What Should White Belts Know First Day of BJJ (The One Thing)

[@midlifebjj]

Thanks for watching, Did you see the John Danaher on the Rogan podcast talking about the 4-Step breakdown of BJJ? Let me know if you're liking these videos right here in the comment section!

[@terryrichmond2739]

I want to get started in Jiu Jitsu. I just can’t find the courage to walk through the door. Your videos are helping build my confidence. Thanks!

[@midlifebjj]

I get it! Seriously, I do....I’m recording a video this weekend talking about a situation I’m in right now and an experience I had a few years ago...:all around finding the courage to start BJJ! Look for it no later than Monday!

[@isaacgarcia2979]

Slap and bump greeting is done all over the world between friends, been doing it since middle school.

[@midlifebjj]

I'm Gen X - we didn't slap and bump...never even heard of it until BJJ

[@nghinguyen875]

@4:10 i think superior position should be ranked 1) back control 2) full mount 3) kob 4) side control

[@scottl7626]

I appreciate your channel. I'm 43 and three weeks into training. So i am currently witnessing some of the things you are talking about. Thanks for the vidios

[@midlifebjj]

You got it! I'll keep sharing!

[@carxcel]

Thank you. I'm going for the first time ever in 2 hours with my cousins because someone canceled. I have no clue whatsoever. Your channel answers every question I got so far and more about BJJ. Btw, I turned 44 this year and only rides my road bike.

[@midlifebjj]

Awesome brother! Glad the videos are helping! Let me know how that first class goes! 🙏👊

[@barnabykent6698]

Great BJJ advice for beginners, essential etiquette and immensely simple practical wisdom. Good video! ...P.S. can't get the image out of my mind of John Danaher in that green rash guard looking at Joe Rogan like Socrates chatting with a kid. The conversation alone was like Jiujitsu incarnate. I'm a white belt and just knowing that 4 step notion of BJJ makes sense of something that can be very confusing. Thank you sir.

[@midlifebjj]

I know, man. I love John Danaher...the way he speaks is intriguing, demeaning and funny all at the same time.

[@Unibot47]

Damn brother you look good for 44. 35 now and have done bjj sporadically throughout the years, Starting over yet again at white belt is daunting. Trying to balance it with muay thai, and working night shifts is tricky..

[@midlifebjj]

Appreciate it brother…it’s tough being a man…working, family, and fight interests…most people don’t get why men over 30 engage is such behavior….they’ll never understand. Good luck, man…I use to work nights…not easy…but being man ain’t easy either. Keep moving! 🙏

[@Fiebi95]

You make great videos, I subscribed! ✔️ I want to start BJJ so bad, just started with kickboxing half a year ago and soon after I heard about BJJ and got super interested in it

[@midlifebjj]

Thank you! Really appreciate the supportive words! What’s holding you back from BJJ?

[@Fiebi95]

@@midlifebjj well.. 😅 there's this one school in my area teaching bjj and kickboxing. Before I knew I wanted to give this school and bjj a try, in February I slid into the DMs of one of the bjj teachers of this school (I'm a woman btw) asking him if he wanted to go out for a drink (I had some valid reasons for thinking he would maybe be interested 😂😅). He ignored my message which I'm thankful for now! Then the gyms closed and since the reopening I haven't had the courage to try this school because he probably would be there. They have 2-3 different bjj teachers as far as I know and I'm not interested in him anymore but I'm just embarassed for asking him out and then possibly showing up in his class few months later 🙈 I just want to be "professional"/mature about it but I'm scared of a weird situation if he would recognize me (and that's not unlikely at all). I'm looking for a new kickboxing school anyway and "his" school is one of the best for this and *the* best for bjj (because he is the most successful bjj competitor of my country of all time 🙄). I will probably try some kickboxing lessons there and feel into the situation of walking into him there. Depending on how I feel and if I think he recognizes me I will sign up only for kickboxing and/or maybe apologize to him and ask him if he would be uncomfortable teaching me in the future. Or I will act like nothing happened until HE makes it a topic eventually 😅😂 don't know yet, still need the courage to walk into this school in the first place

[@midlifebjj]

Ahh..okay...completely understand. Coming from a guy’s perspective - I’d just go and act like it never happened...but if it came up, I’d just roll with it. Hope all works out... and thanks for being a part of the channel. It’s always good to hear a woman’s perspective. 🙏👊

[@Fiebi95]

@@midlifebjj I watched all your videos, even those titled for men over 40 😂 Keep it up! Great quality and well-spoken! (And regarding my "problem": it seems like men are a lot more layed back - all 3 men I asked about their opinion said I should go to this school either way. The two women I asked Said it was a no-go 😅)

[@midlifebjj]

Appreciate it! Yeah, we (men) tend to just go with it...😂 good luck!

