My Newest Black Belt (Started BJJ at 40, Black Belt by 50)

This is a short clip from the belt promotions we did at my gym back in October 2022. In the clip you'll see me promote one of my students to Black Belt. It's been around 10 years since he started and he's been one of the most consistent people on the mats even being 40 when he started BJJ and is now 50 years old. He's had some injuries along the way and kept coming and gotten very good at Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

In the video I also share why I try to give Black Belts that I wear to my students when I promote them.

Just a sneak peek from inside the gym.
-Chewy

P.S Sorry about the kids in the background. I know the noise can be a bit much. They were playing on the other side of the gym and I didn't think the mic would pic it up as much as it did.
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If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.

[jacquelinetung]

So inspiring, I started when I was 40 also, hopefully I’ll make it to black belt one day!

[DanielBPastor]

Congratulations from a 62-year-old blue belt. That’s awesome!

[meatshank]

Just hit 50 and just started, Black belt by 60 is the goal! Congratulations

[epicwhovian]

I’m just starting my journey at 35. This is so inspiring and motivating! What an accomplishment! Congrats!

[nathanbaker]

I’m a 55 year old blue belt started at 53 I struggle with the grind mentally and physically but I also love it truthfully the mental aspect is the worst for me but what I’ve come to learn is l’m not alone younger Guys and Gal’s go through the same struggle
Stay humble and committed

[Mithrandir]

Congratulations brother. I started at 42, and am about to hit purple next month. I hope my body holds out!

[theyankeesamurai]

Just started my journey at 28, I rarely choke up with YouTube vids, but man seeing a person who is at an age that is "past their prime" achieve one of the hardest goals within the martial arts world is a massive inspiration. Really makes me understand to trust the process more than anything.

[Bryan.Conley]

Congrats Chris! As a 39 year old thats coming up with a million excuses not to get back on the mats this was inspiring.

[dl]

Nice work. I started at 45. I just turned 50 in August, I'm also the oldest at my gym aside from 1 coach. I'm also one of the lightest at 150lb. Its been a wild ride but I love it, my whole family trains, my 47y/o wife and our 14 y/o son. Just repeat the mantra 'a black belt is a white belt who never quit', the journey is amazing....PROUD WORK Sir!! Chewey your channel/ site is an inspiration and invaluable resource. Thank you!!

[ChoonMa]

What an awesome moment! It gives blue-belt me hope!

[garysmith]

Started last year at 57. About a year to go to blue belt. Still give the twenty somethings a run for their money. Surviving 5 minutes now with the blue and odd purple belts. Think I’ll be this choked up when I get the blue. Congratulations on the black. Massive achievement at any age. I highly recommend BJJ for older guys, great for mobility and the band of brothers and sisters.

[medicineandbrazilianjiujit]

Congrats!
Putting your body through that grind in the 5th decade of life.
Inspiring!

[ntrtain]

43 here... 4 stripe blue... this video is exactly what this older bjj player needed to see... Truly inspiring.

[benbush]

Started at 43. Immediately fell in love with the process. This video made a few tears roll
Off my cheek. Congratulations

[gquito]

So glad to see this!!!, started at 39 after a pulmonar embolia, 41 now and already a blue belt. I won't stop till I die. Good job sir!.

[cynthiageskes]

Congratulations! I will be 60 in a few days, started about 8 years ago and became a brown belt 5 months ago. Last week I decided I was going to quit. I felt like I couldn't keep up with the 20 -30 year olds and if I did well it wasn't from years of rolling it was because they were going easy on me - a 'pity party', which I don't want. I could not accept my limitations. However, I do love Jiu Jitsu. I told my Coach about quitting. He definitely was not pleased. He has encouraged me for many years- (whenever I have doubts like now). He once again convinced me not to quit. BUT - I still am very sad about my age etc and it's always in my mind that if I just quit I would not have to think about it.

[garciasigns]

I started a week after my 40th….5 years in & I’m still a blue belt. Trained consistently for the first 4 years but no where near as much as I would’ve liked the last year because of Covid lockdowns/birth of my 2nd child & now a torn medial meniscus. Looking to start going minimum 3 times a week next year. Can’t wait to push myself again in this beautiful art that is BJJ. Congrats to the gentleman in this video…..must be an incredible feeling receiving that black belt. ☺️👊🏼🥋

[fwhitey]

Great video for us old farts lol. I started at 40 as well and fast forward 3 years I’m a recently promoted blue. I’m under no illusions I’ll ever get to black, with the whole work, kids, life thing, but I still enjoy it so who knows. But it really is nice to see one of us old farts reach that level. Good job amigo!

[atrain]

This honestly made me tear up. I started three years ago, at age 49, just got my blue belt (after losing 9 months to a lower back injury and a torn ACL, still going at 52, but can only roll twice a week due to family commitments. But I am in it to the very end, until my body fully breaks down later due to old age. Hoping to get my black belt somewhere around 62-64 yrs old, barring any more brutal injuries. ✌🏼

[elbensvibez]

Awesome!! I started at 34 and was thinking I may never make it to black belt and this def gave me the push and inspiration to keep showing up and keep working!