I'm 150lb white belt, most guys in my class are 180-210 so I'm always rolling with a bigger opponent. My first few weeks, yes I would get a little frustrated that guys could just lay on top of me but now I always get complimented on my guard because I learned the best way to not get crushed is to never let my partner have the opportunity.
Same here man! I'm a tall, lanky-ass 150lbs, and I have the same experience as you, guard is a big part of my "game" (if you can call it that haha). I feel like I won't be a true threat until my guard and half guard get really good, so it'll be a little while. However, when NEW big guys come into the gym, I have a pretty easy time. So, even if you feel like you're not progressive because you're fighting bigger guys that are learning with you all the time, you actually ARE progressing, you just don't really notice until someone new comes in. And before you know it, you'll be playing with untrained big guys, which is the whole point of BJJ. Just keep sticking to it and don't let that discourage you. Doesn't sound like it is though, seems like you got a good mindset!
I appreciate vids like these. I recently was given my purple belt. I went through, like last week, a meltdown, self doubt, unworthy… my Professor and coach spoke with me, disciplined me, and I am well and truly better off for it. My blue belt was one hell of a ride… but purple is really shaping up as something special. OSS.
@@Nick_Johnsons @diligentminds2270 started watching a bunch of both your vids in the background of work... The dynamic of instructor/student is great and the insight is very valuable to noobs like myself. Michael's no bullshit reactions to everything can be hilarious too
I just got my blue belt, and I cannot fathom rn being anywhere close to purple. My journey has been almost exclusively rolling with purple belts and above, and even tho I see myself improve, I still feel like I'm eons away from a purple to a point that it seems beyond reach. Let's see how I feel in 5 years. Great vid
Congrats on the blue belt, that’s a big step. Don’t worry about feeling ready far away from purple, I as well feel the same way. The more I roll and get familiar rolling with higher belts most will tell you they all felt the same way. Thanks for watching and I really appreciate the comments. 🙏🫡💪💯
nothing wrong with going one day a week! Your paying out your hard earned money, Many of us old timers (59 yrs old)can only make it when our bodies are not hurting or injured, lol I personally do it stickily as a hobby and for the fun and friendships. Its so mentally stimulating and give me much to look forward too :)
Just got my purple Friday night. I’m 6’4” 260 and appreciate the segment on big guys being a “good roll” and controlling their weapons. I found that control midway through blue belt by letting go of trying to “win” , relaxing a little during rounds (especially with smaller partners), thinking my way through problems, being ok with getting stuck and not trying to power through every bad position. This opened my eyes to opportunities that I was missing while frantically trying to force the little technique I knew. It helps to find a group of upper belts with the same mentality that will allow you to work in some spots in between being subbed and shut down. So that’s what I want to be for newer whites and blues. Congrats to all the new purples in the comments! 🤙🏼
I got my purple about two months ago after only being a blue for a year and 10 months. I thought it was way too early, but not up to me, it’s up to my coaches. Decided to bite the bullet and compete a month after getting promoted and took silver out of a bracket of 7 guys. Despite my imposter syndrome, I’m glad I tested myself. Excited to be on the new journey at purple
I have my first tournament as a purple belt coming up next month. And damn if I’m not nervous as hell to see if I truly was worthy of the promotion. But it is what it is
Your coach sees it in you. Trust your coach and don’t judge it off the tournament. You earned it man regardless the outcome of the tournament. Good luck and thanks for watching and really appreciate the comments. 🫡💯💪
I am still a blue belt since 2019 December. I almost completely quit after my knee surgery (skipped 2022-23 I did my comeback in this February). Now I feel very depressed : those guys who were beginners at that time when I got my belt now can catch me. Basically I feel I am the most talentless blue in our club… actually I asked my coach what if I would be a white again because I don’t feel myself enough good for being a blue but he rejected my suggestion. As a 2 stripe blue belt I have constant imposter syndrome since my comeback. Now after a few months I am getting better now, but I am still struggling.
