He Feels like a Fake Purple Belt Because of White Belt Memories

[@charlesketchum1398]

I’ve been a brown belt for three years and it still doesn’t feel right. Just realize that your coach knows far more about where you’re at than you do. Trust them!

[@FR-ty5vn]

Osss

[@joereacher5737]

Felt the same when I got my purple belt

[@jacobowudtke3679]

I trust all of my masters and love them all. Promotions are wonderful when they happen. However, as I have said, I see the knowledge and skills learned as the main foundations and what I enjoy most. I know I will keep advancing when my masters decide I am worthy. All is well!!!!

[@bombsawaydrums]

I’m a purple belt with 2 stripes and constantly think I should have a white belt. I’m always feeling as though I can’t remember technique, and just getting smashed by everyone. It’s honestly lead to thoughts of quitting on multiple occasions.

[@Gayngisconisgayngisconisgay]

The coaches are fallible too.

[@iggyplayedguitar982]

Newer purple belt here, definitely feel this. To me it seems like I got to purple by not quitting rather than ability. I'm 39 and can only consistently train twice a week. How am I going to keep up with the blue belts who train 4-6x a week, compete, have physical advantages, etc? I'm not, lol. Does that make me a bad purple belt? It feels like it, but the more I just show up and train, the less I care.

[@brokentaxman]

It's not who's best, it's who's left.

[@KwongEdits204]

@@brokentaxman for sure

[@biggooba6706]

Sure but just cuz you stay doesn’t mean your good dude it means you did it but it doesn’t mean your any good

[@thai-anhnguyen5527]

Are you me? 😢

[@tysonolsen6147]

I’ll be darned, this is how I feel as a new blue belt.😂

[@booksforprogress5307]

I bet you're actually pretty good. Your coach wouldn't have promoted you if he didn't think you deserve it

[@korax3212]

Same here. Blue belt since February

[@rexandcompany3933]

@@korax3212 How long have you been training for?

[@rexandcompany3933]

How long have you been training for?

[@tysonolsen6147]

Been training for three years

[@carlosgranah]

I went thru the same thing. At 43 years old, just accept your limitations and enjoy the ride and keep working on your game.

[@FR-ty5vn]

Yep, at 55 1-stripe purple I’ve gone through this but learned my instructor knows best - glad I was at blue for almost 5 years…

[@biggooba6706]

Stripes mean nothing btw

[@josiahneff719]

I had a moment pretty similar to this a few months after I got my brown belt. Took a trip to California and dropped into art of Jiu jitsu and got crushed by their brown belts and purple belts. Felt pretty bad, but it gave me a few things to think about and work on. Eventually, you’ll settle into the belt and feel a little more comfortable with it.

[@hillweggs641]

My coach always says "you grow into your grade"

[@IVIastodon]

Congrats on hitting 300k subs brother

[@nics1485]

don't you mean brotha

[@IVIastodon]

@@nics1485 true

[@IVIastodon]

Am-bue-lance

[@andrewflores7733]

my favorite thing chewy ever said was "fear can be used to cook your food, or you let it consume you and it burns your house down" I live by it

[@dresports8351]

I got my purple belt two weeks ago and I feel the same way. But I was a blue belt for 12 years. I quit BJJ and came back during the pandemic. But reflecting back I trained for a long time. I know my instructors do not hand out belts, everyone needs to show up and roll. Especially the purple belts. Great video.

[@TheBobbysPerspective]

How does one stay at bluebelt for 12 years?

[@christopherhasty5493]

Thanks, feel the same way; 47 and at it 5 years. I think the guys who were purple when I started would wax the mat with me. But a guy who started when I did, dropped out then returned a month or two ago and said, "Man your pressure and movement are just like so and so from when we started" Made me feel so good. Thanks for the video Chewy, I think a lot of us feel that way. Oss

[@albert_kempowillenborg1707]

Again, as I've said before, your channel is great for lessons in life. Top notch.

[@JamezAdam]

I’m a 42yr old new blue belt. I started comparing my ability to those younger with more experience. Makes you feel discouraged real quick. I’ve just refocussed on training harder than ever and being the best I can be without comparing myself to others.

