That's my perspective too, I don't want it to be easy. I can put in the time 8-10 years but if the details and smoothness of your jiujitsu isn't there then can you really consider yourself a black belt.
Let's see, brown belt after 16 years of training. Ruptured disc, compound facial fracture (I did stop MMA!), shoulder dislocation, rotator cuff tear, brachial plexus injury, second disc rupture, 5 relocations, 2 deployments, one marriage, 2 children.....I'm NOT quitting, my retirement = teaching BJJ full time!!!
Started martial arts in 1973, now 62 Brown belt 4 stripe in Bjj . I've been teaching since the 80's and Love training and teaching. I'm 5'7" 140lbs and train with monsters!
I have been training in BJJ for about 3 years now. I'm 38 years old, and I am a 3 stripe white belt. Except for a few set backs I have been pretty consistent. What I like about where I roll is that it is not a black belt factory where they promote you just to keep you there. As long as I received what I deserved I would not care if it took me 20 years to get a black belt. Jiu-Jitsu is like a marathon !
I watched this video 10 years ago as a white belt, multiple times. I was just promoted to brown belt Sept 8, 2023. It was an amazing feeling. None of us saw a pandemic coming. I had plenty of injuries, plenty of life issues, I kept going, and will continue until it’s physically impossible to do so. An incredibly tough journey, and so worth it.
this guy is a legend i am a bjj blue belt. I have been thinking of calling it a day due to my instuctor giving me a hard time however i will keep it going.
Agreed, it cannot be obtained without a sort of fanatical love for it. Just too many years and time goes into it. It just must be a part of your life like anything else you do every day, and you just do it period. Great vid, thanks for sharing..
"Does your coach support you" hits really hard. I was going for my 4th degree in Taekwondo, which I would say is roughly the equivalent achievement and reputation within TKD as a black belt is in BJJ. I had told my Master that I was planning on moving out-of-state, but I wanted to get my 4th degree first because then I would be able to open my own school when I moved. In his mind, as soon as I said that, I was already gone. He started taking away my leadership responsibilities, stopped having time to give me private lessons. I had told him my 2 year plan and it was like I had given him my 2 weeks notice. Eventually I realized there was no way I was going to meet my goal under him, and I quit and moved. I've started BJJ, and we'll see how far I get. TKD is still my base art. I've found a school here that hopefully I can get my 4th and then finish my plan of opening my own. With that said, the TKD school I've found is very risk averse, so whenever I'm too beaten up from BJJ, my "rest week" is to spend more time in the TKD dojang!
Really not bothered about belts. I like the journey. You meet people and you push each other to the limits mentally and physically. You find out about yourself. What I like the most is when I see new people join or white belts who are going through what I went through. I enjoy helping them and encouraging them. You can see it in their face and in their eyes they feel totally overwhelmed and out of their depth. I keep telling them relax, keep going, stick to it and you will get better. They have this look of disbelief like really? Will we ever get better. That was me few years ago and I look at myself now and the other guys that joined similar time to me and you realise how far you have come along. The biggest battle is the battle against your ego and pride. Please also don't forget that bjj is not just what you learn physically but it also is about respect, humility, honour and discipline. You are also learning this every day and it is as important if not even more important than learning how to do an arm bar, triangle, chokes etc.
My instructor told us a story recently, that somewhat relates to this video. He was teaching a touth martial arts class and he asked his students, what belt comes after a black belt in traditional MA. one of the 8 year olds responds, a white belt. My coach never even thought about it that way, but learned something that day. And, I agree with that little kid, don't settle
There is so much wisdom being taught in this 7min video. Kieth has several videos like this... I mean really more instructors should post beyond the white belt pep talks like this cause BJJ is life on & off the mats.. this video 👍👍👈
I've earned every belt I have received. I am motivated by belts, but my main motivation is improvement. I want to be able to tell myself that after every training session, I am better now than I was 2 hours ago.
in my first ever jiu-jitsu class i took, we were with about 30 students, my teacher told us: ''there's 30 people here, so i think 2 of you will get a black belt eventually''. unfortunately he's right. i've been having some serious knee problems for the past 2 years, but i'm going to get a black belt, no matter what! you guys motivate me more and more with every video you upload! keep up the good work guys! greetings from Holland :)
If your goal is to get better, and you maintain that goal then you WILL get your black belt. And once you do you will realise how much more there still is to learn.
