I discovered BJJ over a year ago at age 46 with zero martial arts experience. I got addicted, but I definitely have some mental blocks seriously blocking my progress. I've had a 4 months break for traveling, but intend to get back to it next week. My mental blocks, in no particular order are... 1. Fear of injury - I don't go hard, I don't even do rolls on open mat outside the classes. I know some people can get carried away and I will end up with an injury. Or I'll try to do something my body won't like and I will end up with an injury. This got amplified after two actual injuries that dragged on for months, and both sustained while doing something light and harmless.... 2. No confidence - some of it is totally justified as most other guys in my gym are significantly younger, half my age or less. Obviously I can't match their intensity, stamina or agility - or the rate of progress. I see how good people get even when they started months after me, while I feel (am?) stuck without progress. This is very demotivating and made me consider quitting a few times. I just know I will never be as good them given how late I've started and this is blocking my motivation - the "why do I even bother?" syndrome... 3 - related to confidence, I suppose - being very casual about BJJ. I have zero interest in competition, I don't feel the hunger to win rolls or show I'm better than others (I'm just assuming I'm not). This results in not putting effort into some rolls during classes. Because I just kinda give up - "oh, he has me in side control, no way I can escape from him", and I just tap. This is also related to 1. because I am afraid of getting injured if I try too hard. 4. I'm too nice. This one is a funny one - I struggle to go full on while practicing, because I really don't like making people uncomfortable. When practicing side control I usually don't put my whole weight into it, similar with other moves that I know will feel uncomfortable for my partner. This is definitely a mental block on my end and really have no clue how to tackle this one. 5. No idea what path to take. I am being told that after 6 months of training I should have an idea of what my "game" could be like. I don't. None at all. I know it won't be fast and intense, I know I won't be a takedown master. I know bits and pieces but there's no technique yet that I seem to be liking more than others or finding it easier than others. 6. Not going for submissions. I effing hate them because I'm unable to spot opportunities. And even if I do spot one, it takes me so long to remember how to do a simple triangle or whatever, that the opportunity usually passes. Or I focus too much on one thing and completely miss submission opportunities. I like BJJ as exercise, I don't give a damn about submitting people - for me submissions are bad because they stop the fun. I just find it hard to force my head around to focus on submissions... All this doesn't change the fact that I felt like I'm addicted even if really bad at it and (probably) ending up as a bit of a joke at the gym. 🤷
As a 54 year old brown belt I made the mistake of thinking I had to roll hard every time because 99% of the guys in my gym are half my age and some are even younger than that. My ego told me I had to win against them because of my belt color, as I’m the only brown belt in our gym, but I would be so sore after class that days later I still hurt, but after being off the mats for awhile I’ve realized I don’t need to roll hard and it doesn’t matter if I win rolls or not what matters is I’m learning and improving, and I’m trying new techniques. I guess your never to old to learn stuff you should already know.
Our brown belt rolls gently with the newest belts and spends his time perfecting his traps and putting us in hilarious situations. I learn so much from him, which is funny considering he's 6'5 and a dude snd I'm a skinny 5'2 lady. I just know if there's space to move somewhere he has something waiting for me lol. He makes me slow down and THINK!!!
Im a 48 year old 5'2 woman that started in july-ish (injury and had to take time off for 2 months) and we only have one other woman in my gym. I used to worry i was wasting people's time when i rolled with bigger stronger people. But now i see myself as an opportunity for them to perfect their technique since they try to use less strength and weight. I go full ham with my strength and try to learn how to focus my weight on single points to give the illusion of heaviness, but since im not strong, i know they dont reallt struggle at all. So if youre new or different, dont feel like youre letting your opponent down. Thats what i want to contribute!
Bernardo, Sir, I agree that specialization can pay off, but basic all around competence is very important. You may have specialized in dèep half, but you were familiar with at least a few moves from everywhere - or am I wrong?😮 Even if I specialize, I want to have basic proficiency in all the advanced guards - de la riva, reverse de la riva, k guard, spider, and more!😢
One i see often is people trying not to "lose" training rounds rather than using training time to develop thier skills.
I discovered BJJ over a year ago at age 46 with zero martial arts experience. I got addicted, but I definitely have some mental blocks seriously blocking my progress. I've had a 4 months break for traveling, but intend to get back to it next week. My mental blocks, in no particular order are...
