5 Reasons Why Most BJJ White Belts Quit

[@ChasenHill]

How long did you spend at white belt?

[@mtu90007]

Been a white belt for almost a year and a half.

[@El_Ouazzani]

i m white belt since 11 September 2023 :)

[@ChasenHill]

@@mtu90007 Congrats! Blue is near!

[@ChasenHill]

@@El_Ouazzani Welcome to the beautiful world of Jiu-Jitsu!

[@JameyPhoenix]

I think I’m getting promoted (for real) this time, on 11 Nov (aka this Saturday). Started August 22, 2022 @ 33 years strong 💪🏾

[@eromeo56]

I’ve been a white belt for 5 years with zero stripes, just got my blue tonight

[@phx4closureman]

*congrats for never stopping! been a white belt for 5 years too... was going strong before covid, then took a year off like many others, then was never consistent after that...back problems became another excuse (weren't there when I started) - but I'm getting back into it now....*

[@josephr2766]

Currently a 4 stripe white belt at 23 months of training and 45 years old. I’ve found 3-4 days a week as a sweet spot for my recovery and to prevent mental burnout. Also I’ve stopped comparing myself to other white belts. I’m not like them, I’m not 18-21 years old and an athlete especially the ones with wrestling backgrounds. Heck my nagging back injury (industrial accident) is older than half the class. I show up, slowly improve, and beat all the other 40 and older people in the world not training.

[@ChasenHill]

Thanks for checking out the video! That is a fantastic perspective you have and a wise approach to your Jiu-Jitsu journey! I would love to know, what made you start training in your 40's?

[@saramoriarity5577]

I stared at 40 also and i have been out for aback injury and my acl ruptured so I am now recovering from that but I am dying to go back. I have also had to swallow the pill that I just can’t keep up with the 20 Somethings sometimes the 30 somethings. I was trying to train 4-6 days a week still and I will get back to that just because I like to be at the gym I miss it very much

[@ChasenHill]

@@saramoriarity5577 Thanks for sharing! You will make it back! Let me know if I can help in any way!

[@kylefee4822]

@saramoriarity5577 "45" days a week. Lol

[@saramoriarity5577]

@@kylefee48224-6 days a week it should say

[@nickellmitchell4634]

I was a white belt for 2 years 10 months training 3 times a week. Blue belt for 1.5 years training 5 times a week. Currently, I am Purple Belt, who has been training for 5 years consistently with an average of 4 sessions a week.

[@ChasenHill]

Thanks for sharing! Amazing commitment! If you don't mind sharing, what motivated you to start training?

[@nickellmitchell4634]

@ChasenHill What motivated me to start was, in fact, a different martial art called Wingchun. Funny enough, I was always into martial arts from watching Bruce Lee, and ipman never done it before, so I said, "Let me try out a wingchun class." On my first day of wingchun, the instructor threw someone to the floor and said the fight is not over. If you want to know more, try out our bjj classes. The next day, I tried a bjj class and loved it went against a 13 year old kid weighing roughly 130 pounds roughly. At that time, I was 23 years old and fit. 6 feet tall and 190 pounds and was submitted 10 times in a 5 minute round by the kid and was hooked ever since. I said whatever superpower he has. I want that! What kept me going most importantly is that I know bjj is mentally tough, and I had to understand that my journey is my own even though I noticed people I had trained longer than surpassing me in belt rank. All I kept telling myself was, "You just need to get better!" Be so good so good that you can't be ignored, and I did that. Now, I am one of the instructors who teaches classes 3 times a week and loves it.

[@GreenTeaSamurai]

brown must be right around the corner 👍

[@alphabromega859]

I went for about a year and simply lost interest, probably due to the frustration/plateau you speak of. I found myself watching the clock and just being eager to hear “alright everyone let’s line up”. I haven’t gone in 2 months and have been waiting to feel like going again. Instead I love the free time to do other things. I do miss the people but not BJJ itself honestly.

[@ChasenHill]

Thank you for sharing! To me, this sounds as if you are bored, in the sense of having no goal or drive currently with your Jiu-Jitsu journey or unrealistic ones. The "other things" bring more joy because you accomplish certain goals, benchmarks, or objectives. Even if you aren't setting them consciously, you're stimulating the reward mechanism regardless, bringing you more enjoyment. I hope you can return to the mat soon! Please let me know if I can help 😀

[@aleksandervaldal]

11 year white belt checking in. Went all in 4-6 times a week for 3-6 months and out for 3-6 months in cycles. Been training consistently 2, sometimes 3 times a week for 14 months now and received 4 stripes in that time.

[@oohrah81]

Hi, Chasen! I was a white belt for 18 months, just got my blue belt last week!

