me I should be blue belt but need to wait for promotion in summer
I was 1 stripe for months and 2 for even more. After my third I'm looking at like it's friggin*white belt* with hockey tape. Just enjoying no expectations while I still can
Better be a good white belt than a shitty blue belt.
Well said it's all about your skill level, not the color of your belt.
kalesia A he said he beats blue belts so he won't even be shitty
Is he smashing blue belts that are 50 pounds lighter and 15 years older? Everything is relative.
I don’t want my next stripe. I want to be an expert in each technique I have learned. Forget belts. All it does is get dirty, in my way and it doesn’t even keep my pants up.
@@AC-wp7em Tbh just cause your crushing people doesn’t mean you have the skill’ but it can be a good thing in a top position
6 Months here, No Stripe. 65lbs Lost. I dont care about the belt ! I already Won !
Gamaliel Hernandez yes you did sir.. congrats
Gamaliel Hernandez 💪🏼👍🏼
top work Hernandez. I'm almost 4 months in and just under 25lbs lost. Hoping for another 25lbs by end of year but in no hurry, just taking it day by day. Keep it up
Gamaliel Hernandez keep at it brother!!!
Keep at it brother. Oss!!
Being a white belt is sweet cuz if somebody taps me fuck it.. I'm just a white belt
Hhahahah yes tho
So true haha
Frfr
I think a white belt about to be blue can demolish a TKD blue belt on the ground
@@cpmow831obv
"Belt only good to hold up my pants." ~ Miyagi
Grand Master Helio said that.
tzaddisalazar the actual quote is “ in Okinawa, belt mean no need rope hold up pants”
If that's the general consensus that we should scrap the rankings like boxing and wrestling.
" In Okinawa, belt mean no need rope to hold up pants"
Shen Shy he did idiot
6 months in, no stripe, lost 30 pounds, kicking ass and loving it!!
At this point, I would keep training even if I knew I would never earn a stripe. I don't care about the belt, just the experience
Awesome brother
i think this is the best mentality to have. all the belts and stripes will come when they're meant to if you just keep showing up and working as best you can.
Only issue I have w no stripe promotions or no belt promotions... you'll never get to the level to help instruct or transfer out to other schools with validation.
Exactly are you learning the knowledge!
Your school might be using you to sandbag tournaments.
This is the most likely answer
What is a sandbag tournament?
republica-esp-killuminati sandbagging means you pretend to be way lower than your actual ability so you can walk through everyone, I think anyway
@@thatkindofguy234 thanks, i saw judo black belts in white belt and MMA fighters with about 8 MMA fights in tournaments so there is a sandbag stuff going on, that aint me.
@@El_Cid_Campeador in judo, the challenger is wearing a dark blue belt, and the challenged is wearing a white belt during the fight. So in Judo it is very common to see a black belt with white belt.
Relax, enjoy training and stop worrying about the color of fabric wrapped around your waist.
yeah dude.
yup
Doctor Stapes I agree, before I started I was like i can't wait to be a black belt wingo..... after my first day of class I didn't care why? Cause at the gym i go to we all learn the same stuff, it's time where i would pic a move up before the black belts would......the only difference between a white belt and a black belt is (at least at my gym) is technique and dedication. We all know "A black belt is a white belt that never quit"...
Yup this! as much as I love it BJJ have a really childish culture around belts.
same thing, been at bjj for a couple months now havent got no stripes, havent asked for them and dont care for them really, just there for the sport and to stay healthy
3 years, still a white belt lol. Couple of injuries have been getting in the way. I've given up worrying about it, now i'm just happy to be there. As long as your having fun that's the main thing right (at least that's what i tell myself each night as I cry myself to sleep).
All that time? Brutal...
It took my friend 3 years to get his blue belt. He wasn’t as consistent as he could have been with training but he got there. You’ll get there too. In the end, it’s not a race.
Same here too bro
Honestly 3 years at wb to me legitimizes your blue so much more.