I've thought about quitting quite a few times. It's only been a year and a half (today is Nov 2018 and I started in Apr 2017) - and I've been injured quite a few times. And I'm not talking about the bruises everywhere and having sore hands/fingers/grips/other. I'm talking major injuries. First month : some guy falls with his elbow and whole weight on my calf, can't walk normally for 2 weeks June '17 : I get stacked on my neck. Can't sleep properly for three weeks. Can't turn my neck normally left and right Apr '18 : Get thrown and fall on my knee. Bursa explodes. Can't walk for 1 month. Out of sport for over 2 months. Oct '18 : Sweep and bad fall on shoulder. AC joint separation. It was 7 weeks ago, and I'm still out... My doctor said that now that my ligaments are extended, the shoulder will always be unstable and never look normal again... I'm honestly not sure what to do. Should I do some other sport? Change gyms + stop competing? I do like jiu jitsu and I don't want to abandon, but I'm not 20 anymore and I'm seriously concerned for my long term health ... I can take the psychological challenge of a difficult endeavor. But the long term injuries... I'm trying to figure it out...
He's right. Seems like there's a awful lot of people who just want a certain color belt just for the sake of havin a belt, thinkin it's gonna make them a badass. WRONG. YOU make you a badass with motivation and hard training almost if not everyday. This is how martial arts worked before any of the arts ever used the belt to identify "rank". Good video.
My belt is just useful to wrap my gi jacket. My white belt will become darker and darker with the practice and sweat until becoming black if I don't wash it :)
I have been doing this for 6 years and I am a blue belt.... I would love to get my blackbelt but in the end I do not really care in the long run. I will be doing it until I die and when the point comes that I am having consistant competitive rolls with blackbelts I will call myself an expert. If I never get a black belt they will just have to call me "that guy who is awesome."
"what are you gonna do once you get your black belt?" strongest talking point (to me)... it probably helps to be process oriented rather than goal oriented when doing bjj as this way you are focused on the art itself from the get go
The goal is to obtain the wisdom from martial arts, not the belt. Learning humility is my goal! I recently went back to BJJ after years of dealing with physical injuries to my back, mainly because I used to muscle people around in my 20's with my wrestler's mentality. However, now I am back with a different mindset at 37 years old. Currently, I am a rusty blue belt, with knowledge in MMA, wrestling, and kickboxing and am athletic enough to muscle my way around most blue and white belts still, even though I'm out of rolling shape. But what I told myself going back to the mat this time, that I will learn the technique of BJJ more than ever and stop using my muscles and athleticism to get me by. I was tapped yesterday by a guy that I knew I could muscle my way out if I really wanted to and would have done if I was thinking like I use too, however, I told myself he had the better technique, he is in better shape currently and no need to put my ego into this and to hurt myself or my partner, so I tapped, gave him a smiled and continued. He tapped me three times after that and that was cool. Several times I had him in a couple of armbars, but they were sloppy, so I let go, instead of muscling the move like I would of in the past before I got injured years ago. My goals now is to learn and continue my journey, to use technique rather than my muscles, and to leave my ego at the door. I love BJJ because it has taught me so much. This time around I really feel like I have grown up and really ready to start my journey in BJJ. Oss
@olimario I pay for my classes, and I actually wish my coach would talk to us like that sometimes. This guy has something important to say, something you can learn from his words.
i like some of the points he touched on about who is on board the spouse the teacher one blew me away about them not wanting anyone to out do them. but it defiantly was some things to think about. i was introduced to the sport 3 years ago and financially is what has kept me from going to an academy til i bought the instructional dvd from teacher and now it's finding people to be interested in the sport. i really want to learn to teach it someday that is my over all goal. i am still working
i train bjj for mma so i didnt really care about belts, but then i thought that it would be cool to have a belt, to be a part of that bjj community. so my goal is to be a blue belt now fuck ya
Getting a black belt in taekwondo or karate is definitely not the same as getting one in jujitsu. Jujitsu takes the longest time ever to achieve your goals. Kids in tae kwon do or karate get black belts these days.
Different cultural idea for what makes a black belt. For most asian based martial arts, it takes 3-6 years to get a black belt. Because it's understanding the basics and that is it. After that, you really start to learn the arts. In BJJ, you are pretty much well beyond the foundations and into a more personalised skill sets. Western standards and not asian ones i believe.
