When most people think about belt promotions in Jiu Jitsu, they envision mastered techniques, grueling rolls, and visible skill progression. While all these elements play an important role in our journey from one belt to another, there’s another equally important facet: the mental and emotional growth accompanying each promotion.
The Introspective Start
When I first put on the white belt, the world of BJJ was filled with raw enthusiasm, confusion, and endless learning. Every technique was a puzzle, every roll an exercise in humility. But it wasn’t just about understanding the techniques; it was a journey of introspection. As I grappled with opponents, I also grappled with my insecurities and doubts.
I was getting beat by everyone. It didn’t matter their age, weight, gender or athletic attributes. I came in thinking I was in shape. I lifted weight 4 to 5 days per week. I could bench press over 315lbs. None of that matter when I realized I didn’t have the conditioning to last 5 minutes grappling. I definitely had a reality check that shocked me and yet made me want to get better.
Unfortunately, a lot of new students when faced with the reality that they aren’t as good as they may have thought they were in their heads, quite before they have an opportunity to get better. It’s something about those that keep showing up, despite it all, that separates them from 99% of the world. The beautiful thing is, it has nothing to do with how tough they are, or how athletic they are. Some of them are soccer mom’s or introverted techys you’d never imagine would choose a sport as physically demanding as Jiu Jitsu for a hobby.
Blue Belt Blues and Mental Fortitude
When I was a white belt, I remember wanting to make it to blue, mostly because it would signify that I didn’t give up when many others had and especially when I wanted to.
Earning my blue belt was a monumental moment of pride, but it came with its unique challenges. The white belts seemed to come at me harder and the upper belts weren’t as gentle. On top of that, I wasn’t a newbie anymore so it felt like I couldn’t keep making stupid mistakes and blame it on me being a white belt.
Making it to blue was great but there is a lot of reasons many blue belts quit. Often referred to as the “blue belt blues,” this phase became a test of dedication. The initial excitement of starting BJJ had faded, and black belt seemed light-years away. It was during this phase that mental fortitude became important, and I learned to stop focusing on belts and just put my head down and grind.
More than techniques or skills, it was about showing up, even when I wasn’t motivated. It was about facing and acknowledging the self-doubt and then choosing to persevere. My teammates became even more important to me, more like family. They held me accountable to show up and train. Whenever I felt like quitting, unmotivated, like I as stuck, going backwards or downright sucked, my training partners uplifted me and challenged me to push through. I learned to have fun and to enjoy being a blue belt. I learned to embrace the grind.
Purple Belt: Embracing the Mental Complexity
About a month ago I was awarded my purple belt and it felt like stepping into a new realm. Initially I didn’t even want to be promoted. I felt like I wasn’t ready and I had learned to embrace being a blue belt. I didn’t want the pressure I felt came with being a purple belt.
Not only was there an expectation to refine techniques and showcase fluidity in movements, I felt pressure to be better than I thought I was. After talking to my coaches and some of my teammates, that initial anxiety wore off. I realized that being a purple belt meant I needed to have a shift in mental complexity.
There was an unspoken understanding that being a purple belt wasn’t just about what I did on the mats, but how I thought and felt. Emotions had to be regulated, strategies had to be formed, and mental agility became as crucial as physical agility.
As a purple belt, you’re often looked up to as a mentor and one of the leaders in the academy. Lower belts are watching you, not just how you roll but how you approach training, respect others and respect the art. You should be a good role model while also challenging yourself to be better on and off the mats.
One crucial aspect of this mental growth is the acceptance of imperfection. No matter the belt color, there will always be failures, mistakes, and missed opportunities. The purple belt phase reinforces the idea that growth often comes from acknowledging our flaws and continuously working on them.
So far, I am enjoying this phase. I am pushing myself to be more competition minded, even when not competing. I’m even more open to learning to be a better practitioner and more willing than ever to help others improve as well.
Anticipating the Future: The Road Ahead
As I think about the journey ahead – brown and, eventually, the coveted black belt – I recognize that the challenges will evolve. They’ll demand more than just technical prowess. They’ll require mental resilience, emotional intelligence, and an ever-present passion for the art. I anticipate moments of introspection, self-doubt, euphoria, and profound learning. And I believe that the mental and emotional growth I’ll experience will be as valuable, if not more so, than the physical.
Staying connected with my teammates will always be invaluable. Without them I would have never made it this far.
Conclusion
The belts we tie around our waist in Jiu Jitsu signify more than just technical abilities; they represent chapters of growth, both physical and mental. With each promotion, we don’t just become better martial artists; we become more resilient, introspective, and emotionally intelligent individuals. The journey is challenging, no doubt, but every obstacle, every moment of self-doubt, and every victory makes us not just better fighters but better individuals.
Grappling with Jiu-Jitsu 