45-Year-Old Jiu Jitsu Practitioner Breaks Neck vs 80lbs Heavier Opponent (Should he still compete?)

Today we'll discuss Trauma as it relates to Jiu-Jitsu competition and Injuries from BJJ competitions.

I'll share a story about a time I suffered from both physical and mental trauma that made me lose my hope in competition...

But, I'll also explain the steps I took to slowly regain my confidence as a Wrestler and start competing again.

I'll also discuss the idea of competition value. How important is it to compete? Do you need to compete?

These are the things we'll discuss.

Let me know what you think below and leave any questions on your mind. I'll pick my favorites and answer them as videos here.

Thanks for watching.

Brandon

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[jdwspe]

Well said Brandon. I'm 48 and catching an injury is like loosing my retirement savings. There isn't a lot of time to save it back up and it would probably never reach the same dollar amount. Injuries have a high likelihood of becoming a permanent problem when you're older. PT and rehab is critical.

[MHicks-bbyt]

I’m 50yo. My main focus when I roll is not getting hurt. And I’m very selective who I roll with these days.

[colesouth]

Great response. I’m certainly working on my wrestling in the training room but at 37 I think standing up vs someone good in competition is gonna drastically increase my injury risk. I’m fine mostly pulling guard and living to fight another day.

[MartialFit]

Train with people you trust !! There are enough people out there who aren’t reckless

[davepenny]

62-y.o. non-competitive 220lb purple belt. I’m super conscious of never hurting my training partners. I’ll let a position go if I think it might injure my partner (e.g, twist a knee) even if he’s a dope. I’ll roll with anybody but also prioritize not getting hurt myself. I’ll give up a position and position myself for the next battle. I practice defensive BJJ when on the bottom and bide my time for a reversal. And I tap if I feel myself in danger of injury (e.g. neck crank) - not very often.

[johndough]

Interesting topic! Not talked about at all before or after training. Such Ego involved in this sport. Reality! Very Very Very dangerous!

[tededo]

Very interesting. Thank you for your advices.
I am a student of Alexis (high level comp brown belt) that you know (Drummondville, QC).

52 yo, seasoned grappler here. I know the game very well. Respectable offense, great defense according to my peers. 6.0, 180 athletic built and former powerlifter, boxer and freestyle/greco. However, even if the 6.2, 220 behemot is devastating for me, even some young 5.10, 190 seasoned grappling student will represent a threat to my health (speaking from experience).
I am under some good anti-inflammatory supp. and creatine to health my nagging pains and former injuries.
My best recipe since last year is to never, EVER, be under. No more bottom game. A former judo black belt and now bjj blue belt student noticed how its no longer possible to keep under any bottom position, cause I pivot/spin/move out of it into some counter move.
The bottom position is what might end my journey, so my whole game is about technically inflicting submissions or threat to the top guy, and, love it, my top game is solid.

[vc]

if your a very experienced wrestler you can ignore what im about to say but i think the duck was a really iffy choice (unless your really good with it, the rule for going under big dudes even with sweeps is to never get caught-fast n clean. going around carries less risk ) as a much smaller guy. on top wrestling judo etc often comes with more injury risks and they increase as you get old, ,then add the absolute division, ,, im not too surprised this happened

[cthulhu-jitsu]

49 year old purple belt and I'm known as the hand fight/front Headlock guy. 😅😅😅😅😅

[jokesyfuntime]

Doesn't make sense to compete in absolute if you're old and small. Usually get put in younger and heavier groups anyway.

[KeyserTheRedBeard]

Great video, Brandon Reeds Wrestling For Jiu-Jitsu. Looking forward to your next upload! I hit the thumbs up icon on your content. Keep up the fantastic work! Your insights into managing anxiety after an injury are really helpful. How do you suggest someone assess their readiness to return to competition after a significant injury?

[johndough]

61 year old, light feather! Master 7 Well trained, well traveled to the best dojos to learn. I am only rolling with humans who show utter rself control! I see and feel their intention! Last week there is, "sparring". Well this hudge guy 30 years younger, 35 kilos heavier, wanted my head. Scarry! He would try and real me in, well did not work! I could only do this for so long, I never pull guard. One of my first times. I engaged hard swept him, etc. I had to get to the top. Got there like most times. He tried to real me in, his two on one, and open guard. I straignt armed him into his chin, get his head off center line. He would loose his power, and try harder. Even scarrier for me, as I saw his anger. I stoped appoligized for my dirty fighting, and he replied to me, "it is ok", . I said. " I have to equlize your strength and youth". His reply, "that is ok, were sparring". I scoffed, "it is not sparring for me, only would be if you were 30 + kilos lighter, and 30 plus years younger".

I will be even more aware as I continue my journey.

It is unreal that places seldom make room for the older generations. The issue is, I am straight. Not a sandbagger, and not willing to play games. I ask Jeaus to bring me some incredible training partners in Europe, and abroad.

[anthonykent]

Yep. You don't even have to be in your 40s. Once you're a working adult, injury prevention is huge.

[someone-quelquun]

I am 47, weigh 160lb. Neck is always scary. I remember a situation where I really got scared. Some young guy with probably 40-50 pounds on me, stacked me in a way that I had no out. Still have flashbacks occasionally

[johndough]

Eurooeans 2025. I need a professor! To sign my IBJJF membership. No coaching nessesary, already done.

[kiddbjj]

Don’t train absolute unless you are within the median weight of participants at least. Not worth the risk