Overcoming Frustations When Starting Jiu Jitsu - Jocko Willink

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Excerpt from JOCKOPODCAST 33

[seanhavern]

I started jiu jitsu this year at 27. I had gone to the doctor and he told me in a very blunt way that I was fat. The next week I joined a gym and now I train jiu jitsu and Muay Thai 5-6 times a week for the past 5 months.

It was the best decision I have made in a long while and Jocko is one of the reasons I made it. Thank you.

Edit 12/2021: For those interested, I earned my blue belt in BJJ this month and I am down 30 pounds from when I started BJJ 2 years ago. COVID interrupted my training but I am still at it and love every day of training.

Edit 2: 6/2023: I am still down in weight from when I began, I am a blue belt in BJJ, and continue to train Muay Thai. My training has slowed due to a new job that requires a lot more hours. I love the new job and likely would not have gotten it without training BJJ. Not only did it prepare me physically and mentally, but it was also something I spoke about in interviews that likely helped me get hired.

Edit 3: 8/2024: My BJJ journey has paused due to life changes and reluctance to go to a new gym after having such a great gym. That said I have moved to lifting to maintain the foundation I built through BJJ and Muay Thai. Although my training has paused it wasn't a waste. I am healthier now than when I initially posted and I encourage anyone reading this to find a workout or activity that makes you happy and pursue it whenever you can. I'm in my 30s now and I know that everything I do now is an investment when I am 40, 50, 60, and older.

[dylangous]

Jiu Jitsu is the most difficult thing I've ever done, and also the most rewarding. If you're struggling just keep going, you won't be sorry.

[jpalmer]

The "Jiu Jitsu Nerd" hits different. I was always an athlete and it was so odd getting absolutely smashed by a 145lb gamer hahha

[KSmith]

2 classes in. Tapped 6 times, no frustration Just a sponge soaking it in. Check your ego at the door.

[ingetout]

In order to avoid injury you have to check your ego at the door. As long as you don't try to muscle things and tap early you will be safe. Also paradoxically, the most dangerous guys in the gym are white belts and the safest are black belts. The best way to train is the militaryism of "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast".

Needle in a haystack but, As a one stripe white belt, I was being taught by a brown belt who outweighed me and rolled often, he obviously was never going full tilt because he would of steam rolled me, but he like switching north south alot and I put my leg up and caught his neck, saw his arm and stumbled upon a reverse triangle, tapped him, he was actually surprised I had the intuition to lock it up, to make sure I didn't get delusional, next round he smashed me in less than 10 seconds, that being said I loved losing as a white belt, every failures a lesson

[kevintemido]

I started at 15 and was about to be 16. I was in the adult class. Best decision I ever done in my life. I remember almost not joining because my dad wasn’t sure if he could afford it. I’m now 26 and recently got my black belt a few weeks ago.

[jdf]

It's one of the best things for depression. I love the fact that I am going. I drop off but I get back and I hope to keep going consistently

[sudhanshuthakur]

Jocko's personality is literally something different... The way he talks, the confidence he Carries, the way he explains... Just invincible.

[Myxocyclene]

Like many, I’m on a journey - I’m 34 and obese (started at 330lbs). Had an intervention and decided I had to change. Hit the gym every other day and started taking BJJ classes, I don’t have the balance or ability to transfer weight effectively or execute simple movements yet but its a marathon, and slowly but surely the fat is dropping off and I’m down to 305 now after 2 months. My advice to anyone who reads this and is in a similar boat is dont worry about sucking, or being laughed at - this community only cares about improving themselves and one another. A big thank you to Jocko and Rogan who got me onto this path!

[sep]

I still get so nervous an hour before every class.... then after I feel great! Damn my brain!

[Zion-pt]

Got thrown to the wolves last week and I loved it. Was getting passed around like a blunt and submitted by everyone at the gym. It was great. I had a trial class at a different dojo and I didn’t like it as much because it was slower paced and I had to be paired with other beginners. It’s a blessing to be able to roll with black belts day in and day out. I think I’ve found the place that I want to be and I’m so excited moving forward. 28 years old btw.

[jpbeaupj]

Started at 50 back in Nov 2019. It can be a bit frustrating getting tapped all the time, but rolling is an awesome workout, win or lose. I just try to survive as long as possible and even though I still suck, I don't suck as bad as when I started.

[Kenlalor]

40 year old here from Dublin, Ireland. I cycle 800km a month, I squat, bench and deadlift heavy. I started BJJ four weeks ago and I can tell you none of the above matters.

I have been exposed to weaknesses I never knew I had, it’s very challenging. What I will say is that, I went in with an open mind and informed everyone that I knew absolutely zero and just wanted to learn slowly.

Everyone has been so supportive and while they do push you, they know you are a beginner which is great.

My advice, become a permanent learner, embrace failure and get your diet right.

[tomanderson]

Started at age 62. Man did I need to hear this! Getting my ass hammered and getting hurt weekly, but I love it. I am now on the lookout for “White Belt Hunters”!

[geo]

My biggest motivator to continue training, to work out, to eat healthy, is the stories of people who are much better than me and who tell me how they started off lost and bad and then just put in the mat time to get where they are. And lo and behold, I've been training for almost 3 years and I'm able to do things I couldn't imagine doing my first week of training. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is beautiful, it's tough as all hell, but it's also super rewarding and provides much more than a body of sweet, effective fighting techniques. So to anyone on the fence, please trust this internet stranger and just go to class and continue training no matter what. It's worth it.

[Lara-vnfd]

I started jiu jitsu a month ago and up to this day I was just getting stomped by everyone. Yesterday I finally gotten some feedback from a higher belt who said my defense was improving and he noticed by me moving my body on the ground. It felt really encouraging since I don’t really notice my improvements. We also had 4 new guys coming in. I rolled with two of them and I have to say Jocko was right. After one month of training I was able to submit both of these guys at least twice even thought they were much heavier than me! That was a really big victory for me. Simply seeing that I can actually use my one month old bjj against untrained opponents… I also held someone in my closed guard for 5 minutes 🤓🥰

[tomhill]

When I started BJJ, the best advice I was given was 'accept you will loose every roll, focus on defending and controlling your breathing / keeping calm and make note / pay close attention to what your opponent is doing'. Enjoy the process of being humbled and learning :)

[richievillarino]

My Jiu-Jitsu journey started shortly after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I credit BJJ for keeping me flexible and, most importantly, patient and mentally balanced. BJJ has given me a perspective on life that keeps me focused on the details of the moment. I credit @Jockowillinks and @JoeRogan for the constant motivational content. It makes a huge difference on those days that my body doesn’t want to keep up. Thanks!

[brianbeckcom]

I’m 48 and started this year, “earned” two stripes on my white belt. First few months I was so sore I couldnt’ believe it (and I was a Division I college basketball player, 6’1’’ 210, good shape). After a few months, I started having less pain and more just good muscle soreness. I try to train 4 times a week, but I have 3 kids playing youth sports so sometimes it’s just impossible. If I could, I’d train BJJ every single day. Best thing I’ve done in 15 years, in multiple ways, one of the main of which is the wonderful people I’ve met. I’m at a Gracie Barra gym in Houston and I absolutely love all my teammates, and enjoy sparring with them. I have a 12 year old daughter and after her school is over this year she’s going to come train self defense with me too. My wife as well, and my two teenage sons are going to come to adult class and spar.