I started training when I was 28 years old. I regret not starting earlier because Jiu Jitsu literally saved my life.
When I started, I weighed about 275-285 lbs. I had been trying to lose weight for the past year or so by lifting weights and things like that – but my progress was slow and I wasn’t enjoying it or keeping up with it. One day – a buddy of mine from California told me about jujitsu and told me just to try going to a class to see if I liked it. At this point in my life, I was extremely shy and scared of any social setting where I didn’t know anyone so getting me to go by myself was a huge step. But one day I literally just closed my eyes and searched for “Jiu Jistu near me” and the first gym that popped up on my list was Gracie Gym. I was scared to death starting out – I thought to myself “They are all going to laugh at me” “I’ll slow everyone down” etc. But It was actually very inviting coming in – no one care that I was out of shape. No one cared that I couldn’t even finish the warm up. Everyone was nothing but supportive of me as I stumbled to keep up with the rest of the class. And after the first class my thought was “Well….I’m not dead. I guess I can keep coming” and I did. I kept coming……and I kept coming…and I kept coming.. I couldn’t come every day but I tried to make it at least 2-3 times a week. Pretty soon I could finish the warm up. Then I found myself able to make it through a full 6 minute roll without stopping. Now an 8 minute roll!
2 years later – I step on a scale and find that I now weigh 210 pounds and am in the best shape I’ve ever been in my life. I also did it WITHOUT giving up Whataburger!
Sure – I may suck at escaping side control! Who cares if I can’t finish a triangle or armbar from closed guard!? That was never my goal, even though it would be nice to get better at. My goal was to get healthy so that I could achieve the other things I want out of life. And thats what Jiu Jitsu and Gracie Gym helped me achieve. I don’t know where I would be without this gym, sport, community.
People constantly tell me that I seem like an outgoing/personable person. But thats just the newfound confidence I’ve gained from jiujitsu! It’s transformed and shaped my life beyond anything I could imagine and thats why I keep coming. It’s already changed my life this much in 2 years – who knows where I’ll be 2 years from NOW?
I’ve seen some of the best jiujitsu gyms in the nation – I’ve taken a couple of of classes at Atos in San Diego. I’ve trained for a weekend at 303 Jiu Jitsu in Colorado. But what sets Gracie Gym apart from those places is the atmosphere. I don’t feel pressured to be the next world champion. No one is saying I MUST COMPETE(though I would like too soon). Everyone is allowed to come as you are and leave better than you were. At these other gyms it felt like everyone was trying to one up the other person. Everyone had something to prove. In my experience, you don’t deal with that attitude at Gracie. It feels like family first.
Whenever I see someone struggling with class I make it a point to try and talk to them during/after class to encourage them to keep coming. Because I was at that point. I’ve seen that struggle – I’m STILL seeing that struggle. Because if I can stumble my way 2-3 times a week through a class and come out stronger, better on the other side – anyone can. Like I said, I don’t know where I would be right now if I hadn’t started training. I’d probably be 290-300 pounds, depressed, lonely and behind where I want/should be in life. It’s why I constantly bring up jiujitsu every chance I get with my co-workers and friends. I want them to start training at Gracie Gym to see if it changes their life as much as it saved mine.
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