Brown Belt Survival Guide: How to overcome the Biggest hurdles of your BJJ journey

[@jamesdoesjits1687]

Im a brown belt, for the last 3 years. Started in my 20’s, im 40 now. Plagued by injuries, moving, changing jobs, surgeries. Just got back in after 4 months off and im getting tooled up at the moment. Fuck it, life is a hourney

[@jpmaglonzo9964]

Brown belt for about a year but started coaching late into my purple. Feels like teaching/coaching is both rewarding and holding me back. I tend to get into "coach" mode whenever I roll with my students, being gunshy, not pulling the trigger, being overly less aggressive, compared to when I was only a student focusing on my own training and progression. On the flipside, being a coach forces me to get out of my comfort zone and study and learn moves that aren't really part of my arsenal, so I can share them effectively. I just need to learn how to flip the switch between "coach" and "competitor" mode more often.

[@paulolemos2320]

Man, you basically described how I feel. Same situation as yourself. Been coaching kids since purple, got promoted to brown and started coaching adults. Been brown for a year now and I completely lost my will to "win" when sparring. Low to no agressiveness on every roll, no matter the level of the other person. It's like I'm always in "coach" mode and don't want to smash the person, just let it flow. Many times I hold a submission and just let it go. Feeling super bad with myself lately. What kind of brown belt doesn't tap anyone. The worst is that once every full moon I can turn the switch and spar hard with someone, but then I struggle. Not sparring hard for so long took its toll and now I feel like I went backwards and I'm less good at it. Struggling to tap or survive blue belts some times. I found this video today searching for an answer. Having thoughts about stepping away from BJJ for while to see if the sparkle re-ignites on me, but afraid I might never come back if I do.

[@jpmaglonzo9964]

@@paulolemos2320 guess we gotta bring out the beast atleast two rolls whenever we teach, just re-ignite the fire.

[@paulolemos2320]

@@jpmaglonzo9964 I've even done some therapy for this in the past few weeks, and decided to step away from teaching adults for a while. It is improving and I'm getting back to it. Still taking care of people as it's something I was always proud of, but having the mentality of "by the end of this round, you will tap a couple of times". Poor white and blue belts are paying for it... haha. But it makes me feel better to just make them tap a couple times at the start to establish things, and then I can roll any way I want without feeling bad afterwards.

[@kamilion100]

Nice chat. 42 years old. Been brown belt since 2018 but last 5 years I've been training very little due to injuries & kids. Maybe not even a year, in total. No rush to get the black belt. Honestly, I feel less pressure than my friends who started with me and now are black belts. However, realize that I can't be in this place forever.

[@grimsbybrazilianjiu-jitsu7423]

Coming up on 5 years at brown, feel like ive reinvented myself completely since the start of brown.

[@bulletproofforbjj]

Black Belt any time soon Brother!

[@louiecruzado8448]

Thank for this. 48 yr old purple belt, training five year. Was super hungry at white & blue with many comps. However had a couple big injuries (torn meniscus, torn rib etc) things really slowed. Been a purple belt for a year and trying to approach with a longer mindset. I’m also a smaller guy at 5’3 160lbs. It was much appreciated because I’ve felt many of the things said here.

[@eveanddell]

52 year old brown belt here and I really thank you for posting this. The injury situation is real. Consistency is key but sometimes the body will tell you otherwise. Adapting to a new game and knowing you can't roll like you used to- just to compensate- is really difficult to accept, among other things, but like anything else, it's something I needed to do in order to just train.

[@bigstu31s]

Hey, 51 years old and just got my brown belt. Been training 8 years and have had my share of injuries. I'm in shape but everything hurts more and longer at my age. Any advice greatly appreciated.

[@FroggysSandwiches]

I'm a 38 year old Brown Belt for a year now, I own this sandwich chain "Froggy's" it's def a tough with time, getting older & a family, I started when I was 19/20 years old in BJJ (for many years I was inconsistent) the belts are definitely cool, but I've also realized it's really about physical/mental health. I need to compete more asap, you never know what life can throw at you, need to get them in while I'm still healthy, side note these guys have the best bjj podcast in the world, thank you guys, you guys give great advice and crack me up! 💪🐸

[@serg8004]

you guys give so much valuable information and crack me up at the same time, pure gold!

[@bulletproofforbjj]

glad to hear it!

[@oldercloudify]

Been training for 11 years. Just earned my brown belt. I’m 49-years-old. I feel like an imposter, to be honest. I’m at a really competitive school, though.

[@JamesKarren]

I been havin a hard time currently at Brown. I have no intention of quitting but I definitely feel like this last speed bump has definitely been hard to get over. Almost there tho

[@marconopolo5723]

Was at a gym where everyone was 90kg and above for 2 months. Switched to another where now everyone is my weight class and my shoulders have drastically improved.

[@SpearheadTrainingSolutions]

My gym is all heavy dudes and it’s rough but when I visit a gym with dudes my size, I feel like I can just rag doll them. So it’s a double edge sword 😂

[@marconopolo5723]

@@SpearheadTrainingSolutions haha oh yeah, constantly having to play a pressure heavy game to survive all the time translates so well when you finally go against guys your size 😂

[@bulletproofforbjj]

sounds like it was a good move to make!

[@DuckRiverHomestead]

I enjoyed this. Especially as a purple belt with at least another year before brown.

[@FR-ty5vn]

Just got my brown and rewatched this one - great 👍🏼 insights - you guys are hilarious 😆

[@MalikButler]

Totally possible to roll for an entire 5 minute round while only nasal breathing. We actually did a roll like that at our 6:30am class a few weeks ago, we rolled with our mouths full of water (albeit, only 2/6 finished with a full gulp of water). The coach that teaches that class is a breathing coach and has been reviewing the gear system with us for a few months, so that definitely helped.

