I’m a Black Belt Who Was a Slow Learner as a White Belt in BJJ

[@SupaSavage24]

Every day is a good day when Chewi uploads.

[@321Isotope]

My buddy invited me to the BJJ gym he’s been going to for “a few months.” He’s amazing for a beginner. Not like black belt amazing, but easily a blue belt. I thought, “dang, I’m not gonna be there in a few months.” But then he told me “Nah, I’ve been doing this for three years. My landlord is one of the coaches and he’s been giving me lessons at his private gym in the garage.” I was like “Bruh” Moral of the story: try not to worry where other people are at. Worry about where you’re at now vs where you were yesterday.

[@Neviksir]

The first time you land a sub on a blue belt feels so good! ^____^

[@Crystals10000]

ye buddy

[@kingwilly8041]

One of the dirty dozen once said something along the line of, "It's not about who's the best in the beginning. It's about who is still around at the end."

[@spencergreen8811]

Think that's kind of what chewy was getting at, its not about how good you think you are against a, b, c, etc, its about how good you are against yourself. I.e can you get better? If you can then learn from those better than you, do they train better, learn better, whatever it is find out, then apply it to your own performance and training.

[@MrNocvill]

And what you need to get to the next level

[@turdsanwich123]

8 month white belt here. Your videos definitely inspired me to start. This video is very welcomed because I feel like a very slow learner. I'm just gonna keep showing up and trying my best!

[@Chewjitsu]

That's the best thing you can do.

[@markuslepisto7824]

How do you even know if you are "slow learner"? ..I mean there needs to be some sort of reference point..namely a THING where you are comparing your "speed of learning". Which is, at least in my opinion , the average speed of learning ALL other people learn that shit..which you don't have access to..unless you can read their minds..which you cannot do if you cannot read their minds about the shit you didn't learn yourself. But of course if you can read other's minds then it doesn't really matter if you didn't learn the shit since you can just think about the shit other people think about that particular shit you didn't learn and use it.

[@jamesbishop4183]

2year white belt.......hehe

[@nolimit_4950]

I used to watch your videos when I was a white belt, unconfident in my ground game and competing for the first time. 5 years later I'm a blue belt, loving jiu jitsu, and competing tomorrow.

[@maxo8384]

Thanks for your answer. Same here. I started Jiu Jitsu one month ago and it seems that other folks in my gym who started at the same time or just 1 week earlier than me, are now much better then me at it and I can’t submit anybody. In the best case I just survive for a round or two with minimum tapping on my end. It becames discouraging sometimes, but I’m trying to find something positive in every situation, e. g. if I was able to survive longer than the day before. Also I’m taking private classes to catch up as being 35 y.o. and having family/kids I can’t spent 2 hours in the gym every day...

[@RicoMnc]

Hang in there Max. One month in is still very early. Give it some more time. It took me more than 6 months for anything to really click or feel smooth, and I had a wrestling background. Instead of focusing on tapping and not being tapped while rolling, focus on finding opportunities to use and learn more about techniques and concepts you've learned. That won't be very much at first, but it grows slowly over time.

[@monkikobytes]

I can relate with your situation. I am a 32 year old father of 3 under the age of 8, married, and work full-time evenings and I got my blue belt in November 2019. I typically train 2-3 times a week where as some of the people who started with or after me are now purple belts or have stripes on their blue belts AND it seems like I have a harder time getting a dominant position against them, much less a submission, than it does for them against me. I can honestly tell you that everyone develops at different speeds regardless of mat time but eventually things begin to click the more you are exposed to concepts and techniques. If you don't have the ability to train as much as you would like, you can still watch matches, technique videos, or videos that cover general concepts/principles so you have some exposure and something might help your training with your professor/coach click better. Keep training and you'll realize you know more than you think when you roll with someone less experienced than yourself or doesn't train with you on a regular basis.