I was thinking bout it just yesterday, and yes i will follow my passion, and I will get black belt sooner or later, in 10 years I will be 30 years old, that time i want to have it :)
Getting promoted is scarier then the thought of not being or wondering if you will. I got my blue belt 18 months ago and i just got my first stripe on it. at first i was like "finally, ive been winning tournaments like crazy" and when i got the stripe now that ive matured i was like "shit , a couple more of these and ill have to represent myself and my school as faixa roxa at a high level, so from now on im just training hard and shutting my mouth til im the best i can be, screw the belt"
@1iguerra Exactly, I'm in Virginia and my head coach is Tony Passos, who's incredibly high-tier. He's a bronze medalist black belt in the Pan Ams, and he brings in top level guys for seminars. We've even had Andre Galvao and Lucas Lepri come in.
@NightmareKage It's all preference. I'm a grown ass man and I dealt with enough of these inspirational speeches in Jr High to last a lifetime. Nothing a BJJ instructor could say would motivate me any more or less than how I've motivated myself.
i consider myself lucky my dad is a 3 stripe purple belt has been at it for 7 years, we pay no fee for to train since he's been there for so long (and he also helps coach) i love the martial arts im there everyday but sunday
I'm not even worried about getting a black belt I'm just going to keep showing up becuase I feel like it's something I owe to myself to do for self protection, health and well being.
I love jiu-jitsu.But, being a college student money has been a problem many times and has delayed my training. I did No-gi for 2 1/2 years and switched to Gi this past semester, which obviously you start at a white belt. That was a serious ego checker. And, I rock my white belt because its more than just about a belt, its an art. to all those who love the art
awsome video! :) i love the sport of bjj, im 17 and in the city i live in in each bjj lesson is AUS $20 and i just cant afford it! me and my friend make sure we meet (together or with others) at least 3 times a week though :D although i may not achieve the rank/belt grading. i hope i can continue to achieve and grow in knowlege of bjj
I hear what he's saying, but sometimes jiu jitsu has to take the back seat for a short bit cause of injury or life changes. Either way, like he said at the end, all that matters is that you continue to get better at jiu jitsu, even if you never get the black belt.
i have thought about all the variables that would keep me from training im not married or have kids if money becomes an issue i will take a job at mcdonalds and sleep in my car if it means i get to support my jiujitsu habit im addicted and i have nothing else going on in my life i work a night job and generally live an ordianry life but jiujitsu is that little extrordiany thing i get to do day by day.
@1iguerra Thats one. Not all of them are in the West Coast, but the Majority of them are! You could find more in California then I bet you could in all of the Midwest and East Coast combined!
@colossuswright You have made the best points on this video. Besides injuries, money is a huge concern. A MMA school opened up where I live for $80 a month for full access of the gym's workout equipment, nogi BJJ MMA classes, boxing, and kicking compared to $159-$200 (depending on what your plan is) for only BJJ. I'm jumping ship with retiring with my blue belt. lol
Although I agree with 98% of what he says here, there is nothing wrong with setting a goal just for "acheivement" sake. This gives one a more balanced, educated, and open-minded life. People who only do what they "love" are often narrow-minded. Set goals for your own personal reasons, but yes, DO stick with it. Don't follow people blindly. Who are you outside of Martial arts? After all the sacrifice for black belt, then what? It's a valid question. Who is in your life in the end? Who are you?
Did they all quit? It’s been 10 years 😂 Some good points. I think you have to have a good reason. I feel better when I’m training. I make better health decisions. When I take a break I feel like warm garbage. If you’ve got something else that gives you that, good for you! If this ain’t it and you’re still looking… best of luck! I say that.. three days in to a 5 day break 😂
After doing this for a long time and training abroad while I was in the military the less I cared about belt ranking and more I cared about the actual art of it. I train now with a bunch of guys but I dont even bother trying to pursue a black belt. Its not important to me to walk around and say. I have a black belt in this. I would rather just tap them out. No Gi, No Belts is the way to train and be.
Belts are just a status symbol that shows to everyone else how much money you spent at a dojo. It's just a way for tournaments and academies to continue to fund themselves. Like this guy says, belts are moot, what matters is that you love to do jiu-jitsu. I can walk around the block without a belt and people will be oblivious to the fact that I like jiu-jitsu, but it won't change the fact that I do.
My suggestion: If you are injured. I would suggest staying at home and healing. Go back when you are physically capable of training without re- injuring yourself. If you are broken and can't move properly, you will never achieve a Black Belt. So, if your shoulder is busted up. Stay home! Stick with it. Just stay home till you can return.
My goal is not for a different belt color. My goal is to get to the point, where I can successfully defend myself from my instructor and not tap in a 6 minute round. My goal after that, is to get to the point, where I can tap my instructor.
