My Best BJJ Students Share This Attitude Towards Belt Promotions

[@mattrennie6876]

I have searched and tried many sports in my life but there is just something about BJJ, training, getting confused, having lightbulbs go of in certain positions, getting destroyed by higher belts, getting small victories in rolls when applying newly learnt techniques, the quirky humor of our team, the constant encouragement, the sometimes bad training and rolling nights, the comradery from a very diverse and eclectic group , the physical exercise, i could go on. nothing beats it for me, shame I didn't start till I was 38 but better late than never.

[@dahir9313]

Hell yeah brother. In the end we don’t regret the things we try and don’t like. We regret the things we tried too late

[@triocha233]

Literally bro, just watch John Danaher & Gordon Ryan only when it comes to online learning… and listen to your coaches and just practice bad positions, you’ll go further faster 🎉

[@bman6065]

I started 4 months ago at 39. Seize the day because yesterday and tomorrow are forever beyond reach.

[@eddiewright5921]

Well said sir!

[@Guywithair2]

Took me 9 years to get my blue. Actual mat time was 2 years. Had I just made it consistently for a year.. it would of only taken me a year.

[@1lovelucas]

@@AshInTrees Same. Took me 5-6 years. It's all about consistency + Mat time

[@triocha233]

@@AshInTrees that’s insanity tbh, you basically don’t train bro

[@27walker27]

I’m only a blue belt and I’m not someone who’s super bothered about belts but I think to me atleast, the blue belt is probably the most important. It’s just nice to feel like your differentiated from the sea off white belts who will come and go, I feel like you become an established member of the community and can settle in for the long haul

[@hobbs172]

I think training Taekwondo and getting a ‘blackbelt’ as a young kid helped. Realise that belts dont mean anything and just have fun.

[@arnonabuurs7297]

I had the opposite experience training TKD lol

[@InvisibleHotdog]

TKD belts don't mean anything, other systems have better standards

[@bc2815]

Heck man I spent 5 years as a white belt (I travel for work and often times go 3-6 months in between training). With that being said i never cared about stripes or belts I just had fun and enjoyed the journey. Since I was always gone during promotions I got all 4 white belt stripes at once and then about 6 months later got my blue belt and been a blue belt about a year now.

[@louiesmooth6761]

That's awesome! Just gotta keep training haven't you. I was a blue belt for 7 years! (obviously I had some extended breaks due to having kids etc.)

[@redrizzla1989]

So you weren't happy when you got your blue belt?

[@bc2815]

@@redrizzla1989 no where did I say I was not happy to receive my blue belt, what I said was I never cared about belts or stripes (those are two completely different situations).

[@DRJTUBECHANNEL]

@@bc2815 older guys, 30s and up I’d say, don’t tend to care about the belt thing…

[@dreal500]

Exactly

[@mattburns545]

I wrestled for 2 years, grappled in the military for about 3 years, been in a jiu jitsu academy for a year and a half and I’m a two stripe white belt that can handle almost any blue belt that’s my size. I love it lol

[@thomaspeterson29]

The biggest change that happened to me when getting my blue belt is going from me strictly learning and getting better to helping others getting better and teaching them. There are a lot of situations where people feel out of their depth when going against me, and I will say " you could have finished with this adjustment ". That is is just as rewarding to me as getting on that podium. The light turns on and I see them get better months later. I love seeing people with little confidence get so much better when you just let them know a few adjustments will vastly change their game.

[@HalConick]

You sound like a great training partner.

[@cbroo69]

As a Judoka of 7 years iv got a really strong game. The few times iv gone to JJ clubs I didn't care about putting a white belt on because it didn't make me worse at what I was doing. I remember the coach told me that if I compete and bring him 2 medals he will give me a blue belt right away and I couldn't be less interested because I wasn't there for a belt, I was there to train and get better, to find new solutions to puzzles and play a similar but different game. Belt doesn't make you happy, getting better and beating people you couldn't before or learning new things does

[@ViperStrikesMA]

Absolutely based

[@ca1498]

Wow, man, how do you beat people who you couldn't beat before? For me, I maybe get better, but in the meantime they get even better than I got, and so I mostly feel like I am going backwards.

[@cbroo69]

@@ca1498 Everyone has an A game and a B game, figure out the counters. If you're always getting caught by lankey's triangle then practice triangle posture escapes and stuff. There's a defence for every technique. Sometimes its a simple as passing guard on the opposite side that they dont train there sweeps on. Just be patient and explore peoples habits.

[@thejacobanderson1]

When one is a white belt, and they focus on getting promoted to blue belt "what do I need to do to get promoted?" When one gets promoted to blue belt "I don't know if I am really a blue belt. Do I have imposter syndrome?" When one only focuses on training and not worry about either one "How do I pass guard? If you are to focus on any of these very simplistic option, only one will help you get better at BJJ, and will lead you to forgetting the other two questions. I know this seems like BS, and maybe it is. But I just watched one of my coaches get promoted to Black Belt, and he didn't think he had enough knowledge or wisdom for that rank. But we all see that he does. The less you focus on Rank, the more you will focus on the art, then the promotion will happen. and if it doesn't it is okay. as long as the training fills that cup, keep on drinking. Thanks Chewi

[@eddiewright5921]

Thank you brother! I needed that!

