There and Back

A journey. A return. Probably tired.

Tag: Brazilian jiu jitsu

  • 85 Random Thoughts on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

    I’ve been thinking more and more about jiu jitsu lately. It’s probably because I decided to register for a competition at the beginning of May. Did I mention I’ve only been doing BJJ for four months? I’m so new to the sport that my white belt has a white belt. I’m excited and nervous.

    Anyways here are 85 more random thoughts on Brazilian jiu jitsu that came to me at different times in the last month or so, enjoy…

    1. If there is sparring tonight in jiu jitsu, my goal is to work on my grips. I’ve been flailing around not sure what to grab and why. Also my fingers have never been so sore all the time. What a weird sport.

    2. In the last few weeks the jiu jitsu gym I go to has had more dads joining. They enrolled their children and thought why not give it a try. Be more like these dads.

    3. My jiu jitsu partner: “I heard a crack was that you?”
    Me: “not sure I didn’t feel anything”
    I love this sport.

    4. For those who do jiu jitsu, are your fingers sore all the time? Gripping is tough on the hands.

    5. I talked to the head instructor after the open mat roll at jiu jitsu today. I asked him if they ever take a team to tournaments. Good news, since mandates are lifted they will be going to 3 or 4 tournaments this year. This year is the year of the Competition for me.

    6. The CDC now recommends doing jiu jitsu.

    7. To combat inflation, learn jiu jitsu.

    8. At what belt do I start calling jiu jitsu “jits”?

    9. When the pandemic first hit, I was freaked out and I got weird. But as time went on, I kept on living my life. I quit drinking, got engaged, quit pot, started doing jiu jitsu, and I’m getting married soon. With mask mandates being lifted, I can’t wait for an amazing summer ahead.

    10. Last night in Jiu Jitsu we learned a Clock choke. A nasty choke you apply to someone when you sprawl on their single leg attempt. Lots of new members so it was crowded. Glad to see more people getting into bjj.

    11. I’m a four month jiu jitsu white belt and I roll with higher belts during the open mat classes because why the f**k not.

    12. I’m at the stage in jiu jitsu where I tell everyone they should try jiu jitsu. White belt mindset.

    13. I can’t wait until I compete in jiu jitsu and have my coach yelling from the corner what moves I should be doing.

    14. Today I think I set a record for how many arm bars a person can get put in during an open mat jiu jitsu session.

    15. My goal for jiu jitsu open mat class this week is to pull guard more. I haven’t been doing that at all. Just going in other peoples guard and getting smashed. Let’s see how this goes

    16. I wonder what we’ll learn in jiu jitsu tonight. A takedown perhaps? A choke maybe? A lock or limb break possibly? Either way it’ll be fun.

    17. Preparing to do jiu jitsu competitions means a lot more laundry to do. I’m ready for this challenge.

    18. After trying a modified version of the Dolce Diet for a week, I’ve already lost a few pounds. Basically eating better, portion control, and regular jiu jitsu classes (white belt). I’ll definitely make weight for the upcoming comp in about a month. Excited, nervous, and can’t wait to get training.

    19. I’m a white belt so I read and chat about jiu jitsu everyday. When does that stop?

    20. When I get absolutely smashed by higher belts at the open mat jiu jitsu classes, I say “that was fun” after we roll, with a big dumb smile on my face. As long as I don’t get hurt, that’s a win for me.

    21. Watching Youtube videos of jiu jitsu moves won’t make me better. Showing up and getting by butt kicked will. White Belt Mindset.

    22. While watching me roll at open mat class the other week, one of my jiu jitsu rolling partners told the head instructor that I have good cardio. It’s true my cardio is improving. The real truth is that getting my ass kicked will make me better. At least that’s what I hope.

    23. My Twitter account has turned into a jiu jitsu white belt account. I’m okay with that.

    24. I’m lucky I wrestled for six years in my youth. So far it has helped with re-learning takedowns in jiu jitsu now. I hear that many bjj practitioners don’t focus on takedowns and wrestling. If that’s true, that’s good news for me.

    25. Just learned there is a belt in jiu jitsu called, The Coral Belt. “A Coral Belt is a 7th degree belt, awarded to Jiu Jitsu masters who have been active black belts for over 30 years.” Pretty neat.

    26. Future wife is baking a pie. I’m getting ready for jiu jitsu practice. This is my life now, I’m lucky.

    27. Btw that pie was a shrimp pot pie. I mucked it in the car before I went into jiu jitsu. Let’s see if that was a good idea.

    28. Update: it was a good idea.

    29. Talked to the head instructor at the jiu jitsu gym. Looks like I’ll be joining the GB2 Advanced classes for competition training. Exciting times ahead.

    30. Reminder: try Jiu Jitsu

    31. I’m a white belt in jiu jitsu so I’m obligated to annoy you by telling you once again to try jiu jitsu.

    32. One of the main reasons I’m learning jiu jitsu is to prepare for when the aliens come. You’ll look pretty silly if you don’t know how to pull guard when they start grabbing your gi with their weird tentacle hands. Learn bjj to save humanity.

    33. “[..] the language of Jiu Jitsu is spoken by the body” Excerpt From Mentors : How to Help and Be Helped by Russell Brand

    34. Today I’m going to my first Advanced jiu jitsu class. I may be the only white belt with no stripes there. But our head instructor said it is the best class for me to learn from and help better prepare for competitions. A bit nervous but also excited. Will let you know how it goes

    35. White belts are supposed to tell everyone they know to try jiu jitsu. Reminder: try jiu jitsu

    36. Jiu jitsu is violence in a controlled setting. A great way to see how you react under the pressure of potentially going unconscious or having a limb broken. Give it a try

    37. Since I started jiu jitsu, I am sore all the time. Not sure if that will ever go away. I’m okay with that.

    38. You can watch as many YouTube videos on technique and cool moves as you want. But there is no substitute for showing up, getting your butt kicked, and learning from experience when it comes to jiu jitsu. Probably relates to life in general as well.