My coach goes by the IBJJF rules for blue to purple, which requires 2 years at blue in order to get purple. I am just under 1 full year at blue and I won gold at a Grappling Industries tournament in the blue division (3 fights and won all 3 by submission). In my mind, I thought I would have received my purple belt, but my coach seems to be strict at sticking with IBJJF standards. By doing that, it made me completely forget and not care about belt colors and being promoted, and I think that is the best thing for me. Currently, I am a 2 stripe blue belt and continue to work on my growth and skill so by the time I get to purple, there will be no doubts whether I deserve it or not.
I always try to remember how I looked up to purple belts as a fresh white belt. I’m so happy I was able to learn a lot and make white belts see me the same way. Now that I’m almost brown it’s kinda sad because this was the belt I was always looking forward to and I’m now leaving it behind, but I’m also getting good and closer to black
I think a purple belt should look amazing against all white belts, but have some blues that are a handful and even can lose to them. A brown I think should look amazing against white and blue belts. Struggle more with purples and so on. A black should look amazing against a white blue and purple. This also means that you are hanging at your own level and giving trouble to upper belts. With that said the water can be murky. Age, weight, and so on.
I’m a 43 yr old, 5’5”, 170lb no-gi purple belt. I got my purple belt in March. I even blew out both my meniscus, 3 months in. I had surgery in late July. I put on my huge metal brace and let people crush me. I just worked bottom defense for the last 3 months. Recently I am doing crazy better, almost 90% now. I didn’t think I would have such a skill explosion again. This getting crushed and not having my right leg working at all, to now a 90% function leg has done absolute wonders for my game and my skill level. I’m having brown belts wanting me to work with them on parts of my game. It’s awesome.
@@diligentminds2270 Thank you. I got my blue belt in 2001 from Carlos Machado. I quit in 2003. I had my life and my marriage fall apart in 2019. So naturally in went back to BJJ in January 2020. I was a short 240lb, 44 inch waist guy. Coming back absolutely change my life for the better. It’s hard to think about my life problems, while being crushed by a 300lb, 10th planet brown belt for 5 minutes. 10+ hours per week of training of no-gi BJJ is hard to stay 240lbs. Purple belt was such a life accomplishment for me. I never thought I would have seen it. Every time I open my backpack and see it I almost pinch myself.
Sorry to hear about your hardships back in 2003 man that sucks but I’m happy for you about how you turned it around. Down 70lbs and got the purple belt that’s awesome. Keep up the good work. I was 240 at one time in my life as well, so I know what that took 🫡
10:50 I agree with how someone is rolling being the main factor in blue to purple but I also have a check list at my school. Simply because someone may have just a few techniques but be extremely good at them. They still have a very limited game. Everyone has that one technique they can catch even on higher belts. In my mind no one should get to purple and have any huge holes in their game. Even at the stuff they don't really like or do they should still be proficient at it. Also they should be getting tapped by white or even blues regularly. Its gonna happen sometime but if they are getting tapped by lower belts regularly something is wrong.
I'm getting my purple belt in december, and this was interesting! agree with all your perspectives!! been a blue belt for 4 years!(took me awhile because I really wanted to feel like I was a true blue belt, also time on and off, different gym, etc)... but now it's the inevitable is coming to pass, purple here we goo!! thanks for the video!
Hell yeah man, congrats I’m excited for you. I have also been a blue belt for about 2 years now and I still feel I have a long way to go, but looking forward to the journey. Keep getting after it. Thanks for watching.
Ah this is the martial arts in JJ i like to see. The 10p Nogi only Sport, you ll never rank up based on "beauty and flow". just look at danaher students, winning worlds at blue belt. This brings us back to the art in martial arts. more schools like this
I hate rolling w really big guys cuz I end up injured, and miss class ngl. I love having the roll w everybody attitude, it's just cost me months of sitting at home.
I don't think you should advise people to just take a break. Having one toe in the water is really different from eating haagen dazs on your couch for months on end. But some of what you said is pretty interesting thank you.
I hear it man and to be honest that shit hit me hard when he said that. I really had to stop and think about why I’m even doing this and it put a lot into perspective. 🫡 keep at man, thanks for watching.
There is a big difference between a big guy and lets say a super athletic 250 power that is stronger than our 360 pounds and has some of the best jiu-jitsu and judo.