I know to many blues that are garbage. It’s weird man, you’ll know when you’re blue and it’s coming. You’ll realize the new blue is easy, and the guys up for purple soon are the challenge
Same here dude! Injuries suck!
6 months since my last response and I am now a blue belt. I went from one strip white to blue . Hope you made it to blue as well my friend and if not I believe it's coming soon. Stay in shape and keep your head up.
Your coach skipped your stripes and gave a blue belt? That's cool
~Congrats man! what belt you at now? you still doing it?
What I tell students: "You're going to do Jiu Jitsu for the rest of your life. Why are you in such a rush?"
I hate this kind of bs argument, the student have the right to know what is expected from him/her, and you should be clear about the time/schedule for the teaching process.
@@charles.almeida you completely missed the point dude.
@@stupidandboot4507 no he is making a counter point
I don't know how, but every time I have an issue or question, you have a video and answer for it. Love this page
@Chewjitsu
Watched Karate kid with my kids this weekend.....the following scene came on and I couildn't help but think of my 6-month journey through BJJ. Miyagi talked about karate, but that was his passion, not BJJ. Same mentality applies. Thanks for all your help Chewy, you've been a great helping hand and motivational voice as I make this BJJ journey during this time in my life.
Daniel: Hey, what kind of belt do you have?
Miyagi: Canvas. JC Penney, $3.98. You like?
Daniel: [laughs] No, I meant...
Miyagi: In Okinawa, belt mean no need rope to hold up pants.
[laughs; then, seriously]
Miyagi: Daniel-san...
[taps his head]
Miyagi: Karate here.
[taps his heart]
Miyagi: Karate here.
[points to his belt]
Miyagi: Karate never here. Understand?
@@KonaCommuter could not find that video karate kid Daniel guy?
Robert Nowland facts
that shit be hype
Thanks for the advice. I am 44 years old and I have been training in Brazil with my 13 year old son. I have too much fun and the guys give me props for being really strong. I am a white belt no stripe and I have been training for 6 months. The instructors are so cool and the guys help me learn all the time. I have the privilege to roll with the higher belts on a regular bases which I count as a privilege. Though I haven't competed I am very competitive in the gym and have wondered why I haven't been promoted as well, but I just made up my mind to just let it happen when it happens.
Why not ask?
2.5 months in and received my first stripe today! I feel like its my attitude that had to do with my promotion. Gotta be humble, smiling after every time you get subbed, and take the time to learn the techniques.
"Fall in love with the grind." Love this.
I love this. This, and that you're going to be doing jitsu for the rest of your life, so why hurry?
Every step where you've not yet made it to your next belt is a chance to learn, and if your coach hasn't thought to promote you yet, they see from the outside something you still need to do before they think to promote you. But promotion isn't the only goal. The grind itself, and getting better at it, is more important, regardless of the colour of the belt holding up your pants.
Im a white belt and got my 1st stripe last week. I was suprised when I got it. Didnt really think about belts, im more into learning techniques. Its great. 🙂
I train 2 x per week for just under three years and I'm a two stripe blue belt and I feel like I should be a mid to high ranked white belt LOL. I always feel like I'm being promoted too fast!!
I think you just managed to cruise through the promotions nicely
I agree with what you say about attaining a belt and expecting something magical to happen. Aside from the excitement of getting promoted on that day, life goes on and everything is business as usual.
I like that "Enjoy your time in the Sun". I totally agree that you need time to just chill and feel happy at the end of your belt level.
I was also someone who was promoted very quickly. Totally agree... Gotta enjoy the journey. Belt's will come.
This is gonna be my belt journey and hopefuly i wont forget it lol
February 2020 - white
I listened to this 3 times to soak the knowledge in. Very helpful on how I should think about the belts. I enjoy learning new moves because it widens my eyes with amazement that with practice there are ways to take down your opponent. Like today sensei taught us that if someone does a spin kick that while you see the head turn that you can anticipate where to grab the leg and do a take down. I found it fascinating how quick thinking can change an outcome.
