Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and other Mixed Martial Arts

[bpalmer28]

Don't see a thread about this. If there is one feel free to merge.

So I'm 35 and other than occassionally watching the UFC back in the Chuck Liddell days, I've never really been into MMA and until recently I had little interest in learning BJJ.

Jocko Willink changed my mind. I've been listening to his podcast for a while and almost every episode he ends up talking about BJJ and why every person should try it. I was VERY hesitant; but eventually his logic began carrying more weight than my fear. I'm afraid of getting injured and I'm afraid of getting embarrassed but more so than that I'm afraid of not becoming the best version of myself that I can become. During lunch with my uncle last week (who casually trained in MMA for a few years before deciding he was too old) I mentioned that I was somewhat interested in BJJ, but I was afraid of getting hurt blah blah. He then gave me the encouragement I needed to give it a try. He basically said, "These guys are professionals. They're only going to go as hard as you go. If you find yourself in an awkward position just tap." Also, "Everyone there remembers what it was like their first day."

So I called the owner of the academy in town and set up a time to give it a try. It was this past Saturday at 9am. I was nervous all week. Walking into the gym I saw guys rolling (sparring) on the mat through a window and a part of me wanted to turn back and go home. "I have no business being here."... "This is childish"... "This is irresponsible"... "I'm about to embarrass myself"... all these things were going through my mind, but I kept walking and opened the door. The owner greeted me. We sat down and watched some guys roll. He explained what they were doing then showed me a few moves. That was Day 1.

Fast-forward to today. I've got my first "class" tonight. Still terrified. Not so much about getting hurt. It's more about getting embarrassed. I don't know what I'm going to do with my hands when I'm rolling. I guess I'll just hug the guy until he makes me tap lol.

All fears aside though... I get the sense that this is going to become a hobby that changes my life. Curious to know how many men and women here train in BJJ or have considered doing so.

 

[n_huffhines]

I'm nearing 40 and regret that I've never done it. I plan to do it if/when I get my two kids in classes so we can share some of the learning process. I've got some nagging lower back muscle issues that will hopefully go away by the time they are ready (girl is almost 3, boy is 2 months).

And you're gonna get embarrassed. Everybody does, so don't worry about it. My huge buddy was getting tapped by little guys and everybody at the gym knows that's the beauty of the sport.

 

[chatsworth_vol]

My son will have been doing Brazilian jujitsu for 4 years this April. We started him in it to help him get into shape and he loves it. He's the oldest kid training there so he trains with the adults and kids class. I wish I could have started it back before it was too late.

 

[hog88]

Graduated HS with a guy that trained with one of the Gracies for a few years back in the late 80's early 90's.

 

[joevol33]

I took some taekwondo back years ago, HS. I was taking hapkido before my wife started getting sick, loved both. Not that it made me feel"bug and bad", it just made me feel good, in shape, when I took it.

 

[bpalmer28]

Update: I got completely dominated last night, but I'm addicted. We were working on mount escapes and the guy I was rolling with outweighed me by 50-60 pounds. He owned me, but I think I could've escaped if my technique would've been right on the moves being taught. It's just so hard to apply strength to a foreign movement. Been replaying the moves in my mind all day. Ready to go again lol.

 

[Tri-CitiesVol]

Update: I got completely dominated last night, but I'm addicted. We were working on mount escapes and the guy I was rolling with outweighed me by 50-60 pounds. He owned me, but I think I could've escaped if my technique would've been right on the moves being taught. It's just so hard to apply strength to a foreign movement. Been replaying the moves in my mind all day. Ready to go again lol.

When I first started, this blue belt tapped me at will and I had always thought I was decent at wrestling. Crazy how far a little knowledge and refinement of technique goes.

 

[bpalmer28]

Got tapped twice today. First by a kimura then with some kind of choke with my own arm lol like how is that even possible. These guys are freaks

 

[joevol33]

Got tapped twice today. First by a kimura then with some kind of choke with my own arm lol like how is that even possible. These guys are freaks

Don't feel bad. When I took hapkido we had a female instructor, and she always used me to demonstrate stuff. She bout broke my arm, more than once, because I didn't want to tap out, but learned I better