A Journey to Purple Belt - Mark Lost 200 Pounds Through BJJ!

[@mrm6837]

I'm 310 pounds, I started my BJJ journey today, I've wanted to do it for a LONG time, but today I started, this gives me hope.

[@Mohamedahmed-d7n6l]

Can I ask if you continued and if you have lost some weight, thinking of joining bjj soon

[@mattbaker4698]

This is so very relatable being 136kgs and not fitting in my gi pants!!! Thank you for sharing and inspiring me a little bit.

[@RazaNaqvi51214]

Same here, Brother. I am 136kg 5'6 , going for my trial class next week. Feeling anxious. Don't know whether to lose weight first, then join or join anyway

[@garydeperio8630]

Mark ! First, I weigh 245! I started bjj at 264! Yes, I’m still wearing my A5! My goal is to do bjj and lose weight! I’m 53 years and a white belt with no stripes! I love your video and it’s totally inspiring! I too love bjj and my focus is to lose weight , learn, understand basics, and to defend ! There’s lots of things I’m still working on as I go on this bjj journey ! I tap out lots of times and I’m always learning and learning ! Keep it up bro ! Congrats as well Gary d

[@InformalGreeting]

Looks like it’s been a year… still at it?

[@041882]

This is deeply fulfilling to see. I don't have this kind of care in my gym and it's been a tough slog. I was recently promoted and it was such a bitter and painful experience for me. This was very encouraging and it was sort of like vicarious therapy, to see Mark push through and receive the validation for all of his hard work. Thanks so much for sharing this.

[@adamfisher8377]

I needed to see this, thank you Mark. Am 42, 380lbs, 6’2 and have my first Gracie Barra class tonight, am really apprehensive but not going to let my own mind road block me!

[@RVVBJJ]

Good for you man, have fun!

[@Ryan-ck2ei]

Hey man, how did it go? I weigh 270 lbs and really want to start training BJJ but I'm worried I won't be able to do the same amount as other people and end up embarrassing myself

[@adamfisher8377]

@@Ryan-ck2ei Go for it buddy!! Now 4 classes in and loving it, I held off for 6 months because of my fear, if you find the right school you’ll be fine. Am slow and car’t keep up with the younger fitter guys, but nobody cares if you sit a few rounds out and catch your breath. Just go and try mate, it will be the best decision you’ll make this year. Best of luck 🤙

[@Ryan-ck2ei]

@@adamfisher8377 what Gi did you go with? I have a 135cm waist and I have no idea where to find a gi that's my size

[@adamfisher8377]

@@Ryan-ck2ei am in an A6 Gi, it was the biggest one that Gracie Barra had, it is a little tight across the back and shoulders, but the more I train the better the fit becomes. I think if you go online there are places that sell up to A9 size which should be plenty for you 👍 Have you started training yet? Am loving it 👌

[@joshnewby9667]

I'm starting Monday. Can't wait. I'm 470 now. This video is extremely inspirational.

[@guillaumel7484]

More people need to see this. Congrats Mark, keep it up!

[@RVVBJJ]

Hopefully it gets shared :)

[@c24mvp]

I’m almost 400lbs and never worked out a day in my life. I start jiujitsu Monday. I hope to be even half as successful as you.

[@NabilAbdulrashidComedy]

How’s it going?

[@bullfrogjay4383]

Love this video. I am a big guy and everything he said hit home. I'm still a beginner and I'm trying not to rely on strength but rather technique and still working on improving my mobility. This story gives me hope.

[@hurricane4500]

I'm in the same position. I'm going to try it

[@LifesADitch]

I love coming back to these kind of videos to remind to stay on track with both my weight loss and Jiu Jitsu journey! 🤙

[@noelrose9039]

Fantastic and inspiring video. Seeing the footage at the academy makes me miss ITT so much! Can't wait to be back.

[@DH-jb5si]

I'm at home yesterday in isolation running solo drills from ITT and feeling like a complete dumbass as I fumble along.. Being a bigger guy and new to Jiu Jitsu I have often felt like an "oaf" and have felt apprehension in movement for fear of unnecessarily hurting someone. I'm inspired by your story and appreciate you sharing it. I look forward to getting back on the mats and for now will keep on sucking at home!!

[@jonathancbell4898]

How’s it now

[@RichEmery1]

Great video! Thanks for sharing Mark! I am also a big dude. I have my 6th BJJ class tomorrow!

[@fatux]

Love you Mark! Way to go my man.

[@chefishmaparker4639]

Im definitely going through this now. This was very inspiring.