Man I love this video. I just started training three weeks ago and it’s amazing. Everybody is nice, it’s a great workout, I know people are taking it easy on me to let me work on my techniques but they are being disrespectful and just letting me win. I love the process right now. You know how you read a great book and you come to like the last 50 pages and are like no i don’t want it to end. Bjj for me so far is like that great book. I’m
Going to work on my discipline and stay with it. Im loving this white belt phase. No pressure. Lol
Are you a blue belt now?
Thanks for all your videos and advice. It's great hearing your perspective coming from wrestling. I'm back on the mat after 15 years away. Your info is inspirational. Thank you
took me 7 months to get my first stripe in BJJ, 8 weeks later stripe 2. my coach told me my BJJ and skills increased massively since my first promotion. since then i'm having better rounds against the blue belts. i'm doing the same strategy think I've got to them mentally or something. love the channel your videos are just conveniently what im curious about.
Just got my first stripe yesterday 🔥 I’m officially 3 months of training the end of this week and casually train 3 times a week on average. Starting to connect the dots as far as attack and defense. Plan to do my first tournament in October 🙏
you summed that up great I'm glad I watched this video the belts will come embrace the grind fall in love with training im a 3 month in white belt and love it
This was great advice, applicable to many things outside of martial-arts... Bravo. Goals are empty, it is the journey that sustains us.
The beginning music of these videos gets stuck in my head! Great videos though. Thank you for them
Thanks man. I absolutely needed to see this. I am a 2 stripe white (double promoted baby) . I have been training 6 months but a year total over 8 YEARS. Took a LONG break but now I am back. I am laying the smack down so much that I have to ease back and work on things like guard retention. I outweigh everyone by at least 20lbs or more so I am not naive that I am a destroyer in my weight class, but open weight is a different story.
I have tapped a couple blues and a purple (I outweigh him by 60lbs though). I definitely feel no white belt has anything for me. It isn't hard to stay humble though. To which he answered with a heel hook! Good thing time ran out. Almost got tapped by a visiting chick from stateside. I kept her at bay with my guard for a while but she did eventually get on my back before the round was up and oh man, it was close. Good thing she burned all of her grip energy on one our blue belts taking her lightly. Was a NASTY choke. I was scared when it was my turn hahaha!
With a competition comping up in three weeks, I was hoping the smash the hell out of the country wide (island) contest and get promoted to blue on the podium. But hey, what's the rush? If I am successful and win, I should enjoy it and try to keep it up until my coach thinks I am ready for the next level.
Anyhow, long winded comment but thanks again. Time to buy some sunglasses.
You are the best, most insightful Jiujitsu instructor here on RUclips. Makes me want to sign up for BJJ again :)
Hi Chewi, I wanted to thank you for your advice and attitude. I have been practicing BJJ for 3 years on and off due to my job/family I am currently a white belt with 1 stripe in ONE Jujitsu in Lyon, France and I don't care at all neither do my coach's all we care about is training hard in good spirit. I have partners who started with me and are now Blue with 2 or more stripes and that's great for them cz they deserve it. My only goal is to be able to practice BJJ as long as possible. Thank you and great job with the videos!
belts mean nothing,doesnt make you invincible,just shows you dedicated a large portion of your life to a particular idea.relax have fun and enjoy.
hypothetically this is true but I definitely noticed some benefit, I can't say for sure if it was increased confidence in my own abilities or if it made other people hesitant but I 100% had an easier time dealing with Blue Belts after I got my Purple Belt promotion. And I am talking about all the Blue Belts in the school became easier to deal with not just a handful of them and in some cases a week prior to the promotion when I had a Blue Belt also we would have like 50/50 matches trading Taps etc. And then a week later I get my promotion and these people get zero Submissions on me and are lucky to get one or two transitions in their favor over an entire round.
For a bit I started to think the belt might be magic
If they mean nothing than it's time we do away with them like wrestling and boxing that never had them to begin with. There's no sense confusing people. I was left very dejectes when people who knew less technique, had less hours put in and I beat all the time get promoted ahead of me just because more they've been there slightly longer (but with fewer hours.)
