I'm not worthy of my next Jiu Jitsu belt - Impostor Syndrome

[@barebonesacoustic3956]

Rener and Ryron’s Boyd Belt Scale changed everything for me. 20 pounds =+1 Belt 10 Years =+1 Belt

[@andrewmc2445]

Rationally as a new 50 year old purple - I know that the 23 year old Blue who weighs the same, trains each day and lives for BJJ it continues to be disheartening to get smashed that said - the first time I tapped a purple as a blue (they were my age and weight) - was the first time I sort of felt I'd levelled up my solution to reducing the damage to my ego is to turn all the white belts down 🤣

[@coldsmokepwrstroke]

I don’t think 20lb is a whole belt level personally

[@barebonesacoustic3956]

@ what belt are you?

[@richkrupansky1339]

Conversation I needed to hear.

[@danilecashin4126]

RICK …. This is one of your best videos you have ever put out. Excellent mindset for all jiu jitsu enthusiasts/ fighters. Play the long game and just be better than you were before class dint compare yourself with others. Excellent work 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 fireman Dan

[@kracylatin01]

Im 54 and I just got my brown belt and feel the same way that 47 year old does . I also have the imposter syndrome I’m glad you put into a new perspective I will try that keep up the good Work a long time subscriber

[@FR-ty5vn]

Great discussion, Rick - got my brown belt a little over a month ago and sure enough I’ve been waffling between imposter syndrome and feeling deserving - A few things I’ve learned over the years is, 1) Trust my coach’s judgment (as you mentioned) - I do without reservation; 2) Don’t chase the belts, work to develop the skills associated with that next belt level; 3) My brown belt is based on my own personal potential i.e. my brown belt level is not exactly the same as Gordon Ryan’s or Roger Gracie’s but very very close 😂; 4) Win, lose, or draw…learn from it; 5) Just do your best - you’ll tap a lot of people and you’ll get tapped as well, it all depends who you’re going up against (I’m 190 lbs and about to turn 58) - still do well against the young bucks but sometimes get caught as well - learn to see it all as part of your training.

[@EliteForceLHP]

Well said, my friend! 🙏

[@FR-ty5vn]

@@EliteForceLHP Thanks 🙏, brother!

[@mondesic]

I’m 48 years old. Got my black belt 1 month ago. 15 year journey on and off. I’ve had 3 surgeries. 2 knees that feel great now, neck surgery that left my right hand with limited movement in my thumb so instead of gripping now I have adapted to just putting pressure where I need to (inspired by Jean Jacque and Braulio Estima) and it turns out to be extremely effective. Someone asked my how does it feel to get your Black Belt. It feels great in so many aspects especially when I take my 2 young boys to the tatami to train but in regards to my Jiu Jitsu it feels like I actually got worse! 😂. Some days you are the hammer some days you are the nail. I do know that us older guys are an inspiration to all the younger guys and anyone that doesn’t do Jiu Jitsu. It’s the life style that you should love and enjoy! Osssss

[@leaoaugusto]

Contratos on your Black belt. I just got my brow belt.

[@robmaviglia8568]

Tnks 4 this video : I'm a "new" Blue Belt of 50 years, and I'm still struggling with the sensation of not deserving my belt. Your words are useful... Oss :)

[@rollingrenegade11]

I didn't start until I was 52. I am older than everyone at the gym except 1 coach. I am slow. I am not an athlete. I would like to eventually get a blue belt but I don't want a mercy promotion either.

[@seansampson1927]

I'm a 52 year old 2 stripe blue..., choose your rolls, and remember, it's all about Tom....Time On the Mat. Keep coming and keep your ego off the mat. Just last week my friends 16 year old orange belt son caught me with a beautiful darce choke. Accept and learn 😅

[@rollingrenegade11]

@seansampson1927 appreciate that

[@TheMborax]

52 yr old starter here too. Your prof will promote you when he thinks you're ready. Trust him and that decision..and forget about the belt. It will come. Focus on skill acquisition, not beating others. Roll, have fun, and stay with it. Belts are subjective. Skill acquisition and health are priorities. Enjoy the ride!