[@ChasenHill]

Thank you for sharing! Amazing work and congrats on the blue belt!

[@oohrah81]

@@ChasenHill thanks man, feels like such a big achievement, for me. Love the videos 💪🏻

[@ChasenHill]

@@oohrah81 Thank you for the support!

[@stevewilkinson3129]

Starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) at the age of 34 with no prior martial arts experience, I faced a steep learning curve, particularly during my white belt phase. Despite the challenges, I persevered, training initially in a teens class to develop basic coordination and body awareness (head coach was not going to put me into adult class i was that un-coordinated). Over time, my dedication paid off, progressing through the ranks to a purple belt and earning my first stripe. The journey highlights the demanding nature of BJJ and the above shows as an inspiration for beginners to remain committed to their training. OSS! White belt 2 years Blue belt 4 years Purple Belt........

[@Joe-fi4hv]

I’d put injury on the list. I’m over 40 but also a bigger guy with decent strength. I feel like people go hard at me because I’m strong and I’m constantly at home doing PT on some injury or another. Last week a guy went nuts on head control and I’ve been nursing whiplash all week. Getting old sucks

[@bullamarta]

This video is super helpful!! I’m 46, I’ve been training for 11 months and just received my 3rd stripe. I train consistently 2 days a week, occasionally get an extra day or two in if time permits. Currently in my second week off for a rib injury. Hoping to go back next week to start back with some light drilling. I miss the mats 😞

[@ChasenHill]

Thanks for sharing! Amazing you've stayed training for almost a year! Injuries will come and go, just keep going back once you've healed up!

[@ChasenHill]

If you are open to more advice or help, please shoot me an email at [e-mail]. It's easier than chatting on here 🔥

[@Ink.johnny]

Good advice. I’m a 40 year old white belt and go twice a week. I have no expectations of getting blue belt after a year and am currently pretty happy with the small lessons I take home each class. Your videos are very helpful.

[@KazzArie]

Currently 41, started at 39 in January 2022, and I’m a ~21 month white belt. Working from home, married (wife also trains and loves it), and with three kids, two of whom are in bjj, I have no social life outside bjj but I didn’t really before either. So this serves as a multifaceted outlet for that, exercise, and all the other great things people say about bjj. Living only 5 miles from where I train and being on the unlimited attendance plan, unless I’m sick or injured I’ve got no reason to not be there 5-6 days a week. Maybe about 7-8 months in I got quite a bit of (blue) belt envy but that went away after I competed a couple times. I wish I’d found it sooner but mentally I don’t think I would have been a good teammate or opponent - So it came to me at a good time in my life… not even the slightest signs of burn out yet! 😄🤙

[@ChasenHill]

Great insight! Happy to hear you don't have any burn out yet!

[@john324-]

I’m a white belt been training consistently for about 19 months - at our gym promotions are slowly given out, I’m at a blue belt level so will probably get promoted sometime when it’s right!

[@isomig2023]

This is great! 2-3 days seems ideal to me. I find this keeps me hungry for more BJJ and excited to get back to class. On my off days though, I am doing strength training or steady state cardio.

[@akzdhfpm23490]

47 yo 2 stripe white belt, been training about nine months this time around. Training 2x a week for first 8 months, been going 3x weekly for the last month.

[@Craigsoubliere]

Been training BJJ since June. I’m 52 and this video was very helpful specially on the time constraint. I realize that I was overtraining and beating my old body up. 3-4 days a week rolling seems to be a better fit for me at this level (2 stripe).

[@ChasenHill]

I'm happy to hear the video was helpful! Yes, be careful not to over-train. Understanding the balance is extremely important. I definitely have some suggestions for you (if you even want to hear them). Shoot me an email at [e-mail]. It's easier than chatting on here 🔥

[@PinkPantherBJJ]

Recovery is tough in one's 50's. If you love it and want to be on the mats everyday, I suggest limit the number of rolls you do each night, or choose partners that will make you move more rather than try to crush you. Keep up the training!

[@radicaleyemag]

Technically i've been a white belt for 13 years 😅first trained back in 2010, got a stripe then moved to London and took a while off before getting back into it. I took my stripe off when I went back. Ended up moving again, and started at a new gym after a little break. I had got into a bit of a flow for around 6 months, and then boom, COVID. I stopped training, and also had a baby. Started back again in 2022 and got a few stripes, but after 6 months I moved from the UK to Portugal. Since January 2023 I've been back training again, although found it a little harder due to my level of Portugese being quite poor at the moment. I picked up a few stripes in March, making me a 4 stripe white belt. Our next grading is coming up this weekend, so let's see 🙂

[@ChasenHill]

Wow! Thanks for sharing! Amazing you've stayed after it! Keep it going!