@@johnnyk5385 did you talk with coach
@@nicks3037 Yes I did, he fed me some line about everyone having to wait 6 months in between promotions regardless of hours put in or progess made. Said it was an academy rule. I couldn't help but notice this rule wasn't applied to several members who did free work for him at the academy. I've since moved on and could not be happier.
@@johnnyk5385 yep sometimes you just gotta move on not all people are cool people some are unfair and some are assholes lol stay up man
Great timing on this video ... I've fought 9 MMA fights ... my 6 wins were by submission (one of which was a flying triangle). I've never put a Gi on until a few months ago and I definitely spent the last two weeks wondering when my new coach would get me out of this white belt.
Great insight here: just enjoy the process.
I have just started a month or so ago at 51. i love being smashed and humbled, it's nice when the higher belts give you advice, I don't even know most of these peoples names but I respect them and because of that they respect me. I feel like I have finally found my people.
Thanks for all of your great content Chewie
Simon
Hi mate did you stick at it? Got my first class tomorrow
@@cityspud123 Sure Did 2 stripe white belt, still crap but not as crap as when i started.
Hope you have a great lesson and remember Comparison is the thief of joy.
Tremendous advice as always. Excellent perspective from a phenomenal instructor. Thanks for all you do.
I was a top 4 in the state wrestler in high and started training no gi jiu jitsu at 18 and joined the jiu jitsu club at western Carolina university for a few years and continued to train on and off after. I joined up with a Gracie backed gym in my home town under the name of Professor Mario Aiello. Naturally as soon as I got used to using a Gi I started competing evenly with the blue belts and never struggled with the white belts at all. I appreciate the message in this video because I am currently a no stripe white belt, but I help teach a lot and my instructor uses me as a means to teach often because of my current knowledge. I'm gonna continue to be patient and see where the future leads. Thanks for the message man. Much respect
cool story bro
6 one stripe white belts disliked this video...
8 :D Btw today I got my 2nd stripe on my white belt. Yeee
milkbunnies oh yes they are😂
that is why they are 1 stripe white belts :P
Thanks 🙏 for the great advice. I was starting to get the blue belt blues because I went from white to blue in a year & was used to getting a stripe every few months of hard work (group & private classes & studying on the side). Took me a full year to get that first stripe on my blue and then another year & a half later I hadn’t gotten that second stripe yet & wasn’t sure what I was doing wrong. Just got the second stripe and I get a sense my instructor was really making me work more from bottom for it. Your instructor knows best...now I’m inspired to keep grinding along...
Love this guy! Always good advise. Appreciated Chewy.
I think I needed this video. I've been at it for over a year with no stripes. I was super dedicated at first going in 2-4 times a week (uni schedule permitting) and then it slowly petered down to just 2 days to now I'm finding it very difficult to get my butt back in the gym because I'm watching all my peers progress. I'm clearly a self-fulfilling prophecy at this point (not going=no progress) so I think I just need to get my head out of this mindset of what progession actually is versus what you can see on your belt.
"Let that be a byproduct"...I like that phrase, perfectly stated. Jiu-jitsu, like all martial endeavors should be about the journey, not a destination. This is a great video.
Jiu Jitsu requires humility, if you keep asking questions like that at each belt, you probably won't stay with it
I was a 0 Stipe white belt for two years, and I had the similar situation. people were telling me I was gonna get my blue belt like 6 months. I was tapping blue belts at like 4-6 months too. I changed gyms for different reasons, but my new coach has a requirement that you are well rounded (I had been making myself more well rounded before I knew that, I learned his standards a few weeks before getting promoted). So talking to your coach about what he's looking for is a good idea. Also just like Chewy said, the belt doesn't change that much. I stand further up when we all line up at the start of class, that's all haha.
theomen49 I understand you comment so far as competion is not concerned. But belt does matter in competition so there wouldn't be sandbagging which is unfair
Your videos are awesome. They've helped me even though I don't do jui-jitsu. I'm a karate first degree black belt and they still help me since they explain certain points of view that I haven't thought of yet.
