Smashed at a Different BJJ Gym (Don’t Want my Blue Belt Promotion)

Recently our friend went to another BJJ gym for training recently and he's been bummed ever since.
During the training session at this other gym he felt like he didn't know anything. And he knows that he will be up for promotion soon at his gym. But he says he doesn't want it now.
Basically he says he is a BJJ White Belt who feels like he isn't worthy of the Blue Belt.
In this video I share my thoughts on his struggle with his upcoming belt promotion and how he feels with his BJJ training in general.
The big idea I try to share in this one is that it's a mistake to judge your whole experience and enjoyment in BJJ solely off having a tough set of rolls at another gym.
The patterns and styles are different.
I was talking to my guys about this recently. Where I explained that most of my Purple Belts give me more trouble than the Black Belts I compete against. Which isn't about technical ability per say.
If you're having a similar situation regarding feeling worthy or ready for a Blue Belt promotion. Then I hope this video is helpful.
-Chewy
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[@pekestyxx6674]

As a white belt who regularly trains with mostly non white belts this is my routine. Go to gym, eat generous servings of humble pie then go wash gi.

[@ivantamayoromero1668]

Such a relatable and underrated comment! 🙌🏾

[@tcity1278]

what to do as a white belt 101

[@joealias2594]

lol bro that's how it is, after we reopened is was like the only people who heard the gym was open again were blue belts+ who are larger than me. fun times

[@lifeisgood070]

lmao! literally exactly what I am doing right now. Get smashed. Wash gi. Get smashed. Wash gi again. White gi is turning grey lol.

[@mickbewsy7622]

Whilst constantly saying "thank you" to those that smash you.

[@Anthony_Lucca]

Yo, if you're a white belt getting smashed by purples and browns there is literally 0 shame in that. You're not really supposed to do well against them unless they want you too...

[@ThaisUndThais]

I don’t know how he could think that, when I saw the title I thought he got smashed by other white belts

[@frankp8535]

@@ThaisUndThais if he really doesnt wanna get beaten by anyone, just bring a longsword, can't armbar someone whos got a longsword 4Head

[@Anthony_Lucca]

Tientje Fieftig yeah same, I really don’t think this guy has anything to be worried about.

[@RealWolfgangTV]

@@frankp8535 dont say that to the aikido guys lmfao

[@alexschexnayder8624]

@@RealWolfgangTV as a HEMA guy I volunteer as tribute. Bring me the aikido guys.

[@timrob0420]

Bro, I'm a blue belt that gets smashed by purples and browns. Theres no shame in it. Blue belt is the hardest belt ego.wise, because now good white belts can catch me, purples, browns, and blacks smash me... and theres not the "I'm brand new" excuse anymore. But, when I look back at how far I've progressed, I would smash the old me. It's a journey of small progressions. Remember, that a mountain is made of grains of sand. And as always Chewie, you're the man. Love all your wisdom and technique videos.

[@hurricanedeuce8534]

Love this comment. Exactly where I'm at right now.

[@toreth2523]

Very well said. I'm at exactly the same place right now.

[@pedrokobuti]

"I would smash the old me" That's it. That is all that matters.

[@Culvey]

I'm not a blue belt (I actually am just a 1 stripe white belt) but its just like in wrestling, I wrestled for 13 years, but in Sr year of high school there was this dude I had to go up against that had only wrestled for 2 years, the dude caught me in the first round and was up by 6 points before the 2nd round. I was demoralized, I lost that match, but I had to compete against him again a few weeks later and I destroyed him. Just because someone is new doesn't mean they cant smash someone who isn't new on occasions. The lesson I learned from this is that self reflection and realization of my mistakes/what I could improve was a far better way to go about life and sports than by being negative about myself or doubting myself.

[@SwordTune]

@@Culvey I don't wrestle but I met a guy who was top in his school. He wrestled with the 2nd best at his school at some kind of state competition. Your defeat sound lucky. The 2nd best wrestler put on a lot more force that day. Consequence: best wrestler left with long term spine damage that could heal, but never get back to his original peak.

[@JRettMTX]

Wait, a white belt got smashed by purple and brown belts? WUUUUT

[@chadam2010]

Crazy right?

[@JRettMTX]

@Ichicinco Negrosaki Or once they did eventually get it they might as well be promoted to purple or brown!

[@quasar4601]

I was choked hard last night buy a big purple and my throat is still sore lol. I should be ok in 2 days. My groin is killing me through as one guy was double my size

[@ConeTheBoss559]

@@JRettMTX lol exactly, if you go toe to toe with a purple or brown belt your skill level is kinda at purple or brown lol

[@Ramibiker2023chief]

seriously! theres so much ego in these comments. Bruh I see it all day, blue belts get caught by white belts, purples by blues. Etc if you think youre belt color is a guarantee you are fooling yourself

[@emachilliwack5142]

Here is a quote from Renzo Gracie “My opponent is my teacher. My ego is my enemy. The only person I need to be better than is the person I was yesterday.

[@roxiereign]

"My opponent is my teacher. My Ego is my enemy," is one of the Gracie quotes on the walls of my Daniel Gracie gym. I love seeing it, even when I'm in the middle of a roll with my face eating some humble pie. :)

[@theodoric3019]

I remember when I tested for my black belt in taekwondo. After all the combinations forms self defense weapons breakings 500 pushups and sit-ups 2 mi run, I had to full contact spar five different people. I was one of the better fighters there but I lost all the matches cause I was so exhausted. Including letting a yellow belt whose never grappled take mount and put a beating on me. After I got my belt I went back to my master and handed it back to him saying I lost the fights I don't think I've earned this. My master gave it back and said no one ever wins the sparring. It's meant for two things 1 for you to never give up and 2 for you to remain humble.