    40. Can’t wait for more of you guys to try jiu jitsu so we can talk about it all the time.

    41. Tonight was my first night at an Advanced jiu jitsu class. That was fun. More time drilling moves, like a flower sweep that was cool and a triangle choke which I sucked at. And a 15min rolling sessions at the end, enough for at least 2 partners. Good competition prep for me

    42. Mario Lopez (AC Slater from Saved by the Bell) trains jiu jitsu. Go Mario.

    43. Weight loss for jiu jitsu competition update: Lost two pounds, still need to lose six by May. Doable, just have to keep having. my smoothies every morning and a lunch and a dinner, watch my portions and pound water (which s more challenging than I thought). Wish me luck

    44. Was chatting with my older brother on the phone today. Catching up about his fam and talking about my jiu jitsu journey so far. He suggested I do the Wim Hof deep breathing exercise during the 30sec breaks in between the 5min rolling and sparring sessions. Great idea love it

    45. Just told a couple of my buddies I haven’t seen in awhile that I do jiu jitsu. They were happy that I’m having fun and are excited for me. I’m lucky I have friends like that.

    46. Got my butt kicked tonight in jiu jitsu by young and old. White belt and blue belt. But you know what, I’ll show up tomorrow and keep on givin‘er.

    47. My fiancée supports my jiu jitsu journey. Find a partner who supports you through your new interests and journey.

    48. This week I’m attempting to go to jiu jitsu 5 days. Mon and Wed the advanced class, Tues and Thurs the fundamentals class. And Sat is open mat rolling. I’m half way through and going strong. I’ll try and get strength training in but I needs some rest. Here we go

    49. I didn’t feel like a real jiu jitsu practitioner until I started taping my toes.

    50. I’m a white belt in jiu jitsu and i’m telling everyone to give it a try. But am I actually just recruiting for a cult? Am I in a cult? Perhaps.

    51. If I didn’t have any responsibilities I would train jiu jitsu and wrestling all the time everyday. But alas I need to pay bills and stuff.

    52. Unpopular Opinion: no gi jiu jitsu competitions with heel hooks and leg locks are boring.

    53. There is more and more people joining the jiujitsu gym I go to. There was around 30 folks at the open mat rolling session today. I was there until the end, drenched in sweat, some of it mine. Good to see people getting healthy and learning a martial art at the same time.

    54. The world would be safer if we all learned jiu jitsu.

    55. Last week I reached my goal of going to jiu jitsu for five days, a total of six hours. Proud of myself.

    56. Only going to the advanced jiujitsu classes this week. Since I slacked on strength training last week, I’ll go to the fitness gym instead of the bjj gym for two days. I’ve been learning a ton about my body lately. Exciting times ahead.

    57. I would never be able to last 50mins of jiu jitsu rolling sessions if I still drank booze and smoked pot everyday. Quitting those and starting healthier habits was one of the best decisions for me. Give it a try and see what happens.

    58. Have to make sure above all else, I have fun and enjoy myself at the upcoming jiujitsu tournament in May.

    59. I’ve been doing jiu jitsu for four months. Lots of fun and learning a ton about a martial art and myself. I’m also sore all the time everyday. Didn’t see that one coming.

    60. Jiu jitsu class was fun today. Lots on new faces. More and more people are joining. Think about trying a class and see if you like it.

    61. I’m one of the smaller guys in our jiu jitsu gym. Last night I sparred with two dudes who were 40lbs heavier. This will make me better.

    62. This week I read about Jiu jitsu, Ancients civilizations, and High Fantasy. My mind is racing with cool ideas.

    63. Two weeks left in the college semester. Then I’m done my tutoring gig for the summer. Sent an email to a possible future employer today, setting myself up to be employed this summer. I have to fund my jiu jitsu habit some way.

    64. More and more people are trying jiu jitsu. Try out a free class and see what the fuss is all about. You may end up loving it and find yourself a new fun and healthy hobby.

    65. Trying not to snack because of the weight loss for the jiu jitsu competition. But man plantain chips are so good.

    66. My fiancée wants to do a three day fast with me to help me lose weight for the Jiu Jitsu tournament. i’m a bit nervous because I’ve never done something like that, but I’m also willing to give it a try and see how it goes.

    67. I’m not better than anyone else just because I do jiu jitsu. However I am a better version of myself because I do jiu jitsu.

    68. Most of the people I’ve spoken to about competing in jujitsu are surprised when they hear that me, a four month white belt, is competing soon. It’s occurred to me that most people in jiu jitsu probably don’t compete. But hey everyone has different goals when it comes to bjj.

    69. I learned something at jiu jitsu class tonight, I dislike pulling guard. Especially when sparring with big dudes. I think because of my wrestling background I prefer to try takedowns and try to pass someone’s guard. Also new rule: no pulling guard on dudes twice my size ouch

    70. Bought tickets to a hockey game tonight because my fiancée has never been to one. Sure I may be missing an advanced bjj class, but sometimes other aspects of life are more important than rolling. Gotta have fun outside of jiu jitsu.

    71. I spar with immunologists, electricians, and even students. You never know who does Jiu Jitsu.

    72. I gotta stop mucking dinner right before jiu jitsu practice oof

    73. Recently I’ve received 20+ new follows on Twitter, all jiu jitsu related. Welcome. I hope one day we get to try and choke each other and break each other’s limbs.

    74. I don’t mind when people take my back in jiu jitsu sparring. I’m surprisingly calm. Wasn’t like that at first. But I’ve had enough higher belts tell me my defence is good that it gives me hope for the competition in three weeks.

    75. I’ve only been doing jiu jitsu for four months. Decided to register for a completion in may. I figured why not. At this point in my martial art journey, I don’t need to be perfect, I just have to show up and give it my best.

    76. As a new white belt in jiu jitsu, I put people that are higher belts on a pedestal because they’re better than me at jiu jitsu. I have to remember that these people are human just like me and just because they’re better at bjj than me doesn’t make them a better person than me.

