How I gave up my Purple Belt at a New Gym (And Why You Shouldn't)

Should you have to give up your rank when you join a new gym?
If you're a Blue, Purple or Brown Belt should you have to restart over if your instructor thinks that you don't know enough about their system?
What do you think?
In this video I answer that question.
The question comes from someone who has been training Brazilian Jiu-jitsu for a number of years and received his Blue Belt from a legitimate affiliation. I did not list any of the details of this person or his training to keep it private for him.
Because of work he's had to move all over the place and hasn't been able to train consistently at one Brazilian Jiujitsu gym for a long time.
Recently he started training BJJ at a new gym and really likes the instructor and the gym overall.
The problem he's running into is that the instructor wants him to start over because he doesn't know his system as well.
Our friend feels that this is a bit unfair and doesn't want to restart his BJJ journey all over again. He adds that the frustrating part about this is that he's doing very well during rolling against the instructors students and feels fine with the techniques he's showing.
In this BJJ video I share a story about how I personally gave up my Purple Belt when I came to a new gym to train Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. It was a new instructor who didn't care for me or felt threatened by me.
I've also had students who I didn't quite think were up to par with our Blue Belts. And I share whether or not I made them give up their rank. If you watch my BJJ videos you probably know what I did.
Anyways, I hope you enjoy the video. And if you're in the process of changing BJJ gyms. I hope this video is helpful to you or gives you some insight into any problems you might have.
Thanks!
-Chewy
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[@povang]

Im primarily a boxer and its like saying "Ohhh your ammy boxing record is 20 wins and 2 losses. You haven't fought in 2 years so im gonna have to ask you to wipe those last 10 fights off your record." Your belt is a record of your accomplishments, nobody has the right to wipe your record.

[@dedde1311]

20-2 nice not bad

[@anonoumos]

its more like having a degree in one country, and not being able to transfer it to another country (e.g doctors, nurses). they gotta take an exam to show theyre as qualified to standard. same shit

[@shy8054]

@@anonoumos i think medical things are more serious than personal martial arts. Like the only danger really of me not being up to standard is mainly myself. If a medical person is not up to standards its going to hurt other people.

[@palehorse24681]

A language translation of your skillset is not the same bro.

[@duc696monster6]

@@anonoumos so an olympic record holder only counts in the country he got it in then, according to you.. Then again, following your logic, that person would not be able to compete in the Olympics, since he/she did not practice his/her skill in the country that holds the Olympics.. Or, then competitions should all be banned, since, one might compete as blue belt, (blue belt in his gym) but it wont be recognised in another gym, so 2 blue belts of differents gyms, dont exist in your point of view.. 🤔🤔Interesting...

[@andrewldoe]

I took three stripes off my purple belt when I went to my current school. I hadn't rolled in 2 years, and I wasn't consistent prior to that. I figured I'd be happy to just have them let me wear the purple. When my instructor found out he told me, "you never lose rank. You earned those stripes and that belt. Maybe you're not back to where you were, but you still earned those."

[@stillnessinmovement]

yeah. not really true. a belt is a representation of skill level and understanding of how that particular school does things. in a school. seminars and tournaments are different.. did you notice that late in life, Helio was not wearing his red belt? he was wearing a purple belt. if he can wear a purple belt, you can be ok with it.

[@overkill_716]

Helio does not dictate appropriate etiquette amongst the BJJ practitioners of the world. If that's how he retains his integrity, fine, but it isn't entirely honest to me. 60+ years of BJJ, he can teach anyone anything, that's not a purple belt accolade. Purple belts are not masters.

[@alanguages]

I know of one guy who travelled and stopped at a BJJ school in the Philippines. The school wanted him to take and pay for an introductory white belt BJJ classes for a couple of weeks. He asked to roll with the guys at the school to prove his skill level was at purple belt, but the school denied his request, and was adamant he had to take introductory BJJ classes first. That is a shitty school. Like what others have said, if a person has earned their belt and stripes, that cannot and should not be taken away. Blue belt has a high drop out rate, that does not mean if anyone comes back, that their accomplishment should be taken away. They just have to train real hard to catch up, upon returning.

[@MinotaurvsCyclops]

Heilo believed you had to wear a different colour belt from your instructor, when people started wearing red belts, he started wear a blue one.

[@fishbygding4920]

Not really an expert, but at some point we all get worse. Belting seems to me to be a symbol on skill, but also a mark of accomplishment alltogether. Downranking is nonsense. They dont take away your gold medal if you lose the next fight either. And Helio could wear whatever he wants cuz he's boss.

[@wilson36532]

I say put on the white belt and then ask him why a white belt keeps choking out his blue belts! LOL

[@fobbitoperator3620]

VERY satisfying!

[@NoBody-tz4fb]

Thats what i did

[@tomwerber]

Bit of an advantage in competitions too..

[@chadmichaels1896]

Lol right

[@Crystals10000]

@@chadmichaels1896 haha

[@DarkKnight2037]

Plot twist, his real name is "Bob"

[@craigmeyers9137]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤪🤪🤪

[@nothingnerdyNtertainment]

Only Bob. You gave up his entire government name.

[@mistersonnen848]

I was thinking that hahaha

[@zcarface]

No. His name is Robert Paulson. His name is Robert Paulson.

[@xriex]

"I had a friend that took a belt ..."

[@pullbothbarrels]

never never never give up a belt you earned legitimately

[@iggy082]

Give up that belt. Beat your new classmates. Pretend it's beginner's luck.

[@pullbothbarrels]

@LION TAMER wow ok kool . I didn't know Here in Miami you wouldn't do that But that's kool I'm all about respect

[@pullbothbarrels]

@LION TAMER actually here in Miami if you showed up with a white belt and you were ,let's say a purple belt and didn't say anything , they wouldn't like that . Again I'm about respect . whatever is expected as protocal is ok with me

[@pullbothbarrels]

@LION TAMER I guess if I went to another school I would just ask the instructor what was the proper thing to do in his school..

[@SssamB]

TEKNOMOGUL no

[@rturo22]

If you earn your rank from a legit professor you should keep it. It would be disrespectful to ask someone to demote themselves. I would say just let them know what the knew requirements are to get promoted

[@chrisfrank8413]

I like what your saying, Really, it would take the instructor who gave you the rank to take it away. I don't think you can demote yourself anymore that you can promote yourself.

[@leovuitton9117]

Just say they have to catch up on his little things he doesn't know and he can't move up until he catches up on certain things

[@clantonaw]

and if they are below standard, they'll potentially be wearing that belt for a long time

[@ricardojorgefilho4172]

Agreed, he should just have to learn the details needed in the new curriculum got get next stripe.

[@tobyn123]

My coach told us all to wear our belts with pride in new gyms. Fight to prove we earned them and fight to keep them if someone wants to de-rank you.. so that's what I will do.

