Some people that train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu have this negative outlook on the BJJ white belt but we are here to say f*** what they think. We applaud those that take the leap into the unknown and decide to push themselves and that is what you have decided to do. In this article we talk about the first stage you will find yourself in when you decide to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Jiu-Jitsu White Belt
The white belt in BJJ symbolizes the beginning of a long but very fruitful journey within the martial art of jiu-jitsu. Jiu-Jitsu is a sport that will humble you, build you up, and teach you hundreds of lifelong lessons as you progress and spend more time on the mats.
You are a beginner and it is time to put your student hat on. This martial art is chalked full of things to learn so if you enjoy learning new things you made the right choice for exercises.
Why Did You Start in The First Place?
When starting this journey it is super important to remember why you started. Most people start doing jiu Jitsu because their life is not so good and heard on some podcast that it is an excellent self-improvement tool. Our reason for starting was due to a physical altercation that broke out that we were not able to stand up to because we froze at the moment. What your reason for starting is to remember it and hold tight to it.
Training jiu-jitsu requires repetition, consistency, and commitment. No professor worth their sale is going to water down or make this easy. You have to love it enough to let it shape you.
No compromise and no excuses.
The Survival Stage
The name of the game at white belt, especially in your first 6 months, is to survive. You are going to get humbled a lot in those first couple of months but you have to get back up and just keep moving forward. Do not let your ego get in the way of something beautiful that is changing within.
What Does Your White Belt Mean?
If you are a beginner at something brand new to you, embrace this. Be in the moment and put your student cap on.
Changing the Story of Who You Are
Who Will You Become?
Are you ready to become a new human being?
Training jiu-jitsu allows every one of us to crush our limiting beliefs and change the story of how we view ourselves. When you train jiu-jitsu you are not just learning how to protect yourself, you are constantly putting your body in flight-or-flight mode teaching you how to stay calm under intense situations.
No matter the field, life tests us. Learning how to make decisions when our backs are against the wall or when we inevitably find ourselves in a dark/bad spot is unmatched. No other sport will prepare you for facing situations like jiu-jitsu. You will get comfortable being uncomfortable. You will get into the best physical shape of your life and you will find yourself creating a whole new you.
Who do you want to become?
What do you want to accomplish?
Nothing is impossible if you apply the lessons you learn on the mats to your daily life.
Jiu-jitsu does not care about who you were. It cares about who you want to become. You should be proud of yourself for taking the responsibility to start this journey. It will not be an easy one but nothing easy is rewarding. You have stepped into a new chapter of your life. This chapter will humble, inspire, and reward you beyond your belief. Trust your professor, respect everyone, and work hard.