Great advice here. I was feeling the same way at my gym. Thanks Chewy🙌
Great advice, I am in that situation as well, but I really love the training process. Keep the nice work Chewie :)
Sage advice as always! Much appreciated!👍
good on ya man enjoy the journey
4 months, placed 3rd in my first tournament at white belt adult IBJJF, had an amazing experience with my team growing and learning. back to training!
I've been a white belt for 5 years. I have 1 stripe. I can tap blue belts. I assume the reason is that my attendance very inconsistent and I usually only go to No Gi class.
i try to love the gi but ... it's shit . no gi is the best
@@twinsunpredator7998 yeah
@@john-michaelforrestall2537 iprefer , no glove , or glove ... no gi , this is the real deal , gi is from 200 years ago ,i grab the sleeve , i turn around the wrist .... it's illusionn and it's rubbish imo.glove or no glove
@KingOfKings & see that is a picky nuance for your coach to have. FIVE years as a white belt all because you didnt make jiujitsu be the only thing your life consists of ... yet you've gone plenty of enough times to smash all the blue belts? That coach has a bias & its getting in the way. One thing I have noticed REPETITIVELY said in the BJJ community, more specifically online, is that "wHiTe BeLtS dOnT kNoW wHaT tHeY aRe TaLkINg AbOuT." Then comes the part where you're trying to have a meaningful conversation, but now have to interrupt with this long explanation about having rolled for 5 years & listing off your accomplishments. Too many are mid-level blues after 5 years that will have the mentality that you cant know what you're talking about because they DO judge your belt color. They fail to realize that all coaches are drastically different & there is a HUGE inconsistency & divide when it comes to seeing ALL bjj partakers & how/when they got their promotions. I feel for ya dude.
@@cbrit6206 I dont even care. I just show up and roll and enjoy myself.
Good shit this is a cool video. I'm 22 now only getting older I figure why not start now... not to be a badass just to stay active and surround myself by good people. I like what you said about the belts that's a good way to look at it. I only rolled one time with the homie that actually does jiujitsu and it was fun and a cool concept. He told me recently that he just got his blue belt and he's like 31 so I see that it doesn't matter how old you are when you start. Might have to find a gym and see what it's all about. Definitely gonna subscribe mane.
Such a great way to look at it!!! “Enjoy some time in the sun!”😊👌🏻
I do a different art but i think the frustration is the same everywhere, i remember when i was a brown belt for like 4 years got really frustrated. Almost thought about taking black under someone else as i had offers but wanted to stay loyal to my instructor. Well i got my black belt but now i kinda miss those days as my art doesnt use stripes or coral or red belts so my belt will never change ever again amd i kinda miss that. If i get a degree i get a really nice piece of paper. So now i live vicariously through my students. Enjoy the journey
im the a white belt myself and I am enjoying every minute of it. I like to get complements on how I should be blue, that means you are a great white belt! on the other hand I do not want to be the blue belt getting smashed by the white belt, that would be a very disappointing experience if you ask me. big fish in a small tank or a small fish in a big tank!?
Thank you for the experienced insight. So I'm just going to relax and enjoy the long ride...
Great advice sir !!!! Makes a lot of sense!
I’m a one stripe white belt. I care only for the knowledge. Let the other belts underestimate me. Lol
thats right, knowledge is the thing you learn and can pas to others, thats what the belt represent, some ppl say time but the time is for anyone else different, you can't pas time to others.
i started yesterday and holy shit...its fun
Hazus u still training
Ya wer u at georges??
I think he's dead guys
He died on day two. "Holy shit Jujitsu is fun!" Was put on his tombstone. RIP
Great advice. Train for the love of jiu jitsu. Train for life. The belts will come. Don't set yourself up for burn out by focusing on a belt. It will come!
Thank you for this video Chewy, good stuff.
thank you so much Chewie! this talk really helped!