    77. When I first started jiu jitsu my wrestling skills hindered me. I was too explosive and burned out fast. Now I’m honing them back in and using the wrestling skills that transfer well to bjj. Like balance and body position awareness. I’m lucky I have those to use in my arsenal.

    78. “sometimes [in jiu jitsu] it’s not about escaping but about finding whatever comfort you can in hell.” Excerpt From Breathe by Rickson Gracie

    79. Being in a relationship with someone who supports you in your jiu jitsu journey is a wonderful thing to have.

    80. Regardless of what belts I get along the way in jiu jitsu, I hope I keep my white belt mindset the whole time. Always learning never finishing

    81. I have jiu jitsu feet. IYKYK

    82 So apparently the black belt class is also the competition class. They have been training for the upcoming tournament for three weeks now (six weeks out from the tourney). I did not know that heh. Looks like I found myself another class to attend.

    83. I just remembered, I was watching folks in that black belt class after the class I was in. When I go tomorrow, it looks as though I may be the lowest belt rank that goes to the competition class. This could be interesting

    84. I’ll be honest, I focused so much on jiu jitsu and losing weight that I’ve been slacking on my strength training and haven’t been to the gym since the end of March. Real talk.

    85. I’m so new to jiu jitsu that my white belt has a white belt.

    THE END

    “Referee calls the competitors inside the mat” (taken from the JJIA Rulebook)

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  • Why Did I Register for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tournament?

    I’m a four month white belt and I registered for the 2022 Ontario Open International Jiu Jitsu Competition. What was I thinking? Hopefully writing a blog post about it today will help me get to the bottom of why I would do such a thing while being at such a low belt rank.

    After chatting with some people from my BJJ gym, it seems that most people who do jiu jitsu don’t compete. I thought that odd but as it turns out that is not that odd. There are two ways to look at jiu jitsu: sport jiu jitsu and self-defence jiu jitsu. I first heard about this difference in an Art of Manliness podcast episode with Rener Gracie called, “Podcast #446: How Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Will Make You a Better Man”

    Sport Jiu Jitsu

    Sport jiu jitsu is all about competing in tournaments and competition. There are points rewarded for certain moves and techniques. There are rules, regulations, and policies that must be followed. For example, rules like only certain gi’s can be worn and you have to make weight for your weight class.

    Self-defence Jiu Jitsu

    Self-defence jiu jitsu is about learning techniques and moves that will help protect you in a street fight or a potential physical altercation with a stranger. There are no rules, regulations, and policies that must be followed. Your main goal above all else it to protect yourself, not score points.

    [deleted by user]
    by inbjj

    Apparently there is debate in the jiu jitsu community across the world, as to which path of the martial art you should follow: Sport VS Self-defence. That debate was here before I joined and will continue for the foreseeable future. Today I want to dive into why I chose to compete at all in jiu jitsu. Let’s begin shall we?

    Where it all began

    I was one of the smaller wrestlers when I first hopped onto the mats way back in the day in grade 8. I would have been about fourteen years old. Our history teacher was the wrestling coach and we practiced in the tiny middle school gym. My father had recommend I try out for the wrestling team, he used to coach it at a school he worked at before I was born. With some encouragement from my family and family friends who were also involved in the sport, I gave it a go. Turns out I was decent for someone who had never scrambled before. I was a natural.

    Then there was high school. Grade 9 wrestling was so much fun. I got to hangout with older peers that I would have never had the chance to meet as the groups and cliques in high school are notoriously hard to penetrate, especially for a short skinny due like myself. But lucky for me I was good at wrestling, which means I won and pinned my opponents more often than not. But throughout high school, my natural talent only got me so far. As I climbed up the ranks as seen by my first round byes in tournaments because my higher ranking, I would find myself facing off with stronger and stronger opponents. So I joined the local wrestling club at the university in my city. That experience was great for me. Every Tuesday and Thursday evenings I would get a ride to the gym and practice with people from different schools of all ages. One time we even got to meet Canadian Freestyle Wrestler, Daniel Igali, who won an Olympic gold medal in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. That was so cool.

    The local club and high school wrestling was great for me. The hard work paid off more often than not. I won thirteen medals throughout my high school wrestling career. My most proud one being a 1st place finish at a rookie tournament in Sarnia, Ontario. I wrestling in a school cafeteria. My coach said, “D, I’m going to the gym to coach your teammates, I’ll check in on you but you got this, right?” He was half-joking. I drilled and warmed up in a tiny corner of that cafeteria, with my favourite grey wrestling hoodie on. Looking real tough I’m sure. Since it was only me and one other younger teammate in the cafe that day, I really felt like I won that first place medal all by myself. I will always be proud of that.

    What happened?

    As high school rolled on by, like many young men, I succumbed to binge drinking and pot smoking. Those bad habits took a toll on my body. And my wrestling took a hit. I would never be as good as the young men who went to the gym and ate clean and stayed out of trouble. By the time I graduated from high school, that was the end of my wrestling career. Other areas of my life became more important to me at the time, like dating and partying. That would continue throughout my 20’s. As I meandered through life, stoned and drunk, I worked in a kitchen at a local pub to make money. My experience with that lifestyle could be a whole book, so now I’ll just say it was a wild ride. Until one day I decided to start to get my act together and go back to college, a third time. Fast forward to 2018 where I graduated from the local college. With a new diploma and eager to earn, I was lucky that I got hired from the same place I did my co-op placement, which was actually at the college I graduated from.

    Since then, I’ve had the same job, they call it casual part-time contract work, or in other words Tutoring. I would love for it to be full time but hey that’s life, it’ll all work itself out as long as I keep working hard and take the opportunities that present themselves to me and also be willing to use my networking skills more often (fingers crossed I get this summer job I’m currently after).

    Let’s hop a little further down the road to last September 2021, where I got the urge to wrestle again. No idea why but maybe it had to do with being locked in my apartment for two years and wanting to do something different. Still trying to figure out why I’m doing jiu jitsu.