[@abaddon4823]

That’s easy when your in shape

[@T94869]

@@abaddon4823get in shape

[@martinkaleta5287]

Never give up what you allready achieved, if you have earned your rank - this is disrespectfull to the former teacher.

[@ironmantis778]

Disrespectful to the new teacher tho.

[@MF-kb2nv]

I have started to take up Judo again after a 25 year absence. I was brown belt prior to leaving. I've decided to start my 3 children at a club and start beginning class with them. The sensei doesn't know I was ever in Judo. In the class I'm considered a white belt and like my kids haven't even started to wear a gi. I admit I'm very rusty and have forgot many names of throws plus my body just doesn't move like it use to. One day I will tell my sensei but right now I'm just enjoying watching my kids play.

[@arturofernandez725]

Hi Chewjitsu, Thanks for sharing your story. I started BJJ last November and am new - I don't dispute that at all. Your story spoke to me because I have had this experience outside the martial arts world. And before I get into that I want to express my sympathy for you and Bob experience poor leadership. I served in the U.S. Army and deployed for a full year and a half before electing to try out for the 75th Ranger Regiment. I crushed the fitness and technical standards in selection and graduated at the top of my class. I was assigned to a Battalion on the East coast and was sent to a leadership school. Again I graduated at the top of my class. The day came when I met my platoon sergeant and the first words he said to me were, "Your kind usually doesn't make it here." By 'your kind' he meant Rangers who are 'imported' from having prior service in other units. There is a big attitude of 'if you didn't do it here, it doesn't count.' So after having proven myself in a combat battalion for 15 months, in country, in an active war zone, I had this guy with a superiority complex tell me I was no better than the green kids who just got out of basic training. I tolerated it for as long as I could but I never got out from underneath that leader. He made sure I was the last to get any relevant training opportunities after that and he made sure that I got the weakest privates assigned to me. We live and we learn. Because of the experience and feeling completely hopeless under my leadership I gave up on my aspirations of becoming an operator at a higher tier. I got out of the Army and got on with my life. It's by far one of the worst experiences and feelings of betrayal I have had to this day. Empathetically, A

[@Chewjitsu]

That really sucks. I recently read a book about Robin Olds, a fighter pilot. And in it, he talked about a conversation he had with a 4 star. The general told him to watch our for people in the service who were out for themselves or to cut down on others. I was always surprised to hear that. Seems like everyone would be trying to work together in a situation like the military. Not cut each other down. But I guess as you've seen. People suck.

[@themaker2475]

Dang I’m not reading all that. Congratulations though or Damn, that sucks

[@mattmyers1655]

@@themaker2475crazy how Chewy took the time out his busy schedule to make a genuine replay because the guys experience is a teachable moment. Way to go bud, not being able to read quickly is not the flex you think it is.

[@jeffcordero7899]

I wouldn't want to start over, I've been training for over 7 years (3rd degree purple belt) I've earned some IBJJF medals at large tournaments (Pans, master worlds) and I'm 52 years old. It's not like I have all the time in the world to spend on the mats trying to be the next Buchecha, I do this for fun not to "win." While my focus is not on belt colors I do plan on earning my black belt someday. I don't want to train for 20 years as a purple belt.

[@jamesmol3634]

What belt are you now?

[@GR-uc1gq]

Update he went to a new gym and is a white belt choking out the instructor

[@LionWolfTactical]

Jeff Cordero What belt are you now Jeff? Still Purple? At 10 years in, I would think of you wanted, you could have your black by now. Just curious

[@2277ize]

Jeff!???? Update sir

[@balder6337]

We need an update Jeff!?!!?!! :P

[@justanotherwarr]

Wow, I didn't know Dan Blizerian did Ju jitsu.

[@Chewjitsu]

:P

[@CNRhKXtreme]

GOAT comment. :'D

[@arlequin7002]

The man is everywhere 😆

[@2inchfromtheground]

I didn't know Boosie commented on youtube

[@evhoRoLL]

i know this is a joke...but chewy would wreck dan bilzerian.

[@GOmegaPHD]

Going from a blue belt in no-gi to a white belt in gi was a 100% necessity. I had no idea how the Gi worked, it changes the entire game, you can't brute force anything technical, and people can catch you slipping really fast!

[@09michaels]

I don’t think there is such a thing out side of 10th planet Jiu Jitsu. To give color belt rank to students that don’t train in the Gi is kind of bogus in itself. If you’re training no gi only then you’re either beginner, intermediate, or advanced; no belt rank for no gi only practitioners.

[@DrakeWilson-sn1ds]

Yea no belt class in no gi all we care about is technique but I agree training in gi is a boon.

[@Pfsif]

You encountered a Narcissist (Brazilian guy).

[@amplifiedbible07]

Yes, narcissism is one of the dark triad traits. Watch out for those types of individuals.

[@2277ize]

Most of them are

[@vcash1112]

This guy sounds cocky, probably got what he deserved...Pay your dues before stepping in front of a black belt...lol

[@vcash1112]

@@2277ize Why? Because it took 8 years to get your belt?

[@2277ize]

vcash nah brotha , that’s on me , won’t blame anyone else , but I’ve rolled under some Brazilians and their vibe can throw you off sometimes

[@Combatinho]

As an instructor I would honor the belt level unless he does not hang in there with other belts that are the same size, age, and physical abilities as him. I would let him know the next belt requirements and award him when he is capable. I personally woud not give up my belt and would request to hold me in rank until I "caught up" to my peers.

[@Lootroq]

@Capone, do you not find any irony in your comment? There's quite a disconnect between the big picture of what you're trying to convey and they way you're conveying it. Try not to teach humility with arrogance.

[@CAVEMANsean]

e. david yes, just ignorant people who choose to be offended and let their anger get the best of them. then they say that you don't know the spirit of martial arts, it's quite hilarious

[@CAVEMANsean]

Lootroq you seem like a very wise dude. keep up the positivity bro

[@spartanmerc1]

I took an extended break from training a long while ago when I was a blue belt. When I came back I did not feel like I was still blue belt skill level, I asked my instructor (a friend from high school) if I should wear my old white belt. He told me "Only if you want to, you earned the blue belt." I kept training and earned my purple belt, I got hurt and had to take a few months off, when I came back, I didn't even ask about belts. It's my purple belt, I earned it, I keep it on unless my instructor that awarded it to me tells me I should take it off. The belt really doesn't make much of a difference other than maybe intimidation factor, and that really only effects lower belts. Once you learn to gauge someone's skill based on their rolling they can wear whatever belt they want, the rest of the guys in the gym know what his skill level is.

[@jasonjohansen771]

I wouldn't give it up. When we have student's from other schools come through, they remain the rank they are at until they are caught up, unless it's obvious they bought the belt on-line and are a complete novice...

[@cogen651]

Jason Johansen Yup,that's the best way to handle it.

