Out of the frying pan
In 2023, I decide to start doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at a local gym in Manhattan.
For those who don’t know, it’s basically submission grappling. If you ever watch UFC and see people grappling, when they aren’t stand-up punching or kicking, they are usually using jiu jitsu.
I was having a difficult time when I started, and I saw in jiu jitsu two qualities that I thought would be beneficial.
First: it requires complete presence, because if you don’t pay attention someone will choke you out or arm-bar you.
Second: it teaches you to be okay with discomfort and stick it out. But actually that's not the full picture. You have to operate efficiently through discomfort and maintain your composure.
You are forced to accept every change in position fully and completely, because if you don't, you will be punished for it. These are very simple and clear incentives.
It’s not a really easy thing to get into and stick with unless you love it, but I enjoy (almost) every moment of it, even when it’s bad.
Humbling and helpless
I immediately knew this was going to be a permanent thing. I really enjoyed it. Even though I’m just over a year in at this point, I can’t really imagine my life without jiu jitsu.
It humbles the shit out of you, because you realize how utterly powerless you are against people with skill.
Contrary to what you might think, it convinces you to stay out of street fights, not get into them. You begin to realize how capable someone on the street might be, even if they seem unassuming. And you realize how much randomness is involved, fighting in uncontrolled conditions.
Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the face (Mike Tyson)
If the expected upside is protecting your ego (bragging rights), and the expected downside risk is falling and hitting your head (brain damage), you might realize how asymmetric that risk seems.
While jiu jitsu is an equalizer to an extent, weight and build still matter a lot.
Gassing out
Rolling against white belts quickly can turn into a death match. Because they are inexperienced and don’t know better, they go full throttle and gas themselves out. They use all of their strength and might and energy to avoid being embarrassed, often in lieu of technique.
If you are a white belt, take your time, be intentional, and conserve your energy. I am not qualified to give jiu jitsu advice, but I know the previous statement to be categorically true.
There are exceptions to this rule of course! Some white belts are pretty chill. Those ones usually don't stay white belts for long.
Calculated destruction
With higher belts it's different. Instead of constant switches back and forth, every inch I leave is taken. Every opportunity I don’t take is closed. And every advantage I have is slowly and methodically stolen away.
I’ve heard some people talk about jiu jitsu being like “physical chess” and I think that’s fairly accurate. Plenty of physicality involved, but also tremendous amounts of technique and strategy, that you have to drill in until it’s muscle memory. There’s not really enough time to think deeply in the middle of a roll.
Know your place
I received my blue belt recently, which felt great until I started to receive the beatings. There is a reason it’s called the blue belt blues, but I’m here for it. It’s just the beginning and I am constantly reminded that I know nothing. Oss!
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Written with love,
Colin