[@MrNbkelly]

Chewy, you just explained the difference between behavior theories involving intrinsic and extrinsic motivation! What you are saying is absolutely backed up by research, and it's awesome that you've experienced and seen these principles and can explain them in such a great way! People that are intrinsically motivated by the activity because they love it for what it is, seem to go further and stick with it for the long haul.

[@michaelcaballero9718]

Currently taking Psych classes and the subject already started scratching the part of my brain that holds Behavior Theories. I'm gonna have to save this video if I ever need to give a practical example of this sort thing.

[@HalConick]

Well explained. This is why work on a meaningful project with low pay can feel so much more fulfilling than a high-paying-but-boring project.

[@andresao6109]

I wonder what childhood problems lead to needing so much external validation

[@isabelladupree8985]

@@andresao6109 it’s called being a middle child 😂

[@andresao6109]

@@isabelladupree8985 😂

[@EvolveNowYoga]

I do BJJ because I love rolling and the self improvement aspect and if there where no belts I would still be going to Jiu Jitsu. But still it's nice to get some acknowledgment by your coach from time to time. It let's you know that you are improving and the hard work you are putting in is noticed✊🏾

[@JohnKolinofsky]

I try not to think about the promotions either but in this particular case I feel for the guy. If he is training regularly then 1 stripe in 2 years is really tough.

[@gosecondmile]

I'm only three weeks in and had my first real roll today, I'm definitely loving the sport - feels amazing to be able to use my body as it was designed again. At the same time, I'm super thankful that belts exist. One of the biggest struggles I've had in the past is "what do I do now once I've reached my goal?" I'm goal oriented and whether it was training for a 5k or a certain lift, I often fall off after I hit that goal. The belts provide a really solid background goal all the way through. It's a concrete structure undergirding it all even while I enjoy all the less concrete stuff. Really is mile markers for sure, but I want to get to the next marker! All in good time... and it is a good time!

[@EvolveNowYoga]

couldn't agree more!

[@stover954rr]

Belts are good because jiu jitsu is such a long journey you can lose track of where you actually are.

[@slayerbot1394]

3 weeks and finally 1st real roll? I got thrown in my 1st day 😂

[@carlosrazier433]

@@slayerbot1394 Yea same, I felt like a fish trying to walk haha. A slow start is always nice though.

[@tommynguyen29]

I literally just had this conversation with a fellow white belt from my gym. It’s amazing to me how BJJ can oftentimes be a mirror for how one’s life. My guess is that that person who asked you this question often looks for that external validation in BJJ, which my guess is that they probably do that in their every day life as well. And so, I believe if you work on that part of yourself or any other part (such as your ego, being to hard on yourself, etc) it’ll translate into everything else you do in life. Anyway, awesome video as always Chewy! Hope you and Jess are doing well out there in Kentucky!

[@lanem4304]

I love this segment. Every person's bjj journey is different. Belts come at different intervals and stripes sometimes never come regularly! (I was promoted to blue belt with 1 stripe on my White belt, to Purple with only 3 stripes on my blue, got 4 on my purple to get my brown). My journey is different than most people because I teach; I am an instructor at my academy, and have been since I was a white belt. My professor took me under his wing to show me how to teach the art, and I started helping in the kids class at that time. Now I teach both the kids classes and the adult classes from time to time (as fill-in instructor). My personal training began at 4-5 days a week as a white belt, but as I've gotten older (turning 45 this year) my body can't quite handle the recovery and other commitments in life happen, so I'm down to 2, sometimes 3 days a week. My point being, 2 years training can be SO different from person to person. How often is the person training; how quickly are they picking up techniques and how well do they work with people on the mat; how involved are they at the academy (do they help out, clean up, help teach, how invested are they). I liked how the person that wrote in asked their instructor where they stood and what they needed to work on. Keep up with that, keep working, keep the communication lines open and enjoy the journey. When/if I roll with you, you will still be you, and I will still be me, no matter what color the belts are that we are wearing.

[@DoggosAndJiuJitsu]

It’s so easy to focus on the belts and stripes, but ya - if you aren’t promoting then ask your coaches. But it needs to be in the context of your growth and not in the “when do I get a stripe?” A fair cadence is maybe 2-3 stripes per year until you finish blue. But by the time you’re at blue you won’t be asking in the first place.

[@sana-cm7oc]

Jits is my therapy and the best part of my day. Don't care about the belt - just love the training. Great video.

[@blazingheartproductions]

We all know the right thing to say, here. But I think everybody saying as much would also have been terribly demoralized to spend two years as a one stripe white belt. Now, I don't know if they're only at one stripe after two years because they only show up sporadically, and if that's the case, then, the advice is devote more time to training. But I'm guessing that's not it. And yes, of course it makes sense to focus on the skills gained and the joy felt, rather than the abstract notion of a colored belt or another stripe… But again. Two years as a one stripe white belt… Like Rick/Chewy, I hope the person who wrote in gains something from the answer "they don't want to hear," but I also hope they come to this video and read these comments, because, brother, I'm here to tell you, that's too damn long to make consistent effort and not be encouraged with even another damn strip of adhesive tape. Maybe it's just not the right place for you. That is also a possibility to be considered.

[@charles9571]

Yeah, if they are a one stripe winning comps....it's time to move on to another gym.