[@Pric3less1]

Jason Johansen this.

[@wozzupp8647]

"Next time break fall?" A proper instructor would have gave warning and give you a pull up, any judoka would.

[@buttercatz99]

Agreed. I would have gone hog wild on him and embarrassed him in the dojo and then never showed up again.

[@kingash71]

I think that you handled those situations perfectly. When you were asked to surrender rank, you did so even though the instructor in question was just making a power play. And when it was in your hands to make the same call, you built your new student up. Giving him the chance to live into the rank. Train to gain skill, not rank. Rank can be given or taken away, skill can’t. I would also advise you to go back and learn those Judo throws. Not because you need them necessarily, but because you’ll learn things that will make your technique better in other areas. I learned that the hard way about skills that I ignored in my first 20 years of training. You don’t have to forget how to wrestle to learn something new. Just advice, and like nostalgia, it often means more to the person giving it than the person receiving it.

[@JD2jr.]

Yikes. I think not giving up a belt is even more important as a blue belt than any other. To me, the first earned belt (blue for BJJ, yellow for judo, whatever) just means "I know what I am doing and know how not to hurt myself or my partner". I am a blackbelt in judo and a blue belt in BJJ but I would rather demote myself all the way to yellow in judo than white in BJJ. I don't need a blackbelt to help someone improve a technique I can do well, but no one really knows how much mat time you have put in and to me, a colored belt shows just a little bit of that. Where I did BJJ for a while, I came in as a judo brown belt but no "actual" BJJ experience, but that white belt bothered me. I didn't really think I "deserved" a blue belt, but I wasn't allowed to roll because I wasn't high enough ranked (they wanted you to have 2 or 3 stripes to roll) and that really bugged me. It also bugged me how they awarded belts- if you came consistently enough ( I think 2 classes per week), you got a promotion after a certain amount of time. No skill requirements, no rolling/mat time requirements, just "show up for x months". I don't think I'm even close to being on topic anymore, so tl;dr: Unless it keeps you from training all together, keep the belt.

[@deathByStupid]

Sounds like a lame gym, I rolled in my first class, it really sounds bizarre to require 2/3 stripes in order to roll.

[@JD2jr.]

deathByStupid Yeah, but it was the only one less than about an hour away. The people there were great and the Gym was pretty nice (exclusively BJJ/Judo too). But little things always just didn't feel right. Sucks not having an awesome gym right around the corner anymore. =/

[@Chewjitsu]

Who needs to be on topic anyways? Rambling is welcome here James. ;) I agree with the comment about he blue belt. It at least visually shows the people around you,"I'm not a brand new beginner." Bummer about the not rolling part at the BJJ gym. I can maybe understand it for a brand new person. But from someone with a Judo background already it seems a bit odd.

[@craiglaidlaw4758]

I have trained on and off since 2007. A couple of deployments, a couple of instructors who left my gyms, and just inconsistency has prevented me from receiving my blue belt. I roll with blues and I'm fine. Higher level blues going into purple is obviously difficult for me but I've never cared about belts. If someone told me to demote - sure. If you enjoy training enough who cares?

[@JD2jr.]

Craig Laidlaw It doesn't really matter (like I said, don't refuse if it keeps you from training), but in the same regard, because it doesn't matter, no one should force you to be demoted.

[@AGC828]

Too many guys out there focus too much on ranking. The belt. You should be in any school or gym to learn. So what belt one has around their waist shouldn't matter at all. Philip Rhee's "coach"..."Sensei"....when he started learning a new style put on a white belt. Yet I think he was already a "master" I think in TKD/Hapkido. Belts. Some schools hand them out like coupons. Giving kids black belts at age 10. :) Other schools you have to be at least 18 to even go for testing. Standards vary too much in the US.

[@ShiddyShad808]

I took the stripes off my blue belt when I attended a new school, but the teacher promoted me to purple belt just a few months later so I guess it didn't really matter.

[@stephenschneider3521]

I love your 'make him a real blue belt' approach. Working with him and building him up gives a guy confidence. Telling him he sucks and taking his belt away cuts him down. Nothing is worse in a fight than doubting yourself and thinking that you suck. If I went to class, and was told, you suck you need to start over. I would doubt everything I know until something else happened. Think about being jumped in the street after that, or having your boss give you the business after that. I'd probably cave in or give up after a self-esteem blow like that. You're totally right. Let people keep their accomplishments but quality control is just as important. Thanks for the video

[@shaun0621]

I would just tell my coach, "cash me ousside how bout dat". Problem solved....

[@Chewjitsu]

I gave you a thumbs up.

[@iggy082]

Shaun S then you fight them on an aeroplane! hau bow dat?

[@TheHairOfElendil]

Shaun S Epic!!!

[@jayceeinvincible]

LMFAO...Perfect timing bro

[@ronque23]

Shaun S very topical. Well played!

[@mannyyhormiga3386]

Uff thanks God you brought up this issue. I went through the same thing but after beating every blue belt for over 4 months and not being tap by any of them I was recognized as a purple belt who just came out of training 7 years of judo in Japan 🥋🙏

[@lordgrizzle]

Chewy you are the man! my Professor and I were having this conversation a few days ago because he saw a guy get stripped of his rank and that made him furious, he said exactly what you said that it is his job as an instructor to build the guy's game up and make him a solid purple belt. I was of the same opinion being that I have taken many beaks in training and was demoted a few times, three to be exact, although it was few stripes each time and not a full real rank but I know what it feels like. Great vid, awesome info and insight... I need that shirt btw, lol!

[@Sawbucks23]

I'm a purple belt myself and think that too many school or BBJ practitioners focus too much on the belt. The belt only represents the time you put on the mat. Too many people get caught up on how good your are supposed to be just because you have a certain color dye on your belt. BBJ is mainly for self defense, health, and fun.

[@zacharycaldwell7821]

Sawbucks23 how long did it take u to get a purple belt?

[@sigmaprojects]

Agreed. It wasn't till Judo put belt rankings into the mix that martial arts started adding belts really. It's like just focus on getting better.

[@wesdowty79]

Exactly!

[@wayne47able]

You got a purple belt in BBJ?

[@B3Band]

"I think too many people focus on the belt" **literally the first thing he mentions is his belt**

[@jhoserovi29]

You touched a great point, the environment the coach creates does impact your drive in class, my coach is moody at times and temperamental with his delivery, I found that focusing on me and not relying on him to be part of my motivation has helped a lot and I stay at my gym because the other people in class are awesome so take the good with the bad, pushing extra hard to move to blue belt and change coaches.

[@SindreEide93]

I earned my bluebelt from my master that I respect and got a really god relationship with. He is a brown belt. I would say a really high lvl brown belt. I moved to a different city to go to university and I now got a really good black belt couch. But, if a new couch told me to take of my belt and go back to white i would never done it. I earned that belt and would look on it as disrespectful against my old couch that gave me the belt to give it up.