[@greengreensio]

purple belt after 4years. good on you. I am still a white belt 4 stripes after 3years of training.

[@Alex-ut7op]

Great question and as a brand new purple belt I feel the same! Great answer as well Chewy

[@kracylatin01]

I’m in the same boat; I’m glad you explained it so well 🤙

[@mbirotte318]

The pictures on the wall is such an amazing idea🔥

[@TheSicilianoHandyman]

I felt I needed another year as a blue belt as well. Been training for 5.5 years now and received my purple on my 5th year. But if you take away the year shutdown only 4. But my coach told me it's more than skill against others. It's knowledge, sportsmanship, character, etc. I am very technical and pick up moves quick. Whether I can pull them off rolling or not is a different story. I get smashed a lot but I'm almost 45 and 160 lbs. most of my teammates are 10 yrs younger and 20-50 lbs heavier and the one guy in my weight class is a black belt! Just trust in your coach. He sees, he knows. Just believe in yourself as your coach believes in you.

[@s216674]

Good video. I felt like this with my blue belt and even more so with purple, and for the exact same reason. I've been a purple belt now for 2 years, and now that I am staring brown belt in the face, I am just starting to feel like I am the sort of purple belt that I remember getting dominated by when I showed up. Bottom line, imposter syndrome is super common and I think everyone who is serious about their jiu-jitsu and wants to be good and deserve the belt sort of feels this way.

[@yousefalvi2243]

Thanks for the love chewie!

[@Macleod1991]

Whenever you move up a belt, you need to grow into it. I just moved up to blue about a couple of months ago and it's a whole different game dealing with other blues that have a year or two of growth on you.

[@bullfrogjay4383]

@Greg Lurik same !

[@dotsfrazer]

I got a purple belt I hate it I was happy at blue I can't train as must as I used to with work and 3 kids I feel like i am not good enough I am 43 so younger lads can give me a hard time feels like a target on my back

[@rtexmx]

The target is real.

[@Minx717]

I have this every time. I am getting my brown soon. Not looking forward to it.

[@rtexmx]

Enjoy the target on your back;-)

[@tylergodwin319]

Hey chewy, I’m a 1 stripe white belt and have been going for about 1 year. As someone that is larger (6’2 230lbs) I have a decent advantage against most of the other white belts at my school, with the large majority being 150-170 lbs. when training with people noticeably smaller and of the same or less skill level is it okay to go for multiple submissions in in a round? I don’t want to feel like a mat bully picking on smaller people but it’s the only time I can really slow things down and work on my offence correctly (just learning to somewhat survive the round against blue belts and up). At what point is it too many submission or is there even such a thing? Thank you!

[@papi__geybriol5063]

Honestly if you’re not reaping or forcing subs you shouldn’t feel like a mat bully, if you’re not talking about the ppl you’re submitting you shouldn’t feel as a mat bully, it’s just a fact that if you mix big size and technique you get better results normally than ppl smaller than you

[@stillwatercamargo9606]

You should lock the submissions and let go, you never been there but it sucks when a giant guy start brute forcing americanas on you again and again the entire rounds I mean you arent doing anything wrong, but it really sucks to be on the receiving end of it and your partners would like you more if you slowed down

[@tylergodwin319]

@@stillwatercamargo9606 I actually started something new yesterday. Once I get a sub or two I ask if they want to practice starting in a dominant position like taking my back, arm bar (I get to prelock my arms), or mount. It’s been making the rolls more even and both myself and my partners seem to be enjoying it more!

[@superfisto]

@@tylergodwin319 When I roll with someone who is clearly better than me (whether strength or skill) I like it when they back off a little to make things more fun. My coach has let me pass his guard or get a sweep, then let me go for a submission only to magically escape. I have learned to return the favor and keep things interesting when I outclass an opponent. It makes things fun to play around a little and not always go for the kill.