[@Matt2299]

Kudos for this comment. Not caring about belts is fine, but if you've been consistently training (with a wrestling background) for 2 years and still are only a 1 stripe, then something is up.

[@PeterKofinas]

This is the best comment in this thread. Totally agree

[@behindthedecks6088]

Love this video. I started 4 years ago and finally thought I don't care about promotion and was more enjoying it and then I got my blue belt

[@retro6652]

"We're all gonna break down and die." Coach of the year folks! Lol, but for real, absolutely agree. Roll for the love of it; there's nothing magical about those belts.

[@chrisstephens3196]

I’m 42 and just started BJJ (2 weeks). I was born with a mild case Cerebral Palsy. Most people with CP are in wheelchairs or braces, I was lucky where I only have a crooked leg and can still walk but with a slight limp. I played all the sports growing up: Football, Baseball, basketball. After high school I worked as a fireman and got into weightlifting and even bodybuilding for a while. While I’m very active, I still come across times where I physically can’t do something because of my crooked leg. I love training BJJ and like everyone else, I wish I would of started sooner. But sometimes a get discouraged because again, I feel like there’s several moves my instructor will show me that I can’t physically do. I have a great instructor and he’s helped me around some of these obstacles, but again I get frustrated and wonder if I should even do this. I love BJJ and I get excited for the man that I could become on the other side. BJJ is an art and I just hope I can build a game plan around the moves I CAN do. It’s just easy to lose that vision when I leave class everyday upset that everyone learned a new move and I just learned something else I can’t do. Not to mention I’m the oldest person in the class. My strengths: my upper body. Because of my weightlifting, I do have a strong upper body so I try to focus on that to help reassure myself that I do have some strengths. What is your advice? Should I find something else? Should I take a few private lessons on the side?

[@daithi1966]

I'm no expert, so take anything I say with a grain of salt, but I find your story inspiring. I'm just a guy with not a damn thing wrong with me. I was born skinnier than most guys but that was it. As a skinny guy, who wasn't very good at sports, girls were actually an inspiration to me. I'd often see a girl who worked hard and could compete with the guys. If a girl smaller than me could do something, then there was no reason I couldn't work hard and do it too. Would I be as good as some of the biggest guys? Maybe not, but I would be better than a lot of big guys, and medium guys, and small guys that never tried or that didn't try very hard. I also started lifting weights in HS, and I still wasn't the biggest guy, but had a lot more muscle than the average guy. I've seen a guy with only one arm competing and winning in MMA fights. I've seen a baseball pitcher in the MLB with only one arm as well. I can't speak for you, but I know that I have no excuses for anything I'd like to do in life. However, I can't help but think they you're going to do quite well in BJJ if you stick with it, and you'll easily be able to destroy the 99% of big guys, medium guys, and small guys that never tried or didn't try as hard as you. Even against guys who do try, you'll be able to hold your own, and you'll have their respect.

[@zch91]

Got my blue belt just a few weeks ago. We are white belt heavy so I was asked to say a few words. All I said was find a way to have fun every day you train. That way it is easy to keep coming back and if you keep coming back you will progress. Belts hold your gi closed. Super stoked that this thought process was confirmed by Chewy. Thanks for all you do!

[@ryanpatterson3900]

Congratulations on your blue belt! That's a fantastic mentality especially since the excitement of the new stripe/belt will pass but being excited to train every day is EVERY DAY. I find fun in competing with fellow students(like not falling for their slick traps), competing with myself (getting better at the what,when,why), and watching everyone around me get better (ex: It's amazing how much improvement happens in people's first 6 months of training).

[@ZigZagZo]

Coming to Dallas from Louisville, still trying new gyms that cultivate learning the art the way it was at DCMMA. Blessed to have been introduced BJJ from y'alls' philosophy. I'm able to seek training in an environment that isn't focused on belt promotions per attendance that feels commercialized, rather conducive to moving the body. Appreciate the upload as always!

[@alexsitaras6508]

Remember the original purpose of belts colors, they're not for the students. They are there mainlt for the instructors to track progress.

[@jmoletsgo13]

Good advice. The training and the skills gained are the reward. The belt is the eventual recognition for what you've already gained. They come when they come.

[@stover954rr]

Lol I got my 2nd and 3rd stripes on my white belt twice. 2.5 years of training 3-5 days a week consistently to get my blue. I was a slow learner with 0 prior experience in anything grappling related. Man I use to get upset when I saw others who were not up to snuff getting promoted (I was 1.5 years in). Then after a few months I realized I definitely didnt want to be one of those guys. So I kept my mouth shut and just enjoyed getting better and better. Then at the 2 yrs mark my coach mentioned me being close to promotion. I still had a few things I wanted to clean up so I asked to wait until the next promotion (we do every 6 months). I continued competing and won a few good tournaments. Then I knew I was ready. Once I was a blue belt I never got the blue belt blues because I was already firmly there. I know its cliche, but dont worry about belts, just get better. Eventually you become undeniable.

[@jeremyfisher2767]

Awesome advice. My gym doesn’t give stripes and been a blue belt for a year now. Couldn’t be happier, I enjoy the learning process and know my time will come when it comes. Happiness doesn’t come from accolades, it comes from within. BJJ is helping me think this way in my personal life as well.