I come back to this video sooo many times. 😅 1 year down ✅ no stripes just chilling and going to class. I know they don’t “matter” but I can’t help but wonder what that first one feels like. Been one hell-of-a first year and I’m just getting started! 🙌😉
This video is always a great reminder to just enjoy the process…
6 months in, just received my first stripe. I’m grateful for it, but I train because I love it. The gym is awesome, and the people are fantastic. I’m losing weight, I’m gaining confidence and I’m genuinely enjoying myself. Enjoy the journey and enjoy doing what you love!
Brilliant advice, I'm a white belt and just trying to survive at the minute although I manage to sweep a couple of people last week 😁
This is all fantastic advice. Thanks for sharing :)
at 3.19 he makes a valid point. I worked so hard for my black belt and on the day I got it I was buzzing. I'm not sure what I expected when I got it....... the sky's dint darken, there was no crack of thunderand the whole syllabus was not dumped into my head via a cosmic phenomenon like the highlander movies. it was just another day and the club and the learning process if anything started again...... I think this is why so many martial arts have high rates of drop out?? who knows
I value the knowledge more than the ranking level most important are you learning.
I spent 20 years training in old school TKD and 12 years in shotokan. When I started gi BJJ I was so excited to be a white belt again and not have crazy high expectations put on me.
I’m an 8 year white belt lol. I trained off and on in bjj over the years while being consistent in judo, only being consistent in bjj for 5 months before the pandemic. I’m a nikkyu in judo, so I definitely have an edge over other white belts but hey, I recognize there areas I definitely need to improve before I can be a legitimate blue.
Another quality vid by Chewy. Great channel.
You're awesome. Great advice.
Totally agreed, happy to be a white belt, just want to learn and grow, and enjoy the experience. What I gain from the mats isn't quantifiable by the colour of my belt or how many stripes I have, but from what I learn and the experiences I create. #bjjlifestyle
I started in March of 2017; just got my first stripe in late September. I wasn’t expecting it at all! It happen to be a small class that day; normally there are 15-20 students on that day there was 5 of us including the professor. I really think it has a lot to do with observation of your technique... what that is, I have no idea! I was honored to get the stripe and continue to show up 2-3 times a week.
Very good advice for more than BJJ. Apply the same to relationships and marriage. Focus on enjoying the journey, not reaching the destination.
OS! So true, don't focus on the belt, focus on the journey
Great explanation!
2 years of Jiujitsu and Luta Livre, I'm a nogi bluebelt but 2 stripes Whitebelt. Enjoy your time like chewy says, I enjoy both much, sometimes nogi more and sometimes gi training
I just got my 1st stripe tonight after 7 months, 5 shoulder dislocations, and a surgery but I stuck with it. (got hit by a car) I roll pretty conservatively due to previous injuries and I was a bit shocked by my promotion. I'm glad I got the stripe but at the same time I don't want people to expect anything out of me, I'm not good. Lol
The Best speach about promotion staff. Cool! Thank from Russian w/b
The best advice I can think of for achieving higher level belts is to consciously try to learn and maintain the techniques drilled in class. I have a notebook now and when I learn new a technique is class I do two things. I drill it A LOT for the hour class and then when I go home I think about it and then I write it down in my notebook.
I went 5 years training on and off as a white belt and "fighting" a lot. Sparring hard and my conditioning is very high now (I have been a kickboxer for years so I had that advantage for the "fighting grit" side of training).
When I decided I needed to rank up I stopped sparring and focused on LEARNING something new each lesson and really retaining it. I got my blue belt within 4 months of changing this mindset.
Stop FIGHTING and start LEARNING.
Drill drill drill drill drill
fantastic advice. thank you so much for making this video in particular.
I was a 0-stripe white belt for almost a year. I switched gyms, due to moving, at 7 months. Then, when I got to a famous gym here in LA, due to my performance, when I finally got promoted, I got THREE stripes at once!! So, it all comes in due time!! Be patient, and build that game!!