@metalbullitt ordinarily I would agree with you, but with martial arts universally falling prey to the "McDojo" effect it's hard to discern how serious the practitioner is based on belt rankings alone.
Well it takes about $150 a month for 8-12 years. Or about 15,000 give or take a few hundred. In the tough times now a days you would think places BJJ Dojos would lower there prices.....but they dont. You also need to live on the West Coast. You can argue that point all you want but all the best BJJ Dojos in the states are in the West Coast.
While I agree with don't just get a black belt then quit, I'd like to know what he thinks about people who want to train in multiple arts...almost like a black belt being a stepping stone to the next.
@buffmedic01 Very true, brotha. Get a few friends, look up some moves on youtube, teach it and drill it with your buddies, and then roll. You don't need an instructor now days now that anything you could learn from Jiu Jitsu is on youtube. You just need to take the initiative and actually commit to learning and training on your own time with your own friends.
I would love to see some written proof that Jack Lalanne did not enjoy working out. Nonetheless I guarantee it man that if you're just a belt chaser without any love for jiujitsu there is no way you are going to make it.
@poolboyinla Thanks bro, I thought I was dreaming when one of the workers told me that. $80 for full access of the gym and all classes or $60 for just boxing and kickboxing. It sure beats my $132 a month.
+quito85869 First, change your damn name, bro. Quit is in the f'n name! lol. Incorporate BJJ as a culture in your life. Then it becomes a life of learning endlessly and helping others defend themselves and their families. Don't think of the black belt as a destination. Think of the Black Belt as the ability to truly understand the art and be able to transend into making it your own. Once you truly understand it, it will be a part of you forever and you a part of it. Stay focused and stay thankful, my man.
@PowerMug1910 Instructional videos are great but sometimes some sound advice from a guy who has completed the initial journey to black belt is even better. Patience my friend, patience.
Since the money issue seems to come up often and you don't have cash, just ask an instructor if you could clean toilets, mats, windows, etc. in exchange for free tuition. I can't imagine quitting anything because I don't have enough cash. I'd rather have good training partners that don't pay than the ones who do, but are lazy and unpleasant. Also, I don't understand spouses who are unsupportive...you'd rather see me at the bar every night?
Here in Brazil we say "A Black Belt is the White Belt that didn't give up".
Congrats for the video!
Great speech. In my opinion, any woman who is willing to kill your dream is not a woman worth keeping around.
Johnny Guitar well said
I don't want to get a black belt I want to be a black belt
That is awesome!
+TheWarriorScholar cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
That's my perspective too, I don't want it to be easy. I can put in the time 8-10 years but if the details and smoothness of your jiujitsu isn't there then can you really consider yourself a black belt.
Well said.
I want both
Let's see, brown belt after 16 years of training. Ruptured disc, compound facial fracture (I did stop MMA!), shoulder dislocation, rotator cuff tear, brachial plexus injury, second disc rupture, 5 relocations, 2 deployments, one marriage, 2 children.....I'm NOT quitting, my retirement = teaching BJJ full time!!!
+Andrew Doe Freakin Warrior! Good on you, brother. Train safe.
Awesome. Much respect! OSS !
Started martial arts in 1973, now 62 Brown belt 4 stripe in Bjj . I've been teaching since the 80's and Love training and teaching. I'm 5'7" 140lbs and train with monsters!
My ex-wife wasn't on board with Jiu-Jitsu
Hence why she's now your ex.... lol
No wife happy life 🥳
Sounds like a good reason to make her a ex wife
That 'derail' point you brought up is so true. I got a small minority of people, including family, who try this all the time.
I have been training in BJJ for about 3 years now. I'm 38 years old, and I am a 3 stripe white belt. Except for a few set backs I have been pretty consistent. What I like about where I roll is that it is not a black belt factory where they promote you just to keep you there. As long as I received what I deserved I would not care if it took me 20 years to get a black belt. Jiu-Jitsu is like a marathon !
If I had a spouse who didn't support me, I wouldn't quit training, I'd quit the relationship
+Rahul Gupta ya but 6 times a week no chance
+IamJacksColon4 I train/roll 5 times a week with a wife and child.
kr4yzi32k you sound like a selfish spouse
You sound like a dumbass. 6 hours a week training is selfish? Fuck yourself.
You dodged a bullet there mate, don't go back! Sounds like you did the right thing.