[@clarkthesharkbjj]

I told my coach as a white belt "you can take as long as you want to promote me, in the meantime I'm just gonna win these tournaments until you have no choice"

[@hobbs172]

Make it hard for them not to promote you

[@charles9571]

Same. Just made gold at JJWL last week. Going to keep winning medals until it starts to look weird that I'm still competing as a white belt.

[@Mdi456]

Liar

[@RocArio]

I don’t really care about being promoted. I could be a white belt forever and I wouldn’t care. Being a black belt would be cool but it’s not my priority.

[@Tomhawk3]

A sandbagging coaches wet dream.

[@hiredgunstudio]

I started BJJ in 2016 and I'm still a white belt. Charging gyms and inconsistent training have held me back but ill train BJJ for the rest of my life. You're bang on about enjoying the process instead of the result. When we live in the past or the future, we can't enjoy the present and it's living in the future when you focus on the belt instead of just training

[@left4d1]

Started three years ago and just got my blue belt. First thing I realized is that it didn't feel any different and I wasn't expecting it too. But, I'm glad I got it because now I'll be pushed a little harder by the higher belts in my academy. P.S. I've been watching your channel since I started and I feel that learning things like the content of this video and what my instructors have taught me has made me truly enjoy BJJ. Not for the positive reinforcement of belts (which feels nice to know where you're at in your own skill level), but for what the sport brings to you personally.

[@ben2177]

100% your belt is in your head, I would much rather be the perceived sand bagging lower belt than higher belt any day of the week! Great video cheers!

[@FR-ty5vn]

1000% - I was a white belt for about a year (and didn’t feel ready to test for blue but my instructor told me I was), and then a blue belt for almost 5 more years - it was a long ride at blue, but I couldn’t be more grateful for it because I developed so much at blue - now I’m doing the same at purple and expect to be here for a long time - actually loving it - I learned to completely trust my coach’s judgement - I think if you can’t do that you might be training at the wrong place…

[@ConcealedSteel]

This channel is awesome! Our own perception of our readiness for a promotion is not always what our coaches see. My advice is the enjoy each belt, including white belt. As a white belt it felt really awesome when I'd get done with a roll with a purple belt or brown belt and they told me that I was doing well, and that now they have to actually try when they roll with me. Honestly, I'd much rather be an underrated white belt, than a blue belt that was promoted too early. Let it happen naturally, your coaches don't want to set you up for failure. Study, watch good KZbin channels when you're not rolling, the little things will come. You'll be there before you know it.

[@franciscoramos7339]

Agreed... Learn to let go when you will have your next promotion. Yes, it's nice to get the recognition of being promoted but what happens after that? Let it go and just enjoy training.

[@kelleystoll5856]

Never about the belt, always about the journey. Plus as a white belt there are few expectations and when you roll with someone at a higher level and dominate - oh what a feeling!

[@sjhmagic1]

Great advice. I'm the only adult white belt usually in my class. I'm surrounded by blues and purple. I've grown to like getting smashed. I look at my victory as surviving just a little bit longer.

[@gabrielalbores846]

Biggest thing I got from this.. his name isn’t REALLY Chewy like I was lead to believe all these years! Lol jokes aside. Love the content and what you do. Also a white belt. Loving it for a year so far. It’s great. I don’t need or want stripes, I feel that was simply put in place to give recognition to those who demanded it to keep people in the gym. I’m happy to wait two years as a no stripe white belt(currently 1 stripe bc I don’t go to belt ceremonies) and getting the real reward of blue belt when my Professor deems I’m worthy. Much love to you coaches who dedicate yourselves to your students

[@gardennovice7896]

I was a white belt for 11 years. My training patterns was on and off from bjj to judo and doing both at the same time, focusing on judo mainly. Of course I wanted to get a blue belt and who doesn’t after 11 years of training. When I would ask the instructors to gauge my skill level, I was being told by professors I was easily a purple belt if not a strong blue belt. I ended up being promoted to blue belt in 2021, I think or maybe it was 2020. After becoming a blue belt I have no desires to go any further than the purple belt skill. Everything else is just recreational. I just enjoy learning the art while I’m alive.

[@Zucchini-official]

I'm in this situation as well. Blue since 2018. Switched schools. At new school for almost two years. Just one stripe on a shredded blue belt. The reward is my technical ability and all the good rolls I can have with higher belts. When the people around me get promoted this raises my level as well.

[@Raiken202]

I got a belt rank officially years ago in karate. I haven't being in an actual class in a while, but I do train on my own. I dont really care too much for the belts either. I may even start from the very beginning when I find a place to train again. I like just learning new things. And being able to spend time with other people.

[@TDR85]

"Coach, what do I need to do?" Keep showing up. Be a good training partner. Have a positive attitude. Work hard. Make the school a better place. Oh, and keep showing up.