LA schools are like. Almost all the big ones have serious heritage, so that lineage means something. Took me 2 years to get blue, and I was taking home gold at tournaments. You don't get promoted until you're on the level of others at your school in that rank, not for beating others at your belt from other schools. I've heard that's how it is in Brazil, but who knows, maybe it's a little bit of sandbagging as well for the schools rep.
Please tell me Joe Rogan himself gave them to you
im 8 months into bjj and no stripe even tho i submit most white belts with clean arm triangles, armbars, rear naked chokes etc against bluebelts im doing pretty good i can sweep some of them get them into a bad position and i usally survive without getting tapped. problem with my gym is we have many instructors too many people, less space and i dont know i think i will switch too. we have white belts here which could beat other bluebelts. its just weird and not fair
@memento3682 I understand your frustration, but that depends on your goals. If you are a performance-based person, you may be at the wrong gym, as many gyms promote you off of many other things that have nothing to do with performance. However, there are gyms that are definitely performance-based, but many of these gyms also pressure you to compete.
I am 43 now....and a white belt. Started in July. For me and I would go for the tremendous health and weight loss benefits and the enjoyment. I guess in my 40s belt colors are not that important to me. In my teens or 20s they probably would have been.
This sounds exactly like me 2 months ago. Now I'm a 3 stripe white belt and my instructor told me I could be a blue belt but he wants me to enjoy competition and try other positions I'm not comfortable with in tournaments where I won't get punished as much like competing at blue belt (I'm a guard guy)
That's exactly what my instructor told me, don't be a belt/stripe chaser. I started training Bjj (and muay Thai and boxing but they're irrelevant atm) almost 4 months ago and I got told that exact same the you just said. Enjoy your time, learn the techniques, get the basics close to perfection as possible. It's a long journey and it'll happen when it's time. Don't get discouraged, your instructors are watching you, they're watching your techniques, your rolls and when the time comes they'll promote you. Enjoy your time on the lower tier, that's what I've come to realize. Because rolling with a purple belt (done it a few times) isn't fun. Lmfao
Oss!
Cody Wilson did you start Muay Thai and BJJ at the same time? I’ve recently started Muay Thai but thinking about BJJ don’t know if this is too much for me as a beginner.
Perfect video dude. I agree 100%.
The journey is more important than the destination
I’ve been a white belt for 2 years give or take. I changed gyms mid way thru those 2 years and also tore my labrum in my very first competition.. I have 4 stripes on my belt and I pretty much dominate the white belts and have success against blues and some times purples.. I’ve. One to a point that I no longer chase the belt. I chase progress and try to develop my skills. I can’t say that I won’t be happy when I get the belt since it’s been a struggle just to get to this point. It’s been rough but I wouldn’t change it..
This is the best video so far. White belt for life over here lol thanks.
7 months in. My gym only gives out stripes for the kids class, so I've learned to not worry about stripes or belt but to focus mainly on the technique!
another gem :) thanks for the vid CHEW
4 months here, training only 2x a week. Just got my first stripe today. I'm not the best and it takes me longer than my peers to get the techniques but I work hard and have been consistent. My coach said I've been one of the most consistent white belts which most likely contributed to my promotion. In my opinion, I feel like i don't deserve it cause I'm bad but it feels great to have my hard work recognized. I have certainly learned more in the last 4 months in bjj than the past year in my regular life.
Thx I needed that this morning !
Great advice chewy
The first BJJ school I went to used to hold back students from promotion so they could win tournaments. One example was this guy named Travis who was a white belt for 5 years. He was submitting everyone at white belt.
One thing I really hate in some gyms is the idea that higher belts "have to smash you" and lower belts "put a target on you". The training environment should feel like a team atmosphere (imo).. not gladiator school.
I'm a 3rd stripe white belt with same issue came into bjj with 1.5 years no gi been in gi 6 months but been beating blue belts from the beginning telling me I should be blue belt but need to wait for promotion in summer
I was 1 stripe for months and 2 for even more. After my third I'm looking at like it's friggin*white belt* with hockey tape. Just enjoying no expectations while I still can
The hardest thing for me about training as much as I want to is the Gi laundry!!