[@maxo8384]

MonkikoBytes thanks. I purchased John Danaher’s instructional course for Defence/Escapes to learn while off mats. I think it helps however ideally it would be to practise it as you learn

[@maxo8384]

RicoMnc thanks that is very helpful to keep the right mindset

[@colormesarge]

You probably won't submit anyone within the first month unless you're being walked through the technique.

[@rhholland2578]

I'm happy you released this video mate, was on the way home from training tonight wondering how a black belt reflects on their time as a white belt as its not something you hear too often

[@jimmyhampson4544]

White Belt from England here, 2 months in to my journey after our lockdown ended. Thank you so much for this video, I felt that I struggled a little in my last couple of classes but after watching this yesterday I had a much better class this afternoon.

[@ma1ne0520]

I don't know how I found your channel (algorithms obviously 🤷🏿‍♂️) but I'm glad I did! I'm about 4 months in and my mentality is strictly survival! Shout out to you! 🤘🏿

[@Luccimatic]

At the beginning of my first judo competition I was like "I'm gonna win this, I'm gonna win this I'm gonna etc" and by the end I was like "dont get dq'd, dont get dq'd, dont get dq'd"

[@m.fheagle3286]

I’m not sure if I’m a slow learner or a fast learner but I am LEARNING. I think I’m a better version of myself from last month.

[@ctabjjdanny6261]

Everyone is at their own journey in not only jiu jitsu but life, never compare yourself to others just stay on the grind and things always get better

[@FR-ty5vn]

Awesome 👏 stuff - I’ve been watching more & more matches lately - sounds like that helps, combined with training & studying apps/videos...good to know...

[@boot2thhead]

What I needed to hear today. Definitely feel like a slower learning white belt. I keep telling myself, “just stick with it and keep showing up and it will click” I’m starting to feel better as I’m able to last longer when rolling, both physically, as well as not getting submitted as fast. I am getting better, but it’s very delayed gratification. Which is good for me. Thanks again. Great vid.

[@bigchief4052]

I've been training for almost a year consistently... and i got 3 stripes on my white belt and some days I feel brand new, like I still don't know stuff. Its just bjj, its endless knowledge and experiences

[@jaysenior2220]

It’s hard to not compare yourself to others. I try and compare myself to my old self. Also be aware that the feelings of you thinking you suck will pop up from time to time. I had that happen 2 weeks ago. Then the next week I rolled some of the best rolls. Just keep going.

[@Jay-kt1kd]

Just what I need to hear. Been doing BJJ for roughly 2 and a half years. Thank you Chewy!!

[@mattpayne4612]

thanks Coach!

[@Chewjitsu]

You're welcome brother.

[@alextownsend6662]

BJJ rewards those who stick with it. I have moved pretty slowly through my progression - a decade plus and I recently got stripe 4 on purple. I saw a few guys rip past me and onto black belt in that time and less, but then most of the guys who got to blue first aren’t doing BJJ any longer and haven’t been for a long time. So maybe wait a while if you’re going to compare yourself to your BJJ peers.

[@MaidenJoel]

I'm 9 lessons in myself and feel the same, but it shouldn't bother me / you/ us. My coach says the only thing to worry about is putting time on the mat

[@johnmedige1612]

Newer white belt here...i had a moment like this...yesterday and especially today....im 40 yrs old...been training bout 6-7 weeks....and rolled with a another white belt today . Was supposed to be a fundamental training session...but my partner went kinda hard and was clearly younger and more advanced...2 stripe white belt and 15 years younger....lol....i tried to relax and trust the technique..but i got smashed...but i did retain and will drill the knee slice "from closed guard to pass" in my drills......i feel like he was leaving things out not taking it slower to understand the technical aspects of the lesson and I was just getting smashed...but I did get a good pat on the back from him and all my training partners and more so from my head instructor for execution of the proper way to to do the technique....as slow as it was...ha ha...all and all it was awesome

[@ሕያው]

People like that will plateau especially if they are taking advantage of someones strength/youth when training. Smaller weaker guys although may take longer are usually the ones with best technique

[@iamawuss]

