So you made it to the top, now what? Making it to the top of anything will have you asking yourself this question 9 times out of 10. The answer is very personal but if you ask us we just continue as usual. If you made it a black belt in jiu-jitsu chances are that you love this sport, and what it has done for you, and have committed to doing it till your legs fall off. It takes an enormous amount of effort, mat time, dedication, and discipline to make it to this point, to begin with so why stop now?
The Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu
The average person has no shot of making it to this rank. Let me say that again. The average person has no shot at making it to this stage in their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu career. You do not make it to this rank by being average, you have to rise to the occasion and become a whole new person. That person that makes it to this point always ends up above average. This is not to say that if you start average, you cannot become above average because that is what it will take.
Sacrifice, dedication, hard work, and investing in yourself are going to be necessary if you ever want to reach this level of mastery. These are things that the average person just won’t do. Do you want to be above average? Not just in the BJJ world but in real life. Aspiring to make it to this stage in jiu-jitsu will force you to the route of becoming the best version of yourself.
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What Does it Mean?
Getting your black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a symbol of power, skill, knowledge, technique, speed, control, and accuracy. A true black belt amasses an expert level of understanding regardless of the disciple that you choose. Teaching is a skill that most black belts possess, they keep the art form alive by teaching others their knowledge about the sport and sharing their passion.
The black belt is a milestone that honestly has a meaning of its own. To each person, it means something different but in its purest form, this is a sign of real mastery over a craft that is not easily mastered.
You Made it! Now What?
Once you reach the highest stage of the sport what is next for you? This can be a daunting question for those that make it to this point but typically they will either just continue to train as usual or branch off and start an academy. At this point, most that go off and start their gym have been coaching for a while as a brown belt so the transition is typically seamless. As a black belt in jiu-jitsu, you do not have to become an instructor, most people that participate in BJJ have jobs or careers outside of the mats that they have to tend to. Adding something else to your plate is not necessary if you do not choose to do so.
By default, you will be considered a leader in the academy you train at and at any other academy you visit. This is just by nature of the sport. People rely on the guidance of black belts to get to their desired goals. The qualities that got you to this point will continue to be put on display in the way you carry yourself.
We hope that people that eventually read this make it to this stage. Going from white belt to black belt is an amazing accomplishment that puts you in a special category of human beings! If you find yourself asking the question “now what” after achieving this massive goal you can always spick up another hobby or just continue as usual. Most black belts say that once they hit this belt the learning opportunities and doors that open up are endless!
Happy Rolling, OSS!