[@mwithers13]

I was a white belt for 24 months. However I found out months after my promotion that the discussion to promote me had came 6 months before but my coaches wanted to build my confidence as a white belt.

[@bcappy34]

I’m having this problem.. I try to go when I can “being a truck driver” so when I go back when I can. I always get my ass handed to me.

[@vincechanhealthy6373]

18 months to get my white belt and I trained almost every day. Wasn't upset by it as I was already a solid blue once I received my blue belt.

[@ChasenHill]

Thank you for sharing! Next stop, purple!

[@TrayCaddyyy]

I’m still a white belt. I’ve been training for 15 months and I’m 2 weeks out from testing for my Gracie Combatives belt.

[@ChasenHill]

Congrats, and good luck! Please keep me updated!

[@kylefee4822]

I was a white belt for 2 years 10 months. I was then a blue belt for 3 years

[@ChasenHill]

@kylefee4822 Nice! Thanks for sharing! Purple belt now I'm assuming?

[@kylefee4822]

@@ChasenHill yes I got it this month

[@louishaon1012]

I have been training for 11 months. Last month i got my fourth stripe. I was insecure about it and had many days where i was not feeling right and confident on the mat. I would say half of them to be honest. The biggest challenge i face is adversity, against myself. Going through tough times makes you stronger. I've passed the plateau from when i graduated to 4 stripes and now i am on my way to the blue belt working on what my professor tells me. I do not care about the belt, i want to be a strong blue belt with a lot of knowledge and i will continue my way through bjj. Oss

[@homelessmans2cents675]

Doesn’t matter to me what belt I am 🤷🏻‍♂️. I was rolling with a 3 stripe white belt and kept sweeping and mounting him. He said “I’m surprised you don’t have more stripes!” I study and practice at home and still haven’t gotten my stripe since beginning in September. I just feel that you are as good as you are 🤷🏻‍♂️. If I’m a second degree white belt at month 6-9 and sweeping blue belts. You’re as good as you are and I don’t care that I’m the underdog 👍🏻

[@ChasenHill]

Thanks for checking out the video and sharing! Wow, that's great! Amazing you are progressing quickly! The studying is paying off! And being the underdog great!

[@KhazmoJitsu]

2 years to get my blue belt. I’ve been a blue belt since July 22. It was hard to get & even harder to progress. I’m definitely at a plateau. That’s not a deterrent for me though, I’ll just ride it out until something clicks.

[@ChasenHill]

Thanks for checking out the video, and congrats on even making it to the blue belt! Most do not even accomplish this. Yes, plateaus can be frustrating to over come. Check out some other videos I've recently done to help over come those. Also, I think I could help you accelerate quicker if you are interested. Shot me an email at [e-mail]

[@PinkPantherBJJ]

Plateau is where the growth is happening. You don't see it or feel it but the skill is developing and at some point you will notice a difference in your "game" or skill set!

[@papabearmccoy779]

Hi! 48 year old 1 stripe white belt. I’ve been training for about 6 months and I’ve been consistent at 2-4 times a week, most weeks it’s 3 times per week. I’m seeing a lot of progress and I’m really enjoying myself, even when I’m getting destroyed by purple belts 😂

[@juliannaeaton5388]

White belt. Been training 3 to 4 days a week for 2 months now

[@Nethryllen]

Also not having support from family or significant other is a big one, whether it being jelousy or you being away

[@windupmerchant1679]

You can't use BJJ as a reason for not being there for the last 16 years.

[@chrischen5176]

4 years white belt. First 2 years were less consistent as I was serving in the military. Then COVID-19 caused delays and one year off. Restarted in 2022 From zero stripes again. Hope I don’t get injured as I missed 2 gradings due to injury.

[@crzabjj]

I’m 49 YO. Took me 2 years to get to blue but 1 was pre COVID and then a 2 year break and back another year or so. Your advice still applies to me I think and is useful. Not making progress fast enough or getting stuck is still an issue for me 🤷‍♂️

[@ChasenHill]

Yeah, COVID was a weird time for Jiu-Jitsu. That's awesome you've kept on pushing forward and coming back to training. I definitely have some suggestions for you (if you even want to hear them). Shoot me an email at [e-mail]. It's easier than chatting on here 🔥

[@metaphysicalphilosopher2356]

White belt with two months of experience here. Recently at my gym other white belts are getting me into a worse position like the bottom of the mount or side control, but then they are not able to submit me as easily because I keep thwarting or escaping their efforts. They try the Ezekiel choke, but then I trap one arm to thwart the choke. They go for an arm bar but then I keep holding onto that arm so they’re not able to break it free. Then eventually I do a trap and roll and escape out of that mount and into their closed guard. I’m still not able to do pass their guard or submit them, but they’re not submitting me easily either. But when I go up against higher level white belts (with nine month or more experience) or blue belts and above, they have no problems submitting me. Is this still a sign of progress that with white belts closer to my level, I’m able to survive and escape being submitted for that round even if I’m not yet able to be offensive towards them?