[@rollingrenegade11]

@TheMborax I don't think about beating others...usually because I can't at thus point 😁

[@jeep4x4greg]

44, been at it 4 years now. Slow, have old chronic injuries, dont move fast, not as big and strong as others. AND im a realy slow learner of bjj. Got my blue a year ago, one stripe recently. Just keep doing it and roll chill, you arent 20

[@andrewkoehler4541]

I actually commented on the person who sparked this video. It is such a common feeling. Even amongst the good guys, apparently. I tried to tell myself today, it's just me and my regular training partners.... What does it matter if they tap or crush me. It's my social life and these people are my like minded friends. My ready made excuses are old(50) small (A1) shift worker (tired) etc...... Brown Belt from Australia!!! Great video. On point!!! 🤙🏼🔥👂🏼

[@itscork]

Another great video Rick. You often give that perspective calibration talk at the best times. I’m a 57 year old 4 stripe blue and I’m honestly terrified of purple. As the oldest guy in my school I get my ass handed to me nearly every class. Last month my coach asked if I was ready for promotion and I told him I need to get better. I’m a 2nd Dan in another discipline so I don’t really have the belt driven ego but I just don’t wanna suck. Being a crappy blue doesn’t seem nearly as intolerable as being a crappy purple. Damn it…..I’ve gotta get better.

[@brianrita03]

Thanks for the perspective here, Rick. I’m a 71 year-old 2 stripe blue belt. The Boyd belt example is very helpful.

[@jeredsizemore3108]

props to you for training at that age! Truly inspirational.

[@TheloniusJ]

I’m a 54 year old black belt and you (and guys like you) are my hero. Seriously. When I see someone much older than me at a lower belt, it helps me have perspective on my own challenges. I personally constantly have to remind myself of the Boyd belt math. It helps. I’m also only 160 lbs and currently very much a low training volume hobbyist and train at a very high level gym, so even good purple belts can give me problems. Anyway, use this as a way to give yourself a break and thank you again for training. Your mere presence on the mat is an inspiration.

[@tonylintunen7039]

Thanks for this! I'm a 49 year old 4 stripe brown belt. I really needed to hear this!

[@fat2fitdad758]

Thank you!! My 49 year old 3 stripe blue belt ass needed to hear this!!

[@armyofficer11a]

48 year old, 3 stripe blue brother - nice to meet ya ;-) on a similar journey!

[@govindathompson2043]

Great topic and really nicely presented. Thank you for this! I really like the idea of the belt being a representation of how far you yourself have come on your personal Jiu Jitsu journey as opposed to a measure against other people of the same belt. Like you mentioned, there are so many variables in peoples lives that do not make all people of a certain belt equal.

[@andrewmc2445]

I agree with the two belt difference - I feel at purple, and 50 years old - athletic white belts under 30 after about 6 months they know enough to be a problem the solution for me has been to let go of the outcome - its not important - no one cares

[@pinoy413]

Im a Black Belt and still feel imposter syndrome. Everything in this video is 100% spot on. To parallel on the things you've said, from Chris Hauter, "It's not who's good. It's who's left"

[@jasonsatterlund]

This was great. Perfect timing after getting beaten so bad last week that I wanted to quit. I watched this and the voice inside my head kept saying, "Yeah, you say that now, Rick, but you haven't seen me roll. If you did, you'd agree that I suck." Haha.

[@guyzagurskystudio8134]

Thank you very much for these words. I was just promoted to purple belt .and as 52 year old amateur jiu jitsu player you have no idea how relevant this conversation is to me right now.

[@Cindy_istopforheartrocks]

"Your belt is a representative of you vs the old you." #lovethat 65 YO Brown Belt Training since 58 YO I think starting older has helped me not expect my belt journey to look like that of the young guns. I didn't expect it to get exponentially harder every year older i get though and the closer I get to black to need so much recovery time. Adjusting for sure. Just surprised. Super grateful it's my Professor who decides my belt ranking readyness and not me. I respect that he will not give me a mercy belt. 🙏

[@TheArtofSkill]

Indeed, recovery gets harder every year.

[@Djudo-q9x]

I test for my purple belt in the spring, I'll definitely keep that in mind

[@omargraham8591]

14:02 i love this perspective 👍🏾

[@vincechanhealthy6373]

Every single old guy on the planet needed this! That includes me.