    After some emails and messages turns out I couldn’t wrestle at my old club due to c*vid restrictions. Hey you never know maybe I’ll join again in the future. I sure do like wrestling. So I sent some more messages to see if I could join a BJJ gym. A few hundred dollars later I signed up for a year membership to a Gracie Barra gym. Some say that these gyms are the cookie cutter of the BJJ world and some say they produce great jiu jitsu practitioners. Either way it doesn’t matter to me because I like the club I go to because it’s easy going. For example, we dont need to bow before we go on and off the mat. And we don’t call the head instructor “professor” which I think is stupid and will never do that. So far I enjoy it.

    Where it’s going

    This brings us to now. I have officially registered for the 2022 Ontario Open International Jiu Jitsu Competition in May. I’m currently doing my own training program because I need to cut weight to make my division. The program consists of eating three meals a day of whole foods, smoothie in the morning, some type of lunch usually left overs from dinner, and a dinner that either my fiancee or I make. We made a new cooking schedule that seems to be working out nicely. I’m basically doing a slightly modified Dolce Diet. I’ve lost 5 pounds but have been fluctuating up and down because hey I’m human and have the odd snack or too much food and I’m not used to having to cut weight for a competition, at least not since high school.

    I train at the BJJ gym at least four hours a week, some weeks seven hours. The open mat sparring sessions are my favourite. I get beat up but also have the odd small win, like getting an arm bar on someone like a lower belt like me, or have a higher belt say my defence is good, or not getting submitted as fast as I did when I started. My plan for the upcoming tournament is simple: learn a couple takedowns I’m good at like the ankle pick or single leg. Then learn a couple guard passes. Then learn some pinning positions that lead to a submission. Pretty straight forward. A higher belt told me that if my conditioning stays good or gets better, that is what will separate me from my opponents and give me the best chance to win. Although winning isn’t my main goal, that would nice. My main goal is to make weight, then show up, then compete, and have fun. Winning would be a bonus. Getting discouraged in this sport will happen over and over and as a white belt I have to learn how to deal with the negative emotions that will come with doing BJJ.

    In the meantime, I will continue having fun in the Fundamentals class, Advanced class, and the open mat sparring sessions. If it all works out then I have a pretty sweet formula for competitions and will get better if I stick with it.

    If you made it this far, thanks. I guess to answer the question of this post, “Why Did I Register for a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Tournament?” I would have to say that my past interest in wrestling and the great feelings I got from competing and all the good things that come with sports, is why I registered for a BJJ tournament. To see if I can do a sport again for fun and also be good at it. At 36 years old, why not?

  • White Belt Mindset

    Since c*vid sucks and we were kept from our loved ones, friends, and hobbies we enjoy doing (like jiu jitsu), Gracie Barra Online offered their members free access to their online courses. If you couldn’t go to your gym mats, or if you didn’t own your own set of mats at home, then online videos were the next best thing.

    While perusing the site, I stumbled upon a video from Braulio Estima – 4th Degree Black Belt in jiu jitsu (also former training partner of UFC star Georges St-Pierre) on some lessons he learned when he was a white belt that helped him throughout his jiu jitsu career.

    Here is a transcript from the video that I took that I thought was a good way to approach having a positive mindset when it comes to being a white belt in jiu jitsu…

    “I remember there was six months that I was new to the academy and had no clue how to fight, what was my objective, and what I was supposed to be doing right, and I remember that I end up all the time on the bottom. And that’s why I ended up having the closed guard as my safe zone where I could control my opponent without being surprised. Also my main game was going to the lapel chokes and for the arm bars, a technique that I am going to share with you guys today after this okay. So, but one lesson that I had that was very important lesson for me which was How to Deal with Expectations. You know I remember, there was a seminar coming and I was sure I was going to get my blue belt, I even bought a blue belt and put it in my backpack and left it in the sitting area. The seminar goes, and I don’t even remember what the seminar was about, I was thinking about was – the belt, the belt, the belt – and the seminar finishes, the professor closes the class, didn’t give no belt to nobody. I passed in front of him a few times just make sure maybe he forgot about me. Ignored, nothing happened. I go home, I cry, you know three days no training. And I realized that expectations just makes you open up doors to frustrations and for disappointment right. Since then I decided when I’m going to train, I’m going to train to be as good as I could ever be, do my best, not expecting no belt and when it’s time will be. And I blink my eyes I’m here black belt and with a very good lesson that I took for life as well.“

    I’ve gotten discouraged in this sport more that a few times. I’ve had injuries that kept me out for weeks. I’ve been choked and submitted in front of the head instructor while he was telling me how to not get choked and submitted. I’ve had to postpone my training due to the pandemic. But I’ve also had little wins, like my training partners telling me it was hard to pass my guard. Or having the head instructor praise a technique I demonstrated that I just learned. All of this combined has helped develop a positive healthy mindset towards my journey so far in jiu jitsu.

    Will I keep getting hurt? Yes.
    Will I miss time due to injury? I hope not but probably.
    Will I keep getting choked and submitted? Yes.
    Will I keep showing up regardless? Yes absolutley.

    Since joining in October 2021, I’ve had to learn to temper my expectations and be realistic about my improvement in this sport. I have to slow down my movements and be present on the mat. White belts tend to be frantic and panicky. That will lead to injury and possibly quitting. And I want to be in this sport as long as I can, and you do too.

    Give jiu jitsu a try. The snow is melting, the days are longer, and it’s getting warmer. Time to get out there and learn something new while challenging yourself. And what better way than to try and not be choked or have a limb broken by a sweaty stranger while rolling around with them!

    See you on the mats, fellow white belt.