I watched this video 10 years ago as a white belt, multiple times. I was just promoted to brown belt Sept 8, 2023. It was an amazing feeling. None of us saw a pandemic coming. I had plenty of injuries, plenty of life issues, I kept going, and will continue until it’s physically impossible to do so. An incredibly tough journey, and so worth it.
Hope these students know how lucky they are. Fantastic Instructor..
Keith Owen is awesome, great speech!
A black belt is a white belt that didn't give up! Train4life 24-7-365
Im about half way: two stripe purple belt been at it for 7 years. I will KEEP going!
Owen, great speech... I really to it to heart... you are so right!!!!
well said mr. owen! dedication and discipline is what you need imo.
this guy is a legend i am a bjj blue belt. I have been thinking of calling it a day due to my instuctor giving me a hard time however i will keep it going.
+Darshan Singh have you quit yet ?
great topic of dicussion, wheni started last yr i didnt have any goals, now i still dnt. thks submissions 101, u guys really opened my eyes there
Agreed, it cannot be obtained without a sort of fanatical love for it. Just too many years and time goes into it. It just must be a part of your life like anything else you do every day, and you just do it period. Great vid, thanks for sharing..
"Does your coach support you" hits really hard. I was going for my 4th degree in Taekwondo, which I would say is roughly the equivalent achievement and reputation within TKD as a black belt is in BJJ. I had told my Master that I was planning on moving out-of-state, but I wanted to get my 4th degree first because then I would be able to open my own school when I moved. In his mind, as soon as I said that, I was already gone. He started taking away my leadership responsibilities, stopped having time to give me private lessons. I had told him my 2 year plan and it was like I had given him my 2 weeks notice. Eventually I realized there was no way I was going to meet my goal under him, and I quit and moved.
I've started BJJ, and we'll see how far I get. TKD is still my base art. I've found a school here that hopefully I can get my 4th and then finish my plan of opening my own. With that said, the TKD school I've found is very risk averse, so whenever I'm too beaten up from BJJ, my "rest week" is to spend more time in the TKD dojang!
Great talk.. Been going for about a year and really really want my blue belt... and definitely my black belt down the road.
Really not bothered about belts. I like the journey. You meet people and you push each other to the limits mentally and physically. You find out about yourself. What I like the most is when I see new people join or white belts who are going through what I went through. I enjoy helping them and encouraging them. You can see it in their face and in their eyes they feel totally overwhelmed and out of their depth. I keep telling them relax, keep going, stick to it and you will get better. They have this look of disbelief like really? Will we ever get better.
That was me few years ago and I look at myself now and the other guys that joined similar time to me and you realise how far you have come along. The biggest battle is the battle against your ego and pride. Please also don't forget that bjj is not just what you learn physically but it also is about respect, humility, honour and discipline. You are also learning this every day and it is as important if not even more important than learning how to do an arm bar, triangle, chokes etc.
My instructor told us a story recently, that somewhat relates to this video. He was teaching a touth martial arts class and he asked his students, what belt comes after a black belt in traditional MA. one of the 8 year olds responds, a white belt. My coach never even thought about it that way, but learned something that day. And, I agree with that little kid, don't settle
There is so much wisdom being taught in this 7min video. Kieth has several videos like this... I mean really more instructors should post beyond the white belt pep talks like this cause BJJ is life on & off the mats.. this video 👍👍👈
I've earned every belt I have received. I am motivated by belts, but my main motivation is improvement.
I want to be able to tell myself that after every training session, I am better now than I was 2 hours ago.
in my first ever jiu-jitsu class i took, we were with about 30 students, my teacher told us: ''there's 30 people here, so i think 2 of you will get a black belt eventually''.
unfortunately he's right.
i've been having some serious knee problems for the past 2 years, but i'm going to get a black belt, no matter what! you guys motivate me more and more with every video you upload! keep up the good work guys!
greetings from Holland :)
Are you still training? Did you get your black belt?
If your goal is to get better, and you maintain that goal then you WILL get your black belt. And once you do you will realise how much more there still is to learn.
I've thought about quitting quite a few times. It's only been a year and a half (today is Nov 2018 and I started in Apr 2017) - and I've been injured quite a few times. And I'm not talking about the bruises everywhere and having sore hands/fingers/grips/other. I'm talking major injuries.
First month : some guy falls with his elbow and whole weight on my calf, can't walk normally for 2 weeks
June '17 : I get stacked on my neck. Can't sleep properly for three weeks. Can't turn my neck normally left and right
Apr '18 : Get thrown and fall on my knee. Bursa explodes. Can't walk for 1 month. Out of sport for over 2 months.