1. Fear of injury - I don't go hard, I don't even do rolls on open mat outside the classes. I know some people can get carried away and I will end up with an injury. Or I'll try to do something my body won't like and I will end up with an injury. This got amplified after two actual injuries that dragged on for months, and both sustained while doing something light and harmless....
2. No confidence - some of it is totally justified as most other guys in my gym are significantly younger, half my age or less. Obviously I can't match their intensity, stamina or agility - or the rate of progress. I see how good people get even when they started months after me, while I feel (am?) stuck without progress. This is very demotivating and made me consider quitting a few times. I just know I will never be as good them given how late I've started and this is blocking my motivation - the "why do I even bother?" syndrome...
3 - related to confidence, I suppose - being very casual about BJJ. I have zero interest in competition, I don't feel the hunger to win rolls or show I'm better than others (I'm just assuming I'm not). This results in not putting effort into some rolls during classes. Because I just kinda give up - "oh, he has me in side control, no way I can escape from him", and I just tap. This is also related to 1. because I am afraid of getting injured if I try too hard.
4. I'm too nice. This one is a funny one - I struggle to go full on while practicing, because I really don't like making people uncomfortable. When practicing side control I usually don't put my whole weight into it, similar with other moves that I know will feel uncomfortable for my partner. This is definitely a mental block on my end and really have no clue how to tackle this one.
5. No idea what path to take. I am being told that after 6 months of training I should have an idea of what my "game" could be like. I don't. None at all. I know it won't be fast and intense, I know I won't be a takedown master. I know bits and pieces but there's no technique yet that I seem to be liking more than others or finding it easier than others.
6. Not going for submissions. I effing hate them because I'm unable to spot opportunities. And even if I do spot one, it takes me so long to remember how to do a simple triangle or whatever, that the opportunity usually passes. Or I focus too much on one thing and completely miss submission opportunities. I like BJJ as exercise, I don't give a damn about submitting people - for me submissions are bad because they stop the fun. I just find it hard to force my head around to focus on submissions...
All this doesn't change the fact that I felt like I'm addicted even if really bad at it and (probably) ending up as a bit of a joke at the gym. 🤷
ENJOY THE RIDE PETERSKI, YOU ARE A LEGEND !
As a 54 year old brown belt I made the mistake of thinking I had to roll hard every time because 99% of the guys in my gym are half my age and some are even younger than that. My ego told me I had to win against them because of my belt color, as I’m the only brown belt in our gym, but I would be so sore after class that days later I still hurt, but after being off the mats for awhile I’ve realized I don’t need to roll hard and it doesn’t matter if I win rolls or not what matters is I’m learning and improving, and I’m trying new techniques. I guess your never to old to learn stuff you should already know.
Our brown belt rolls gently with the newest belts and spends his time perfecting his traps and putting us in hilarious situations. I learn so much from him, which is funny considering he's 6'5 and a dude snd I'm a skinny 5'2 lady. I just know if there's space to move somewhere he has something waiting for me lol. He makes me slow down and THINK!!!
Im a 48 year old 5'2 woman that started in july-ish (injury and had to take time off for 2 months) and we only have one other woman in my gym. I used to worry i was wasting people's time when i rolled with bigger stronger people. But now i see myself as an opportunity for them to perfect their technique since they try to use less strength and weight. I go full ham with my strength and try to learn how to focus my weight on single points to give the illusion of heaviness, but since im not strong, i know they dont reallt struggle at all. So if youre new or different, dont feel like youre letting your opponent down. Thats what i want to contribute!
First comment! I love hearing these, keep up the good work Bernardo!!
@BernardoFariaBJJFanatics THANK YOU ;)
This matches most foundations across the board.....
Bernardo, Sir, I agree that specialization can pay off, but basic all around competence is very important. You may have specialized in dèep half, but you were familiar with at least a few moves from everywhere - or am I wrong?😮 Even if I specialize, I want to have basic proficiency in all the advanced guards - de la riva, reverse de la riva, k guard, spider, and more!😢
I’m 15 years younger than you and have the same issues. I think all of that is normal.
@@NiceOne1706 You are fifteen years younger than Bernardo? or than me? You seem like a creep.