I respectfully disagree. Validation means a lot to people. It’s why people love recognition from their superiors in their jobs (even if there’s no raise or promotion). It’s why a lot of people strive for A’s in College when C’s still get degrees. So long as the belts have value (unlike in many other martial arts), people will covet them. If belts don’t matter, why would winning gold in a local comp matter? It’s not as if it it has any real value in the long run.
i used to think they meant more but i really dont think belts mean much anymore...look at adcc when 17 year old wrestlers beats seasoned black belts.., put in the time an have fun
@@uke_mikethe belts don’t apply to professional athletes in the sport. But for the 90% of us that are hobbyists they’re definitely a marker of skill and definitely a tangable goal
I'm 150lb white belt, most guys in my class are 180-210 so I'm always rolling with a bigger opponent. My first few weeks, yes I would get a little frustrated that guys could just lay on top of me but now I always get complimented on my guard because I learned the best way to not get crushed is to never let my partner have the opportunity.
I’m under 130lbs so I feel your pain but it just makes us little guys better. 🫡 thanks for watching.
That’s good you’ve finished it out so quick, took me around 4 years for it to fully sink in lol 150 pound blue belt here
Hell yeah man, keep getting after it. Thanks for watching!
Same here man! I'm a tall, lanky-ass 150lbs, and I have the same experience as you, guard is a big part of my "game" (if you can call it that haha). I feel like I won't be a true threat until my guard and half guard get really good, so it'll be a little while. However, when NEW big guys come into the gym, I have a pretty easy time. So, even if you feel like you're not progressive because you're fighting bigger guys that are learning with you all the time, you actually ARE progressing, you just don't really notice until someone new comes in. And before you know it, you'll be playing with untrained big guys, which is the whole point of BJJ. Just keep sticking to it and don't let that discourage you. Doesn't sound like it is though, seems like you got a good mindset!
Is little guys just have to keep grinding it out. Thanks for watching and I appreciate the comment. 🤝🫡💯
I appreciate vids like these. I recently was given my purple belt. I went through, like last week, a meltdown, self doubt, unworthy… my Professor and coach spoke with me, disciplined me, and I am well and truly better off for it.
My blue belt was one hell of a ride… but purple is really shaping up as something special.
OSS.
That’s awesome man keep at it, thanks for watching. 🫡💯
What do you mean by “disciplined”? Congrats by the way 🤙🏼
Great chat lads. Never seen this channel before but it just came up front page of RUclips and I love it. Keep going.
Thank you man. I appreciate it, if you like this channel check out my coach Nick’s channel (Belts off podcast) 🙏🫡
Killing it with this video!
Thank you sir. We’re trying lol
@@Nick_Johnsons @diligentminds2270 started watching a bunch of both your vids in the background of work... The dynamic of instructor/student is great and the insight is very valuable to noobs like myself. Michael's no bullshit reactions to everything can be hilarious too
@eireworm oh yeah definitely funny reactions lol thanks again for watching man I really appreciate it. It give us the drive to keep going.
I agree 100% on everything yous have said about the road to been a purple belt 👊💪😎 great video lads
🇮🇪☘️🇺🇸
Thanks bro I appreciate that. Thanks for watching🙏
I just got my blue belt, and I cannot fathom rn being anywhere close to purple. My journey has been almost exclusively rolling with purple belts and above, and even tho I see myself improve, I still feel like I'm eons away from a purple to a point that it seems beyond reach. Let's see how I feel in 5 years. Great vid
Congrats on the blue belt, that’s a big step. Don’t worry about feeling ready far away from purple, I as well feel the same way. The more I roll and get familiar rolling with higher belts most will tell you they all felt the same way. Thanks for watching and I really appreciate the comments. 🙏🫡💪💯
nothing wrong with going one day a week! Your paying out your hard earned money, Many of us old timers (59 yrs old)can only make it when our bodies are not hurting or injured, lol I personally do it stickily as a hobby and for the fun and friendships. Its so mentally stimulating and give me much to look forward too :)
Oh for sure man. Definitely take it at your own pace. Props on being 59 and getting after it. 🫡 thanks for watching and appreciate the comment. 🙏
Trust your jiu jitsu, sick quote
Yeah it pretty much sums it all up 💯🫡
So glad my gym doesn’t do warmups. We just do 3 warmup rolls at the beginning.