[@anshanv]

I’m very new to bjj. Just attended my 3rd class and thinking of quitting. Mainly because during a couple takedowns, 1. I knocked the back of my head on the floor, and worse 2. Landed on my shoulder on another takedown and tweaked it. I don’t like injuries keeping me away from doing other things like gym. On a side note: the person that did this to me was going ham to the rest of their partners as well, when we were supposed to be only going 40% to get used to it.

[@mikkelmosegaard9271]

Gone 2-3 times a week, got my blue belt at almost exactly 2 years of training. Love the grind, been blue now for almost 2 months

[@SteveSUX2BU]

I started 3 months ago. Everyone in the class is chill and supportive. However everyone has been doing it for at least 6 months more than me. I just get beaten up all class, every class. I don't feel like I'm learning much when I'm being tapped before I can try techniques.

[@tomd8726]

3 strip white belt. Train 2-3 days a week. Just hit one year training this month. Promotions in March maybe I’ll be in there !

[@juliomeneses1793]

Hi, I'm currently a 2 stripe white belt, and took me over a year to get my first stripe, at first I was annoyed not to get the stripe sooner, but I realized now, that it was a blessing in disguise as nobody assumes the experience of this passed 20+ months...... I would like to keep it that way....but I will be getting my third stripe later in November, and in my gym usually means that I start training often with higher belts.... as I will learn variations of the basic movements sprinkled with advanced stuff .... another plus about my gym is that each class is 1.5 -2 hrs so you get time to digest the knowledge and put in the hours. IMO Most of the ppl that end up quitting (in my gym at least) are the ones that don't get rewarded with a stripe sooner... but I'd like to think, that the quality of BJJ stays "high"..... all and all I guess that if you are not into physical challenges and or being in really uncomfortable positions for extended periods of time, BJJ can be daunting.

[@ChasenHill]

Thank you for sharing! This is a great mindset to have! Unfortunately, most people are hurrying to be promoted as fast as possible. It's who's ever left at the end of the day!

[@leestitzel2203]

Similar for me. I missed our first two stripe tests (travel/not understanding our testing system the first time and then personal tragedy the second time) so I'm two stripe white belt and have training over 19 months. Didn't get my first stripe until almost a year in.

[@TonyStarkChillinFromHeaven]

Started 2-4x a week. Been a white belt for 13 months GI focus gym. I still can’t sweep or be on top of anyone unless they’re smaller than me. So I’ve been feeling frustrated. Asked my instructor about 1 or 2 things I could improve on, he said keep showing up so I started going 5x a week for the past 6 months. Instructor always gives ppl pointers when they’re rolling with me (even blue belts) but I get zero pointers. Instructor be on the phone or talking to higher belts when is time to roll. Thinking about switching to an MMA gym to focus on both striking and No-go Bjj. Sucks cause I like my training partners but the instructor just doesn’t seemed to care much. No sure if this is the culture in Bjj or if is just the instructor.

[@Unibot47]

9 months in, almost 10. 1 stripe white. Competed once. Highlight: Submitted a blue belt, one time. Didn't make a big deal of it. I'm always learning from him and we're friends. I'll admit, it's frustrating seeing a coworker who trains at a GB on her 3rd stripe who has been training for less time but they apparently promote based largely on attendance, it's fine. Before, the blue belt was my big goal, I've since stopped giving a shit about belts, and am in fact going to hold onto my white as long as I can, and shift my focus to competing and racking up as many competitions and medals as I can. I just love to fight and compete, and choke people. I'm working on having an escape for every bottom position, refining the submissions I do know, and getting my conditioning up to be better in competitions. I can roll 4-6 rounds and be fine, and that's after an hour of muay thai, but 2 matches at a tournament leave me completely exhausted the rest of the entire day. I guess if belts are what someone is after, there's always tae kwon do or karate they can do (NOT knocking them, they just have more than 5 belts, and tend to promote more frequently, I will probably take one of them up again in some time.)

[@ChasenHill]

Thank you for sharing! It sounds like you've gained amazing insight into your own journey! Promotions will come with time! Just keep focusing on development 💪

[@danieldensel3633]

As a current 3 stripe White Belt, Ive learned to just focus on getting better daily. Stripes and belts are cool, but just getting better is the real gain. And when you focus on improvement the belt comes later. Keep having fun on the mats yall!

