Starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is an exciting but humbling experience. Whether you’re stepping onto the mats for self-defense, fitness, or competition, the journey will challenge you in ways you never expected. To help you navigate the early stages, here are three key things to remember when starting your Jiu Jitsu journey.
1. Check Your Ego at the Door
One of the biggest hurdles for beginners is learning to accept failure. In Jiu Jitsu, you will get submitted—a lot. It doesn’t matter how strong, fast, or athletic you are; technique always wins in the long run. If you let your ego dictate how you train, you’ll either burn out, get injured, or stunt your progress. Instead of focusing on “winning” in every roll, treat each session as a learning opportunity. Every tap is a lesson that brings you one step closer to improvement.
2. Consistency Beats Intensity
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of training and want to go hard every day. However, BJJ is a marathon, not a sprint. The students who improve the most aren’t necessarily the ones who train the hardest in a single session but those who show up consistently over months and years. Aim for a sustainable training schedule that allows you to recover and enjoy the journey without burning out.
3. Survival First, Skills Second
In the beginning, survival is your best skill. You’ll often find yourself in bad positions—mounted, side controlled, or stuck in someone’s guard. Instead of panicking or trying to muscle your way out, focus on staying calm, breathing, and understanding the mechanics of defense. The better you get at surviving, the more time you’ll have to develop your offense later.
Jiu Jitsu is one of the most rewarding yet challenging martial arts you can practice. If you embrace the learning process, stay consistent, and focus on survival, you’ll set yourself up for long-term success. Enjoy the journey, and remember—every black belt was once a beginner who refused to quit.
What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started BJJ? Drop it in the comments!