[@edwardrodriguez3529]

Theodoric Congrats on that brother

[@cahallo5964]

Yeah non sport taekwondo is kinda hard (weird to find too)

[@theodoric3019]

@Chris Jones yea it was a hybrid

[@johnsprince3924]

@Chris Jones Yeah it doesn't matter if you train Teakwondo for a while because most of their blackbelts instructors are like four stripe white belts at some BJJ gym or another on the side anyway.

[@johnsprince3924]

@Mobile Games A lot of TKD blackbelts now days are kids. I think its because a lot of parents either don't know the difference between fantasy based martial arts and real self defense arts. Or they just want to put their kid in an activity, so the kid doesn't become a worthless turd, and anything will do, if its in their neighborhood, and fits their schedule.

[@nalykazule1582]

There's ALWAYS somebody better than you. No ego BJJ = best BJJ.

[@georgesellhorn7603]

So true! When you stop caring about belts and stripes the journey is so much more rewarding!

[@SwordTune]

I wish there was such thing as No ego BJJ. But the loudest and most outspoken are always the most annoying egomaniacs.

[@1980gm9]

That applies to all martial arts and fighting styles.

[@mysty0]

Those who constantly chirp on about how they have no ego or they are so good at leaving their ego at the door, they do so from a place of pride which is the natural habitat of the ego!

[@MRHIPHOPVEGAN]

Unless your rickson Gracie

[@digiprez77]

"Belt for hold up pants."

[@mikemichaels4500]

My gi pants have a drawstring.

[@adrenaline19]

@@mikemichaels4500 new Gi's sure are getting fancy.

[@thisisstraightcancerboi7063]

Belt holds Gi closed

[@KaneJohnson100]

Thank you Mr. Miyagi

[@magus1017]

I believe it’s pronounced “Belch foa hoald up pantch.”

[@Jbzero999]

There's another component to this. When I was a blue belt, our gym had a purple belt that was magical at throwing triangles. He was 6'3" with a 36" inseam and he would catch everyone, all the time, constantly. We became experts at breaking down triangles. Everyone at that gym would spend loads of time on triangle escapes, triangle avoidance. We would test our escapes out on Erik. It became a thing at that gym for weeks on end. Fast forward 6 months, a young dude, tall lanky came in and we destroyed him.. nicely.. but still. Because his whole game was predicated on the triangle. He walked into a meat grinder. Any other gym he would have been fine, but since his game was still young, he had not developed other routes and we had all recently focused on getting better at his best thing, and he got tooled up. As Chewy said, trust your coach. Belts are an award of achievement, and really only between you and your coach. If she/he thinks you've earned it, then wear it..and if not, don't.. but don't worry about it either way.

[@adadses1979]

First rule - you're always a beginner in BJJ. Second rule - always train with a smile on your face: if you finish rolling with a smile on your face, you're a winner. That's my 10 cents (obviously I've come to this conclusion by getting my ase handed to me on many an occasion ;-)).

[@soldieroftruth77]

Another possibility is that your gym’s higher belts are comfortable with you and letting you take position and control because they aren’t afraid. A combination of this and your gym’s training environment might make for pleasant rolls. A new unknown gym might have a different environment and higher belts with things to prove to a new person. Just a possibility.

[@XMartinv90x]

I believe that.

[@aqdjbcr]

Yeah his home upper belts are prolly being nice to him and he isn’t realizing it

[@lastactionhero7541]

The new place he trained might also have a culture to smash people from other gyms to prove they are better.

[@Eudamonic]

I don’t think it is a possibility. He said the guys at the new gym “toy” with him “effortlessly”. Maybe the new gym is simply better.

[@soldieroftruth77]

@@Eudamonic True but what I’m saying is that maybe the guys in his gym COULD toy with him, but they choose not to because they have nothing to prove.

[@fightnwords]

Super helpful vid, got pulled aside last night by coach and told things are looking good and he was looking at promoting me to Blue Belt. I really feel like I suck (edit: I know I suck) I felt happy but also concerned. Slept on it, woke up and saw this vid. Thanks man, appreciative of your vids/insight.

[@Chewjitsu]

You're welcome brother.

[@G-Wrath]

This is exactly me. Coach walked past last night and said “must be time to update your belt” (to blue). Seeing this video in my feed was serendipitous and just what I needed to hear.

[@svarthelikoptern]

"I am not worthy" You wouldn't say "you are not worthy" to someone else, would you? Don't say that to yourself! Treat others *and* yourself kindly.

[@threethrushes]

As an outsider, simply interested in BJJ, I can say that the process for improving in BJJ seems to be the same process for attaining fluency in a language, and mastery of any sport. I learnt a 'hard' language as an adult, and as a beginner, I could not imagine speaking it fluently. Watching other foreigners converse in it seemed like magic. Obviously, there came a point where it happened for me. Same with another highly technical sport which I started late in life (ice hockey). Repetition, hours on ice (mat), tens of thousands of pucks shot, and several years later I hang with the big dogs… and then a pro shows up at the rink, and you realise you are still a 'cone'. Disclaimer: I have never done BJJ or any MA.

[@TheSevenJr86]

You learn from failures a lot more than you do success. Also muscle memory is an amazing thing.

[@Shaka_Garami]

@Gerhard Symons That's cool that you're lurking BJJ content even though you don't train. Do you mind if I ask why you haven't given BJJ a go?