Oct '18 : Sweep and bad fall on shoulder. AC joint separation. It was 7 weeks ago, and I'm still out... My doctor said that now that my ligaments are extended, the shoulder will always be unstable and never look normal again...
I'm honestly not sure what to do. Should I do some other sport? Change gyms + stop competing? I do like jiu jitsu and I don't want to abandon, but I'm not 20 anymore and I'm seriously concerned for my long term health ...
I can take the psychological challenge of a difficult endeavor. But the long term injuries... I'm trying to figure it out...
He's right. Seems like there's a awful lot of people who just want a certain color belt just for the sake of havin a belt, thinkin it's gonna make them a badass. WRONG. YOU make you a badass with motivation and hard training almost if not everyday. This is how martial arts worked before any of the arts ever used the belt to identify "rank". Good video.
I see Master Keith is getting in fighting shape! Keep it up! Pedro Sauer Team 4 Life!
Very good teacher in general, I don't even do martial arts.
To get a black belt at my gym would take a long long time. There is a very high standard.
My belt is just useful to wrap my gi jacket. My white belt will become darker and darker with the practice and sweat until becoming black if I don't wash it :)
I have been doing this for 6 years and I am a blue belt.... I would love to get my blackbelt but in the end I do not really care in the long run. I will be doing it until I die and when the point comes that I am having consistant competitive rolls with blackbelts I will call myself an expert. If I never get a black belt they will just have to call me "that guy who is awesome."
"what are you gonna do once you get your black belt?"
strongest talking point (to me)... it probably helps to be process oriented rather than goal oriented when doing bjj as this way you are focused on the art itself from the get go
great motivational talk with your class
The goal is to obtain the wisdom from martial arts, not the belt. Learning humility is my goal! I recently went back to BJJ after years of dealing with physical injuries to my back, mainly because I used to muscle people around in my 20's with my wrestler's mentality. However, now I am back with a different mindset at 37 years old. Currently, I am a rusty blue belt, with knowledge in MMA, wrestling, and kickboxing and am athletic enough to muscle my way around most blue and white belts still, even though I'm out of rolling shape.
But what I told myself going back to the mat this time, that I will learn the technique of BJJ more than ever and stop using my muscles and athleticism to get me by. I was tapped yesterday by a guy that I knew I could muscle my way out if I really wanted to and would have done if I was thinking like I use too, however, I told myself he had the better technique, he is in better shape currently and no need to put my ego into this and to hurt myself or my partner, so I tapped, gave him a smiled and continued. He tapped me three times after that and that was cool. Several times I had him in a couple of armbars, but they were sloppy, so I let go, instead of muscling the move like I would of in the past before I got injured years ago. My goals now is to learn and continue my journey, to use technique rather than my muscles, and to leave my ego at the door. I love BJJ because it has taught me so much. This time around I really feel like I have grown up and really ready to start my journey in BJJ. Oss
@olimario I pay for my classes, and I actually wish my coach would talk to us like that sometimes. This guy has something important to say, something you can learn from his words.
i like some of the points he touched on about who is on board the spouse the teacher one blew me away about them not wanting anyone to out do them. but it defiantly was some things to think about. i was introduced to the sport 3 years ago and financially is what has kept me from going to an academy til i bought the instructional dvd from teacher and now it's finding people to be interested in the sport. i really want to learn to teach it someday that is my over all goal. i am still working
i train bjj for mma so i didnt really care about belts, but then i thought that it would be cool to have a belt, to be a part of that bjj community. so my goal is to be a blue belt now fuck ya
this parallels to alot of things in life. even in business.
Getting a black belt in taekwondo or karate is definitely not the same as getting one in jujitsu. Jujitsu takes the longest time ever to achieve your goals. Kids in tae kwon do or karate get black belts these days.
Different cultural idea for what makes a black belt. For most asian based martial arts, it takes 3-6 years to get a black belt. Because it's understanding the basics and that is it. After that, you really start to learn the arts. In BJJ, you are pretty much well beyond the foundations and into a more personalised skill sets. Western standards and not asian ones i believe.