[@ubaidshah1910]

Sindre Eide That *couch* sounds pretty interactive for an inanimate object!

[@Sirmustardpack]

Sindre Eide hope you took remedial English classes at your university 😂

[@kobebryant2288]

This nigga really learned BJJ from a couch.

[@ChrisParayno]

Sounds like an ego thing🤣

[@sigmundurjohansen7166]

No one should ever demote themselves or others. Here's why! If you get a black belt, take a vacation for 5 years, and feel like you don't remember anything and it's been too long since you fought and decide to demote yourself to yellow belt(or any other belt for that matter) and enter a tournament, you'll fucking wreck everyone because even if your mind doesn't remember it, your body still remembers how to fight. I've seen this happen, and when you see a yellow belt beat every brown belt at the "under black belt division" at a national tournament you know something is wrong, and everyone that was there looked at this guy holding the trophy at the top of the podium and thought either that he was fucked up in the head for getting any satisfaction from this, or they thought it was amazing that a yellow belt could win, because they didn't know any better, which just made it more disgusting. Now for the reason that someone else cant demote you is simple, there isn't any organization that determines who's worthy of what rank, the coaches are given this power for good or worse but that's how it is, there are guidelines for what you need for each belt, but in the end there is more than one curriculum and if you pass in one, the other's cant demote you even if they want to because they don't have the authority to do so, if the coach feels all his students that have certain rank need certain skills that's his problem not yours, so if you are lacking in his eyes he should just make sure to teach you what he believes you need for the next rank and every rank up to it. Where I'm from when we go up in rank we need to show that we also can do(remember) all of the things required in the ranks below the one we're aspiring to.

[@Make_A_ChangeKYSelf]

a yellow belt?

[@taekwondomartialart1]

I have also been on both sides. As a student, I transferred as a 2nd Dan black belt in taekwondo, I just kept at my rank until I learned the new curriculum and tested for my 3rd. As an instructor, I have had color and black belts transfer in. I follow a simple rule, I recognize prior ranks, but they will need to meet my requirements to test. Bottom line, I agree with him, NEVER GIVE UP AN EARNED RANK! Be respectful about it, but be firm.

[@logruszed]

This is just great advice for any social scene, Chew. Don't let people who haven't given you something just take it from you.

[@DillWijay]

Thanks for the advice Bilzerian

[@Chewjitsu]

. . . really funny. . . ;)

[@DillWijay]

haha all in good fun! really enjoyed watching your video :)

[@whitetailpoet4243]

I was fortunate to have a great instructor who allowed me to keep my TKD red belt rank after eight years of blood, sweat, and tears at another school when I changed Dojangs and started to learn the nuances of his system. I have often said a great instructor is more important then a certain style. If a teacher is to insecure to recognise my prior efforts I would question their discretion. Interesting video. Thanks! Peace from Minnesota. DB. Ps; at the same time, I do not get hung up on rank, and asked my new instructor where he wanted me to start.... Its just fun to train with people that care about the process more then testing out! Hopefully I can train in BJJ some day... My rural area does not offer many options.

[@tim707max]

This sounds like an episode of Seinfeld lol

[@Chewjitsu]

It would make a good episode wouldn't it?

[@tim707max]

Chewjitsu Yea lol

[@tim707max]

Chewjitsu​ Has anyone ever told you you look like Dan Bilzareian

[@litgeeksquadofficial]

"what... Is the deal with belts?"

[@KiNG-tx9je]

NO BELT FOR YOU!!!

[@Doberman144]

Great topic and video .. I have also noticed a thing in the BJJ community that some are concerned with everyone else's rank or the belt they are wearing .. It appears to be a type of jealous thing .. I also notice it is also among the millennial crowd .. You do not know if the guy you are judging may have a physical disability or it may be just age itself .. It is not your place to decide on whether the guy is up to the belt he is wearing, it is your place to focus on your game and mind your own .. Just focus on being better than you were yesterday both in the gym and out ..

[@MMOInformers]

Some people are puny, they do that because they feel insecure that you soon would surpass him. Kid mentality.

[@Speculativedude]

I can understand the frustration and confusion about a belt rank. As you said, a belt doesn't mean everything, but it does mean something to the person that earned it. I have been practicing Taekwondo for almost 25 year and am currently a 3rd Dan black belt. However, for the last 4 years I have lived overseas in China. For the first couple of years I did not realize how popular Taekwondo was in China and sadly did not practice like I should have. However I did manage to meet an instructor in Beijing when I was living there. He's a really nice guy and I consider him a friend. He let me train and practice for free in exchange for occasionally helping to teach some of the younger kids. However even though he never said anything, I could see that he was bothered when I wore my belt from my previous school. So When I would train I stopped wearing the belt and he was visibly more relaxed. However now I am living in Dongguan China not too far from Hong Kong and found another good Taekwondo school, and I had the opposite happen. I didn't want to bother anyone so when I went to my first class I put on my Gi but not my belt. At break time the coach asked me to put on my belt simply because I was higher rank than most of the students there and he thought I should stand out a bit more. (Not that being the only white guy in the group didn't make me stand out enough.) But it really all depends on the instructor.

[@jlogan2228]

I have a 3rd dan rank in japanese jujutsu where i am the head instructor under the shihan, and just recently took up bjj for new skills, meet people, and challenge myself. When i was signing up the guy offered to let me start at blue belt bc if my previous experience but i decided to start at white (obviously wasnt there for long) bc to me its a matter of respect. I may kniw exactly what im doing in my style but to come.to a new school i aim to learn and i cant let my ranks elsewhere cloud that mentality

[@conorcharlton2703]

When I stopped training BJJ for about six months and went to another gym in a different city, I felt like I was a white belt again. I asked a coach should I be demoted and he said no - there was a reason why my first coach had ever given me a blue belt and it would be a mark of disrespect to him as a teacher to go back to white belt. My jitz would also come back to me over time.

[@sampokemppainen3041]

New bjj gym asks you to lose your belt, tell them to get a premission from the person who gave you that belt.

[@DudeHugh]

Subscribed man. Really entertaining, positive guy. Some good advice too. Totally respect your approach of allowing the student to keep their belt as they no doubt rolled well against your own blue belts, but focusing on strengthening key areas you think should be strong for anyone with a blue belt in your gym. Best of both worlds.

[@Chewjitsu]

Thanks for subscribing. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@justinhills2740]

I feel this talk is so awesome. I train in a gym where I totally understand the judo talk. I have one goal to grow and learn. So now I am coming to the end of my 3 months of this place where Im doing too well. So I need to change because of your story thank you man.

[@TheJubdestroy]

Man, I really dig your bump music. Sound providers is so chill.

[@mikeharvey1597]

Weird story. I got some guys in my gym who don't really like me due to my being kind of playful ( cause that's who I am). I figure as a white belt, who cares? But I wish they'd get over it.