[@NDtoker]

I got the opposite. I been doing it for 2 years but I took months off for my second kid and only go 2 times a week all I can right now. I went to the class lead by my teacher and he gave 3 stripes. He bee. Giving alot of stipes out lately and really pushing blue belts. I still get passed by fresh white belts with any kind of experience and feel like I'm the worst out of the 3 stripes. They trying to get to me to the blue belt promotion but I just am not that good and don't have time currently to go more. I just been avoiding the teacher lead courses lately. Also don't want to be an attendance blue belt and just suck

[@Unoriginalswine]

My professor I think is sorta similar. He seems to be generous Giving out first 3 stripes as long as your attendance is good. After that he seems to be very stingey on the last stripe and blue belt. I'd say just trust your professors judgement, if they think your ready for a stripe, your ready for that stripe

[@ThatFreeWilliam]

I enjoy BJJ a lot now that I'm not really interested in BJJ. I'm way better at not getting jitsued than jitsuing anyone myself and I keep getting that "You'd be great at this if you commited" conversation, but it's always a riot to hit a gym and roll around and the casual approach is definitely contributing to me being largely painfree at 52. BJJ as a side piece is a great lifestyle.

[@78logistics]

Just keep attending class. 13 months in with a one month break last Xmas ..three stripe white for two months now.If four happens by end year great if not don't care. At 63 I am just glad I am able to train four or five times a week plus open mats. If someone decides to promote me someday I have no option but to graciously accept, like the stripes, but I certainly not courting it. Certainly want the skills to be credible first . Fortunately with our coach attendance is only but one piece of the puzzle.

[@scottbelanger9531]

I get what you're saying but, and this happened with me. I started asking myself, what am I doing wrong that I'm not getting promoted? The belts may not mean anything to some, but they are a direct reflection as to what your coach thinks about your jiu-jitsu. And if johnny started the same time as I did and was promoted a year ago. It's only natural to begin to question yourself.

[@MrQuickshot23]

I understand where this guy is coming from. I used to be a white belt and I cared about my progression being seen by higher belts. I cared about my progression myself but I also wanted to see that the progression that I saw was seen by the teacher. And the way that that was done was by stripes and belts. I think this guy is looking for an answer as to whether or not one stripe is realistic for two years of training.

[@badgoat666]

People pick things up differently or put in different levels of effort or have different physical attributes. I've heard of people reaching black belt in 3 years, I've heard of people who are white belts after that long. The answer is still to enjoy the journey I think.

[@user-lj1es4bx9e]

Im a 2 stripe white belt been doing gi for 2 years and did nogi 2 yrs previous i have competitive rolls with blues and purples yet no promotion i understand this gentleman as if like me he loves the sport the lack of aknowledgement or progression will put a dampner on his moral as it has mine

[@dradamov]

My greatest indication of progress on the mat was: 1. I couldnt get past the guard of any blue belt (as a white belt), and at one point it clicked, with full transition to side control and 2. Trying to pass the guard of a purple belt, having big problems, constantly adjusting for all the incoming sweep setups, wasnt particularly heavy roll, but I was constantly working for one pass or another...but then after it ended I saw him sweating and heavy breathing and I thought, well, I think I put in some work and didnt just pitifully be cannon fodder. Being a white belt has its perks because you get to chase after everyone and it is so easy to improve.

[@michaelengland278]

So humble! Bless you Chewy!

[@Arthur_Wellesley]

I was 4 years as a white belt, and that's training 3 times a week consistently and doing competitions. My coach would rather promote us late than promote someone early

[@charles9571]

With that pace, you'll make black in 20 years

[@yourenotwrong3511]

I think it would be abit disheartening to train 3x per week for 4 years and still be a white belt.

[@yourenotwrong3511]

@GregLurik Official at the end of the day what difference does it make what colour the belt is as long as you are enjoying it. I have just started my bjj journey and i have fallen in love with it straight away. I am in no rush to get to blue belt i just want to train consistently and enjoy the ride. Well done for sticking at it bro.

[@travislong2176]

The reward in bjj to me is learning new techniques even if I'm not good at them yet and constantly working to improve on them while also being a good partner and watching other students prosper. Remember EVERYONE feels like quitting at one point in time and having a good partner to bounce learned techniques off of means so much. We are not always trying to hurt someone even the strongest flower still needs water.

[@shevetlevi2821]

I've trained in Okinawan karate pretty much my whole life. I started at the beginning of college and my sensei did not give out rank easily. My goal all the way through was just to get better and I had no aspirations for rank. Coincidentally there was an unspoken disdain in my school for anyone who seemed fixated on rank. I would just show up twice a week for the 3 hour classes and loved the training. The rank just seemed to happen. I never had the goal of attaining blackbelt as it just seemed too distant but when one evening I was promoted to brownbelt (which to me is the first advanced rank) the thought first went through my mind that perhaps I'll be a blackbelt someday. The point is that I was focused on getting better and the rank just seemed to happen on its own. Btw Chewy, you've got a great energy.

[@daverosewood4459]

It is the journey that stirs us.

[@xChrisSoaresx]

Chewy had some good advice for you especially the enjoy the journey part. There may come a when you develop imposter syndrome and won't want to be promoted. Then that poses its own set of issues and predicaments. Good luck and have fun.

[@justaname935]

you are a cool dude i enjoyed this video- on a different note i have found that there are so many general concepts i wish i knew to focus on from the start as a white belt that nobody ever told me about that are not submissions- handfighting, keeping the inside position, getting more connections than your partner, not offering up your leg to grab, how to put your foot on a bicep- white belts i would recommend getting into these kinds of foundational concepts vs submissions

[@stewartsivarajah2352]

This is great, the practical way of making sure that your dopamine release happens at the effort phase and not the reward phase, Dr Andrew Huberman did a talk on this topic on Nuro chemical activity during doing something difficult.