I was thinking bout it just yesterday, and yes i will follow my passion, and I will get black belt sooner or later, in 10 years I will be 30 years old, that time i want to have it :)
Getting promoted is scarier then the thought of not being or wondering if you will. I got my blue belt 18 months ago and i just got my first stripe on it. at first i was like "finally, ive been winning tournaments like crazy" and when i got the stripe now that ive matured i was like "shit , a couple more of these and ill have to represent myself and my school as faixa roxa at a high level, so from now on im just training hard and shutting my mouth til im the best i can be, screw the belt"
@1iguerra Exactly, I'm in Virginia and my head coach is Tony Passos, who's incredibly high-tier. He's a bronze medalist black belt in the Pan Ams, and he brings in top level guys for seminars. We've even had Andre Galvao and Lucas Lepri come in.
Love this man!
@NylerFtw is that a private lessons/ very small group ? that's pretty expensive.
awesome speach
@NightmareKage It's all preference. I'm a grown ass man and I dealt with enough of these inspirational speeches in Jr High to last a lifetime. Nothing a BJJ instructor could say would motivate me any more or less than how I've motivated myself.
i consider myself lucky my dad is a 3 stripe purple belt has been at it for 7 years, we pay no fee for to train since he's been there for so long (and he also helps coach) i love the martial arts im there everyday but sunday
That's awesome. you must be a very humble bjj fighter.
I'm not even worried about getting a black belt I'm just going to keep showing up becuase I feel like it's something I owe to myself to do for self protection, health and well being.
Almost to my black belt in Karate.
That’s cool man, but come try jiu Jitsu too. It could only add to your skills 🥋
I'm in it for the dirty tricks. Nothing like learning some new things. The belts come with them I guess.
I love jiu-jitsu.But, being a college student money has been a problem many times and has delayed my training. I did No-gi for 2 1/2 years and switched to Gi this past semester, which obviously you start at a white belt. That was a serious ego checker. And, I rock my white belt because its more than just about a belt, its an art. to all those who love the art
i am with you at the same time that color will determine that
It’s not a monumental achievement. It’s just the beginning.
awsome video! :) i love the sport of bjj, im 17 and in the city i live in in each bjj lesson is AUS $20 and i just cant afford it! me and my friend make sure we meet (together or with others) at least 3 times a week though :D although i may not achieve the rank/belt grading. i hope i can continue to achieve and grow in knowlege of bjj
I wish we had a gym in my small town
where does this guy teach?
Boise Idaho
I've had two hear surgeries and got mine. You can do it.
@NylerFtw Keep at it dude. I think it is best to learn from an experienced coach but if not possible just keep rolling!
@youngdrumma how do you think it goes with a 6'3'' 240lbs super technical Gracie Jiu Jitsu black belt ;-)
I hear what he's saying, but sometimes jiu jitsu has to take the back seat for a short bit cause of injury or life changes. Either way, like he said at the end, all that matters is that you continue to get better at jiu jitsu, even if you never get the black belt.
i have thought about all the variables that would keep me from training im not married or have kids if money becomes an issue i will take a job at mcdonalds and sleep in my car if it means i get to support my jiujitsu habit im addicted and i have nothing else going on in my life i work a night job and generally live an ordianry life but jiujitsu is that little extrordiany thing i get to do day by day.
a belt color should be an achievement because you reached a certain level, not a goal in itself.
But hey, the ego often gets the upper hand ...>_>
@1iguerra Thats one. Not all of them are in the West Coast, but the Majority of them are! You could find more in California then I bet you could in all of the Midwest and East Coast combined!
Any tips for a newbie I've been in it for 2 weeks now
@Sawbucks23 That's really crazy. Where is this gym?
thank you this is so true
@colossuswright You have made the best points on this video. Besides injuries, money is a huge concern. A MMA school opened up where I live for $80 a month for full access of the gym's workout equipment, nogi BJJ MMA classes, boxing, and kicking compared to $159-$200 (depending on what your plan is) for only BJJ. I'm jumping ship with retiring with my blue belt. lol
@colossuswright Marcelo Garcia's dojo is in New York...
Although I agree with 98% of what he says here, there is nothing wrong with setting a goal just for "acheivement" sake. This gives one a more balanced, educated, and open-minded life. People who only do what they "love" are often narrow-minded. Set goals for your own personal reasons, but yes, DO stick with it. Don't follow people blindly. Who are you outside of Martial arts? After all the sacrifice for black belt, then what? It's a valid question. Who is in your life in the end? Who are you?
Did they all quit? It’s been 10 years 😂
Some good points.
I think you have to have a good reason. I feel better when I’m training. I make better health decisions.
When I take a break I feel like warm garbage.
If you’ve got something else that gives you that, good for you!
If this ain’t it and you’re still looking… best of luck!