[@noahweller6939]

mike harvey thats normal. it'll work out over time. just proof that ur tough

[@jockim123]

define "playful"

[@JustFollowJesus]

jockim lol he's grabbing guys' asses 😂

[@DissFunkShunIll]

He sniffs penises longways like a Cuban cigar and goes "no homo bro". Seriously though I like to be goofy too and I hate people who think they're so high, mighty, and important.

[@mikeharvey1597]

I just smile all the time, and yeah, my favorite move is choking the guy with his own belt. I probably shouldn't do that, but when i happens, I think it's hysterical, so I guess I'm an idiot. I'm in Japan, as well, maybe doesn't help. :)

[@hoodoooperator.5197]

Chewy, you're such a legend. Just wanted to say that. Cheers.

[@tavitatoti6222]

BELT = Competition. Don't get demote and bully the competitions... Belts lives matter !

[@ryvrdrgn15]

All I really wanted out of belts is to know the person I'm throwing down won't die because he knows how to fall and he won't go use unrefined techniques that could cause injury to training partners.

[@itscork]

"Belt lives matter" Just spit up my orange juice! 🤣

[@thelurkingpanda3605]

but what if they are bad and end up hurting themselves

[@FlashySenap]

Wow, that is the best way to go about a student who u feel is not at a level u feel comfortable for a belt. Great work man!

[@bigjimmcbob9358]

Demoting someone when they come to your gym is pretty disrespectful to their last coach, especially it seems like, for a blue belt. At my current school, rank, especially for white belts, is largely a product of coming everyday, working hard, and using technique when you roll. If you do the right things consistently for long enough, you get promoted. I'd see it as an insult to my last coach if someone said I was so inadequately prepared that I needed demoted, especially if rolling was going fine.

[@jacegallagher8589]

I am commenting before watching the video, but my answer is it depends. I lean more on the side of starting over at each new dojo because of the "My house my rules" idea. Even if 2 dojos of the same style are part of the same association or federation, one instructor might be more selective about who (s)he feels is mature and ready enough for the next belt. Any instructor with real respect for the real martial arts takes personal responsibility for advancing their people in the belt ranks. If I am an instructor and I allow someone from another dojo to retain their belt without a test (both of technique AND character) it is not fair to those I've trained from the very beginning. Also, in a true martial art that has a belt system, each belt is a rank like the military, meaning EVERYONE above a white belt (or whatever the beginner is in ones that do not start at white) has seniority over the white belt. For example, someone who advances to the 2nd belt should know all the content of the first belt well enough to be able to teach someone of the first belt. I would have criteria of BOTH technique and character when deciding who advances. When I take on a student from another dojo, I may or may not have an idea of his technique knowledge, but I DEFINITELY do not know his character yet. In that sense I say everyone starts over, but the instructor should be open to advancing a transfer quicker once it is established that he truly does meet the criteria of each belt. That means that, if my dojo usually requires 4 years to go from white to blue belt, the transfer starts at white but advances as soon as I feel he matches both my technique AND moral standards, which he might prove to me as soon as a month or I might feel he needs to truly wait the required time. The only way I would feel comfortable with allowing someone to retain their original belt level without any testing within my dojo is if I am in a federation/association that makes ALL participating dojos follow the exact same standard.

[@Anthony126517RKO]

I think once you earned it, it's yours and a good coach will bring out the best of you even if you are not up to there level in terms of skills. There is a huge difference between BJJ schools all around.

[@NuEnque]

It would be awesome if we had guys like this in Muay Thai. This dude is cool and his stories are stories you really want to hear.

[@davieh6]

great video. even getting one stripe on your belt takes lots of your time, its all time driven as well as experience and skill driven, and you can't get the time that you've spent back, so I would never give my belt up. it's a stupid thing to ask someone to do and that instructor should have known better.

[@DanielleFerreira-uk9yt]

This sucks... I’m super sorry that you had to go through this.

[@Gallagur-xz6fr]

I have had a similar experience in TKD. Not that TKD compares at all with BJJ (which I love and trained in for some time as well), but the situation itself was identical. YEARS ago, I had trained under a TKD organization and left when I was a green belt - simply due to the location of a nearer school. I trained and earned my black belt under an instructor who taught the exact same system, only he added more to the requirements. He passed away, and I then went back under the previous organization. The master instructor visited the class that I was training in, pulled me aside and told me that, in his organization, I was still a green belt. Back then, I was young, in shape, flexible, etc... I could do all the cool jump spinning kicks, flashy kicks, etc... and people noticed that AND also new that I had come from another school. And again, similar to this story, I think he felt threatened from a business stand point. That is, I feel he wanted to be able to say that I earned my black belt under his academy, so that he could take claim to what was accomplished in my training under my previous instructor. I'm not claiming to be a badass by any means. The techniques were just flashy. But I think this can be a huge factor in situations like that. I think for some instructors, it's about them wanting to repackage your abilities with their brand on them. If you think of it in those terms, it is a compliment.

[@juddgranger7457]

A green belt isnt a rank. Its a small step in a long walk. Any legit martial art would tell you that.

[@keepittrill6370]

totally agree with you on this subject brother....I've known some dudes that have encountered this very predicament and it definitely seems as though it is generally about domination and pride when it comes to new instructors striping their students of rank

[@Chewjitsu]

It is strange isn't it?

[@Presence_o_Mind]

Great advice. Very well put.

[@ctabjjdanny6261]

I train in the bay area and have been training on and off since 2012, never took gii classes until this year and I would always take breaks threw out the years do to job schedules and having a child, so currently I am a one stripe white belt however I have tapped multiple blue belts and even tapped a 3rd degree blue belt but honestly the belts just give me something to earn to show the hard work I’m doing the real prize is learning all this technique and doing jiu jitsu with my 6 year old. The belts will come just keep training tap out higher belts and your coaches will give you promotions patience is key enjoy the process and technique and friendships you develop on the way osss.

[@Siper2]

For the record, that is one epic T-shirt. :-D

[@davidkelly1639]

I'm late to the game here, but when I was changing schools (going from one form of karate to another) and teacher, the new teacher wanted to see what I knew and asked me to show him my katas and after that we figured out where I should be in the new discipline. It was only one belt difference. Also I have caught teachers who claim to be black belts that are actually not black belts. They are brown belts. Or they claim to be 5th dan, and are really 2nd dan. People will do whatever they have to to make money, and a dishonorable teacher is not someone you want to train with. So hopefully this guy you're talking about gets the right guy. Maybe it's his new teacher, maybe not.

[@marcohutch9754]

another MMA fighter who loves sound providers👍

[@Chewjitsu]

Haha happy to meet you Marco!