Just got my purple Friday night. I’m 6’4” 260 and appreciate the segment on big guys being a “good roll” and controlling their weapons. I found that control midway through blue belt by letting go of trying to “win” , relaxing a little during rounds (especially with smaller partners), thinking my way through problems, being ok with getting stuck and not trying to power through every bad position. This opened my eyes to opportunities that I was missing while frantically trying to force the little technique I knew. It helps to find a group of upper belts with the same mentality that will allow you to work in some spots in between being subbed and shut down. So that’s what I want to be for newer whites and blues. Congrats to all the new purples in the comments! 🤙🏼
Just got promoted to Brown Belt. I loved purple belt by far the most favourite so far.
I got my purple about two months ago after only being a blue for a year and 10 months. I thought it was way too early, but not up to me, it’s up to my coaches. Decided to bite the bullet and compete a month after getting promoted and took silver out of a bracket of 7 guys. Despite my imposter syndrome, I’m glad I tested myself. Excited to be on the new journey at purple
Congrats man that’s awesome. Keep grinding! 🫡 thanks for watching
I have my first tournament as a purple belt coming up next month. And damn if I’m not nervous as hell to see if I truly was worthy of the promotion. But it is what it is
Your coach sees it in you. Trust your coach and don’t judge it off the tournament. You earned it man regardless the outcome of the tournament. Good luck and thanks for watching and really appreciate the comments. 🫡💯💪
The guy with the chain...
I agree with
Definitely, yeah he’s got a lot of knowledge! 🫡🥋
I am still a blue belt since 2019 December. I almost completely quit after my knee surgery (skipped 2022-23 I did my comeback in this February). Now I feel very depressed : those guys who were beginners at that time when I got my belt now can catch me. Basically I feel I am the most talentless blue in our club… actually I asked my coach what if I would be a white again because I don’t feel myself enough good for being a blue but he rejected my suggestion. As a 2 stripe blue belt I have constant imposter syndrome since my comeback. Now after a few months I am getting better now, but I am still struggling.
My coach goes by the IBJJF rules for blue to purple, which requires 2 years at blue in order to get purple. I am just under 1 full year at blue and I won gold at a Grappling Industries tournament in the blue division (3 fights and won all 3 by submission). In my mind, I thought I would have received my purple belt, but my coach seems to be strict at sticking with IBJJF standards. By doing that, it made me completely forget and not care about belt colors and being promoted, and I think that is the best thing for me. Currently, I am a 2 stripe blue belt and continue to work on my growth and skill so by the time I get to purple, there will be no doubts whether I deserve it or not.
That’s awesome man. A great way to look at things, good shit on the gold. Thanks for watching and I appreciate the comments 🫡💪💯
I always try to remember how I looked up to purple belts as a fresh white belt. I’m so happy I was able to learn a lot and make white belts see me the same way. Now that I’m almost brown it’s kinda sad because this was the belt I was always looking forward to and I’m now leaving it behind, but I’m also getting good and closer to black
Also a new purple vs a purple that’s about to go brown should be a lot different all the way round.
Great topic and episode. I was looking for some guidance on how far away it is from blue to purple. Awesome work guys!
Thanks for watching and the kind words. Keep at it man 🫡
I think a purple belt should look amazing against all white belts, but have some blues that are a handful and even can lose to them. A brown I think should look amazing against white and blue belts. Struggle more with purples and so on. A black should look amazing against a white blue and purple. This also means that you are hanging at your own level and giving trouble to upper belts. With that said the water can be murky. Age, weight, and so on.
The water is definitely murky lol thanks for watching and I really appreciate the comment. 🙏🫡
Great summary.