[@BarChordA]

Two things: 1. You appear to be in good shape (better than average). 2. You can always get into better shape, so that's still a good goal. I suggest casting that fear out the window. Go strut at the pool no matter what you look like or think you look like.

[@midlifebjj]

Appreciate the compliment...I’m in decent shape, yeah - can always be better..I’ll try not to be so superficial and “strut” at the pool.😂😂😂thanks for watching and commenting! 🙏👊

[@Nitsujcm2600]

How old were you when you started? I just turned 38 a few months ago and started BJJ a little over a week ago.

[@midlifebjj]

I played around at a few schools when I was 38-39 but never really joined a school until I was about 40….congrats on starting - that’s the hardest part. Keep us posted and let me know if you have any questions. 🙏🤙

[@raidernaytion]

Also REMEMBER to take off your shoes before going on the mats!!

[@midlifebjj]

FUGITIVE RECOVERY RP yes sir! Great point.

[@cgreen4395]

"You reach we teach"

[@solarjudgement4575]

Selfish for being embarrassed? Shallow would be the word you looking for I think. But it depends on how over weight you are. If you are just a little over where you need to be to see abs then probably shallow, if you have bf% around 30-34% like me then that is healthy shame.

[@midlifebjj]

How about ambitious...Continuous Improvement...Kaizen.

[@braniganadventurousmcnaugh2013]

Does a wrestling background help you in Jiu-Jitsu

[@midlifebjj]

Branigan adventurous mcnaught yes. Absolutely! Having a wrestling background will help you especially with takedowns...just keep in mind you can be dangerous on your back or you may be in danger if you’re in someone’s guard - while your opponent is in their back....I know as a wrestler - you don’t want to be on your back so that may be your biggest hurdle...

[@michaelnurge1652]

Just like everything, it depends. I wrestled two seasons and one summer in HS...a very long time ago. Mostly I remember the mentality. Never give up, and always give it your all. You'll have to learn to dial it down sometimes, which wrestlers can have a problem with. Some of the habits you have from wrestling will help, and others will hinder; it'll take a little time to sort out which are which. Every wrestler is supposed to be good at takedowns; I was always better at countering / reversing takedowns. I'm 6'4" now and I was a little shorter in HS but not much. I was just barely a heavyweight then, and now...I'm the heaviest guy in my gym. Stuff like changing levels, basing out, using my chin and head when I'm grabbed, automatically reacting to someone wanting an underhook or an arm drag or whatever, automatically looking for a whizzer or whatever I can get, this all helps. Letting guys take your back doesn't. Turning the wrong way doesn't either. Best way to compare the two is BJJ teaches you what to do when you're in a position you didn't want to get into, whereas wrestling is more about avoiding that position, or trying to get the other guy into it. The other big thing is attitude. I wasn't elite-level at all, but even I had a little bit of it before I rolled with a black belt almost my size. I wasn't expecting to win necessarily, but I thought I could at least give him a decent fight. I couldn't. Had I been someone who was all-state, or D-1, or all-american or whatever...well, it may have taken a bit more to instill the realization that jiu-jitsu is different from a lot of things and I have a LOT to learn (not just a little bit). I was only a starter because the other heavyweight guy's grades weren't good, and I wasn't nearly as full of myself as a lot of athletes I've had as teammates or been up against - I imagine some of those guys will be phenomenal at jiu-jitsu but it may take a bit of time to adjust.

[@haydenphoenix2383]

Damn, you don’t even look 44.

[@midlifebjj]

Much appreciated. Turing 46 in a few days...time flies!

[@kascausevic7502]

I preferred watching this over the Danaher interview, that guy is so condescending and lacking any sense of humour.

[@midlifebjj]

😂🤣😂🤙 appreciate that, brother!