[@marcohutch9754]

Chewjitsu good to meet you too. I fight under Afro Samurai👍

[@josephscott8273]

Every time I go to a new place I dont say any thing just go through the steps all over again it's for the best stay humble and easily underestimated

[@rolandvogt]

Funny that a BJJ practitioner thinks he could set the standards for throwing. I'd prefer wrestling throws over BJJ throws at any time. Sincerely a judo coach

[@EngineerMK2004]

Lol, yeah.

[@JamesMoreau]

This exact thing happened to me when I came to South Korea. When I decided to join a different gym and got to know the local scene, turns out the guy who wanted me to give my blue belt up apparently got tapped by a blue belt who joined once and he "lost face" in front of his other students and said he wouldn't let anyone join the gym who was higher than a white belt, or if they did, they had to go back down to white and he actually wouldn't roll with them. I was quite happy I made my choice as 2 years later I'm a couple grades closer to purple belt and much better after all the ass kickins I've taken at my current gym. My ego isn't huge and frankly the belt isn't the biggest deal like you said, but when I think back on the 2 years it took me to get it and what it meant to me and all the hardship it represented, I felt it was disrespect to my first professor and all the people I trained with.

[@sabrewolf479]

Belts keep your pants and Gi together, nothing else. Train and learn.

[@matthewthomson6466]

Dude, the guy who runs my gym isn’t even the best guy in the gym. But he’s the owner, and he’s the best teacher. He can’t do the same things as the top guys, he’s an older man who’s prone to injury, but he’s a phenomenal teacher.

[@captainseyepatch3879]

Hmm.. I have a very mixed feeling on this. - See.. When I was fourteen I started to take Taekwondo (It was the only thing in my area) did if for a year and moved. (Military family) Took Jujitsu for three years and then moved. (College) In college I took Judo (Judo Team) Wrestling (College) Kendo (Jude Team) Fencing (Umm your seeing a pattern) In military I took combative. I took some Shotokan. Took some Aikido. Arnis. Took martail arts in Japan. And in China While working over seas. - And... I never once carried over a belt. - But I never really knew a reason to. I have seen yellow belts that can run brown belts off the mat. I have a brother who is a phenomenal fighter with no REAL training. And I'm not really comparing or saying that some things are not worth it. I'm just saying that belts are more or less a measure of "Progress" not really much else. Its kind of like you can find two Lawyers who are very different in skill. But they both passed the bar. I know a great deal of Black Belts. That are all very talented. but there are some pretty marked gaps in skill/ability. _ I don't know that I would ever say "I wont go to this gym / judo" because I don't get to keep my belt... but.. There are gyms that 100% are not worth that. - Note on author: After twenty years of martial arts. In what ever I had around me in the area I was. I have a brown belt. A few blue belts. a BUNCH Of yellow belts. A wall full of training equipment. And no black belt. I might at some point. (Most likely not, but only because I have leaned away from forms that give belts. Mostly because of health problems) And.. I don't really mind. I know a pretty good about most anything you can run across. (Not great at anything) But some people can be better in 5 years then other in 20. Some people never learn to fight. (There really is such a thing as a killer/fighting instinct.) - AND Now I"m rambling. But what is a one eyed internet pirate to do I suppose. Great Response to the question Chewjitsu. And if you don't mind me saying so. That... Is a Damn fine beard...

[@sampokemppainen3041]

If the new sensei questions your rank, ask them to bring that complain to your previous sensei. The fact is, that you are not the person to answer about the decisions other people made.

[@slackerengi2401]

Belt just means time invested in the gym Skills really mean everything In a fight, no dudes gonna ask your belt rank

[@ChrisParayno]

Bingo, a gym! Different place, different rules, get over it peeps.

[@jimmywantwingy]

this is awesome. great to see someone really into the art and enjoys what they are doing. the excitement about the mats were cool.

[@hipqban169]

I’ve a question and would appreciate advice. Been a blue belt for 4 years. Missed my purple belt promotion due to an injury. Then had to move and started training at a new school about 3 months ago. Former professor invited me to test for my purple belt but idk if current coach will accept and honestly I’m embarrassed to ask. I feel my skill level is at purple level as I kill every blue at new school but I can’t promote myself. What’d you think? Any suggestions? Help appreciate it.

[@andersnilssondvm]

So how did it go?

[@juanmontoya7324]

Fill us in, what happened?

[@souljamarx]

@@juanmontoya7324 fr

[@samuraisteve2775]

There are always some extreme examples where you might give it up. Going to or leaving a 10th Planet gym and making the Gi/no-Gi transition. Unique positions in 10th Planet. Going from a competition geared gym or organization and going to an Old School Gracie gym. The ground and pound self defense will take adjustment. Dropping at least one belt is fair.

[@mustard..]

belt belt belt. thats all anyone cares about anymore. i have my black belt, and i wear anything i can get my hands on when i train if i forget my black belt. it is what it is. if you're good, you're good.

[@StinkyB644]

BibleAsFireWood absolutley not you know nothing about bjj if your saying this. Why have belts in the first place if no one cares about them. Take your black belt off and put a white belt on if you dont care. A new belt is what people train for I shouldn't have to give my belt up just because I go to a new school

[@StinkyB644]

And you wear any belt you can find? If that's the case your a schmuk then

[@padmad3k63]

If you don't have the skillset of a black belt you shouldn't wear that. There are so many BJJ/JJ/MMA gyms who're complete McDojos. Back at my gym my Wing Chun teacher who was a purple belt BJJ did teach BJJ, but the combat version not the sport version. We didn't have any belts. Belts really don't represent the skillset. If you train for just belts you'll become a product of a McDojo. Most of those guys don't focus on great techniques just on the exams. Bible is right, screw belts they mean nothing.

[@betsyknox9469]

I hear you! If people just want a belt, they can buy plenty at Sears.

[@Momentaryoratory]

obviously YOU have no idea what you're talking about. any true judo or jj practitioner is there for the sport. Belt colors are only there to vaguely represent your skill level and for people to be able to visualize their progress. I do the same thing, I have done judo and bjj for 20+ years (since 6 years old) and to this day, ill wear a white belt if thats all i can find. You never actually play against 'blue belt' or 'purple belt', you are rolling with the individual in front of you. enjoy the sport for what it is and spare us the pissing contest

[@RedWolfSMA]

It was awesome meeting you and training with you @ Team Shawn Hammonds Training in Nashville! Big fan from Auburn MMA and JJ

[@Chewjitsu]

Awesome. I'll be down in Auburn in April!

[@RedWolfSMA]

oh hellz yeah! that side control reversal is sooooooo money for me!

[@pmartialartsx]

Reminds me of a Karate school I walked into many years ago. I was a black belt in both Taekwondo and Hapkido yet they demanded I wear a white belt which I did. One day during sparring class, a brown belt told me that he wouldn't kick because he didn't want to hurt me but I can do whatever. Well I'm sure you guys can guess how the rest of the story goes.