[@threethrushes]

@@Shaka_Garami Good question. I must admit, I really enjoy Chew's videos on BJJ, and watching some other documentaries about BJJ. But, it is because I can imagine how deep the rabbit hole goes which puts me off for two reasons: One is that I have invested the best part of a decade to get a level of proficiency in ice hockey. Skating, stick-handling, shooting - are skills that require thousands of thankless hours by oneself. I enjoyed the process because I knew that every hour I invested, I would improve by 0.0001 per cent. I have often thought that if I knew how difficult (and addictive) it was, I may not have started. Plus, in hockey, there are no belts - getting better is a very slow, invisible, and gradual process. Second, a man has to know his limitations. I have nothing but respect to those who have put in the effort to attain the various belts in BJJ (or any MA), but I know my limitations. My guess is that BJJ is the same - requiring thousands of hours to gain proficiency.

[@mmajunkie6122]

Gerhard Symons trust me just give it a go... U will not regret it The ability to control a body soooooooo effortlessly and knowing that if something gets out of hand u can break a persons will to fight with out hurting them is just one of the reasons why I decided to start

[@threethrushes]

@@mmajunkie6122 Thanks for the encouragement! I don't doubt for a minute how cool it must feel to have a skill that you can just use in all situations - from the moment you wake up, to the moment you fall asleep. Probably the closest thing to a superpower. I just have to be ruthless with myself, and say, "you know what - I know there are some very cool things in life that I know exist, and never tried. I tried a lot of things in my life, and I am satisfied with the sports/hobbies that I do. Taking up a new one, would inevitably mean sacrificing time to x, y, and z." Maybe this is just a massive excuse, because I have never done a martial art and I may revisit this, but I'm content to lurk for the time being. Thanks again.

[@Bighandsdown]

Had a private with a Brown belt last night. He went v easy on me was nice to feel the control he had though and was being moved about effortlessly despite being 3 stone heavier. You don't lose you learn

[@paragon1782]

Yup there is a purple belt at my gym that gently fucks me up and I really appreciate it lol

[@stevenc4477]

At my school we have a guys that are super blue and purple belts. Their jiu-jitsu is like the matrix, they'll literally submit you in slow motion lol. Some people can be extremely good at something, it is unreal.

[@Culvey]

Self reflection on your mistakes and what you can improve is instrumental in any sport, but things like BJJ require more of it than most sports I've been in.

[@SwordTune]

No. You do lose, and that's why you learn.

[@gratificationgaming4314]

Thank you coach chewy, I'm 2 1/2 years in as 4 stripe white and I've been nervous about this and this really cleared alot of things for me

[@brainrot8215]

We got this. :)

[@cadegullett8640]

Where are you now!! Hope your journey has been great

[@user-jk1vh2zi2j]

It's a lifestyle the belt does not matter. That will come with time and mat hours. You will look back when your a brown or black belt and will be shocked at the difference. Stick with it OSS!

[@jl8981]

Real talk. You get use to the same people in your gym. You get use to the same styles... the same guys moving the same way. You learn how others move. I'm currently deployed right now. My style has changed tremendously. The overall reason... every few months, there is a fresh batch of people to roll with. I never get use to the same style. I'm a 4 stripe white belt. I can never stay somewhere long enough to get promoted. I picked up my brand new white belt back in 2013. I don't care about belts. I never lose on the mat.

[@shrimuyopa8117]

The color of the belt is a reflection of what your professor/coach thinks about you, not what your actual abilities are. There is no objective measure of these belts.

[@iansinclair6256]

This is true for all martial arts that use grading and belts. There are no set standards that apply to all arts of even within the same sort of system. I think he needs to think about improving and stop putting so much focus on the belt.

[@spiritsplice]

That's nonsense. Everyone who has any skill knows what a purple belt feels like, what a brown belt feels like. If you get trashed by everyone at your own belt level then you aren't at that level yet and don't deserve the belt. Belts are not about your own personal progress. That is shitlib thinking. If that were true there wouldn't be belt divisions in tournaments.

[@shrimuyopa8117]

@@spiritsplice Ok then Go roll with some of those competition blue belts. The ones that rank in Worlds. Most black belts can't hang with those blue belts.

[@spiritsplice]

Every colored belt who wins worlds is sandbagging.

[@shrimuyopa8117]

@@spiritsplice The way a brown belt "feels" when they roll and the a purple belt "feels" when they roll is subjective. There is currently no uniform way to objectively measure a "black" belt. Also a sixty year old new black belt is going to roll totally different than a 25 year old new black belt. It's all subjective. Just take it for what it is and move along. Or find the best way to objectively measure a black belt. Some schools are trying to do it. Like Rener and Ryron Gracie. The problem becomes that anyone can memorize a technique and can game the system that way.

[@codypearson324]

this dude has the same mannerisms as elliot hulse

[@cuevasjorge93]

Cody Pearson I think it’s a good coach thing

[@karlhartwig4628]

This guy is the Eliot Hulse of martial arts!

[@Quordrell]

This is probably the single most important video of yours I have watched Chewy. Thanks so much for answering this guys question. oh and I have watched quite a few videos.. Thanks Professor! would love to come and get choked out by you one day ;)

[@jacobpeters9919]

Don't take your loses against anyone personally I'm a BJJ white-belt that goes blow for blow with low purples and high blues. I've been doing judo and wrestling from my childhood till now (7 years) and I go in every day not expecting to win or lose I don't think it about because I know I'm only getting as far as my ego will let me, and I feel that the colored belts have realized this too on their journeys. In contrast many a talented and striped white-belt that I have rolled with throw fits and get dirty when they realize they have been outmatched by someone who has the same belt as them. The ego is only a burden on ones journey to be their best them.