[@ChasenHill]

Thanks for sharing! Great take! Blue belt around the conner!

[@fupasaan]

2 years at white belt training 5 days a week and cross training judo on the weekends along with open mats. My coach told me that since im a competitor don’t compare myself to the other guys because he was going to hold to me a higher level. Only got my blue once i started to be competitive with the older purple belts. (Im 22 now but this was 19-21)

[@soarinpenguinlive6372]

I quit because I couldn't go to a good class anymore due to my work schedule. I used to work night, so I got to go to the noon class which was much better cause it was 95%-100% live rolling. When I switched to a night class, they barely did any live rolling till at the end, and you needed a safety stripe to do live rolling which they wouldn't give to me. I dropped jiu-jutsu at that point. There was no reason the submission lesson didn't make me any better the live rolling did because it let me figure out what works. I think the majority of people quit due to lack of live rolling and lack of challenge. The mid-day classes also had way more athletic people and I got the chance to even roll with black belts. I figured out jiu-jutsu concept and technique from live rolling that no one taught me. They also kept making me slow down and not put strength into thing when I rolled for a safety strap in the night classes cause I was 6'5 and over 260 pounds. The guys in the mid day class adjusted to my size but some of the upper white belt and recent blue belts in the night classes couldn't adjust. I was beating guys with way more experience in night class because they couldn't handle my size which also kind of ruined jiu-justu and my school to me. I may go back and train more but it sucks to train pretty chokes instead of actually useful skills

[@LeadGRuaidri]

I plan on being a white belt forever... regardless of belt colour. My shift/gym pattern will hold me back, undoubtedly. But I'm happy to just learn for now.

[@jedsanford7879]

White belt, 6 months, been putting in around 10 hours a week, an hour of class and an hour of open mat. I'm at around the 200 hour mark right now.

[@echols2010]

Just got my blue a few weeks ago after 15months consistent training but i also used to do some no gi when I was younger about 12 years ago

[@ChasenHill]

Congrats on the blue belt! What was the hardest part about being a white belt?

[@echols2010]

@@ChasenHill For me was trying not to treat every roll as a must win!!

[@LuckyRob007]

You can water down what BJJ is for white belts - Gracie Combatives, Jiujitsu Fitness, no sparring, etc - but the reality is that actual jiujitsu is uniquely difficult compared to non-combat sports and it takes a level of mental fortitude and commitment to get past that cold shock of reality.

[@ChasenHill]

Thanks for sharing and checking out the video! Do you mind sharing how long you were a white belt for?

[@LuckyRob007]

​@@ChasenHill I was a white belt for 7 years, but took off 5 years to start a business and have a few more kids. At the pointy end of blue now.

[@ChasenHill]

Wow that's amazing resilience and determination! What made you keep coming back instead of just throwing in the towel?

[@LuckyRob007]

@@ChasenHill I've been in love with BJJ since UFC 3. Plus, everyday that I wasn't training ... for years ... I thought about training. I knew my place was on the mats.

[@ricardogalindo8794]

2 years and 5 months 4-stripe white belt. Started back in 2021. I'm 41, n currently missed a week last week. I tend to trained 3 days a week. There are weeks when i don't feel like going, so i take days off. I'm totally hitting 3 days this week 😂. I'm a little nervous of being closer to blue belt.

[@ChasenHill]

Thanks for sharing! Amazing you've keep going after that length of time! Don't be nervous, I'm sure you're almost there!

[@ricardogalindo8794]

@@ChasenHill I didn't blue belt today, was my academy's belt ceremony today. I saw a 3 stripe white belt get blue belt, n me being a 4th stripe white belt felt that i was good. Two Fridays ago Professor even told me that I was really close to blue belt. Apparently, I wasn't close enough. Yet! I trained in Mexico a few days, n even a good competing blue belt asked if I was really a white belt? N how I "felt" like a blue belt. It shows me how hard of a grader my professor is, n how it could also be based on favorite student situation. I'm close to reaching being a 3 year white belt. It did hurt not getting blue belt, but I know I have to just drill. Like a blue belt buddy told me "I know how you feel. I can see it, you have progressed. It just means you're going to be an even stronger n better blue belt when you get it."

[@thelogicalcaveman9139]

I’m still a white belt got my first stripe last night after about a month of training. I’m a volume guy and train about 7 times a week with an open may once a week. Doing BJJ has been a goal of mine for many years and a gym opened 100 yds from my house so I jumped all over it. Everyday I feel better and more confident. White belt us the belt of survival is what I have been told by many people so all I worry about is lasting the rounds. Improve my defense and sweeps. It’s a great gym and I love it.