[@oldmate9561]

pmartialartsx 🤔Being a black belt in hupkito or whatever and Taekwondo don't make you a black belt in karate they're different arts

[@threethrushes]

Call me pedantic, but I need it spelling out. What happened next?

[@B3Band]

@@threethrushes The entire class started clapping. And the name of that brown belt? Albert Einstein.

[@threethrushes]

@@B3Band Good one.

[@samuelfernandezbjj]

It's a different art. I'm a black belt in jiu-jitsu. If I show up to karate I am now a white belt and will wear one, no problem

[@HollyDollyTakahani]

Good guy. Nice to know there are people out there like you. Excellent story.

[@Beastius24]

Thanks for sharing. I have been doing kempo for 4 years, kyokushin karate for 6 and hopefully will pass my brown belt grading soon (in kyokushin). I have just signed up to BJJ and will be happy to wear a white belt. The concept of belts awarded by a coach without any examination is a bit foreign to me, but I guess that's part of the reason why each gym might have a different interpretation of the meaning. I am looking forward to the next years or months until I would be awarded by a new belt ; unlike karate it's not like you might be ready, let's grade so you know exactly when that moment comes, making it all the more exciting

[@marklaughlin1290]

Great video and advice. In my Dojo, I will honor the belt someone has earned from a previous Dojo...however, in order to progress, they must learn all of the kata, weapons, self-defense, etc. leading up to their current belt, and rank test for each one under my curriculum. Osu!

[@sharkymagnum9756]

Generally speaking..you should always respect the wishes of the school your training in. Then again, you should never surrender your belt to anyone outside of your instructor's camp! It's a good question and food for thought ;)

[@holmganghamburg]

no belts, no ranks, no problems with egos.

[@holmganghamburg]

you are right. although ranks and status is a wide spread society problem. one exception: the fake black belt series on youtube, because these guys are funny.

[@FCF4L]

I'll take a look at it

[@kylekraft9202]

thats what wrestling is lol

[@jlogan2228]

To be fair they do serve some.purpose. helps break thibgs into segments to work towards, gives a rough immediate estimation of ones skill, and as an instructor helps you keep pace of where everyones at if you have students who are in and out. We used to only have 3 belt colors that were pre black but it gets tricky when you have someone take tine off and come back and trying to remember where they left off when a green belt for example covered 3 different ranks

[@jammin1881]

holmganghamburg This is why the jiu jitsu gods created no gi jiu jitsu.

[@pitcrewmax]

For many years I did not mind changing back to a white in karate... But once as an instructor I did mind. I just wanted to only train and keep my dan belt. I learn that in Shotokan Karate once your instructor passes away, it's hard to rank. I have grown much older and slow with age but will not stop doing Shotokan karate kata even when it slows down and looks like Tai Chi... Best wishes to all and hope you all never stop training no matter what is your style of martial arts. So if you always train please keep your rank you have earned it!!!

[@DragonSlayer-tg5mk]

Chew, you are a good dude!

[@3ddeluxe562]

I learnt primarily Kodokan judo from a very old and kind sensei who is super old fashioned, very traditional and used to train on wooden flooring with his sensei who came from japan. So I travel a lot and like to compete with the locals and I'm a 3rd degree brown belt, some throws were taught entirely different than what my 80 year old sensei taught me (My hane-goshi being a pull and pushing the inner ankle as opposed to his hane-goshi being a lift in the inner thigh slightly above the knee) but still similar and instead of seeing that I was confronted as if I'm really even a brown belt in front of the entire class and I had to pull up my certifications from USJF to which it was followed up with "I guess USJF lets anyone become a brown belt, that's why I like USJA so much better" keep in mind I'm pretty crippled in one of my feet so the fact I can get on the mat at all is huge for me. Higher ranks just have an ego sometimes. Still good experience to know exactly what kind of people and gyms you don't want to train with. I fought through blood, sweat, and tears over so many competitions and scrimmages to get my rank at the top of my home dojo, I'm not giving it up for anyone unless my sensei who trained me from day 1 stripped me of it.

[@HazardoustoyCOD]

You are a gentleman and a scholar

[@bennybooboo6789]

Nailed it. There isnt a single instructor who could demote me. If I dont hold up against their standard, so be it, still not taking my belt. Hold me there until I meet the standards.

[@carterstaekwondo268]

After 5 years of HTF, simular to ITF style Taekwondo, I moved and started as instructor assistant at a school, started off as teaching as a brown belt at one school, started off as a white belt at another school and currently I run my own school. Yes I did hear you mention that the belt is not everything and yes I agree. Learning from scratch at a new school is not horrible since Mastery takes a lifetime. However, it would be difficult starting as a white belt at a new school, but if it's an another discipline or anything different, it would make sense to start off as a white belt again

[@ndshreddermn]

I had a black belt in a different martial art, went to a new gym and they started me out as a white belt at first. About a month later they let me wear my black belt.

[@noway2451]

ndshreddermn you didn't have a bjj black belt before and they just gave you one after a month? That must be some kind of record

[@damonmartin8021]

Really black belt in 1 month that’s a world record I think the fastest officially is 3yrs ish

[@abonynge]

Allowing him to wear the belt he earned in another martial art is not the same as earning a black belt in BJJ. It is a respect towards his prior accomplishments, Tae Kwon Do grandmasters often allow this if they respect the prior instructor. The rest of the school is still made aware of his current ranking in the new martial art. In the TKD gyms I have been to browns often sparred with blacks, they cared more about personal matchups, strengths and weaknesses, than the color of your belt. Your belt shows your mastery of technique, not your ability to win a fight. In any martial art, the art is the key element, BJJ often focuses on the fight. As a result I can see where that concept can easily be lost in the community.

[@MrYort13]

Been there myself, it is up to you. If you earn it its yours. If the instructor allowed you to keep it when you started he must honor it. That said I stepped all the way back to white belt rolled with many black belts and held my own. I just never felt the need to have a black belt. Trained over 10 years and still learning, but that's me.

[@thecosmicmystic]

Don't give up your belt dude! You earned it! I came back to training from 16 year layoff. Before quitting bjj I had just been awarded blue belt. But even after 16 years off mat...when I came back, new Professor recognized and honored my belt without question. Some of his brown belt students made a couple of comments, but Professor never questioned my belt and put me in rotation with other blue belts and purple belts and after a few weeks dusting off some rust, I did just fine. Only other people who questioned my belt or rather I should compete at my belt were a couple of white belts (who I would still crush even after 16 year layoff). My take is, only people who question or try to demote are less secure with something in their own situation. Never let anyone talk you out of your belt!

[@rogerdelcampo6146]

I was a purple belt when I moved to a new city and gym. I went in as a white belt an told the coach that it is his gym and his rules, if he sees fit to promote me to his standard so be it. I trained as a white belt an just kept showing up it didn't matter to me. That was 6 years ago and I am now a brown belt an still there. I guess what I'm trying to say is it's their house their rules.