[@Ensource]

good message. thanks for posting the music

[@lujitsu1251]

I roll twice on almost every single week of vacation. It’s just a love of the sport . No matter where I go I try to find a place to accept me in to learn/roll.

[@myworldntl]

When i was younger it bothered me, but these days i’m just in it to enjoy myself… I did mainly No-Gi for about 4-5 years across classes in Leicester, Nottingham, Birmingham and various gyms in London as i travelled a lot for work, was playing at blue to purple level but never got a stripe or promoted past white. Injured my knee, took over 12 years off, everyone i knew and trained with is either now a brown or black belt. I’m back to white belt again, had another knee surgery and a few other issues. But main thing is, hey man i’m just back at training and enjoying myself! When i get blue i’m sure i’ll be over the moon, but where as when i was younger it bothered me, now, it just doesn’t bother me at all. It means more to me just to be back and able to enjoy the sport i love again! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@jeremymanosh6640]

You're a really smart dude! You're advice is solid and motivating, thank you sir!

[@kevinsarulis4067]

I was excited about getting my blue. But i just got my purple ..and its cool and all.. but part of me wants to stay 4 stripe blue forever 😂 less pressure.

[@Jonderlei]

I couldnt really imagine going about it any other way,im also used to it from skateboarding,sure everyone wanted to get sponsored someday but we were doing it for ourselves for the fun of it just like training. Of course id like to get my black belt someday but im so hard on myself getting promoted is kinda weird,I still feel weird about my purple and it was over a year and a half ago. Also been dealing with alot of bullshit injuries so just being able to go to the gym talk some shit and roll with everyone is a reward in itself

[@iancampbell5493]

Dude I feel that. I’m super grateful for what I’ve learned from skating and how it’s translated into BJJ. Best thing skateboarding ever taught me (from age 9) was to not be a pussy. You’re gonna get hurt, you’re gonna eat shit and fail over and over, etc. BUT, most importantly, you really get out what you put in and feel the progression when you reflect on it over the years. Cheers 👊🏾

[@ronaldmoore6619]

I’m 62. Had to stop training to have a little health. I still follow the sport and like to breakdown techniques etc.

[@ericmckinney8704]

Once I got my blue belt, I calmed down about belt promotions and stopped worrying so much. I understand wanting to move beyond a white belt though when you feel like you are not a beginner anymore. As a blue belt I focus more on getting better, trying to beat all the other blue belts in my gym and catching some of the purple belts occassionally. Just keep training and you will get better, find what moves and style works for you and hit that. If you are truly improving and can actually hang with the higher ranks, promotions will come. If you are getting discouraged and letting it keep you from improving, that in itself will hold you back. Just roll and try to hit the techniques. Maybe look at doing a competition. In my gym those who spend more time sparring or rolling in open mats and compete, tend to get promoted faster than the guys who only drill, don't compete, and shy away from sparring.

[@silverfox8801]

I appreciate what your saying Nick but damn, two years as a one stripe is harsh!?

[@mattgoodwin6177]

Yup. All is a gift

[@jptothetree]

Saying you deserve a belt before your coach / professor thinks you do is not the way. Keep grinding and you'll get the promotion when you're ready.

[@Josephmgo1]

"Desire is a contract that you make with yourself to be unhappy until you get what you want." -Naval Ravikant

[@purdy4231]

Fresh blue belt here. Nothing changes. The pecking order of who can beat who still exists without the belt system. The belts just help people new to the gym get a general idea of whos been around for a while

[@daithi1966]

That was a really good answer. I'm one of those guys who wants the mile markers and wants to know what do I need to do to reach those mile markers. I also want the mile marker when I reach it. That's just the kind of person I am. So I'd find a school that provides that structure. I'd also be thinking that after 2 years I'm still a one stripe white belt then there is either something wrong with me or this something wrong with this school. However, I still like the way Chewy explained his thought process.

[@algierssolja]

Simple solution. Screw promotion day. Skip them all. Show up 3-5 says a week for for 10 years train and have fun. When they try to promote you tellem keep it, Im gonna be quitting soon anyways. Not really quitting but play the game with them.

[@alexgonzalezMI]

BJJ is important but it's a journey. For me it will be a longer slower journey, but it will probably be a lifelong one so I'm not worried. I spent my first year belt chasing and got my blue belt in 13 months. To do that though, I blew off a lot of other important things that I probably shouldn't have. So now I have a blue belt, but I've slowed things down a bit. I go I train and I enjoy the journey.

[@jackjack4412]

Would you go to college, pay tuition all 4 years if they said you won't get your degree?

[@tededo]

Exactly. Belts are degrees, badges, certificates, etc, etc.

[@avinabbaruah9026]

A random, amateur Judoka (for almost a year) here, I too wanted my yellow belt ASAP when I started last year. I would ask my coach about it multiple times. And he would tell me to focus on my training and enjoy it. Noob me still wanted a belt though. But while training, I also wanted to be able to throw, toss, sweep, pin and submit others more than the belt. Now I am still a white belt. The idea of improving and not worrying about the belt has grown on me as I care lesser and lesser about it. Would I want a shiny, coloured belt? Yes. But am I as persistent with wanting a belt as I was before? Nope. I'd love to stay a White and be able to wreck colourful belts. But yea, one shouldn't just limit their growth to the belt.