    UPDATE, March 21: I found this cool website called BJJ Mental Models. After listening to a podcast episode with Brailio Estima as the guest, I checked out the website https://bjjmentalmodels.com

    There is a section about having a beginners mindset. Here is a great list for white belts like me to remember and help keep our egos in check:

    To cultivate a Beginner’s Mind, catch and prevent your self from:

    -adding your two cents to a lesson if you’re not adding any value

    -getting defensive or angry when someone criticizes your technique

    -getting upset when you are dominated during sparring

    -avoiding sparring partners because you think they’ll beat you

    -feeling the need to explain or defend every decision when you make a mistake or receive feedback.

    https://bjjmentalmodels.com/beginners-mind/

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  • 30 More Random Thoughts on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

    Yesterday the Ontario government dropped all vaccine mandates and capacity limits. Hallelujah. Although many people are still effected by the pandemic (is it still a pandemic now?), I’m glad we’re going back to somewhat normal. We have to move on the best we can. And one way to do that is to get back to rolling on a mat with a sweaty stranger while you try to choke each other and break their limbs (or if you’re a white belt just surviving)!

    Here are 30 more random thoughts on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu…

    1, Going back to jiu jitsu tomorrow! After a month off because of the stupid shutdowns/lockdowns. In celebration I will be wearing my gi all day today during my tutoring sessions and then at the gym. This feels right.

    2. It still hasn’t hit me yet that I go to a martial arts school. I still consider jiu jitsu as ‘wrestling but with choking.’

    3. Gyms opened up yesterday. First time back in almost a month. And no jiu jitsu during that time as well. Oh man was I out of shape. But I slept well last night and feel great today. Glad to be back on track.

    4. How to Prep for a Jiu Jitsu Class:
    -make a delicious dinner for your fiancé
    -muck some stew
    -have a shower
    What else…

    5. I’m back to tweeting about jiu jitsu. The world is whole again.

    6. Supported students. Recorded a podcast episode. Made dinner for my fiancé. Went to jiu jitsu. Tidied the kitchen. About to read some high-fantasy. Helped others and got healthy. Little things. Today was a win.

    7. I’m back at jiu jitsu and my fiancé is starting back up with a personal trainer. Getting healthier together is the way to go.

    8. Joined a Twitter Spaces tonight about wrestling and jiu jitsu, great convo. I even went up to speak a bit and it was tons of fun. Hope to do it again soon!

    9. I wonder what we’re going to learn in jiu jitsu class tonight…

    10. Great roll tonight. We reviewed the same moves as Tuesday’s class: double leg, collar chokes. And learned a new arm bar as well. Also exchanged numbers with a fellow grappler. We are now jiu jitsu friends.

    11. I just got home from jiu jitsu. My fiancé is working out in the living room with a Zoom group online and personal trainer. Both of us are getting healthy in our own way. Love it.

    12. Capacity limits have us waiting outside in the cold, before being let in to the jiu jitsu gym. Whatever I got to do to get that sweet sweet rolling in.

    13. I’m looking into how to sign up/register for an Ontario Jiu Jitsu Association tournament in Toronto in March. Need to see the fee, transportation, hotel, etc. The wheels are turning, let’s make this happen!

    14. Update: I need an Ontario Jiu Jitsu Association membership, $150 for the year. Not bad. Then it’ll be $150 for two nights for the hotel. Much to ponder…

    15. Just got out of an open mat jiu jitsu sparring class. Oh man. Got dummied by all ten partners. Arm bars, triangles, legs locks, and something called an anaconda choke. BUT I had a few higher belts says I had good defence. That’s a win in my books.

    16. My hope is that doing more things in the real world (jiu jitsu, tutoring, support work, spending time with fiancé, etc) will help me tweet less in the digital world.

    17. Worked out at the gym around people last night. Rolling on mats with people at jiu jitsu tonight. Let’s get back to normal being around other people.

    18. Last Saturday at jiu jitsu during the open mat rolling, my partner and I were the last to spar. We looked up and saw everyone getting ready to leave. I’m glad I’m getting passionate about a sport again.

    19. Last Saturday in jiu jitsu during the open mat sparing session, I rolled with almost everyone. 10 people. I only took breaks during the allotted 1min between the 5min rolls. Did that for 50mins. My cardio is getting better.

    20. Not my best rolling in jiu jitsu tonight. But hey I will be back at it again on Thursday. Don’t despair, just keep showing up.

    21. Cook meals for yourself and fiancé, workout sometimes, tutor people, do jiu jitsu, drink hot chocolate, read high-fantasy, record a podcast, go to bed by ten, chat with your fam when you can, and stay sober from booze and pot. Just reminding myself to keep being awesome.

    22. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I worked out. Tuesday and Thursday I went to jiu jitsu. Saturday I’m going to an open mat bjj rolling session. This week has been a massive win for my fitness.

    23. Unsubscribe from all your online newsletters and join a jiu jitsu gym.

    24. My fiancée says while I leave for jiu jitsu: “Don’t come back injured, but if you’re injured still come back.”

    25. The feeling of accomplishment after jiu jitsu class, even when I get my butt kicked which is often, is worth the cuts, scrapes, bruises, mat burns, and joint pain. Join a class today and see if you have what it takes, you may even love it.

    26. You will get submitted. You will get your butt kicked. You will get injured. But you’ll also meet new people, get fit, and learn a self-defence. Go to a jiu jitsu class and try it out.

    27. It’s easy to get discouraged in jiu jitsu. It’s happened to me more than a few times since starting my martial arts journey. I will keep getting submitted until I don’t. I have to focus on the long game.

    28. I wonder how I’ll be submitted in jiu jitsu tonight. Can’t wait 💪

    29. Tonight in jiu jitsu we learned a single to double leg takedown (easy for me because of background in wrestling and I’m awesome). Then a knee-slice guard pass to side control. Then knee-slice guard pass to collar choke. Being a white belt is fun. The world needs more white belts.

    30. Whenever partners tell me I have good defence or it took awhile to submit me, that’s a win in my books. I get by butt kicked a lot, but as a white belt I look at my improvements instead of focusing on what I lack. Getting discouraged in bjj will happen, but always look forward.

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  • Why I Do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

    Have you ever heard of benign masochism and contrast theory?

    Benign BJJ Masochism

    I’m still hooked on a fantasy book, but I’m easing my way back into a non-fiction book. Instead of trying to read several non-related non-fiction works, I will try and read one at a time and allow myself to digest one topic at a time. Too many non-fiction at once can cancel themselves out and I don’t retain much of the info.