[@gianttigerfilms]

That’s crazy One time my coach had us tie our belts around out eyes to be blind and just feel things

[@bulletproofforbjj]

man thats so cool! i've trained conditioning with the mouthful before, it was an interesting drill.

[@bulletproofforbjj]

this also sounds cool

[@Jiu-JitsuJourney257]

It’s fascinating to hear things from a black belt prospective.

[@bulletproofforbjj]

glad you liked it!

[@ted_ryce]

Great episode! I think I have you both beat though. Just did the math. I received my brown belt in 2009 and it's 2024...and I'm still a brown belt😭🤣 Obviously, a lot of on and off time. But I'm 46 now and going for black. Very true what you guys mentioned about brown belts having to show that they're worthy of the black. Feeling that right now hahaha Do you ever have guests on?

[@badxradxandy]

Could listen to you guys for hours, great stuff

[@bulletproofforbjj]

thanks so much!

[@Therealsusano91]

“I physically just bashed him” 25:21 This guy makes me wonder why I come back to listen to this podcast. The guy without a hat is the reason I watch 😂 Other guys toxic asf. You’d think you would drop your ego by the time you’re a black belt

[@KierenLefevre]

Awesome episode guys! I enjoyed this one.

[@bulletproofforbjj]

Thanks for watching!

[@nat51543]

I just got my Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu the way I'm looking at it I got a 2nd degree black belt in American kenpo Japanese jiujitsu black belt 4th degree black belt in taekwondo so for me I have other black belts so way I see it is this the pressure of rank feeling is off me personally i can enjoy the journey currently adding judo to help me with my stand up in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for me Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is keeping me out of trouble but it forces me to keep myself in shape I look at it like this it's something to keep me going for longevity the hardest thing I would say is work schedule fortunately where I train has morning classes so if I work at night I have mornings classes to go to but training at the gym helps but finding a rest day does help sometimes 2 days

[@nickwhaley3390]

I've been a active purple for 10 years now many surgeries and injuries. Keep changing schools because they expect me to be like the younger guys. Plus I know I'm not what I used to be. Hard to deal with.

[@bulletproofforbjj]

you gotta find the right school for sure. best of luck!

[@alexbosinger5507]

Crazy, I’ve been purple for 10 years and 1 month. I get embarrassed sometimes. Hang in there. I quit for 6 years and not training was worse. I focus on the positive attitude I get when I train.

[@Contxto]

Judoka here. But love your show

[@Contxto]

Greets from across the world

[@bulletproofforbjj]

good to have you here brother!

[@brandocommando93]

Brown belt here. Without question the struggle for me is really bad tbh. Had a torn acl and had surgery back in 2021 and still trying to overcome the mental blocks. Currently have a full time job and hardly able to train. Been trying to make time which is a good start (3-4 times per week). And to be blunt an honest I’ve been very jealous and envious due to the fact that I’m not even giving guys a fight it’s to the point where I’m depressed and distraught and felt like I went 2 years backwards. What advice would you give to someone like me who wants to get back and start ascending again and pushing past the plateau?

[@alexbosinger5507]

47 year old purple belt. I did not begin to get my form back until I competed a few times. May be a personal thing but the threat of being smashed and a deadline(comp) was the ticket for me. I was off for 6 years with kids and injury’s. I also had to be careful who I train with at this point. I’ve been back a year.

[@jrtien]

I just got my brown belt and I was actually not really excited about it. I have been getting injured for the last year, rib popped out that night. I have been getting tapped by a blue belt who studies leg locks... I dont think I am 100 percent ready for the rank. I am going to do my best to step into the rank and own it but i feel pressure. I am 40. Been training going on 5 years and only had my purple for a year. I dont think I am good enough to be honest.

[@DaMartialAthlete]

Fuck that, study leg locks and fix the hole in your game, you’ll be fine 💯

[@jrtien]

@@DaMartialAthlete I am. The doubts have been getting quieter. I am representing my rank.

[@DaMartialAthlete]

@@jrtien I’m a 41 year brown belt and I still have holes in my game so it’s all good. Just gotta make sure everything’s tight by black belt

[@FR-ty5vn]

If your instructor is good, s/he knew you were ready for the promotion. You just need to get through the normal imposter syndrome. I had it at blue & purple and I’m sure at brown if I ever get there 😂

[@FR-ty5vn]

Great 👍🏼 discussion - you guys are hilarious - I related to the talk about changing your game even though I’m not a brown belt yet. Been in the martial arts since ‘87 and I’m a 56 year old 3 stripe purple belt. I used a good amount of athleticism until now and realized I can no longer try to out wrestle young wrestlers when I’m old and never wrestled 😂. So, changed my game from my A game top to my B game bottom against guys who are too young, strong, explosive - it often gets me to back on top where I’m most comfortable, but I was gassing out trying to match 20 year old wrestlers and marines 😂

[@chris.whygelt]

I felt this

[@curraja14]

10 years in age 56 and I know I cant be a real black belt. Ill get it for sticking around long enough and that actually sucks.

[@sexytoes5323]

Hey guys, traveling down the east coast in a couple of weeks. Would love to meet up with you guys. Just unsure of how else to contact you.

[@bulletproofforbjj]

sorry for the late reply! Get at us on instagram for a quick response, and drop in!

[@stevenslawson8926]

53 years old, brown belt for 8 years, training for 16. I don’t really care about getting the black belt.

[@seanmack5459]

It seems ju jitz is only a young dudes game , it seems like there is no point once your mature age 😅