[@Delamthedestroyer]

That's one thing people don't always consider. That 'white belt' that gave you a hard time may have 10 years of wrestling or judo experience.

[@hendrikmoons8218]

I'm Not Ready For My Blue Belt ==> the false modesty of most blue belt and all competition blue belts. This is all because of sandbaging. What is sandbaging? It is deliberatly HOLDING BACK a students natural promotion to the next belt in order to make him undercut the competition by being overqualified in skill versus other schools. The false premesis that the blue belts of your school NEED to be submiting purple belts of EVERY other school. etc. This is fals advertising. For a blue belt, like it or not is a beginner belt. Don't take me wrong, it is exactly that, a beginner belt. What is a white belt? What is a blue belt? simple explanation: 1. White belt: a beginner, they found the door to the training dojo and started their journey. 2. Blue belt: an experianced beginner. He/she can follow simple instructions and knows the basic positions. Then what is purple belt? ==> Your first advanced belt. By sandbaging your white/blue belts BJJ creates an unhealty and dangerous enviroment for ALL BEGINNERS imo. Letme expand on that for clarification: If you train 4/6 days a week there is NO WAY besides sandbaging that you schould not be a blue belt. At that training level, NOBODY is that incompetent to not earn the blue belt. I have seen folks training like this and be a white belt for THREE years! Why?! Just how incompetent do you take that white belt for? Also you are overestimating the second beginner belt, the blue one. Then it becomes worse. You are now training 3/5 years 6 days a week possibly up to 10 times par week. As a beginner... Good for you but realise 3 years (white) + 5 years (blue) is 8 years, as a noob (that is what your belt color indicates). If your teacher was any honest to you and the BJJ governing body would actualy do it's job at grading students, these guys would have EARNED their brown belt by now. This brings me to the biggest issue I have with BJJ and the low belt sandbaging dishonesty. White belts are notoriously dangerous for spazing out and flailing about, because they need a win. Blue belts have a competition chip on their shoulders that does not alowe them to lose. Since their technieque is still far from perfect, they overcompensate with an abundance of fysical might. If the armbar does not make you tap to me, I'll simply 'overcranck' that armbar ever so slightly sideways and now you tap or snap. Most accidents in BJJ happen with or because of white/blue belts sparring. They could spar, but light sparring, little force. That would be a heck of a lot safer, but it will not win them a trophy to show to their club/proffesor. I'm Not Ready For My Blue Belt ==> EVERYBODY that trained that hard for 6/9 months should be blue, unless you are completely parapleptic AND lobotomised. I still am not a fan of hardcore competitions for blue or white belts. Leave that to purple. Maybe promote the more agresive youngsters early to purple. So you can keep your true white/blue belts from the hospital. I love competition, but there is a time and a place for all of that. And it is not at the start of your martial arts journey. It is this mindset in BJJ that keeps me as a Judoka from training BJJ. At the curent, if I were to start in BJJ, I would have up to 8 years of fighting for my wellbeing against little trained maniacs that are out for just another win. No mather the cost. I feel safe training with purple belts and upward. Why? They do not have the need to take my head off. They just submit me in the technieque they are training that week. Like I said, I love Juyjitsu, I'm a Judoka myselve, but man, the first 8 years in BJJ look to me as a guarantied trip to the hospital. Not because off BJJ, but because of competition blue belts wanting to win at all costs. Even denying their own promotions. This makes them a danger to all other beginners. Please BJJ, fix this.

[@HONDAKING4551]

Fresh purple belt here, 125lbs... 29 yr old male, I visited a local gym in my area, got smashed by a 4 stripe white belt tapped out and even guillotined by a girl who I presume was a blue belt. Since I was visiting I tried to start the rolls extremely passive and chill, which in turn didn't work out too great as the people I rolled with went 10/10 A game ADCC worlds aggression and I felt awkward to match that aggression being a visitor so I remained submissive. I'm a small dude so it isn't exactly easy for me to control the rolls any way I want to! If it's go time it's go time..and I need to be going full speed to be effective. Should I have just turned it right up to 11 and smashed them ? Or did I do the right thing by essentially submitting to blue and even white belts!

[@lucasr9737]

Hi chewie. I’m from Brazil. I really like to play half-guard and guard in general. But I’m afraid that I’m not preparing myself for self defense because I’m always playing on my back. Should I start playing a passing/ takedown game as my main game to prepare myself better?

[@LB-gr5se]

Also asking this

[@gxtmfa]

Yes

[@Pric3less1]