    I’ve picked up a new non-fiction book called The Sweet Spot by Paul Bloom. “The Sweet Spot shows how the right kind of suffering sets the stage for enhanced pleasure. Pain can distract us from our anxieties and help us transcend the self.” (source)

    I’ve recently been thinking – why do I do Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? I mean, you could say that since I wrestled for six years during middle school and high school, that I have an interest in grappling sports. And I do enjoy watching MMA PPVs (streaming online, never pay for them heh). But why now? Why did I join jiu jitsu at the age of 36? I do eat well more often then not and I workout but not as much as I should. I also quit drinking and smoking pot. All of those keep me in decent shape. But I’m not as flexible as I used to be. I’m not as fast as I used to be. In general, I’m not nearly as athletic as I used to be.

    I’m a white belt to the max. I started training BJJ last October 2021, I’ve had a few injuries that took me out for a few weeks, and was off for almost a month because of the stupid shutdowns/lockdowns in the city. We open back up next Monday, finally. That means the BJJ gym is opening back up and I get to roll around with strangers and try not to get choked out or have a limb broken. So why the heck would anyone want to do Brazilian jiu jitsu?

    After reading a few chapters of The Sweet Spot, I thought perhaps me doing BJJ was a form of ‘benign masochism.’ Which is a term coined by Professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, Paul Rozin. The term benign masochism, “[…] refers to certain types of voluntary pain and suffering, most of which don’t have anything to do with sex.” (The Sweet Spot, by Paul Bloom). Could that be why I like rolling?

    But the very next paragraph it says, “It doesn’t include activities that can damage one’s body or cause severe pain—it’s benign, after all. Getting yourself crucified, as some of the faithful do in the Philippines during Easter, is not benign masochism. The pleasure and pain of saunas is usually a good example of benign masochism” and “Rather, benign masochism refers to the choice to pursue activities that are normally painful or unpleasant but not harmful. We sniff with curiosity at food we know to be rotten, touch a sore tooth gingerly with our tongue, press down on a sprained ankle. We watch movies that make us cower and cry. We eat spicy food and immerse ourselves in hot baths.”

    So is BJJ a form of benign masochism? People certainly do pursue BJJ which is an activity that is normally painful and definitely at times unpleasant. But it can result in harm. For example, I bruised my ribs one week and another week tore a muscle in my pelvis – both very painful. Maybe it’s something like benign masochism, but not exactly like it. For example, like any combat or grappling sport – or any sport for that matter – people put themselves through physical pain while training, but feel great after they train. And the training adds to their overall well-being. So what the heck is going on?

    Contrast Theory

    “Part of the story of benign masochism, then, is that we sometimes play with pain in order to maximize the contrast with future experience, so as to generate future pleasure.” and “Sometimes the contrast that enhances pleasure comes from the comparison with an actual past experience, and sometimes it’s from the contrast with expectations […]”

    Maybe one reason I put myself through jiu jitsu training, is that the positive aspects that come from training – fitness, cardio, confidence – outweigh the negative aspects of BJJ – pain and harm. Perhaps I put myself through potential pain and possible harm in order to generate future pleasure. For example, when I am driving home after jiu jitsu, even though I am tired and exhausted, I feel like I have more energy overall. I get excited and want to share my experience with others (like tweeting about all the time). And when I have a shower when I get home, the hot water runs over my mat burns and it stings a lot. But it reminds me of the hard work I put in that night at the BJJ gym. When it comes to the comparison aspect of the Contrast Theory, maybe I’m comparing my experience to a past experience of not doing BJJ and not having anything challenging in my life. Woah that feels more introspective after writing it than I was expecting. Maybe in some way I wanted to shake things up in my life?

    Understanding Your Self

    “Why would you ever want to escape from your self? Well, as [social psychologist] Baumeister points out, self-awareness carries a burden. In everyday life, you need to make decisions that you’re responsible for, often disappointing others. You need to put a good face forward to the world; you have to manage your desires and deal with disappointment and guilt and shame. You’re stuck with your memories, your worries about the future, and your anxieties about the immediate present. You are left with that same internal monologue, maybe a bit whiny, that you have had for a very long time.”

    Before looking into BJJ, I got engaged to my fiancé, and was heading back to work in September 2021 after a summer of not working very much which sucked and I don’t ever want to do again. Now I’m happy to be working and making money and I am excited to get married this summer. But at the end of last summer, I guess something was missing. It turned out that I needed to physically challenge myself in some way. The lockdowns due to the pandemic didn’t help at all either. I needed to be around people. And what better way to do that than roll around on a mat with a stranger and sweat all over them while trying to inflict pain on each other?

    Nostalgia

    I had so much fun when I used to wrestle. The active life, the friendships, the results from hard work – and many more positive things I cannot recall – made my wrestling experience something I sometimes still think about. Nostalgia is another reason I joined BJJ. Again, I had such a great experience in my youth with wrestling, that I wanted to recreate the feelings of triumph and team camaraderie that I enjoyed so much. But nostalgia is a double-edged sword. I read that nostalgia seems to also be a way to counter the effects of loneliness. However, it depends because in some instances, it can increase the level of loneliness someone feels if they are already quite lonely. Nostalgia makes us feel comfortable, until it doesn’t.

    Reasons

    I guess one thing I can say for certain, is that people pursue BJJ for many reasons. Those reasons could be to learn self-defence, to get or stay active, to challenge themselves, to meet knew people (BJJ is great for that), and of course to put themselves through pain to get pleasure. It could be some of those reasons or all of them.

    These days I cannot stop thinking about jiu jitsu. I have so much fun I think everyone should at least give it a try. Again, I’m the whitest of white belts, but I hope I stick with it for as long as I can.

    I’m not sure if BJJ falls under the category of an activity that is benign masochism. I don’t completely understand Contrast Theory. And I’m still trying to figure out if nostalgia is the main reason I got back in to a grappling sport. But I do know I’m on to something and I’m on the right track to figuring out why I joined a Brazilian jiu jitsu gym.