He's only been training a month. It's too early to determine if he's a slow learner or not. I am definitely a slow learner, I've been training for almost two years (all though this second year I've spent a lot of time striking and wrestling too so it's not like I've had a proper year of training.) Nonetheless, I'm one of those people who doesn't really "get" BJJ. I remember in my first year not being able to sub anyone, while people my size with similar time on the mats could at least get a couple of arm bars, collar chokes or leg locks. As Chewy touched on, being a super slow learner has inspired me to keep coming to class. I've seen many naturals get bored, realise they can pretty much defeat any untrained person in a fight, and quit. Sometimes I get jealous, but other times I'm thankful, because I realise that being so slow has really subconsciously driven into my mind that getting decent at this sport will require long term dedication. At the end of the day I'll still probably be doing this when most of those "naturals" have hung up their belts.

[@melissal5701]

Awesome advice. Know yourself and your learning style, take advantage of the many tutorials available online (thanks Chewy!), keep practicing and drilling, and be kind to yourself. I have ADHD and a lousy working memory, so I have to drill a move or sequence 100 times before I remember it. That's just the way things are, but I get there eventually :).

[@matthewhusss]

I’ve been a white belt for years. It’s the best.

[@jamesbishop4183]

same......i train hard for 2 months then take 6 months off.....sigh

[@Rivfader02]

The struggle is real. Work, and learn. Love yourself don’t beat yourself up after class. I made that mistake at first.

[@thisisalie123]

Such sound advice for everything in life it seems. Thank you for the good content!

[@RouRoro]

Mike also said "Get up, show up, gi up, grow some balls and never give up osss!"

[@maxschneller5913]

Actually, it's 99% of hard work and 1% of talent. I honestly believe that the ability to work hard and keep going no matter what outweighs any other talent like quick learning or being more natural than the others. Great video!

[@DB98000]

Thanks for this... I've been doing BJJ for about a year and a half (2 years if you include time off...) I train about 3-5 times a week and I feel like I'm not getting any better. Still a white belt, definitely will be for a while, but I'm not quitting.

[@ArneWidding]

Hard work always beats “talent”. Read the book “Grit” by Angela Duckworth if you don’t believe so.

[@ayushsingh6545]

This was really good advice sir

[@samholladay3189]

I’ve only been training for a few weeks and I gave a yellow stripe what he said was one of his hardest matches

[@complexdetai]

This is totally me. The guys I started with have there blue belts and I’m still a white belt, I’m super slow learner with bjj. But with Muay Thai I’m a fast learner and better than bjj

[@saifty3747]

Hey chewy, if we create a scenario where we have an mma fighter who is a blue belt in bjj and another fighter who is a black belt, does the blue belt have a chance in survival if the fight goes to the ground? I know there are alot variables, but for the sake of the question let's say the blue belt has a good wreslting and ground n pound base.

[@Wrtvrxgvcf55]

anything is possible. Khamzat Chimaev, the other russian guy in MMA, has supposedly been a blue belt for only a month at best now, but his strong wrestling and G&P has enabled him to excell against very high level bjj practitioners

[@Chewjitsu]

Depends on the fighting capability of the fighters. I've seen people with higher ranks in BJJ get beat on the ground by someone who had better gas tanks or was a better overall fighter.

[@saifty3747]

@@Chewjitsu if you are following the ufc, what do you think of Khamzat Chimaev (blue belt 1 month ago) vs Damian Maia?

[@greengo9]

Hi Chewy, question: can you show us your favorite BJJ memes?

[@ryangoff4813]

Some people are better at some things than other. That's just life.

[@ChrisPyle]

Glad I’m not the only one! Competing for me let’s you see where your game really is, not just compared to the people you always roll with. I thought I was hot shit 6 months in, went out and los in spectacular fashion. I tapped from a stress and adrenaline induced asthma attack and I’ve never had asthma in my life. Dude was in my half Guard and I was turning purple lol I’m still just a blue belt but and I still suck but I suck less enough now to have won a bunch of gold medals so I’m just enjoying the journey!