[@jaimepardo]

I’m 57 & i’ve been a blue belt for 3.5 years. I get smashed by everyone and it sucks. I’ve been close to quitting a couple of times but I’m not done yet. I don’t think I’m close to purple belt but right now I don’t want to be promoted either. I told my coach that and he put his hand on my shoulder, smiled and said “You do realise you will have to be a purple belt at some point” 😂. Currently my strategy to keep training is to lower my expectations of myself. When I was trying to be “good at bjj” I started to get down on myself because in my own mind I wasn’t any good. People younger than me, who started training years after me have overtaken me in skill & rank & if I said that didn’t hurt my self esteem I’d be lying. I’m just trying to focus on having fun right now & we’ll see where I end up 🤷🏻‍♂️ Great video and very timely for me

[@brandonbrinson5521]

I’m not a jiu-jitsu practitioner but I do train in a hybrid system of fighting and this video spoke to me so much. Almost like God brought me to it. I’ve struggled with feeling worthy of the belt but constantly try to remember to always strive to be better than I was before. I’m like the guy you mentioned. I’m in my 40s with a wife and two sons working full time plus OT daily and I teach a kids class on top of working with adults too. It’s a lot and I don’t always have energy to train on my own. This video spoke to me and I appreciate you taking the time to talk about this subject. Belts are a way of showing a level of achievement, but sometimes we get hung up on them instead of just putting in the work, and being better and better.

[@Minx717]

I 100% agree. I have always seen belts as a sign of your personal journey. I’m a 52 year old 4 stripe brown belt and I really agree with your last sentiment about rolling with less intensity. The harder people go the softer I get. I don’t want to fight fire with fire. I won’t be able to keep up. I just stay safe, find my spots and execute when I can.

[@LucharPS]

Always enjoy the perspective

[@h2tym]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I had no idea how much I needed to hear it.

[@porkysugrim]

Awesome video! 👏👏👏 whenever I’m feeling the imposter syndrome starting up in my head I always counter it by asking myself “well, are you going to quit?” And that immediately makes me feel better because for me quitting is ALWAYS worse than any temporary negative feeling

[@mybjj9643]

Words of wisdom. Great advice.

[@markconradsen2391]

Thanks Rick! Insightful as always

[@hedialaya3230]

Trust your coach on this.

[@blankbandits]

Great discussion.

[@dmichaelpage]

I'm just going to leave this tab open for, well, probably forever. I'm 52, got my brown belt a little over a year ago, and have a harder time than I like with the younger, faster purples, and i feel like a fraud. I'll just watch this one again and again.

[@medicineandbrazilianjiujit8511]

Thank you Professor. Great advice!

[@BOBBOB-tx7ox]

Boyd was a black belt instructor at the Gracie Academy

[@elsonsanchez3220]

The Belt is just a Representation of you vs the Old You… Hopefully I didn’t miss quote that…

[@Jamiebmurray]

Very timely. Thanks for your perspective. I realised its me against BJJ snd me against myself. I don't have opponents only training partners. Reframing expectations has helped.

[@mikeplato6176]

Thank you for this video Rick, because there's a younger practitioner in my Academy and he makes me feel like an imposter also. I'm 52 and he's 32 so I get it and thank you for opening my eyes. Best video ever.

[@tab3Gator]

Thanks for this content

[@davybarr5919]

Thanks so much for this video, Rick. I'm a 49 yo hobbyist purple belt and have really struggled with even having a purple belt. It doesn't help that I'm a small guy and almost everyone in my gym is both heavier and younger than me. Sometimes I feel like my technique should be enough better to overcome the odds when rolling against say a 2-stripe blue belt that is 10 years younger and 20 pounds heavier than me more often.

[@CSPD3522]

Thanks brother

[@michaelchen3208]

Great & one of the best video ❤! Jiu-jitsu for me is a part of my life,. with all the fitness, health , emotional, mental, psychological, social, behavioral, self defense… benefits, Jiu-jitsu is the highest possible goal for physical, bare hand combat sport to pursue for its true scientific, Artistic aspects. Jiu-jitsu art makes a major part of my life! A 69 yr Jiu-jitsu Lover.