[@thedewd516]

I honestly think it would be more fun to be the white belt with the black belt jazz. There's a reason they do all the "black belt pranks gym" videos. The journey is the reward.

[@presde34]

So i had a dream that my instructor promoted me to blue belt. Everyone was happy for me and i was on the verge of tears because of the hard work i put in got me something nice. And then i wake up and the first words out my mouth were "Fuck I am still a white belt" and then i just laughed about with my buddies. I have made a promise to myself to tell my instructor this story when the time does come. I really enjoy this sport especially now that it has slowed down for me. I am at the point where i am getting obsessed with it. I train like a mad man😊😊

[@ricardogalindo8794]

Good video. My opinion, as someone who trained in Taekwando for a few years n was close to getting a blue belt but had to leave it due to HS, I'm 41 😂. Ever since I started bjj back in May 2021. I've had a personal goal of legit reaching blue belt in any martial arts, to vindicate myself for not reaching blue in Taekwando. In fact, honestly... my academy had belt ceremony n I didn't get blue, 2.5 years 4 stripe white belt, n yet a 3 stripe white belt got blue. I was mad, n did leave the academy early after the belt promotion. I was also sleepy n a little hungover 😂 n wanted to go home to take a nap. I went to get coffee, a few of my bjj buddies messaged me. I said my peace, n made my mind to keep at it n to just keep hitting the mats. I know I'm progressing well, n I know I'm an older guy n my journey will be slow. In addition, my academy's Professor is a really old school hard grader, so it's to be expected that reaching blue was going to take long. I just didn't imagine that it would be 3 years total for me... but yeah...once I reach blue. The other belts will not matter to me. I'm just going to keep at it. I just want the blue for personal vindication reason. I'm still going to roll till it turns black. 😅

[@rodrigoargueta9122]

4 years training as white belt, got 4 stripes, 2 stripes felt then coach gave me another 2, by today i have 9 years in the mat, it feels good receiving belts only when coach says so, never ask for it, always work for it, when you join bjj for belts and stripes then is your ego there and more likely you will quit, when you join it for wisdom, health, fun, knowledge then you discover that we know nothing about the new person that emerges from withing yourself, there is another you that is inside but has to be carved out by sweat, then you will find happiness and satisfaction and freedom, that is the real reward, and if you have children that is part of the legacy you will leave to them, do not quit because you do not get a belt, think different, when you go to the elementary school there is no choice, if you pass is because you study, well is similar. you teacher is your coach, leave your ego at the door or at least most of it and find yourself within your self, do not get to the mat thinking about a belt, that obsession will eat you.

[@theguitarlord7851]

3 month white belt here. I don't know how long I'll train, but I know i'm having a blast and honestly I could be a no stripe white belt forever for all I care. You can gain skill or not, the belt doesn't give you skill. I'm sure there are guys who have done no gi for like 10 years and have no official belt but are killers. I've been a competitive athlete my whole life and never minded other sports not having a belt ranking system. "I have a black belt in soccer, are you impressed?"

[@ross7968]

Took me 3 years to get my blue belt, a year later I still don't have a stripe on it. I wanted that blue belt sooo hard, got it, didn't want it anymore! I believe that side of things is literally out of my control, it's not my decision. My decision is to just get over my ego and enjoy the journey!

[@jkoncius1]

Chewy going next level with a reference to Marcus Aurelius and not to look for the third thing after doing something good! And I am a 4 stripe white belt that would be happy to just have 2 stripes and let my game catch up to my stripes......

[@momentum8640]

Great video. If the best students don't care about promotions and they have other reasons why they're there, why even have belts at all? Its all subjective anyways because all black belts aren't at the same skill level. I agree with you, but I think that instructors can hold promotions back as long as they want; For whatever reasons they want. I seen people get promoted and i was happy for them; But i wasn't clear on why they got promoted. Its not very clear to people why they get promoted. I can't look at any of the people who got their first stripe and say; Without the prof saying it; That those were the specific reasons why they got promoted. I also think that maybe that gym isn't the place for him. Its a beautiful experience being on the mats, but its do unstructured and informal. Again...Great video.

[@arnonabuurs7297]

Well, maybe, for most people that is true. I started Taekwondo when I was 17 in 1990. All the way until I was 43, and I was one rank from black in 1995, never got it as I did not like the style part and did not care. When I was 43 I started BJJ and fell in love with it. I am a 49 year old Purple belt now and I am still hangin in with 20 year olds speed wyse and strength wyse, accept for endurance :P. My goal is to get my blackbelt before I am 55. The reason is as a lifelong martial artist I never got the blackbelt. Now I am older and love BJJ, I want to be a blackbelt while I am still mobile and i.e. have the option can compete in younger age brackets. For younger people, its easy to say " I dont care for the belt". If you have spend +30 years on the mats, it is a damn nice reward to achieve, and I wanna get that before I die, which could be tomorrow. As a blackbelt in your 30's, you might not understand, hope this gives another perspective. Edit: im training 5-6 days a week, because 1: I love it 2: I want that blackbelt badly (but EARN it) 3: I like to share the knowledge and love for BJJ with younger people and as a blackbelt, that's easier.

