I looked but didn't see any threads on here about folks learning jiu jitsu/bjj so I thought I'd start one.
I've been an athlete my entire life, and took up martial arts in college (Aikido). Loved learning it, but something was missing...(it's an entirely defensive martial art, and an archaic one, also, in terms of self-defense).
Then I got married...and stopped doing martial arts while we raised two boys together.
Then...I got divorced 8 years ago. Toughest time of my life, even though I knew it was the right move.
So I needed something to devote my physical energy to again, and this time I chose a different martial art: muay thai. LOVED it. I chose it because it is the most offensive of the martial arts, as opposed to my previous aikido training.
Then, last June, my gym (which was only for old school muay thai) up and CLOSED on two weeks notice. After 7 years there training.
I felt like I did when I found out my ex had cheated on me again. What would I do now? Where would I go? I knew there were other gyms, but I was loyal to mine, and it had helped save me post-divorce. AND, I had brought my boys there, and they had trained for 5-6 years. Where would we all go?
So in late summer/Fall 2018 I found a new gym that taught muay thai, grappling, AND bjj. I started training there, and learned that I could take up bjj now also if I wanted, since my membership covered everything.
So this past January I decided to dedicate myself to learning bjj.
If you've done the same thing, you know how overwhelming it can be. I used to make fun of bjj, especially while watching UFC, thinking it was lame, but boy was I wrong, and I can see the allure of training. It's such a chess match, and there are so many battles that are fought in your mind every time you train. The satisfaction I get from simply surviving and not getting tapped by more experienced folks is hard to describe, and it has helped me tremendously with dealing with business stress, etc.
If you have thought about doing bjj, DO IT. The initial training is scary-you get thrown to the wolves, but you come out on the other side stronger, more confident, and healthier.
So Im 45 years old, about to be 46 in a couple of months, and I've now decided that my next goal will be to compete. I'm a white belt working my way up, but I don't care about the stripes, I care about the mastery. Stripes will eventually come, I just want to master myself and this craft.
I've also enrolled my boys, and am working on my wife (I remarried four years ago) too, and I have a 3 year old daughter who will certainly do it, too, soon!
Would love to connect/hear your stories as well. I'm sure there are very similar stories on here!
I've been an athlete my entire life, and took up martial arts in college (Aikido). Loved learning it, but something was missing...(it's an entirely defensive martial art, and an archaic one, also, in terms of self-defense).
Then I got married...and stopped doing martial arts while we raised two boys together.
Then...I got divorced 8 years ago. Toughest time of my life, even though I knew it was the right move.
So I needed something to devote my physical energy to again, and this time I chose a different martial art: muay thai. LOVED it. I chose it because it is the most offensive of the martial arts, as opposed to my previous aikido training.
Then, last June, my gym (which was only for old school muay thai) up and CLOSED on two weeks notice. After 7 years there training.
I felt like I did when I found out my ex had cheated on me again. What would I do now? Where would I go? I knew there were other gyms, but I was loyal to mine, and it had helped save me post-divorce. AND, I had brought my boys there, and they had trained for 5-6 years. Where would we all go?
So in late summer/Fall 2018 I found a new gym that taught muay thai, grappling, AND bjj. I started training there, and learned that I could take up bjj now also if I wanted, since my membership covered everything.
So this past January I decided to dedicate myself to learning bjj.
If you've done the same thing, you know how overwhelming it can be. I used to make fun of bjj, especially while watching UFC, thinking it was lame, but boy was I wrong, and I can see the allure of training. It's such a chess match, and there are so many battles that are fought in your mind every time you train. The satisfaction I get from simply surviving and not getting tapped by more experienced folks is hard to describe, and it has helped me tremendously with dealing with business stress, etc.
If you have thought about doing bjj, DO IT. The initial training is scary-you get thrown to the wolves, but you come out on the other side stronger, more confident, and healthier.
So Im 45 years old, about to be 46 in a couple of months, and I've now decided that my next goal will be to compete. I'm a white belt working my way up, but I don't care about the stripes, I care about the mastery. Stripes will eventually come, I just want to master myself and this craft.
I've also enrolled my boys, and am working on my wife (I remarried four years ago) too, and I have a 3 year old daughter who will certainly do it, too, soon!
Would love to connect/hear your stories as well. I'm sure there are very similar stories on here!
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