[@ChasenHill]

Thank you for sharing! Also, volume isn't bad it's just hard to maintain! If life changes and you can't keep the same pace, it's okay to back off and train when possible! I wish you the best of luck on your journey!

[@thelogicalcaveman9139]

@@ChasenHill I got extremely lucky with how my life has fallen Into place and the place of the gym. I’m so thankful for how it’s worked out and I’m ready to keep pushing on this journey. Gonna be sure to follow and keep learning

[@ChasenHill]

@@thelogicalcaveman9139 Wow... an amazing perspective! Future black belt in the making!

[@thelogicalcaveman9139]

@@ChasenHill thank you sir I appreciate it

[@benjamindelfs2718]

Sounds like your gym gives stripes out pretty easily after one month training. Even with 7 days a week training (which you’ll definitely not maintain) you still haven’t learnt that much.

[@Blinkz]

2 years and 1 month white belt. Good times good times.

[@craigory972]

38 years old, 6 months in 2-3 times a week, i can handle all but two of the other white belts (but i prefer them as its way more fun) still no stripes yet, it makes me wonder what im doing wrong or if il ever see a blue belt.

[@Asoka-eb8ru]

I just started doing BJJ three weeks ago and right away started training 4x a week, and spend 3x a week weightifting. I used to train in MMA 5-6x a week . My only problem with BJJ is learning new techniques everyday so you don't get the chance to really learn from what you were previously taught, is that normal? That would be ok if I had friends who were also in BJJ and I could practice on.

[@codyleegalyean]

Been a white belt for almost 2 years. Won 8 agf tournaments 2 badlands tournament. Won a super fight, won ibjff Dallas open, won a cage fight. I train 5 days a week, 2 hours a day. 1 hour jiu jitsu and 1 hour mma. Still a white belt. Coach thinks I’m too physically strong.

[@dieselx999]

Still a white belt and been training at a fake mma gym once a week then twice for 2 years then with an actual bjj instructor for 2 years 3 days a week. Then another instrument for over 2 years for 2 to 4 days so yeah I've been a white belt for about 4 or 5 years if you add the consistency

[@78logistics]

4 stripe white ...been at this 26 months.Just changed gyms(my third due to a delusional woman, left the first due to a move) took the stripes down as the professor does not award them. I expect another six months plus at this rank because of the gym change. Not a big deal, just happy to be able to train four or five days a week with double classes at 64 and retired. The VA says I am 86% disabled. That and my age are mere numbers I refuse to be defined by. Staying active with this, improving my abilities as a track racer on my sport bike and likewise my ice hockey skills as both a goalie and wing is very important to my mental and physical well-being. I will scale back when my service injuries get the better of me hopefully no time soon.

[@ChasenHill]

I commend you on your dedication and commitment to keep training! Thank you for your service and happy to hear you are keeping active even with all your injuries! Great inspiration! Just curious, what made you want to start training Jiu-Jitsu?

[@78logistics]

@ChasenHill I had just undergone a major lifestyle change losing more than 100 lbs in the process. Simply put, I drank too much beer self medicating. No more. Both my therapist and a life coach I had engaged to try to forge a new healthier me suggested I try an activity outside my comfort zone. The BJJ gym was in a studio in the gym I attended daily near my former condo so of course I saw students coming and going to class. Looked thru the viewing window and thought why not? So I approached Hoss and asked if he would mind an about to be 62 year old joining his beginners class...I was welcomed with open arms. To be honest I was in pretty good shape having been doing a lot of working out while on the diet. I told him I would give him three months of honest effort and reassess where I was. I might add this was when I decided to try racing my sport bike( as a new rider < one year experience)on the track for the same reason. ..so much fun. I enjoyed myself, showed some progress getting a stripe after two months and decided to keep at it. I wish I had discovered this earlier on life, I might not have become so ill on a number of counts, fallout from my service. Hindsight. No excuse not to be doing something....I was medically retired from my second career about the same time post Covid. I watch a number of fellow vet friends deteriorate because they are not doing something to keep mind and body active...this is not going to be me. Plenty of naysayers along the journey...."but your back" (which I broke in 1999 in a military freefall parachuting accident). I honestly believe I am in a better position than I was two years ago having been able to delay a major surgery to repair the damage . I genuinely look forward to my time on the mats and that is all that matters.

[@78logistics]

Still at it, found a new gym that is a great fit...the last one was not at all.​@ChasenHill

[@DanielRevolt]

Man I started bjj in 2019 and I’m still a 4 stripe. I’ve been through some significant life stuff which led me to multiple ruts where I haven’t trained for a month+ at a time. It’s hard to stay motivated when you’ve been a white belt for 4 years.

[@aristolochene]

I'm in the same boat. I try ... to not focus on the belt and focus on skills. Just get better. Even though I'm watching this video about why white belts quit.