For self defense, my philosophy is of the following. 1) If you have a weapon then use it, whether it be a pistol, knife, brass knuckles, or hell even a rock, you should use it. 2) Try to stay on your feet at all times. I know this is contradictory of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (and other grappling arts) but I believe the best thing a martial artist of any style could do is to remain on their feet so they can peep their surroundings, their environment, and run if possible as you never know what may happen. 3) As far as take downs and passing goes, I would definitely agree on that in terms of working and perfecting your top game. I also feel like it would be beneficial for you to work on your escapes and sweeps from various positions. 4) I personally recommend that you work on your Knee On Belly position as I personally believe that Knee On Belly is the best position to be in for a street fight because you can control your adversary, you can joint lock him, you can choke him, you can punch him, if he tries to sit up then you can elbow him, plus he can't grab you, hold you down with him to the ground in case he has friends, he can't take anything from you such as a weapon you may have nor can he reach behind your back where his hands will be out of sight. He can do this if you have side control or mount but none of this is possible if you have Knee On Belly. Also, on a side note, I want you to understand that punches change everything. I know a lot, and I mean a lot of BJJ guys who are black belts (or advanced in general) but are not used to getting punched in the face. One of my old coaches once said to me in regards to Jiu Jitsu, "if you can punch a black belt several times in the face and he can't stop you from doing so, you'll turn him into a brown belt, keep on punching him and he'll turn into a purple belt, if he still can't defend your punches then you'll turn him into a blue belt, not much longer after that and he'll be a white belt all over again." It takes a lot of mental toughness to be able to keep a calm and solid frame of mind to stick to a sweep or escape while someone is raining punches down on you on the concrete somewhere. I had a few buddies who quit BJJ who were white and blue belts because they got fucked up by a few meat heads out in the street. And it's not like these friends of mine were bad or anything, they were pretty good actually, but they just weren't mentally tough. I'd suggest you get into an MMA class if you want to get a better understanding of Jiu Jitsu without strikes vs Jiu Jitsu with strikes.

[@misery2596]

Just make sure you can get to mount from guard

[@Pric3less1]

Nark ish yup. Sit Up sweep or the Scissors Sweep are probably the easiest to do on someone who doesn’t have a good base when in a self defense situation

[@rontedee8059]

One blue belt to another. I used to think that way and it was because I had this expectation of having to be above lower belts to feel accomplished. Rank and belt level can easily become an ego game. Don't play it. Don't even look at their belt color. Just look at their movements. One guy is much stronger and he likes to mount you? Focus on a solid trap/roll and knee elbow game. One guy loves closed guard and you feel trapped? Keep your elbows tight and posture up. Every second they have a hard time off balancing you or controlling you in one position, that's a victory right there. Eventually, you'll laugh at the idea of being mounted and closed guard won't be an issue. But then other positions are gonna kick your ass just like mount and guard did. Rinse and repeat. Learn. Next thing you know you're purple. But solid blue belts can still eat you for breakfast. When you think you're escaping mount, they're doing somersaults and taking your back. 😂😂 Don't fall into ego. This is chess. Keep climbing brother. 👍

[@HighlyPotent34]

As a newly promoted blue belt i needed to hear this.

[@SasquatchTX]

The color of a belt is a snapshot of a students level in a given art. It is not the sum of skill or strength or experience. In a TKD tournament yesterday I fought in 2 divisions, my 2nd was an over 35yr old division. The advanced belt division was light, so they threw a purple belt in with us. Guy was a beast. Hes also practiced other martial arts. He won our match. He had good power amd skill, and brought more than TKD to the table. It was a great match, it was my 4th back to back fight. He was fresh. He was in beast mode and took 1st place. Don't feel bad if a lower or higher rank wins. Its a competition, not a fight to the death. Have fun, work on your technical skills.

[@cptnapaplm]

I dont train in BJJ but I love hearing your motivational talks like this one. Keep up the great honest content!

[@Boogiedeguilboogie]

I cant thank you enough for this video. I feel a lot more confident now. I'm a 2 stripe blue belt, and I feel all those feelings when I roll every pretty much everyone. Getting smashed. I get so bent when I cant put away a white belt.. as well as when a purple n brown just toys with me. But thank you for your wisdom. Oss!

[@marcuscarothers1680]

“And I’ll explain why”. You’re goddamn right you will, Chewy. Love you

[@franciscoramos7339]

You will never feel ready for your next belt... Me included. Trust your professor(s) when you get promoted. They know and see things that we don't. They've been through alot more and enjoy the next chapter of the journey....

[@MikeVieira]

Also know that it's normal to not feel worthy. Just push that feeling aside. Have fun and keep learning!

[@PeteOrta]

At this guy’s home gym, the darker belts probably allow him to work. But whenever you go to another gym, they typically smash visitors.

[@Joker806HAHAHAHA]

Im going through something similar right now thanks for this

[@teocochrane]

Im in the same situation but my next promotion is to purple belt 😮

[@Chewjitsu]

Been there before!

[@JakobPuchmayr]

thanks for the video. I will be promoted to blue belt soon and don‘t feel ready at all😅 but I feel more motivated to train, so I will be able to justify the blue belt for myself!

[@luanbenjamin]

i can relate to this 100%, it took a long time for me to accept that white belts would tap me out "im a blue belt" the night i received my blue belt we started rolling and i was tapped out by a couple of white belts LOL. was super down about it at the time. what helps me now if i get tapped out by a white belt, i try to think about why that happened and what mistake i made to let them tap me.

[@davidverdugo6266]

So a soon to be blue belt got toyed with by purple and brown belts? Ya thats how it should go hahaha. Dude has 2 yrs bjj and a purple belt has atleast 4yrs probably 5 or 6. 2-3x more experience is huge.

[@jmnQ]

Getting promoted to a blue belt next Monday nervous because I actually really don't feel like I deserve it I feel like I'm really lacking on my take downs and offenses my defense is amazing since I'm always on the bottom even a blue belt told me that my defense was really good I took the compliment but I really feel like I should stay as a white belt

[@tomdavis8995]

Great video chewy, Just got my blue belt after over 2 years on the mat, and definitely feel unworthy every time I tie it up. Competed 5 times at white, 3 medals and was tapping blues in the gym regularly but when it finally came I felt like an imposter. Won’t feel comfortable with it for a while but if your instructor thinks your ready, you’re ready 🤙🤙🤙

[@Delamthedestroyer]

I think as white we put so much kudos on the blue belt. Partly because some deadly blues that we roll with have had that belt for a few years and are chasing purple. All it means in BJJ terms is that you have a good knowledge of the basics. That's what I'm telling myself because just about to step on the mats again as a blue belt after a 10 year absence...