    I’m glad I wrote this post, it’s helping me parse through my thoughts about why I am doing jiu jitsu.

    Why did you join? Or if you haven’t, why not?

    (photo is of me in the change-room before BJJ class started. I like getting there early so I can mind-prep before we get ‘er going.)

  • Getting Discouraged in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

    A short video on why you should stop feeling sorry for yourself and go choke someone instead.

    I got choked hard by my partner right in front of the instructor, apparently the instructor was telling me “don’t give him the choke, you’re giving him the choke!” I couldn’t hear. My ears were plugged, face was smushed, and I could barely breathe. I panicked. I should have tapped sooner, but my ego almost made me go unconscious. I eventually tapped. Then my partner said, “Why did you give me that choke, didn’t you hear the instructor?” Nope I did not. Apparently I’m not supposed to put my arms across my face when in the bottom, that’s choke-city.

    At the end of the class, when we line up and bow, I couldn’t look at the instructor. And when we all walked in a line and gave each other fist-bumps I didn’t say anything to anyone. After that, my pattern wanted to show me what I did wrong. I reluctantly agreed. I was being polite but I just wanted to leave the gym as soon as possible. I was quite embarrassed and in a lot of pain from an injury I got the week before. After class, I was sitting in my car whining and wincing. Never thought I would get like that to be honest.

    Since starting bjj I was in great spirits and didn’t let anything bother me if I was losing in a roll or didn’t understand a technique. But the night I got choked right in front of the instructor it hurt me, and my ego. Being a white belt, I’m very excited to learn this martial art, am full of piss-and-vinegar, as they say. I have to slow down and check my ego more often.

    Emotion will get the best of me in this sport if I allow them too, I read that in a jiu jitsu book I recently purchased, and boy is that ever true. I’m taking this week off (Nov29) to rest my injury and get my mind right. Then get back to it, just keep showing up is my cure.

    When you get discouraged, don’t give up. Keep showing up and check your negative emotions as soon as you can. Breath and remember the long-game. You’ll be here awhile so don’t rush yourself. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you on the mats.

  • 25 More Random Thoughts on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

    Where I live, as of writing this, the fitness gyms are closed and the BJJ gyms are closed. But I can’t stop thinking about jiu jitsu. Here are 25 + more random thoughts on Brazilian jiu jitsu. (read here for the first 25)

    1. I put my gi pants on an hour before jiu jitsu training. Is this normal? I wonder if other white belts do this.

    2. The techniques in jiu jitsu are endless. For example, you could smell really bad to distract your opponent, or you could smell really good to distract your opponent. So many possibilities

    3. You will get submitted, choked, and bruised in jiu jitsu. Learn how to take a beating and you will get better. Focus on survival. One day the tides will turn in your favour. Apply this to life in general.

    4. “Jiu jitsu shows men that they are not as strong as they thought, and it shows women that they are much stronger than they thought.” -Unknown

    5. As a white belt in jiu jitsu, I need to learn to Survive before I learn to Attack. Defence before Offence. Fundamentals before Complexity. Basics before Sophistication. Showing Up before Showing Off.

    6. A good book for jiu jitsu white belts is called, ‘Jiu Jitsu University’ by Saulo Ribeiro and Kevin Howell. “It is not important that others are watching while you are failing. It only matters that you try.”

    Image

    7. Tonight in jiu jitsu, I learned that you can use your opponents gi to isolate a limb to try and pass their guard. For example, trapping their arm and shoulder while moving to half guard or full mount. This is fascinating to me, my white belt brain is blown.

    8. Going to the long Saturday jiu jitsu class today. One hour technique practice followed by one hour rolling (five, five minute rolls with breaks in between). Open to all belt levels. My gf said, “please don’t get injured for Cuba next week. What’s that saying, tap a lot tap often”

    9. Just got out of a jiu Jitsu class. It was 10 five minute rolling sessions. I rolled with men, women, white belts, blue belts, purple and brown belts. I got submitted by all of them, but I survived longer than I expected to. I learned a lot. Saturday’s are my new favourite class.

    10. I have almost no idea how to attack or submit my opponent in jiu jitsu. I only attempt simple collar chokes. I’m focusing on learning defence first, survival. I get submitted a lot, but I last longer before I do. That’s progress.

    11. I rarely watch jiu jitsu Youtube videos. I feel it’s not practical for a white belt like myself. I need experience in the fundamentals, not to try a cool looking choke I saw online.

    12. Instead of watching endless videos on technique, I’m reading one of the most popular books on the martial art, Jiu Jitsu University. Practical info I can actually apply, slower pace so I can digest it, and first focuses on defence and survival. Great for white belts like me.

    13. Reminder: you don’t HAVE to go to jiu jitsu class if you don’t want to. Also, you should probably go to jiu jitsu class.

    14. If you don’t go to jiu jitsu class, at least go to the gym.

    15. Tonight I came to the gym instead of jiu jitsu class. Better to do something rather than nothing. And believe me, I didn’t want to do either. Now I’ll definitely sleep well tonight.

    16. Working out at the gym will make me better in jiu jitsu class. And vise versa.

    17. I’m glad I don’t smoke pot or drink booze anymore. I would never have joined a jiu jitsu class. And if I did, there’s no way I would have lasted two months at it. Good decisions all around, give it a try.

    18. There is a jiu jitsu tournament hosted in my city late next year. That’s a new fun goal for me. Might even go to one in T.O. before that and see how I do. 2022 is the year of Competition and Testing myself.

    19. A goal of mine for 2022, is to enter at least one jiu jitsu tournament. No matter how well I do, the experience alone will be worth it.

    20. Some fun afternoon reading on jiu jitsu. Survival is my goal, Defence is my mindset.

    Image

    21. Jiu Jitsu Rolling > Jiu Jitsu Books > Jiu Jitsu Videos

    22. Thinking of opening my own jiu jitsu school on a beach. We’d roll in sand and the belts would be ranked by sea shells.