[@GreenTeaSamurai]

no gi white belt, i’ve been training for 17 months and usually train about 2 days a week. First six months probably averaged 3 classes a week. I’ve missed probably 3 months (a few weeks here few weeks there) since i started due to ringworm, minor injuries, vacation, etc. Still don’t really feel close to blue belt. I’m 140lb so I still have trouble with bigger new guys. Hoping to get my blue belt in the next year and a half or so or sooner! oss

[@GreenTeaSamurai]

when i started i was 120lb, i think a lot of small people quit because they aren’t tapping people and just get smashed. I stuck it thru and now I tap some people but mostly still get smashed. 😂 honestly tho sometimes i think lifting/eating helps me improve in my rolls more than training

[@GreenTeaSamurai]

at my heaviest I was 150lb and felt like a beast 😂

[@chrismoreton]

1 stripe White Belt, 11 months in, I've got the champagne in the fridge ready to pop when I get that second stripe. I suck, so it could be a while.

[@matkirby6404]

4 stripe WB, started in 2019 but didn't train from 2020 to 2022. I'm coming up on blue belt and my coaches keep hinting at it, makes me nervous. I'm terrible ive competed in 2 local comps and i haven't won a single match currently 0/5 :( i dont think i deserve to be promoted.

[@ChasenHill]

Thanks for sharing and I can 100% understand that overwhelming feeling. I definitely have some suggestions for you (if you even want to hear them). Shoot me an email at [e-mail]. It's easier than chatting on here 🔥

[@jamesspurgeon372]

It's like this is my comment. You are EXACTLY me. I'm nearly 61 years old and getting destroyed EVERY roll, 4 nights a week. I only roll with higher belts though. I am a 4 striper and I think up for blue belt in July. I don't want it. Too much pressure.

[@mikeg8543]

Little over 4 years to blue belt. Moved 3 times and was back and forth with school between gyms, Plus I had a lot of injury time. First coach only graded promoted off fundimentals and I wanted to learn different guards. By end of my white belt time I signed up for a comp no one else entered the intermediate bracket so they merged down 2 black belts and a brown belt I train with (was no gi). Ended up going up a weight class fighting people some blue and purple belts with 25-30 pounds on me and tossing em around. 3 stripe white belt to blue belt the next week. I do miss giving blue belts external dread people would warn other blue belts I'm "not your typical whitebelt" when I first started rolling with them at the gym. 😂

[@cjanquart]

52, knee (don't know how I did that) and shoulder injuries (guy wrenched me on a shoulder lock, has a reputation of going hard), work schedule. Sure I could just strength train (I should do something to condition my knees) but then I'm not doing jiu jitsu and therefore not learning anything. Sure is demoralizing. Do coaches/owners care that people quit, as it does impact your bottom line/livelihood?

[@peppertime1]

Hi everyone, 50 ol’ 2 wb for 2 years. I began to show up 3 times a week ( usually 2 really steady) and it takes me 3 days to recover. I train Tuesday,Thursday morning and Friday evening….. and it takes me sleep and great food discipline to be good for Tuesday morning…… what is your thing who gives you this recovery? Subbed… oss.

[@fteambjj]

I did exactly what u said 😂😂😂 i started in 2016 but i was on and off because off injuries. I would do 6 to 7 months non stop but then stopped for the rest of the year because i got injured in class. I felt like my old school was to sport focused that every roll was a life or death experience. Even if i tapped early i would already be injured 😂. Stopped bjj during covid and started again in a new gym routinely and after 2 years 3-4x a week i got my bluebelt just last month 😂.

[@elbeantako8411]

I try to train consistently but not bc i want a blue belt but rather i want to make sure i burn the moves into memory. I really dont care what color belt i have lol

[@ChasenHill]

How long did you spend at white belt?

[@Asoka-eb8ru]

In my school there is no bowing or calling instructor anything like sir. We call instructor by his first name.

[@BrMg01]

9:30 this is a dangerous game and I tell you why. If you compare lets say you are 40 yrs old against another white belt same stripes as you but his is on 20's you could be frustrated. He probably got better cardio and strenght even if you are the same JJ level...I think you need to compare same weight class and age if possible. I roll with some other white belts they are 10yrs younger , same JJ level but 20 pounds heavier and 10 yrs of wrestling lol there are so many things to consider...