[@kenn.alexander]

Also, some instructors produce better students. In the city I live there are dozens of BJJ gyms but only two are internationally known and consistently produce high level competitors. Depends on what someone is in it for. If the goal is to compete and win, find the school that produces champions. If its for self defense, fitness, anything besides competition, pick the gym that fits your personality.

[@lewisb85]

I always love the talk guy ritchie gave about a "feral gym" and how when he goes to another gym people will see his black belt and the first thing they think is "let's see how good he is?" So he has purple and brown belts going out of their way to try and smash him, he talks about all the people at these other gyms have to go on is what it says on your belt.

[@baliche]

I have this problem with Judo. It is the biggest and longest lesson Judo has been teaching me. Thanks man

[@HansDavidian]

Are you sick, Chewy? Your voice kinda cracks.

[@conor-_C]

Rolling with purple and brown of course your going get smashed

[@stevenmarsden5701]

Wise words, after 20 years rolling, this is so true, it’s about how you feel rolling, it’s a bit like a frog in water that’s been heated, the frog never jumps out of the pan because the frog never notices the incremental increases in heat, the same with rolling. When you have rolled with the same people, just like Professor says, you get used to people, while still improving. It’s what you learned when you roll, that’s the real win, even if it’s “keep your friends close but your elbows closer “, ha, ha

[@jamiepierceall2919]

Just got promoted to blue belt last night and was thinking the exact same thing. Thanks for the video.

[@tmcgrenere]

A similar thing happened to me 25 yrs ago. I got smoked in saskatoon by a karate white belt. I dropped my McDojo karate black belt on the floor and bowed and left, embarrassed.

[@basedchris8784]

Do you ever wish you could roll against past you

[@StevenOyston]

I'm really enjoying my speech to training, I'm often decline rolls with people, keep a list of people who use strength over tech. Never roll 100% always keep it light and flowy with the intention of executing technique only, you will get tapped but that's ok, rest and start again. These people are not your opponents, they are your partners, so focus only on position, transition and arrangement, forget about learning subs, it's a waste of time to learn a sub if you cannot set it up without strength.

[@tristanclaxton9329]

How-do-you-do That Chewy Every time I need advice It seems like only the videos I need to see are suggested I was promoted About 3 months ago Asked myself the same question every day

[@matthewhusss]

nice video chewy. my favorite part of promotion time at the gym is how happy everyone is for everyone else. everyone congratulating everyone else and taking pics and just enjoying that moment. when the dust settles and people have their new stripes or belts, it's just back to the grind and everyone realizes they still have tons to learn, but the actual promotion time is such a cool celebration that brings everyone together.

[@Delamthedestroyer]

It always feels like such a cool special occasion eh. I didn't get mine at a promotion night. Was handed it at the end of a class after my instructor had given a talk to the white belts about not giving up... Felt awesome.

[@mixck]

I'm not training BJJ but I can relate much what you say in your videos in Muay Thai and other martial arts that I have practiced 🙏 Great video!

[@deafanddestructiononthepis3149]

Take the belt out of regard for the safety of others if you feel unworthy of it yourself. It's important to honor you rank. That school might have an asshole instructor that scarcely promotes anyone. My BJJ instructor was like that, we had a lot of white belts who should have been blue I think but some instructors fear thier blue belts will want to switch gyms. Anyway out of respect for yourself, and especially out of respect for others you should rank up and take your belt. Thats my opinion about stuff like that. Solid vid

[@kirkbrackmann6385]

I felt exactly like that after receiving my blue belt and completing in my first tournament. Awesome video big dog! Thank you!

[@E3DCell]

Bjj has taught me, patients and to know that failure is a part of growing. Never have experianced this type of humility till now. Thanks for the post.

[@scottbolen3996]

Well said! We all have areas for improvement in our BJJ! By never giving up and staying focused with help us accomplish that journey!

[@kroniclenny]

You're a legend, Chewy! Thank you so much for this video. It's really helped me to get some perspective on my current situation (blue belt at a new gym mostly getting smashed). I will try to focus on just turning up to each training session.

[@drawwithbeektor6329]

Thank you, Chewy. Great video and at the perfect time for what seems like a lot of people. Me included.

[@Ed-tc2pg]

All depends, I come from a mixed background. So my angles would seem new and odd. That should not destroy your or my confidence it's just different. You learn for me , I learn from you and at the end of the day we are both better.

[@divanavitch]

Well spoken buddy. Thanks for the positive vibes. Need it in these time. ❤️👍👊

[@drthomasmccaindvm]

Thanks professor! I have been feeling exactly like this regarding moving to purple belt.

[@rockhoya10]

This guy is great. Love all his videos. I don’t understand how on any video, regardless of how great it is, there are always a few who dislike the video. Smh

[@maxporter3756]

WOW this happened to me a few weeks ago but it was after I got my blue belt

[@markuscwatson]

Another great video, Chewie. Much appreciated.

[@Stuffandstuff974]

I had my first roll last night. For reference I'm a no stripe white belt. It was with a blue belt. A bit more info I'm ex army. Iraq and Afghanistan veteran and autistic. Very athletic but out of shape currently. The blue belt, who is female (that's not an issue for me, I just thought it's noteworthy) smashed me. She showed me just how little I actually know from how much I thought I knew. But she also gave me lesson in trying to think under stress. It was amazing and she has shown me how far I still need to go. Although I did better than I thought I would and although I still got smashed i still performed better than the man who first walked into the gym would have done

[@MansterBear]

It also could be the higher belts he rolls with at his gym know him, and want to help him get better and allow him to learn. Where as the higher belts at that other gym saw him more as an outsider coming in and wanted to show they have a good gym and earned their belts.

