Training with Chronic Illness or Disability

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

For more information on Semper Fortis Jiu Jitsu www.texasbjj.com

[@11d7th]

Great insight!

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Thank you.

[@AnascoNice]

Great content!!

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Thanks I really appreciate the feedback.

[@pixlkid]

Good points! Our disabled and our older athletes really provide great inspiration to me me to stay motivated and to become the best version of myself in this journey.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Thanks my friend.

[@brazilianjiujitsuincorporated]

What you do is a God sent 🙏 Your a great man With a big heart 💜

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Thank you so much. I am truly humbled by your kind words.

[@PrescottCaliberClub]

Well thank you for this! I may know who you’re talking about. 😉 I really liked what you said about the camaraderie of the whole thing. I have found myself driving to the dojo when I don’t know where else to go due to bad test results or getting bad news, even when I’m feeling sick and unable to train but feeling anxiety over not training… it’s like it’s become a safe place for me. And the people have become good friends. But now that I’ve watched your video I think I know what’s been triggering me. I have a friend, who’s not actually a coach but a judo black belt, who is truly an amazing practitioner but he’s not an instructor and doesn’t want to be one. He’s always there to give advice and help. I’ve been training with him during our open mats on the weekends and honestly his tone of “disappointment” over and over, every time I can’t figure out a move, for weeks or even months was just wearing on me. He was getting frustrated with me and that really started to trigger me. Like man, I’m here trying my very best and it’s just making everyone’s day more difficult. Why even do this? He’s from the old school (literally) and their training was no holds bar and excuses were not heard. I’ve even presented times to him where I’m wondering if I can’t get my hips through because of my mobility issues in my spine from the Lupus inflammation and I was just met with “you can’t? Change your attitude.” And so I drill it, wrong, 500 more times and never get it. But now that I’ve watched your video I think that I may need to distance myself from that training and focus back on the usual training and classes like I had been. The real instructors from the gym have been very open to working with me. You hit the nail on the head about sparring. I often sit out of sparring; at least half of it and it does make a world of difference for my ability to retain and learn. But every time I do this I feel like I’m being lazy and getting special treatment. I feel like everyone’s looking at me like “why does he get to sit out, we’re all tired”. I think the takeaway from this video for me is two fold… one, I need to adjust my training so that it fits my limitations a little better. Second, I need to finally accept that this disease has gotten to the point for me where I have major limitations. I think my biggest struggle is knowing what I was once capable of and not being able to accept that I just don’t have that anymore and never will. Kinda like you said about getting older, if you’re a 60yo black belt there’s just no way to compete against a 20yo at the same level. If a guy can’t accept that, he’s gonna have a long journey of very hard times. I think some acceptance is in order on my end of things.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I am really glad you found the video helpful! I am cheering for you my friend! Looking forward to training with you one day in Arizona or here in San Antonio in both BJJ and firearms. All the best to you!

[@PrescottCaliberClub]

@@semperfortisjiujitsu I look forward to the day my friend. If not for you and a couple other guys I would have never started down this path. It’s already been a year and a half, I can’t believe it. Hope it can change some perspective and stop feeling so frustrated and defeated. Keep on keepin on… I guess!

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I am cheering for you my friend!

[@EmeraldArcherr]

this was super helpful to see-- thank you. as a younger person with an "invisible" chronic illness (multiple connective tissue disorder that affects my mobility, eats up my muscle, leaves me gassed from simple warm ups, etc) it's discouraging/frustrating to see all the able-bodied folks doing things that i technically "should" be able to do, pushing myself in classes while being mindful of my capacity for easier injury, and trying to retain information on those days when i physically can't go to the gym. this was a good reminder that it's okay to listen to my body and be open and honest with my coach about the things i can and can't do. like you said: there's no cure for this, and i'm always going to have this one body, so there's no use in comparing myself, and i should just work with what i have.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I am really glad that you found my video helpful and wish you all the best in your Jiu Jitsu journey. If you are ever in San Antonio please stop in and train with us. I look forward to meeting you one day.

[@raulaleman2277]

Great job brother. I wish I had you as a professor in my younger years. Oss

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

Thanks! Your comment made my day! If you are ever visiting San Antonio please stop in and train with me. No mat fee.

[@extendedpinky]

I don’t even know where to start. I’m on my own and sick. I feel this would awaken healing in my body. Just don’t know where to start.

[@semperfortisjiujitsu]

I suggest visiting a martial arts school close to you and talk with the instructor about your desire to train and any challenges you have that may affect your ability to train. A good school will want to work with you. I sincerely wish you the best!

[@extendedpinky]

@@semperfortisjiujitsu 🙏thank you