    23. If they close the jiu jitsu gyms, I’ll riot.

    24. Update: Looks like I’ll be rioting.

    25. Things I’ve done since the pandemic started…
    -Moved in with gf
    -Got engaged
    -Picked up one new client
    -Joined Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
    -Visited Cuba
    Don’t stop living.

    BONUS 5!

    26. Hopefully the jiu jitsu gym opens again soon. So I can go back to tweeting about jiu jitsu.

    27. Why did I join a jiu jitsu gym and not a running club or pick-up basketball league? It’s not just because I have flat feet and too short. There’s another, deeper reason. I must ponder on this…

    28. Why did I join a jiu jitsu gym? I’ve been thinking about this more often lately. I don’t like being choked or having my limbs broken. It’s not just the learning to defend myself. It’s all the other things I learn about myself, that I either didn’t know or forget. Even now at 36.

    29. A great way to step out of your comfort zone is to step onto a jiu jitsu mat.

    30. I said No to antidepressants and Yes to jiu jitsu. This is the way.

    Related Posts:

  • Why You Should Try Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

    Last September I got the urge to go back to freestyle wrestling. The no-pot and no-booze has helped with my health a fitness, I wondered if I could do it. So I reached out to an older wrestling mentor of mine via Facebook. He went 197-0 in high school. I asked if the local wrestling club allows older people (like me) to join these days. I thought his mom still helped out there. I was nervous but I reached out anyways.

    I sent an email to his mom about registration for the local wrestling club. I asked if I could go to a practice to see if I have what it takes to make the commitment to the club. Turns out, she is no longer involved with the club, but forwarded my email to the two head coaches. The wheels were in motion! Until they weren’t…

    Unfortunately, the local wrestling club wasn’t allowing outside individuals to join, as the training facility is part of the local University. “Damn, this pandemic” I thought to myself.

    https://twitter.com/disonhiatus/status/1442506748900696068?s=21

    My Twitter friend, Ed, made a good point…

    I wanted to do some type of sport I’m good at. And they’re aren’t many. I pushed forward. I gave the local Gracie Barra gym a call. The head coach mentioned on the phone something similar, that my wrestling skills would help. I suggested I do the class, the coach said it shouldn’t take long for me to transition to the Advanced class with sparring, because of my wrestling background. I name-dropped some people I used to wrestle with in high school that were purple belts in bjj at their facility. I told him I’d be there the next day to introduce myself and check out the gym.

    https://twitter.com/disonhiatus/status/1442614443385425921?s=21

    I should mention, a few years go I tried jiu jitsu. Signed up for twelve classes and bought a gi uniform. But I only went to maybe eight classes then quit. I’m sure I had many excuses not to go. “I’m no good.” “I don’t know anyone.” “This is too hard.” “I’m too busy.”

    But this time, I wanted to commit. I was a year and a half sober from booze, and a month had gone by with no pot. Quitting weed was a big deal for me, as I’d been consuming it regularly for many many years. I signed up for a year membership. I was locked in. Good, no more excuses. Until I got hurt…

    https://twitter.com/disonhiatus/status/1451372181066297345?s=21

    Up until my rib injury, I still had it in my head that I “could take it” and that I could be as phyically demanding on my body as I was in my 20s. I turned 36 recently and this experience was eye opening. I have to take it easier at the gym and bjj. Be aware of your body and its limitations. Or find out the hard way like I did. I was excited to get into wrestling again. That didn’t pan out, so I looked into bjj. Was excited to start that. During all of this, I never once stopped to think if I could get injured. Went hard every practice for a month. That wrestler mindset of “go go go” doesn’t transfer to bjj as much as I thought.

    I waited anxiously for my x-ray results…

    https://twitter.com/disonhiatus/status/1455245623377252355?s=21

    Messaged my the head coach via Facebook about my rib injury. He said rib injuries are the first Bjj injury. Glad to know other newbies have been in my situation as well. Good news soon followed…

    https://twitter.com/disonhiatus/status/1453128847243808774?s=21

    No fracture, just bruising! Thank goodness. I was either going to be out for months, or only weeks. I got lucky. During the time off for my ribs to heal, I found a book from a person I used to follow on Twitter. The book is called, “The White Belt Survival Guide”

    https://twitter.com/disonhiatus/status/1457696221146005509?s=21

    So far the book has some great input on mindset, strategy, and what to expect being a white belt. You can grab a copy here (not an affiliate link)

    After two weeks of thinking about jiu jitsu everyday, I finally felt like I could go back. There was some residual pain and uncomfortableness, but I popped two ibuprofen and was good to go. Kept it nice and easy and slow, what I should have been doing from the start. As a matter of fact, I was so pumped to be back, that I bought myself an early birthday present…

    https://twitter.com/disonhiatus/status/1458807700960296963?s=21

    It fits, real tight…

    https://twitter.com/disonhiatus/status/1459702057523363842?s=21

    Why Jiu Jitsu?

    • A great way to get out of your comfort zone is to put on a uniform, roll around on a mat, and sweat all over a stranger. Learn bjj.
    • BJJ teaches you more than self-defence. It teaches you to…Be punctual, Look presentable, Show respect, and Meet new people.
    • After a month of bjj, I’ve noticed that I don’t get discouraged or disappointed that I can’t do a move correctly, get taken down, or not being able to make someone tap. I’m focused on the long game. I want to compete one day. Just realized I should apply this to life in general.
    • I’m nervous when I go into bjj class. Don’t know anyone, they have more experience, and I barely know what I’m doing. But I still show up early. Fears and doubts can literally hold us back from learning how to defend ourselves. Ignore and go on the offence against your fears.
    • Try a free bjj class. Nothing to lose and it might be exactly what you’re looking for.

    The list can go on. Learning how to protect yourself is a bonus.

    Hopefully I see you out there on the mats. If you have any questions about joining a bjj gym, feel free to reach out in the comments here or DM me on Twitter. Let’s roll!