[@melo15813]

I thought he was gonna say he got toyed with by other white belts and blue belts at the other gym. No shit purple and brown belts will toy with you haha what does he think a blue belt means?

[@joealias2594]

"to say you're not worthy of something, seems like you either don't love yourself, or you don't feel confident in yourself" shit just got real. This is how it is. I relate to this questioner and this line of thinking. To me, Jiu-Jitsu is a way of realizing that things are actually going to be ok. Sometimes i feel horrible and blame myself, but then I just keep coming and training and things are cool.

[@JohnnyYeTaecanUktena]

Sometimes you can feel that you are not worthy because it was supposed to be a prize for people in the top 3 of a event but sadly in the division you were in there were only 3 adults competing. Like i refuse to wear my striped Orange belt because it feels like a participation trophy and not something i earned and i got 3rd in all of the adult events my dad got first in weapons and second in forms and he does not understand why i refuse to wear the belt i keep telling him "I did not fucking earn it". All the belt did was signify that it was a competition belt and the person wearing it did well in a competition be it locally or otherwise yet i got 3rd in all events and draw in the stupid point competition which i never liked that part as its like you hit then you back up it ruins the flow of combos and is really fucking stupid. Like i actually regret partaking in that tournament sure i tell people that i know i would never meat again that i placed for 3rd in a tournament but i am not going to tell them that there were only 3 people in the part i was in and i wanted to only do the fighting not the stupid forms or weapons i like to fight not show off however i only indulged them with it as there was not enough people to begin with only two as schools and dojos did not have many adults in them

[@HallowTree1031]

Listening makes me compare Jiu-Jitsu to dragon Ball lol. Just think about it

[@HallowTree1031]

@Ichicinco Negrosaki I see as if BJJ and the journey of coming up from a white belt can compare to the story and journey of people in DB. For example Gohan fighting Cell is like a growing blue belt fighting a brown belt catches him. Another example, When Goku uses ultra instruct I see him as a coral belt see techniques happen before they do. Get what I'm saying? Who should I say Saiyan

[@bobbydabutcha]

For all the white to blue belts out there watching this video, I'd say relax and give yourself some credit. A (new) blue belt is a white belt that learned the basics, both enough to defend and attack, a few solid go-to submissions, a few favorite guard passes & sweeps, your shrimps and hip escapes are crisp, you are able to tie movements together smoothly ie: Knee slice, side control, knee on belly, baseball bat choke etc. In other words, you can handle yourself on the mats WITH CORRECT TECHNIQUES AND ACTUALLY USE PROPER JIU JITSU. No one cares if you win or lose a roll if your techniques stink. It'll create bad habits and you'll never truly progress. Bad habits like one arm in one arm out in guard, bad posture in guard, no active toes, don't understand nor apply correct pressure, don't know how to apply or use pins properly, using sheer brute force on submissions that clearly aren't there, going for cross collar chokes in SOMEONE ELSES guard, somersaulting over guard etc. All if not most of the weird things you did as a white belt, the instructor can plainly see and he/she can also see if they're been ironed out yet or if you lose your cool and resort back into a spazzy white belt under pressure of a higher belt. In training, it's better to try and use proper technique rather than force your way into a "win" because even though you "won" that round, do it long enough and you'll just hit a brick wall because those antics will no longer work and you'll be right back where you started. Crappy techniques and crappy Jiu Jitsu! lol. For MMA, obviously the rules change a little but in terms of the Martial art, correct form and technique is usually non-negotiable.

[@GonG108]

2.5 years is no time for learning a martial art you should take a look at you after 5 or 7 years . be more patient it pays out

[@camilomejaaguas8830]

When i got promoted took me a while to get used to being a blue not till i rolled at other gyms and rolled with there blue belts n some smashed me but i did realy good and even summited. Others and i was able to survive a little longer with purple belts that made me feel like ok i realy am a blue nos lets keep training and get better

[@camilomejaaguas8830]

Now*

[@bigreg47]

Hi Chewy, funny that's how I'm feeling lately. New blue late 2020. I'm having a hard time trying a sweep, much less a Sub. And that's with higher white belts. Really!! Like I should of just stayed at a white belt level! I'm wondering why I even been promoted. The only thing that I can see working. Is giving the higher level blue and one or 2 purple belt a hard time defending there Sub. That's it. It's not my ego, it's not about winning. For me it's about getting better. Am I really getting better. I dont think so. I'm ready for any advice smack down. Lol love guy's thanks. Blue belt blues lol

[@SsWargazmSs]

I heard I think a quote for Nick Saben. I'll paraphrase. "Don't be results focused. Focus on the process and the results will just show up. Good results if you're focusing on the process." I thought that was weirdly applicable here. ✌

[@davebond7380]

Thanks chewie. Dave 50 years young maybe a blue belt next week. Not sure I'll get it or if I'm good enough. One thing is for sure is ill keep plugging away. Tony Bebington bjj Liverpool UK oss

[@toughfff712]

I think the biggest issue with promotion from white to blue belt is lose of identity. As a white belt, you can hide behind the the color and excuse your mistakes. Being a tough white is better then a bad blue. Also with there being only 4 belt promotions, moving to blue looks.loke a 25% jump. When in reality it is only about. 10-15% jump.