@@richarddangler7596 thank you I probably stole it from someone I could not have possibly made that up or maybe I did
I’m a 43 yr old, 5’5”, 170lb no-gi purple belt. I got my purple belt in March. I even blew out both my meniscus, 3 months in. I had surgery in late July. I put on my huge metal brace and let people crush me. I just worked bottom defense for the last 3 months. Recently I am doing crazy better, almost 90% now. I didn’t think I would have such a skill explosion again. This getting crushed and not having my right leg working at all, to now a 90% function leg has done absolute wonders for my game and my skill level. I’m having brown belts wanting me to work with them on parts of my game. It’s awesome.
Congrats on the purple belt and good shit still training, thats savage 🫡 thanks for watching and appreciate the comment 🙏
@@diligentminds2270 Thank you. I got my blue belt in 2001 from Carlos Machado. I quit in 2003. I had my life and my marriage fall apart in 2019. So naturally in went back to BJJ in January 2020. I was a short 240lb, 44 inch waist guy. Coming back absolutely change my life for the better. It’s hard to think about my life problems, while being crushed by a 300lb, 10th planet brown belt for 5 minutes. 10+ hours per week of training of no-gi BJJ is hard to stay 240lbs. Purple belt was such a life accomplishment for me. I never thought I would have seen it. Every time I open my backpack and see it I almost pinch myself.
Sorry to hear about your hardships back in 2003 man that sucks but I’m happy for you about how you turned it around. Down 70lbs and got the purple belt that’s awesome. Keep up the good work. I was 240 at one time in my life as well, so I know what that took 🫡
10:50 I agree with how someone is rolling being the main factor in blue to purple but I also have a check list at my school. Simply because someone may have just a few techniques but be extremely good at them. They still have a very limited game. Everyone has that one technique they can catch even on higher belts. In my mind no one should get to purple and have any huge holes in their game. Even at the stuff they don't really like or do they should still be proficient at it. Also they should be getting tapped by white or even blues regularly. Its gonna happen sometime but if they are getting tapped by lower belts regularly something is wrong.
I'm getting my purple belt in december, and this was interesting! agree with all your perspectives!! been a blue belt for 4 years!(took me awhile because I really wanted to feel like I was a true blue belt, also time on and off, different gym, etc)... but now it's the inevitable is coming to pass, purple here we goo!! thanks for the video!
Hell yeah man, congrats I’m excited for you. I have also been a blue belt for about 2 years now and I still feel I have a long way to go, but looking forward to the journey. Keep getting after it. Thanks for watching.
Ah this is the martial arts in JJ i like to see. The 10p Nogi only Sport, you ll never rank up based on "beauty and flow". just look at danaher students, winning worlds at blue belt. This brings us back to the art in martial arts. more schools like this
Thanks man, appreciate the kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
I hate rolling w really big guys cuz I end up injured, and miss class ngl. I love having the roll w everybody attitude, it's just cost me months of sitting at home.
I don't think you should advise people to just take a break. Having one toe in the water is really different from eating haagen dazs on your couch for months on end. But some of what you said is pretty interesting thank you.
I hear it man and to be honest that shit hit me hard when he said that. I really had to stop and think about why I’m even doing this and it put a lot into perspective. 🫡 keep at man, thanks for watching.
I feel that I don’t deserve it, But I guess my coach did. lol
We all feel like this at times, congrats on the purple belt. Keep grinding 🫡
There is a big difference between a big guy and lets say a super athletic 250 power that is stronger than our 360 pounds and has some of the best jiu-jitsu and judo.
Belts mean nothing. Skills is all you need.
I agree, but it’s nice to know where you’re at on the journey.
just discovered the wheel
I respectfully disagree.
Validation means a lot to people. It’s why people love recognition from their superiors in their jobs (even if there’s no raise or promotion).
It’s why a lot of people strive for A’s in College when C’s still get degrees.
So long as the belts have value (unlike in many other martial arts), people will covet them.
If belts don’t matter, why would winning gold in a local comp matter? It’s not as if it it has any real value in the long run.
i used to think they meant more but i really dont think belts mean much anymore...look at adcc when 17 year old wrestlers beats seasoned black belts.., put in the time an have fun
@@uke_mikethe belts don’t apply to professional athletes in the sport. But for the 90% of us that are hobbyists they’re definitely a marker of skill and definitely a tangable goal
If you think size matters, look up Mikey Musumeci
Thanks for watching man, will do 🫡💯