[@newenglandguitarman3345]

I get it, have the same internal battles w/ self-doubt; I’m a 56 year old black belt - got my black at 55, 15 years training BJJ, been in martial arts since 18 years old. Rank is a funny thing and there’s no boilerplate, cookie-cutter universal across the board standard other than visible ‘knowledge’ & ability to execute techniques effectively; but still somewhat subjective if that makes sense. I rolled tonight with black belts ( from different schools) within 5-10 years of my age bracket and weight ( 250 +) and had as many successful ‘sweeps & subs’ escapes, passes etc as they did.. so felt good and more confident leaving there than I did prior to rolling. Jocko said it pretty well on a clip: ( paraphrasing)“ someone better than you promoted you & felt you deserved it so stop doubting your self AND them! “

[@Leonidas300-z1p]

Thanks for sharing that

[@thebuzzcjc]

Thank you. I just got my purple last week, I just turned 49 and am still trying to balance competitiveness and playfulness.

[@KazzArie]

Trust the process. If we value our instructor’s teaching and opinion, believe they’re not going to promote us before we’re ready. Cuz we’re also representing *them* at tournaments or if we visit other open mats.

[@skepticalhippo6376]

Rick, were you eve’s dropping on my conversation at the gym yesterday? We were just talking about this exact topic. Weird.

[@TheArtofSkill]

I am everywhere! 😎

[@78logistics]

Started at 62 , blue at 65 two months ago after being at three gyms prior . I am older than everyone at my gym, definately not a natural and the VA tells me I am 86% disabled but still manage to train six days a week....all my opponents are black LOL. But definately not the white belt I was In late 2022.The promotion came as total shock out of sequence with their grading days (Sep and Apr). Younger more athletic whites cause me to tap lots(I am 5'3" and 160 lbs). Did I want to be promoted? Not in the least and was perfectly content to remain white indefinitely. But the choice to say yay or nay to promotion was not mine. The next day I was back, still sucking albeit with a different piece of cloth around my waist. My only hope is I continue to improve and show those who decided to promote me they did not make an error in doing so. Almost 50 years old? A youngster LOL. I hope to be doing this at 70. (Wish I had started much sooner)

[@edmorris4103]

Thank you for this. I've had my blue belt for a year and a half, and half the time I still feel like I should be a white belt. But I know with certainty that I am far and away better than my original white belt self.

[@Psichlo1]

As a 48 year old belt that's been at blue for about five years, I feel this in my soul lol. There are always questions about where you're supposed to be. It's hard to gauge where I am because there isn't someone that is close to my age/size, and that makes it difficult to really analyze where you are. I have never worried about the belt, I have always strived to just have a higher level of performance. The most frustrating thing, for me personally, is that I see all these things while I am rolling but rarely seem to be able to capitalize on them.

[@DanT288]

Im a 40 year old purple belt. i got arm locked by a 17 year old competition blue belt the other day I love Jiu-jitsu. Thanks for this video

[@chuckduncan9098]

I believe the problem comes from, in a big part, from the myths perpetuated by television and movies, i.e. what a black belt can do and old masters' skill levels.

[@paulhart1056]

Great video

[@timduffin5600]

"Feeling unworthy of your BJJ belt? Relax-imposter syndrome taps out long before you will."

[@miguelpagan8436]

Hello Professor and everyone out there, hope all of you have a wonderful beginning to your new year🙏🙏. I started at 52, and continued to train at 58, deep purple belt. THE IMPOSTER SYNDROME is a healthy way to keep you humble and to stay aware that you don’t know everything. Where it becomes unhealthy is when you have players like this gentleman, just beating himself to death for no reason. Yes there truly is no reason!!! Sir you have put 12years of training in this lifestyle of Martial Arts 🥋. Don’t worry about lightly it up, beating or getting beaten, or whatever is making you think this🤷‍♂️. Quick story: This pass promotion I received my 3 stripe. While my professor(4th Dan) was putting it on, he whispered,”I need to see a little more gitty up from you”, I bowed to acknowledge him, and I will do my best. What’s the point? I don’t care, even if I can’t gitty up, or maybe it will happen, my journey is mine, and I will continue to do JJ. Imposter syndrome isn’t in my vocabulary, and sir it shouldn’t in yours. Training is for life it is not a fad . OSSSS 🙏🙏

[@momentum8640]

Thanks for sharing

[@singleplayerparty3899]

Then here I am over here 3.5 years in, got on avg 3 times a week and just got promoted to purple. Super over promoted. But, to your point, I’ll be a purple a really long time and I’ll get there… eventually, haha

[@DanteSpinotti1]

Saying you're overpromoted means you're probably not. Keep on going. I totally feel you though. I loved this video.