[@jonathanweinzierl4125]

When your coaches (black belts) say, you deserve your blue belt but every third white belt ist tapping you out easily... Then you should really question, if you really deserve the blue right? No, I'm not weaker, smaller or something than the rest.

[@garybolenable]

As a three-stripe, 51 year old white belt, I do well against purple belts... as long as they are letting me work positions to see if I am learning from what is being taught in class, but whenever they want to do so, they can turn our roll into a non-stop arm bar/choke-fest! Purple belts are no joke. I've seen younger, stronger, heavier white belts try and power/spaz out against a purple belt and just watch the smaller purple belt calmly work out of whatever stupid shit the new white belt was trying and then whompt the 'ef out of the new white belt.

[@Nomadlifeoffour]

I just got my Purple and got Smashed at another Gym (I travel for work and train at 2 gyms) This video is great as I am second guessing myself! Haha! Thank You!

[@AlienWebguy]

Sounds like the purple belts at his home gym are giving him their B game, or even their C game, and the purple belts at the other gym weren’t about to risk anything on some guest and took care of business. I’m 100% sure the home gym purple belts could smash this dude just as bad if they wanted to. Odds are they just use him to work on stuff they never get to try on other purple belts.

[@Geminias]

White belt wondering why he can't beat purple and brown belts... come on dude, get real. Even at 2.5yrs, they've got thousands of hours on you. Roll as well as you can, get posture, breathe, get beat and try to learn something in the process. If you are going to compare yourself to their school, at least compare how you do against other white belts.

[@duanjuandelanooch9721]

Feel this, stopped training at 17 a month after receiving my purple belt, came back after 2-3 years and gets handed my brown belt after 4 months of training again and i never felt so unworthy in my life. Personally still feel like a blue belt tbh.

[@alexwebb6779]

Great video Chewy

[@luccasdubai]

LOL, I'm a purple belt, promoted recently, I can smash any white belt, I don't though, I want them to learn, and improve, but if they are being to "agressive" or they think that they have a chance, I'll smash them. And thats the same thing the black belts in my gym do to me lol

[@Lucyopps]

hey well exactly what you said why can't he judge his experience from the one session? I mean you learn jiu jitsu to fucking defend yourself and if there's a time when you need to your not gonna be able to roll with some thug for hours or in a competition rather than being able to successfully take something me down on the fly, quick instinct. That just seems more realistic it's fun and all that but is it that much of a fucking game or are we learning this for real intentions. Your whole point about believing yourself yeah I don't think that's the advice dude was asking for he mentioned nothing about that just that he got beat by someone he didn't know. If I was that dude I'd think you didn't help

[@tauneutrino1able]

I'd say as long as you're not in a "Mc"dojo where they just promote for $, TRUST your coach/sense as they believe in you and that you're ready!

[@DDIAZ-we4dz]

higher belts can always play with you. in your gym they are just nice to you. in another gym often they will just use you as cannon fodder. they have no need to be nice to you. i appreciate the upper belts at my gym for letting me work. but ive seen them go 100 percent. they would absolutely DOG me if they did even half that.

[@JakeV.]

Thanks Chewie, I really needed this video.

[@judomorgan5530]

I tell people all the time, you may lose to a guy in a tournament that you are actually better than because you aren't used to what they are good at or never see it. I lost The Judo State Tournament to a brown belt in 2018, I trained with him at his gym, & if that match happened 20 times, I would have won 19 of them.

[@FerDensetsu]

I'm a 4 stripe white belt and still getting smashed by upper belts, but one thing I know for sure: my former self from day one would get absolutely destroyed by me at this very moment, and that's enough for me to feel accomplished.

[@grayalun]

I'm a pretty mediocre white belt but I think it depends on the person's style as much as anything. if you are a top pressure guy and the person you are rolling with is great at sweeps you can end up on your back more which might not be your game, or similarly the reverse but someone else's style might play to your strengths. I'm terrible off my back trying to play it more, I'm getting smashed but I am getting better albeit slowly. The temptation is to look at others progress when judging your own. Thing is they might be naturally more gifted or physically gifted or just have more time to train and so progress faster as long as your improving then you'll get there in the end.

[@torque1718]

I remember the first purple I tapped. I was a blue. I didn’t think much of it because he was my friend who started with me. He advanced faster and definitely put more time in then I did. But. I’ve rolled with him the most compared to anyone else. So yea. I was used to him.

[@philipholman1713]

Promotions without merit are popular in many Martial arts schools. It's a business. Business is keeping students coming back therefore student "earn" stripes or belts based on a time spent training business model not on merit. Saw it in my school saw it in its sister school. Very few people can handle being told they are not good enough to promote so they get down on themselves and quit. Instructors paying rent somewhere can't have that so this is what you get.

[@Jindsing]

Some guys are better than others, that doesnt mean he shouldn't accept a promotion. Does he know the curriculum? Can he perform and teach it? If so, accept the promotion.

[@xarlockshowtochannel1033]

Belts are there to entice children to train harder. Real martial artists train for themselves and their own betterment. Do that. Let your coach or whatever worry about what your belt is. The ONLY belt you should strive for is one won in a prize match IF you go down that route.

[@waltblackadar4690]

Some gyms are less friendly to newcomers and those gyms make it a point to go harder against newbies. They do this for a multitude of reasons. Ego is a big one with a gym trying to prove their better than anyone else. Others think that going hard on a newbie will attract new guys when those new people see how much better this new gym is over their old one. Or you could simply be working on a technique that they've been working on for months but is brand new to you. So yeah, don't feel bad getting busted during one visit.

[@iskate40]

after going to a 10th planet gym I felt like a 1 strike white belt