So I started training Jiu-Jitsu about a month ago.
I deliberately haven’t written about it until now for multiple reasons. One, I wanted to see if I enjoyed it enough to commit and continue. Second, my big boss has recently been in the media for taking up the sport and for potentially having an MMA match versus Elon. I didn’t want it to seem like I was copying Zuck.
The truth is I always wanted to practise a martial art when I was a child, but there was always a stigma in our house around martial arts being too violent. However, a friend recently shared that they’d started Jiu-Jitsu to improve their mobility as a compliment to their strength and cardiovascular training. Mobility, or a lack thereof, is something that’s been on my mind over the last few years, so I decided to research a few local gyms.
I’m thrilled with the gym I’ve found. It’s close to home, and the head professor is a former World and European champion. They’ve got a great curriculum for learning the basics to this infinitely complex sport, have a supportive environment, and are beginner friendly.
One of the other reasons why I chose Jiu-Jitsu is because it isn’t a striking based martial art. I’m not interested in punching or kicking another human, nor am I interested in them punching or kicking me. Jiu-Jitsu instead is a grappling sport that’s intended to help a smaller person be able to defend, protect, and survive against a bigger opponent. That’s definitely something I want to learn how to do.
I’m still very early in my journey, and I’m not committing yet to training for the long haul. But I’m enjoying it for the moment and intend to continue.