How Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Taught Me Important Life Values

In 2013, I discovered one of the best martial arts I’ve ever experienced in my life. During a time of “mental disarray” due to personal issues, I decided to look for a gym near where I lived. That’s where I came across Jiu-Jitsu, or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and began a journey full of challenges and learning. Back then, people talked a lot about this martial art, but rarely did anyone mention what the day-to-day experience was actually like.

In my first class, I remember barely being able to complete the warm-up exercises; everything was chaotic, and I lacked any motor coordination. However, after just a month of practice, I began to understand the importance of Jiu-Jitsu. By then, my motor coordination had already improved significantly.

When I started, I was completely out of shape, weighing approximately 120 kg (around 265 pounds)… Yeah, I was way overweight. I remember that, combined with a light diet, I managed to lose about 4 kg (9 pounds) in the first month. It was an excellent way to burn calories.

Unfortunately, after about 8 months, I quit. I was still too immature to understand how progress worked in the sport. Perhaps due to a lack of perspective, I became discouraged. Additionally, the injuries played a significant role in my decision… Yes, it’s a physically demanding sport, especially in the beginning when you’re still a white belt hahaha.

Despite the short time I practiced back then, I learned a lot about what Jiu-Jitsu has to offer:

• Physical improvement
• Resilience
• Constant learning
• Learning from mistakes
• Persistence
• Strategy (it often feels like a game of chess you don’t know how to play)
• Respect (the hierarchy among higher belts is very striking)
• Self-defense (it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it)
• And most importantly, an excellent mental escape.

Not to mention other benefits, such as improving interpersonal relationships and ego management. Speaking of ego, it’s worth noting: on the mat, there will always be someone better than you.

After 9 years, I decided to return to the mats, this time more mature and with a different mindset. I embraced the process because I already knew how things worked. After 2 years of continuous training, with a short break for an exchange program, I faced a health issue: Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). For many, this would have been a reason to quit, but I kept going. A few months later, still training privately, the long-awaited moment arrived: leaving the white belt behind hahaha. I was finally promoted to the blue belt.

Overall, Jiu-Jitsu is, for me, a form of intensive mental therapy. With each training session, I realize how much I need to improve, persist, be resilient, stay focused, and remain consistent. Today, I continue practicing and hope to keep going as long as my body allows.

Practice Jiu-Jitsu!!!