[@michaeljung4398]

Roger del Campo I agree with you. If someone doesn't want to respect the school rules, they don't belong to that school. Experienced students from other schools are seldom happy with a new school. New school has new style, new people, new rules.... Not quiet happy with the new school. One of the martial arts spirit should be humbleness... By the way, BJJ is not a martial art. By definition, it is a Brazilian system of soft techniques.

[@juttingforrest6184]

Stfu! Did you grow up with two dads? Who the fuck does this!

[@spiralinglight]

Must have been fun smoking all those other white belts

[@Nikkenai]

Isnt that a bit unfair towards the other white and blue belts?

[@2dimples_dad255]

Exactly, empty your cup. Great story.

[@cagedraptor]

I fixed that issue forever ago. I enjoy training at other dojos and in fact I travel across the U.S. and train in many styles, especially the ones I don't have skills in. Even when I go to a school of my main system (not BJJ) I always wear a white belt, no matter what. Different than your topic over all because I don't stay at any one dojo but I also see both sides of this and my personal advice is if you want to train in that particular school you'll have to do it their way, even if you don't agree with it. When it comes down to it, really, it is their way your coming into not the other way around. It may suck and you may disagree but their school their rule. Plus I'm sure you can find another place. But if they all say the same thing you may need to re evaluate weather they are right or not. big enough place I'm sure you will find a fit somewhere.

[@konstantinos-antoniosbme-m6472]

Belts needed to hold the pants!!!! That's all....

[@lunam7249]

bruce lee quote!!

[@dylanl9532]

Of course you should give up the belt. It's their academy, their system and their rules. If you want to be a part of it, you should be judged by their standards not the ones from your previous academy. Would you wear a karate black belt to Jiu Jitsu? Martial arts are never about fairness. You are ready when your instructor says you are ready. I'm not saying asking somebody to take off their belt in front of other students is not a dick move. But if it was discussed discretely in a private setting before you start training there, it's acceptable. I mean it's not like you are gonna be missing that belt for long. With prior experience, you are gonna catch up real quick.

[@gatosandwichera]

Dylan L can people who practice jiu jitsu in different accademies compete with each other in official competitions?? Are those competitions organised so that people compete in the same belt ranks or is it only in sex/weight/age?? Because then moving accademies shouldnt mean that the person has to give up his belt level, at least the way i see it. I dont do jiu jitsu so i dont know

[@davekinghorn9567]

A "Belt" is not a status symbol, or some award. Its an official acknowledgement of "current" skill. The keyword here is "Current." There is NO WAY I would walk into a studio today wearing my legitimately earned colors from the 1980's. I simply do not qualify to wear them today. Belts are "earned," not awarded. Any Martial Arts practitioner accepting a belt, must be willing to re-earn ALL his belts every day of his life via perpetual training. Stop the training... Take off the belt FOREVER. Want it back? EARN it back the hard way.

[@threethrushes]

That is a good philosophy. However, consider an analogous situation in chess. Out of millions of people who play chess, around 2,000 people or less have the title 'Grand Master'. This title is earned and is for life. Even if someone stopped playing chess on the day they are awarded the title GM, they are entitled to keep that title for life.

[@blahblah2779]

F that. Don’t listen to his stupid idiot telling you to “take the high road” 😂 My belt is my belt

[@GlueFactoryBJJ]

I got my blue belt after about 18 months at my old gym, about a month before I had a knee replacement under Adriano (Nasal) Pireira of the Brazilian Top Team. The school's focus was competition and there was no such thing as "recreational/hobbyist BJJ". Heck, I even got one bronze medal at a competition. It was a hard grind every rolling session. In addition, when I started I weighed about 330lbs (5'11"). Over the course of that 18 months I eventually got down to about 250-ish. Needless to say, I was in much better shape... but I was having severe knee problems (bone-on-bone arthritis) from pre-BJJ injuries. So I got a knee replacement and never came back. Now my knee is about 95-100% and I don't even think about it anymore. It's 13 years (and a right shoulder replacement) later and I am feeling the bug again and want to start training. I'm at about 290, have fairly good cardio (resting heart rate is about 50bpm), but I'm about 2 years out from my shoulder replacement (about 75% strength/flexibility) and, at 58, I just don't want that level of grind... so I'm checking out other schools in the area. To be clear, I have ZERO interest in competition. I'm looking at BJJ as (1) exercise and (2) self-defense, in that order (but close in priority). I've found a Royce Gracie gym that I'm checking out... BUT it's been 13 years since I last rolled. I did my first class (wearing my white belt, without stripes), but, WOW!, have I lost a step (or three). I can roll well with white belts, and, OK, with the one (two stripe) blue belt I rolled with, but gassing is definitely a problem and probably will be for at least the next month to six weeks. While, technically, I did receive my blue belt, but, after 13 years off, I just don't feel right wearing it. _I've forgotten a lot_, I'm about 2-5 seconds behind in recognizing opportunities/threats, and I'm in bad BJJ shape. I can "feel" when I'm trouble, usually right away, but I don't really know exactly WHAT that trouble is, until it's too late. Same with opportunities. Heck, I got my black belt in Tang So Doo about 30 years ago, but there is NO WAY I would put it back on and/or try to teach anyone. So, what do you think about my wearing my beginning white belt rather than trying to go in as a blue belt? PS. My KZbin User ID is what it is for a reason! 😁

[@Martial-Mat]

I love your vibe but that was dreadful advice. You already accepted that there is no consistency between clubs. If that is the case, how can you possibly argue that he is worthy of taking his belt to each new place? Sure, with interclub training, keep the belt on that you earned, or if you are just an occasional guest, but once you take on a new club, you become a representative of that club's standards. A belt is only an indicator of your progress within A SINGLE CLUB. It is meaningless beyond that. That said, I have a 3rd degree black belt and went to a different club trained as a white and the guy wouldn't even even let me test for my first belt after 6 months with him. I quit.

[@sfcxxv8319]

Thank you for being my coach!

[@danielmattos2813]

Chewy. I love your channel , ur a great guy. But man ur dentist been slacking . no offense

[@jose72705]

After hearing so many stories like this , I’m so glad my gym is really nice… everyone is like a mentor in the art to me…

[@maxpaspirgilis3967]

I just injured my right Shoulder joint capsle, what shoud i do to recover as fast as possible? I have an Important judo comp comming up in 2 weeks...

[@eljonnymac]

Max Paspirgilis I would give up your belt

[@Chewjitsu]

Depends on severity. You may need rest. Stretching and corrective exercises could help as well.

[@raymondlugo9960]

How is the competition more important than healing your injury? If you re-injure the same place you may be out for even longer, right?

[@jackthedrought113]

I wish you were my bjj coach. Mine keeps me late after class for private lessons and it is basically me pulling guard repetitively.