Why being a blue belt sucks

Ask anyone in the jiu jitsu community and you’ll find that a shockingly high number of people stop training jiu jitsu once they get their blue belt. It’s a phenomenon that doesn’t seem to be isolated to any particular region, or training style. There just appears to be some “disease” that people get once they’ve achieved their blue belt that causes them to stop.

I think it’s because being a blue belt kinda sucks.

Now hear me out. At the time of this writing, yours truly, is actually a blue belt. I’ve been a blue belt for close to a year now. So I sorta know what I’m talking about. I have felt this very itch, this faint voice in the back of my head.

It says things like:

• “Look man, you’re now certified more dangerous than 80% of the people on the street.”
• “C’mon you can skip today. You’re pretty tired after all, and you could use the rest.”
• “Dude, do you seriously want to get beat up by him again?” (We all have that guy/girl)

We definitely experienced these things when we were white belts, but when you’re a white belt so little is expected of you, it’s actually easier to ignore these ego-driven excuses and just show up. These excuses are driven by the ego that comes from achieving a little bit. Once you know something, and are a certified badass Blue Belt™ things are different. You’re expected to know some answers. When you are tapped by a Whitebelt now—people notice. It’s more bruising to the ego since by outward measurements, you’re better than this Whitebelt.

Furthermore, once you’ve gotten that shiny, new blue belt, your eyes are opened to just how long this journey will be. If you’re not careful, you’ll focus on the destination rather than the path. By the time you receive your blue belt, you understand that it is going to take years before you receive your next physically tangible sign of progress (your purple belt). At this point, you begin to wonder if this lifelong journey of mental testing, physical punishment, and challenge is really for you. If you’re measuring jiu jitsu’s “worth” by weak tangibles such as your strength, flexibility, number of taps, or the color of your belt—it can become very easy to quit. If, however, you measure jiu jitsu by the intangibles—the relationships, the subtle, day-by-day building of character—you’ll find an addictive pursuit that engages mind, body, and spirit.

I believe anyone can do jiu jitsu, but it’s certainly not for everyone. Jiu Jitsu is a lifestyle that requires dedication, consistency, and commitment. I think these reasons are all actually part of what makes jiu jitsu so great. Jiu Jitsu necessitates developing character traits that will serve you well in the rest of your life as well. While you’re having fun choking people, you’re actually becoming a better person through the forging of your character. But at blue belt, most people start to realize that if you’re going to stay in the forge, you’re going to get burned, it’s going to be hot, and it will be painful at times.

However, as with becoming a better person in life, becoming a better jiujiteiro is a process. It’s easier to continue the journey if you can find joy in the process. Instead of lamenting the pain, enjoy the callousing of the mind that comes from it. If you can manage to retain your Whitebelt mentality, you’ll find the journey more enjoyable.

Key Takeaways:

1. Don’t let your progress become your front-sight focus
2. Retain the humility of being a Whitebelt
3. Remember that all good traits come from tough situations