[@rtexmx]

As I told my coach after my promotion to brown belt, I felt like I should be able to be a mat enforcer at this level. (BTW- I’m 65 years old and at 143lbs/68kgs one of the oldest and smallest people in the program). His reply was the belt doesn’t so much signify what you can do, so much as it shows what you know. As Chewy said, I can still use the inadequacy feelings as fuel to continue to improve each day.

[@biggooba6706]

May enforcer?

[@rtexmx]

@@biggooba6706 : mat enforcer- defined as an individual who ensures lower belts treat each other well. Usually by subjecting those that roll too rough/dirty or don’t respect a tap are subjected to the same as that they dish out.

[@psyience3213]

That’s funny the first thing I did when I got my purple belt was think back to being a white belt and reminisce on what a purple belt felt like to roll with and I couldn’t help but be amazed that that was now me.

[@Schoolboy-Q]

Thank you for this post. I am a three-stripe purple belt, and I feel like I am not on their level.

[@gonzo5648]

I am back from a near year break, but this time at a dedicated bjj school, whereas before, I earned my blue belt from an MMA school, a belt which my new school has honored. I have reservations about my background since these guys are mopping the floor with me. I can survive well enough, but my escapes are super bad, my sweeps are nearly non-existent, and I haven't submitted anyone but for the first day. But it is what it is. Coach told me that our backgrounds are what they are, and it doesn't matter what we wish they were or think they could be. Belts are hardly indicative of much because everyone has a different journey to get it. You'll know what's what when it's time to roll. They out roll me, but I probably can out strike them thanks to the journey I am on. So I'm working on seeing the person, and not worrying about the belt. And since I don't know what their journey has been and what they know, it's best to treat them with all the respect no matter which belt, or even if they don't have a belt at all.

[@proyectaarquitec9871]

You should add an empty photo with the text that says "its up to you to be the next" its an amazing wall

[@Tyler16bit]

I’d imagine this may be how I’ll feel when I step into a BJJ gym for the first time coming up soon beginning in June. I come from a background in a couple of striking based arts, and so grappling in BJJ will be completely new to me like learning a really hard foreign language.

[@Sam-tg6ee]

I’ve heard that backgrounds in other martial arts (even if it’s striking) helps tremendously, as you already have great reaction time, coordination, endurance, and athleticism compared to the average new white belt. I think you’ll be fine.

[@Evolve1976]

Blue belt with 4 stripes very close to getting my purple then quit due to injuries. Hardest hung in the world is to get back up to speed with the mat fitness. I’m holding onto my blueblet for dear life now.

[@techniqueofthejay]

I'm feeling this way now. Just got promoted to purple 2 days ago.

[@CrSknsx]

Come to Ireland and let's roll man! I'm a whitebelt the last 4 years but I'm sure someone at the gym could give you a challenge haha

[@colineperedo2748]

I love having a few of my older (greater than 40) fellow purple belts. I do believe it is about leveling up to the new belt (challenge). I do love to compete @IBJJF just to see all the other games out there. I only got my purple because I got a new professor. But I do not let that hold me back to work smarter to be the purple belt I would have if my original professor had been able to eventually given me my purple. Jiu-jitsu is a lifestyle.

[@OGatosCorner]

I'm feeling the same way right now. Thank you for this!

[@bossmanlere]

4 years purple belt, wow. I’ve been training BJJ for 4 years now & I’m still a white belt (In my country, we hadn’t had any certified grading personnel until 6 months ago)

[@Sadlerfly]

Namaste Brother Chew. What city or country are you located in? I travel a lot and I may stop in one day and train with you. Peace and love family.

[@constablekohler]

Unrelated to the video. I have a question. I'm only able to train every other week for 2 days, 1 class per day due to work and family obligations. What are things that you would recommend for someone in my situation with severely limited mat time? I do watch and study matches and instructionals from KZbin (including your stuff & Danaher & Ryan's materials) I do take notes of everything immediately after class. I do cardio at home after work and supplement with strength training. But I feel I'm missing out due to lack of mat time. Any tips? Thanks sir!

[@rollinOnCode]

chewy is the ideal bjj god with a beard and mustache.

