Jiu Jitsu When You're Old

THE ART OF SKILL WEBSITE IS LIVE!
Learn from the best instructors in the world!

———

FOLLOW THE ART OF SKILL

FOLLOW RICK ELLIS

BUY MY BJJ COURSES!
10% OFF ANY COURSE:
Coupon Code: GIMME10

———

VIDEO DESCRIPTION

Rick Ellis talks about the challenges of being an older athlete in BJJ.

[jameslyons]

56 purple. Just went back in after a two year break due to injuries ( on and off the mats). If you are on the mats at all, regardless of belt level, in your 50s or beyond please realize that you’ve already won. If you get submitted every roll, if you get submitted by lower belt, if you feel your jiujitsu is not progressing or in my case retrograding, it doesn’t matter. Just being in the mix is good enough. Relax, have fun, avoid injury and try to be in the moment.

[ByronC]

I'm 34 years old, and I feel old in a sport that is flooded with 16-20 year olds. Watching this video and reading these comments from the guys in their 50's and 60's really motivates me. You all are an inspiration.

[jimmygamiao]

Thank you for the validation. I started Jiujtsu at age 49. I’m 60 years old now and a brown belt and I’m
addicted to this incredible journey. Jiujtsu has done so much to improve my health, flexibility, strength, cardio. Thank you for this incredible video. From Hawaii…Osss

[frankcorso]

Thanks so much for this presentation. 72 year old white belt that started the Gracie Combatives course and loving it. Your advice is a great help to keep me motivated.

[snoyl]

I'm almost 70. All this is right on and so true. At some point you just do it for the love of the game and the challenge. you can still be a beast ... just don't get in a fight with a 20-year-old, 250lb kid ... :) I'm never going to quite this shit. Too much fun.

[boyertb]

“Train for the joy of training”
As a 52 YO white belt, this has to be my mantra every time that I step into my academy.

[janiceetter]

Thank you. I really needed to hear this. I am a 61 year old, small, female blue belt.

[GramJujitsu_Carnivore]

59 year old, received my Purple belt this week. I’m 5’1 at 118 lbs. I get smashed often.
I returned recently after three month injury recovery. I should have declined the roll that injured me.
As I progressed in my jujitsu I got more excited. I need to remember, when I first started I was not concerned about belts, just the journey. I used to say “no” more often also.
It is a wonderful journey. I do feel like I’m in my twenties. It’s like being a kid again with my brothers and sister. Saturday morning wrestling . I also like simple. Fancy can be for the younger generation. Roll to roll another day.
Great talk! Thank you!

[johnvansplinter]

Just started at 62 with no ACL in my right knee and no bursa in my left knee. There’s a sense of pride that you have when you leave the gym realizing you just lasted over an hour with people half your age. I have to admit that all my prior martial arts training means little in this new environment. I also must say the addiction is real, I’m hooked.

[catholicroger]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video. I am a 2 stripe white belt that got discouraged a little a couple of weeks ago because a younger man that started after me got his third stripe. I started at the age of 74 on the mats 4 to 5 times a week. I finally realized why I was on the mats, I can roll and enjoy the sport. My goal is to get my blue belt next year and be on the mat at the age of 80. Yes I want to compete in a year but we have a coach that helps make that decision. I am on a Gracie Barra group and it has taken me about 5 months to really realize the coaches have a reason to treat me with kit gloves so to speak. I am learning there is so much more to jiu-jitsu than just rolling on the mat. Even at my age it is an art of enjoying and learning to be the best person you can be in life and that may be something the younger artist can learn.

[MatthewEngelson]

45 year old brown belt here, it’s never too late to start, I promise. As older athletes the best piece of advice I can give is be very selective who you roll live with. Safety first is so true.

[rickybarksdale]

I’m 38 years old but my body has been through the ringer, 8 years of the Army, 8 years Kyokushin karate, 4 years Muay Thai and now being a stunt man. Some days it sucks that my body can’t keep up the same way when I was 18. Now I’m reading comments of men old enough to be my dad and it’s motivated me to keep driving forward, I really love this art and that’s why I keep pushing through it.

[fitgma]

This is exactly what I needed to hear, and my husband has been telling me this too! I'm a 54 year old female blue belt, started at 51 years old. But of course, just like you, I'm 24 in my mind. This is such good advice.

[herberthenderson]

I'm 62 and doing jujitsu for the first time after years of interest. This video is so helpful in preparing me for what could possibly be in store for me. Also the stressing of safety and understanding my limitations as an older participant. Thanks.

[davidecapps]

Thank you sir...As a46 year old blue belt, I needed this.

[KarmaFlight]

I had this very conversation with Roy Harris about 6 months ago. He told me that it is imperative to learn to say no as an older guy.

[kramepilef]

I'm 56 and just started jiu-jitsu about a month ago. I needed this. My body reminds me every morning after class that I'm not in my 20s any more.

[seabeebillm]

54 yo blue belt who’s body is literally falling apart from a lifetime of football, wrestling, judo and powerlifting...this is such great advice Professor, thank you!!

[wcpassegai]

As a 68 year old martial artist just resuming training (my wife was ill for a long time) I very much enjoyed this one - wish me luck.

[waynecolombo]

Great presentation. I started Jiu-jitsu six months ago. I can relate to everything Mr. Ellis is saying. I am 74. My Buddy is 69. Learning and staying in shape is the goal. Belts are not the goal. Our instructor and the other students understand when I sit out from time to time. Great bunch. I think that having us older students in training motivates some of the young students.