[@salvatoreplacidoplumari3840]

My deep respect, Mark !!! You really are a warrior with a heart, someone who overcomes fears and obstacles !!

[@fatjitsu6619]

Wow. I needed to hear this. thank you Mark.

[@HealthyBearded]

thank you for making this video.

[@TheLZempir3]

I'm 250, been up to 270. I love when a training partner says you move like a smaller guy.

[@Roll_Vids]

What a great video. Thanks for sharing your story, Mark!

[@JordanDanielWende]

This guy is awesome. From my home town too 🤌

[@phx4closureman]

*AWESOME video!!!*

[@wm6549]

Great interview

[@jf4764]

Amazing. I cant wait for restrictions to be lifted so i can get back to training.

[@stevewells4551]

Relate to this guy thanks for everything inspiring for me to keep going

[@16.revert78]

Great video

[@tinkywinky3680]

Great story dude

[@okinawajapan1]

Loved that. Thank you guys.

[@jozefamiri9495]

Rob is amazing

[@josephsheff]

great sequence at 8:57

[@j.r.w6623]

What rash guards work for him as a bigger guy?

[@vidform]

In some of the clips, they show him rolling in a gi and other clips no gi. How does that work? Do you switch between gi and no gi each week? Or do you start with no gi and work your way up to gi? Or is he alternating between gi classes and no gi classes? I'm thinking about doing BJJ but don't know if I should do gi first, or no gi, or if I can do both at the same time. Is training without a gi considered "beginner" while training with a gi is considered advanced? Are belts given to people who train no gi or are the belts only for gi? I've never seen a no-gi guy with a belt.

[@RVVBJJ]

We have mixed gi and nogi classes so it's whatever we feel like. Typically it's separated classes, and purely nogi practitioners do get ranked. They just don't wear their belts as it's just a symbol of their skill level. Neither are considered beginner, they are just different styles of BJJ.

[@miguelbaltierrez1506]

MOTIVATION!!!

[@nicholasboeder1958]

Very nice..osss

[@jw4111]

Great video! How long does it normally take to obtain purple belt after reaching blue belt?

[@RVVBJJ]

Somewhere between 1 to 4 years. More normally 2 - 3 years.

[@westcoastsands]

Do you happen to train in Nanaimo, BC (Island Top Team)?

[@RVVBJJ]

Yes Mark and I both do!

[@intaniik5743]

I rolled with a 380 lb, 6'4, 2 stripe blue belt at my gym, crushed my ribs and back, never rolling with him again

[@barcalona55]

8:26 I always go for the Americana as a fat dude. I gotta to change up

[@ericchibuluzo9989]

Awesome Mark! Miss training with you bi....err lil guy😂😂!

[@Awardance]

This is awesome I lost 129 pounds myself 😅💪

[@RVVBJJ]

Great work!

[@neklang9020]

Fck yeah!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@BarbellsandBergers]

This guy sounds like thanos

[@lifeisajourneynotadestinat8018]

How???😂 I was 330 when I started BJJ in January and I'm still 330!

[@ikagai1000]

You still 330?

[@lifeisajourneynotadestinat8018]

@ikagai1000 down to 308 but I've also started going to the gym the other 5 days per week and lifting heavy for strength training.

[@EricTheSwede]

@@lifeisajourneynotadestinat8018 the weight is lost in the kitchen! Go get some buddy!

[@shrimuyopa8117]

There is a common misconception that is also sold by BJJ gyms, that practicing BJJ makes you lose weight. That is just not true, I know a number of big old dudes that train and they haven't lost any fat. BJJ gives you the MOTIVATION to lose weight. We all know how the mechanics of losing weight works (eat less, exercise more), that is just common sense. Being big and chubby is not fun on a training mat while rolling. Someone can sit on you and you are going to gas out far faster than anyone else. You are going to want to lose weight and keep it off if you train. Some guys just don't care, they get smashed because of it, and their jiu-jitsu sucks. I have known a number of people that have lost weight since doing jiu-jitsu and again its not what happened in the gym, the gym provided the motivation. So if you WANT to lose weight and you have just not had the motivation, try jiu-jitsu, it could save your life.

[@projectdren806]

BJJ absolutely was the cause for my weight loss. I was pretty sustained in my weight, and I was slightly chubby. 6 months in and I've lost just as many inches around my waist. I have not changed a thing other than regular BJJ classes. BJJ is a different kind of cardio and strength training that will chew up and spit out most people...even if they are runners, weight lifters, or whatever else. You know that I'm sure. The amount of calories dumped in BJJ if you consistently roll will absolutely make you lose weight all other things being equal.