[@Huhbra100]

Yep feel the same. Been a purple belt for a year been training 5. I used to get smashed by our purple n brown belts. Now I get sometimes about all I can handle from some of our white n purple belts. I don't let it discourage me though. I just keep working on my defense, being as I just train as a hobby and self defense.

[@ijustwannaleaveacommentony6511]

took me 7 years to get my purple. i kinda feel the same way as this guy, but it's explainable

[@Jay-p3t6m]

Same here! I just got my purple last week, after 7 years of mat time

[@mattrennie6876]

Man I feel the same way when I start a new job. Takes me a few months to feel like I'm worthy.

[@stevenschwartz7162]

Chewy, how do you feel about older guys getting black? I'm going to be 59 in August and currently a 4-stripe blue, with hopes of purple over the next few months.

[@Hitman9305]

I felt the same way when I became a purple belt, but after a couple months I realized all the white belts and blue belts are actually struggling against me, and I can hang and submit some of the other people belts in class.

[@FR-ty5vn]

Great 👍🏼 stuff - trust your instructor - he (or she) knows…

[@johnrosa9985]

That's a great question!

[@Guywithair2]

I'm a new blue belt and yeah. I feel you. Some days I leave thinking I should be black belt (kidding) others I feel like I am a no stripe white belt.

[@TheWomanAthlete]

Damn, purple in 2.5 years goals!!!! How fast did it take you to get to blue?

[@pmartialartsx]

That’s kind of cool, do you have an option to train elsewhere because you live out of state, then pop in like once a year to train and test for black belt eventually under you? Just want to be up on that wall!

[@zelipapa84]

What about the other type of situation? What if you've been training for nearly 8 years (most of that time consistently) , you handle other blue belts with ease, occasionally tap brown/black belts (or have competitive rolls with them most of the time) , yet you're still 2 stripe blue belt (with the actual belt all frayed and worn by now) due to the fact you're previous professor has some weird requirements for giving out belts (no rhyme or reason basically ) and you switched the gym a year ago and they haven't graded you? That's a story of my life;)

[@xxcombatjojoxx7453]

Switched the gym? Where do you train and under what professor

[@rollinOnCode]

better to start sandbagging

[@zelipapa84]

@@xxcombatjojoxx7453 I train in Scotland in Gracie Barra now

[@JamezAdam]

Go for a world title 💯💯😆

[@allenchang6185]

@@zelipapa84 I train in gracie barra in Canada and I’d say their promotions faster than average compare to other gyms so you should get promoted in no time

[@foobar123-f2y]

Relatable. Just another delusion to be ground out of us on the mat. Funny how a damn belt messes with our heads.

[@Gayngisconisgayngisconisgay]

Ive had my purple belt since 2017 and still feel inadequate and is nowhere at the level of the purple belts. It's not an imposter issue I'm just not very good.

[@Longevitystrengthcoach]

Them pictures are great

[@scottbelanger9531]

I have not heard of guys getting purple belts in 4 years. every higher belt at my gym has spent 5 years just at blue.

[@celiad5719]

Amazing video

[@mr.p5864]

you have a different color on the string that keeps your gi together, nothing else changed

[@MessianicJewJitsu]

Why does it seem like they never, ever, ever, say, "Yes. You actually suck." "Your instructor was wrong." "Your imposter syndrome is legitimate."

[@bullfrogjay4383]

Heck ! I feel like I don't even deserve my stripes on my white belt. I want to say "Are you sure ?!?" When my coach promotes me.

[@cjhinkle3890]

Where in Kentucky is your gym located. I'm from Washington indiana. I had trained with you st Tim sledds school in Martin's years ago. Would love to come train sometime soon

[@Johnsonrichelle]

It's in Louisville

[@jesussotelo4775]

Literally me right now,just got promoted to purple belt.