[@KhaosTy]

Now that I'm working on learning languages I often wonder "how long will it be until I'm fluent in this language?" A great piece of advice from the youtuber Steve Kaufmann was "What's the rush?" Like you'll be using and learning this language for your whole life, so just keep enjoying what it brings you and think about some concept like "fluency" long after you're talking with people and engaging with foreign content.

[@blockaderunner]

it's funny I started learning Russian just shortly after I started BJJ, it's a good duo

[@Drikkerbadevand]

I think finding reward from it or "genuinely liking" it is important for longevity

[@Geoffcwest]

I got to blue belt almost a year ago, and to be honest I’m happy to stay a blue belt, in my mind I’m years of being good enough to get a purple belt, I genuinely don’t want it, if my coach promotes me to purple one day so be it, but that’s not why I’m training, I just love being on the mats and working at it with my brothers and sisters from my gym, I feel like it’s about the moment or the journey not the destination

[@reiniervanramshorst1031]

I tend to feel I'm a little behind on the stripes promotions I get in how skilled I actually feel. I don't argue with my coach about it, I just accept it and try to keep up and grow into it

[@kingofcorridosfilm2154]

I had a student like this. He had the exact same complaints as the person who wrote you that email. He had competed, had been a white belt for 2 years, had come to training consistently but what he had not done, and what I suspect this person who wrote ro you has yet to do, was/is learned enough jiu jitsu to be promoted to blue belt. Since he has a wrestling background he may be doing well against white belts and blue belts in rolling but cannot competently demonstrate a basic armbar, triangle or elbow escape. In fact in 2 years I never saw this student improve his JIU JITSU at all. He never worked on his guard, never attempted to work on the things we as a coaching staff told him to work on and even talked and was disruptive during instruction. Some academies would choose to promote a student like this just to keep his 150 a month. I would not choose to do that.

[@predaliendog8542]

Every belt I've gotten I wished I could've stayed the previous belt longer lol. Just got the brown last week, and definitely don't feel ready for it. Had just started to feel comfortable in my purple belt skin.

[@josephfelder33]

I have come to love submission grappling as a whole. I would do JJ even if there were no belts at all.

[@redrizzla1989]

I don't believe people when they say they don't care about the belt. I think it's kind of the way we think we should feel towards belts, but if no one gave a fuck about belts there would be no belts. People want them because they're symbols of their achievements.

[@drhjhulsebos]

My gym does blue stripes for technique demonstration then the coach replaces the blue with white stripes. I think it keeps the coach dialed in with the white belt progression because I doubt he wants to see guys rolling around with four blue stripes for an extended period of time.

[@jennifertroxell4035]

I just started taking classes and belt promotion isn't something that's very important to me, especially if they're more related to attendance than skill. It would certainly be cool if I could get promoted at some point, but I want it to be based on merit and ability.

[@nycdapperdan]

This resonates with me. I used to dread going to jiu-jitsu because of injuries and the feelings of shame seeing others progress faster than me. Now I enjoy going because I narrowed it down to objectives, like trying out a a technique I watched on KZbin, like BJJ Fanatics or Chewie's channel. Made it more fun, lively, and drowned out the noise of how others were doing and focused whether I felt success on what "I" was doing. Thanks for this Nick😊

[@stover954rr]

Good for you man. You will see growth faster that way. The only other advice I can give, which I saw great gains from. Is I stopped trying to not lose open mat rolls. And I started going for things and extending myself a bit. Lost more, but learned a lot quicker

[@nycdapperdan]

@@stover954rr going for things offensively or going for bridges and escapes?

[@stover954rr]

@@nycdapperdan I guess it would be relative to who you are rolling with. A brand new guy, go for moves you want to get better at. Someone who is significantly better, go for different escapes and sweeps.

[@nycdapperdan]

@@stover954rr good advice. Thank you!🙏

[@HughJazz69696]

amen brother!

[@iamcycle9014]

when I started I lusted for a different color than white but am NOW on the journey...don't cared about the belt so much ,I asked if it's cool to skip belt testing because I just enjoy my time on the mat and with friends....maybe I am afraid of looking dumb in front of my coaches when during belt testing but inside...I am ok with my white belt 4 stripes..maybe it comes with age...I might look younger but am 49 so my rolling partners are surprised when they finally know how old I am...all of them are from 18 and up.

[@maxmokvyts9208]

Come for the jiu-jitsu, stay for the life lessons.

[@3nt3rtain]

I'm like 4+ years in and a one stripe blue... I don't care about the belt, I enjoy learning and rolling 😎

[@joshhardy5646]

Other white belts in my school have had 1-3 stripes added while I don’t have any. I care nothing for it. I enjoy the roll and the learning and growth. And I also like when I submit someone who has multiple stripes and sees my no stripe belt and wonders WTF. I still get smoked by the blue belts. I know I’m not there. And I enjoy the journey.

[@aliadeeb6859]

My head instructor puts it this way: The rank is on the mat.

[@twinsunpredator7998]

been white belt for 3 year + training 5 time + per week , the reward is when all the higher belt avoid you can they know you gonna give them serious trouble even if you don't tap them