I say that.. three days in to a 5 day break 😂
After doing this for a long time and training abroad while I was in the military the less I cared about belt ranking and more I cared about the actual art of it. I train now with a bunch of guys but I dont even bother trying to pursue a black belt. Its not important to me to walk around and say. I have a black belt in this. I would rather just tap them out. No Gi, No Belts is the way to train and be.
Belts are just a status symbol that shows to everyone else how much money you spent at a dojo. It's just a way for tournaments and academies to continue to fund themselves. Like this guy says, belts are moot, what matters is that you love to do jiu-jitsu. I can walk around the block without a belt and people will be oblivious to the fact that I like jiu-jitsu, but it won't change the fact that I do.
I don't mean any disrespect by stepping stone either. Theres that one saying; Jack of all trades, King of none.
Why should I aim for a black belt as my white belt will get darker and darker as long as I train and never wash it
Yup and if you one day get a black belt, it'll fade to gray and then white eventually.
My suggestion:
If you are injured. I would suggest staying at home and healing. Go back when you are physically capable of training without re- injuring yourself. If you are broken and can't move properly, you will never achieve a Black Belt.
So, if your shoulder is busted up. Stay home! Stick with it. Just stay home till you can return.
I'm not in it for a belt I'm in it for my mental health and physical fitness
I just started my journey in BJJ. Maybe one day I'll become a black belt.
and how are you doing so far, im starting tomorrow
My goal is not for a different belt color.
My goal is to get to the point, where I can successfully defend myself from my instructor and not tap in a 6 minute round.
My goal after that, is to get to the point, where I can tap my instructor.
What he's really saying is that if ur in it, ur in it for life otherwise it make's no sense as all skills are perishable....
@metalbullitt ordinarily I would agree with you, but with martial arts universally falling prey to the "McDojo" effect it's hard to discern how serious the practitioner is based on belt rankings alone.
black belt or not, my goal is just to get better. i dont care about belt colors, i care about just getting better
@photographymatt will do! :)
I really don't care about the belt.I just love learning bjj!
Hell, if you already made it to purple belt, go to black belt. Don't drop out halfway there.
what if my goal is a diamond belt?
@Sawbucks23 $80 is a great deal.
@tillman40 lol i always say 'jujitsu was here before you'
My goal is to just get better. I don't care about belt color.
Well it takes about $150 a month for 8-12 years. Or about 15,000 give or take a few hundred. In the tough times now a days you would think places BJJ Dojos would lower there prices.....but they dont. You also need to live on the West Coast. You can argue that point all you want but all the best BJJ Dojos in the states are in the West Coast.
It;s be happy and satisfied with a legit purple belt.
While I agree with don't just get a black belt then quit, I'd like to know what he thinks about people who want to train in multiple arts...almost like a black belt being a stepping stone to the next.
@buffmedic01 Very true, brotha. Get a few friends, look up some moves on youtube, teach it and drill it with your buddies, and then roll. You don't need an instructor now days now that anything you could learn from Jiu Jitsu is on youtube. You just need to take the initiative and actually commit to learning and training on your own time with your own friends.
I would love to see some written proof that Jack Lalanne did not enjoy working out. Nonetheless I guarantee it man that if you're just a belt chaser without any love for jiujitsu there is no way you are going to make it.
@poolboyinla Thanks bro, I thought I was dreaming when one of the workers told me that. $80 for full access of the gym and all classes or $60 for just boxing and kickboxing. It sure beats my $132 a month.
sadly there isnt any place where i live that offers BJJ. :(
4:56 - 5:35 really makes me question my BJJ... :(
+quito85869 First, change your damn name, bro. Quit is in the f'n name! lol. Incorporate BJJ as a culture in your life. Then it becomes a life of learning endlessly and helping others defend themselves and their families. Don't think of the black belt as a destination. Think of the Black Belt as the ability to truly understand the art and be able to transend into making it your own. Once you truly understand it, it will be a part of you forever and you a part of it. Stay focused and stay thankful, my man.
@PowerMug1910
Instructional videos are great but sometimes some sound advice from a guy who has completed the initial journey to black belt is even better. Patience my friend, patience.
Since the money issue seems to come up often and you don't have cash, just ask an instructor if you could clean toilets, mats, windows, etc. in exchange for free tuition. I can't imagine quitting anything because I don't have enough cash.
I'd rather have good training partners that don't pay than the ones who do, but are lazy and unpleasant.
Also, I don't understand spouses who are unsupportive...you'd rather see me at the bar every night?