[@ernestolealislazamora5915]

Nice video, If I practice daily 2 hours a day, how long in average would it take for someone to take a black belt from a white one if one has the potential. I’m new in this sport and I want to have a grasp or a way to understand the level and commitment requieres to achieve such mastery and level. Thanks

[@rtexmx]

Average is 10 years to black belt. You’re not “bad” if it takes you longer than average. Variables including health, job and family demands, desire & capacity to learn, retain and execute concepts all play in to the time it takes. Just don’t expect a black belt in 3 years like the local McDojo’s hand out for various other martial arts.

[@uncleyang8697]

I’m a purple belt, I felt exactly the same way

[@allenchang6185]

I feel this all the time as a blue belt cause I still get beat by white belts lol

[@XXdaidai]

I'm a purple belt and feel like a fake. Intentionally missed promotion day.

[@bassi1973]

Damn son, four years in and I only just got my second stripe on my blue belt :(

[@johnmedige1612]

I feel like this at blue belt

[@TheHYENA87]

Scrap the belt system all together, just show up and roll, that way there is two categories, guys that catch you, and guys you catch. No weird egos associated with weird ranks that don't actually mean a thing.

[@tharrrrrrr]

I would suggest the opposite. Make everyone earn their belt every few months. If you're getting beat by blue belts too often, take the demotion to blue. If you're beating browns on the regular, get promoted.

[@badxradxandy]

@@tharrrrrrr unfair to old people

[@tharrrrrrr]

@@badxradxandy Yeah, you're right.

[@ifthatthenthis3797]

No thanks Humans love competency hierarchies to sort ourselves

[@tharrrrrrr]

I saw a comment up above which mentioned that belts represented how well you can teach, not how good you are. I like that.

[@TheSands83]

2 1/2 year to purple what? It takes every bit of 5 years to even get a blue in school I go to

[@78logistics]

Gonna stay white for a long time...no pressure . Probably forever. Just want to learn and exercise.

[@pullups2759]

I feel this was as a blue belt. Promoted after 6 months.

[@pullups2759]

@Greg Lurik yes

[@constablekohler]

That's how I feel but I'm reverse. I feel like a purple bent but my instructor says I'm a white belt

[@Anthony-jh6xt]

He’s probably right lmao

[@zebady999]

How big you school if you have promoted 20+ guys chewy. I do no GI at a little MMA place, 5 ppl in a session is normal, room can only fit 12 and their isn't and purple or brown belts.

[@xxcombatjojoxx7453]

I feel like a fake blue belt lol 😂 Prolly because I’m 160 and most the gym is bigger so I have to train to survive luckily I have been able to SURVIVE I make it VERY hard for higher belts to submit me but that’s only once a week during hard rolls Summer seems to commit a lot of new people so I’ve been able to try stuff on white belts lately

[@kevint4673]

Guard retention/inversions/leg entries/frames is how I survive as a fellow 160lb blue against the guys at my gym lol.

[@jsanchez8490]

Wait what did you say at 3:14 lol

[@badxradxandy]

I noticed that other people you train with are also getting better! So they're leveling the same time you are and you don't feel like x belt, you feel like the one before it for a bit. And every gym has different criteria for how they promote, I'm at a gym that is notorious for a long difficult grind to blue with a "test" so when I got to blue I felt damn right I am a blue belt.

[@Jay-p3t6m]

Alot of people in the comments, got their purple in 4-5 years... took me 7, and i still suck... some of the white belts still give me a run for my money😂

[@b-rett2980]

Ambulance

[@timrob0420]

Can confirm, I’m a brand new purple belt. I think this is common

[@seanrodriguez9196]

I'm a f****** bad ass white belt

[@seanrodriguez9196]

I'm always getting smashed tho but still I'm a f****** bad ass

[@johnmike7809]

300,001 subscribers

[@joshprice7436]

AMBELAMCE!🤣

[@gaslighter2814]

Among us? 0:39

[@teaketoataua]

haha ambulance😂

[@andreireally8107]

Felicidades, es un buen ejemplo. 4 sentadillas son unos LYNELLEE.Uno muchas y un buen ejercicio. Se deja ver que hay muy buenos resultados 😍👍 Saludos desde la Cd.. de world 🌹😉💖 los mortalesg abian apreciado tan hermosa mujer.k