[@tededo]

Long story short. 51 here. Blue belt since 2005. Dont get it twisted here, I am may not be a black belt, but I am your grizzled seasoned grappler whose bag of tricks will make you go like: how do I submit this old man, damn it for God's sake. I've crossed with several years of tae kwon do, amateur comp boxing and few years of freestyle and greco wrestling. I've joined my first bjj group in 2002. My first sub was vs a blue belt. Wrestling helped me a lot. I haven't, nor never develop a steady enough relationship with an instructor to earn myself a purple, brown and black. However, I am not your typical blue. I toy with white belts, frustrates blues and now can submit purples. Browns and black wont roll with me so no way for me to find that upperbelt metric to my grappling game. I am attending 2 grappling schools. One drills a lot and does just that, while the other one teaches us technical BJJ. I LOVE YOUR VIDEO. WILL LISTEN TO IT OVER. COMES AT A VERY NEEDED TIME. APPRECIATE.

[@dropd4thewin]

it's discouraging as a white belt to see read people's replies and see such discrepancies across what constitutes different belt levels. My gym hardly ever gives out stripes and you have to work your ass off to go up a rank (usually a 1 hour shark tank to earn a blue), the candidates are left practically paralyzed from fatigue by the end of it. I know white belts who've been at it for 4-5 years and still aren't being given a blue belt or they'll flat out say they don't feel ready to do the shark tank. The lack of positive feedback doesn't help and I consider quitting all the time...

[@Godisahomo]

What about injuries?

[@ChasenHill]

It's usually not one of the main reasons. If students don't return after the injury is healed, I can almost guarantee it's one of the 5 reasons. There are always exceptions, for example, if the injury was so devastating, you can not physically train or the injury was so bad you can't risk getting hurt again for work or something similar. The injury most liked opened the door and 1 of the 5 reasons is the actual cause.

[@Godisahomo]

@@ChasenHill I just started bjj and got injured after just two weeks 🤦‍♂️ Nothing severe and will go back but hope this is not a recurring thing

[@ChasenHill]

I hope it's not either! Do you mind me asking what the injury was?

[@Godisahomo]

@@ChasenHill bruised ribs. Wasn’t too bad as it is almost all cleared up 2 and a half weeks in. Also, I’m 40 and get hurt easier than the young guys 🤷🏼

[@Lowsid3r]

4 stripe white belt a little over a year

[@joicosby5566]

New white belt over 50 Having physical challenges

[@edkrest]

The goal should not be to get the blue belt. But to be at a blue belt level.

[@TheRedStateBlue]

no the reason most quit is because jiu jitsu gym memberships are entirely too expensive and most working people can't afford them for very long... especially with big business deciding to squeeze us all a little bit more with their out of control inflation. at some point the realization that they aren't getting their money's worth hits them. they decide to spend it on things that are tangible benefits to their daily lives. jiu jitsu is not. its benefits are all entirely intangible and difficult to quantify. i do not own a gi. if i wanted to go to my local jiu jitsu gym and get instruction, i would be limited to no gi days, but would be required to pay the same fee as if i had a gi and was there on gi days, as well. the reason most people quit is in my estimation 80% financial. only 20% quit because they burn out or don't come back after an injury or something. for most its just money.

[@NotMuchThanks]

I haven't gone back to the gym because, even though I really like BJJ, the other athletes behave like Mowgli: as if they were raised by some jungle animal. They're always trying to project this ridiculous hipermasculinity, and they are unnecessarily homophobic. Which is funny because they choose to go to the gym everyday to roll around with other sweaty men. They only communicate in bullying. It's like training with high school kids from the jungle. I'm old enough to know I want to practice a sport, not desperately try to prove something to godknows who 😂.

[@sleeplessdev7204]

Dad: "How about Jason, that's a strong name" Mom: "I just think he looks like more of a Chase" Dad: "Surely, we can come to a compromise..."

[@brianrahuba6919]

I dont care about belts . I didnt want to do any kind of Gi training but the couch is like you wont be able to advance if I dont . I said so what . I just want to workout and become a better ground fighter . Its not like Im gonna do tournaments. I really have no intrest at any level to do so . I like striking arts more . I figured I do one year of hybrid kickboxing with a year of BJJ . Get in better shape and transfer into a MMA gym . Its strictly for self-offense . Mabe I'll catch on and like it . But I really have no interest for making this my go-to art . Really its boring to watch, well for me that is . Its like golf . Its not fun unless your playing .

[@joicosby5566]

❤❤❤❤

[@nicolemorin6795]

I seriously doubt that anybody would take 10 years to get a blue belt gosh if I can't get my blue belt within three years I'm probably not going to go back 10 years is ridiculously you can get a purple belt in 5

[@mkjj84]

Officially started training 2 months ago. Working towards my first stripe. I train 4-5 days a week, and it does feel frustrating that i cant seem to land anything, and im always getting swept or mounted. I'm having fun in class though & enjoying learning. Ill probably stick to 4 days consistently. 🙏🏾🫡