[@vincent9542]

Ive been training since 2010. I started with combat submission wrestling and transitioned to straight bjj in 2015 with a 2 year break from 2013 to 2015. I got my blue belt in 2019 then my purple belt in 2024. After a year at purple one of my coaches mentioned that he thinks i should really be a brown belt and that he thinks im brown belt level. This makes me nervous as ive only been a purple belt for 1 year. Im 45 and slowly starting to fall apart after about 13yrs grappling in total. This video is hitting hard!.....

[@momentum8640]

My coach just told me what he wants to see before he promotes me to blue belt. While I want a blue belt, I want to be able to carry it. All thee blue belts at my gym are clearly on a whole other level than me and I don't want to be the weakest link. I'm just going to try to get better for the sake of getting better.

[@78logistics]

All the other blues at my gym are on a different level than me...most are 40 years my junior.

[@danielskrivan6921]

I'm in a very strange spot with imposter syndrome. I am a 2-stripe blue belt. I feel like I've earned those stripes. But I don't feel like I've earned the blue (or at least I've very recently started to feel like I have). I know it doesn't make logical sense, because how can I have earned the stripes after blue if I haven't earned the blue? But that's how I felt.

[@OriginalFallofMind]

I got my blue belt fast. I was at a competition school and went too hard as an old guy. Burnt myself out. Never thought I was worthy in some aspects. Skill was OK but my recovery sucked and I went less and less compared to the young guys. They also ranked faster because they went more even though I was better. I quit. 😂 Had back problems. Now I'm playing the slow game with no goal other than I just enjoy being on the mats and developing friendships.

[@gmenendez9569]

I’m 54 and a blue after 9 months and I’m at 15 months now. Did I work for it? F yeah but I don’t feel imposter yet… time will decrease my athleticism and I will feel like an imposter. My only hope is that I can keep or slightly improve with the knowledge I am obsessively trying to get. Time and will catch us all even an athletic guy like me. It is what it is but I will fight like hell. OSS

[@Jiu-JitsuJourney257]

35 years, 4 stripe purple. I’m my own worst enemy. I always feel like I don’t deserve my rank lol. It has gotten much better. But then someday I’ll maybe get a brown belt and start all over again lol

[@beetastik8219]

I’ve had my doubts. But my rule of thumb now, is if you aren’t going for worlds, and you respect your coach… respect his decision and move on. If you’re just chilling as a female purple belt who got caught by a male blue belt after your 6 month break, you’re fine. Everyone always stressing for nothing. Stay Calm and Roll On. ❤

[@djbeeniednb]

I’ll always be a white belt. I’m 140 lb at age 44 with family. I’m Dominated by a much heavier/younger crowd at my gym. I do this for fun and self defense and try to leave my ego at the door. It stings sometimes but I’m ok with it. At least my gym and students really cares about everyone’s success and tells you what you did wrong and really try to help stop making mistakes. My first gym wouldn’t teach anything or give any advice to you.

[@CoachSteveJandS]

This reminds me of the Japanese concept of "mushin"(no-mind aka instinct+muscle memory)

[@lelle5173]

Facts

[@jltrevino]

50 YO 3 stripe brown belt, when I roll and I don´t tap it´s a win for me. Every one is younger than me 16- 41.

[@yew2oob954]

I got beat by a guy who doesn't even do BJJ...some guy named Khabib...so I guess I don't deserve my belt. (-the stupidity of this type of thinking)

[@Discipline_equals_freedom]

As a 51 year old blue belt this podcast really helped me with perspective. In our heads we are all 18 and fully capable, however the body lets us know reality too often. I’m far from weak and soft but reality is what it is when sparring a 20 something kid that also wrestled growing up. Even dudes my age are all too often much heavier as they let themselves go a bit. At the end of the day we are doing a hard sport so I just try and enjoy the grind.

[@Yes-Gi-Man]

Gr8 video thank you