[@rickt9569]

When i first started i did a naga comp after 3 months...first match...first time ive ever worn a mouth guard and couldn't breathe and had the same thing..i didnt tap from it but by the time i realized what was going on and i tossed my mouth guard i was in an Americana haha

[@ChrisPyle]

Rick T I hear you man. I really thought I was having a heart attack going to die lol I have an inhaler now, hasn’t happened since

[@rickt9569]

@@ChrisPyle i dont wear a mouth guard to this day bc of it...im sure ill regret it someday

[@ChrisPyle]

Rick T I don’t either lol shhhhhh

[@rickt9569]

@@ChrisPyle no cup either...im just asking for a hahaha

[@redshot1015]

videos helping me alot ,, thanks

[@KyleLeeWoyote]

I'm just a blue belt but the way I explain that it is for me to some guys that get down is this: "It's like drinking from a fire hose you're not going to get it all the first time". That's how it is for me anyway.

[@dizzy_vibezz6788]

Yes sir I did not know how to get a message to you but I wondered if you could maybe help me figure out how to address something there are about two guys in our class and our class is very small there's only about 10 to 11 students which four of them are children's class the guy used to weigh probably almost 400 and has dropped down to around 275 now when he rolls are even practices his pants tend to come all the way down and the entire class keeps getting mooned are we typically stare at a very extensive plumber's crack half class lol. I don't know if he's tightening his pants right and I don't exactly know what to say about something like this wonder if you've ever ran across things like this and maybe some ways to help address them

[@Drikkerbadevand]

him: yeah my first competition was a mess lol me: *last 10 competitions were a mess*

[@arianrezaie4729]

Big fan here I whant to know grapling but becouse of covid I cant so is there any tips any grip stringth exercises or any other exercises I can do so in a year when corona is over I would not be at an absolute beginner?

[@isaacrodriquez6085]

Have you already done one on placing in a tournament by default & bragging jw?

[@princessepingouin]

Is Mike still doing Jiu Jitsu today?

[@Chewjitsu]

Sadly now. He went down a different path. Got involved with partying and drugs.

[@princessepingouin]

@@Chewjitsu Well i guess it didn't matter which one learned faster in the end. That's a lesson in itself. Sometimes you race with someone who isn't going to be in the race in a couple months/year, so better focus on yourself. Thanks for the reply by the way, hijacking my own comment to tell you i love your channel and you helped me start jiu jitsu! Not trying to fanboy any longer, thanks a lot! :)

[@Chewjitsu]

@@princessepingouin well put! And I don't consider it being a fanboy if you're just sharing gratitude. Appreciate the message.

[@tuoljg]

So another video i saw chew say he got blue belt extremly fast and got a purple belt way to fast. Now he's also slow learner?

[@viksa8444]

how much training needed for first stripe?

[@teksxrge3364]

1 month? Don't worry about it! Just show up.

[@qasim1590]

Hello coach Coach i was bad at jiujitsu in the start(like everyone is) now i am starting to make people tap but the problem is In half guard or full mount opponent at top they put elbow/forearm pressure on my throat on which i tap i watched your video Take the back when someone uses this dick move in BJJ but no help yet because i am nogi doing for mma Kindly help me out in this stuff

[@LSergei983]

Whenever that happens, I usually use the lock down. Check out eddie bravos lockdown, that should help the half guard. As for full mount, if they have their forearm on your throat, use that to bump them. They will either get rolled of take the forearm out to post

[@qasim1590]

@@LSergei983 thank you so much brother for help but in full mount the pressure is so much that i tap within 5 seconds they place full weight on forearm

[@qasim1590]

@@wjones4444 great idea bro👌👌

[@qasim1590]

@@samphillips7194 hahahah sir that video is captioned as this title Go and search its titled dick i am not calling that

[@qasim1590]

@@samphillips7194 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqizaH14o9Wgeas go see its caption bro

[@Neviksir]

White belt elbow hurts

[@kilokilo34]

38 year old White Belt. Everything hurts

[@deephalf13]

I don't skip ads

[@Chewjitsu]

Haha

[@ricksanchez147]

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