Why I Train BJJ
Part 2- Community
For the second installment in the Why I Train BJJ series (part 1 here), I decided to focus on community because it ties in well with an event that I recently attended at my gym, Rev MMA. Two weeks ago, I attended the bi-annual grading ceremony and potluck.
This was my second time attending this event, the first one being this past June. This event’s structure consists of three parts, each lasting an hour: the grading ceremony, sparring, and a potluck lunch.
This event is special because it gives the students a chance to reflect on all they have accomplished during the past six months and look ahead to more learning ahead. It is also a chance to enjoy time with our training partners and coaches off the mats. During regular class, we only have a few minutes before and after class to hang out but this day provides more of that time to connect. Plus, everyone loves to eat so that part is especially enjoyable. This is a great team-building event that helps build a unified community of like-minded individuals, who share a common goal of getting better at martial arts.
During the grading ceremony, I received the third stripe on my white belt. For those who are unfamiliar with the ranking system in BJJ, there are five belt colors: white, blue, purple, brown, and black. Each color before black has four stripes within that level to measure progress. This ranking system helps to measure skill level and gauge an overall level of proficiency in BJJ. I am very proud of the progress that I have made so far. In just over one year of training at Rev MMA, I have attended close to 70 classes and I have earned two stripes. Beyond that, I can tell that my game is evolving and my instincts are sharpening.
I decided to make today’s post about community because to get better at BJJ, you need to have respectful and helpful training partners. Unlike other martial arts where you can work on your skills alone by hitting heavy or speed bags, BJJ requires partners to work on your technique and timing. Everything done in BJJ requires the assistance of others, which is one of the reasons why I like it. I genuinely want to help others improve and see them succeed because I know how good that feels. Also, if they get better then I will have better partners to train with, which will force my game to improve as a result. It's a win-win.
At Rev MMA, I feel a sense of community and togetherness. The crew that I train with in the advanced class are kind and they make me feel welcome and supported. If I didn’t feel that vibe when I first started training there, I would have found another gym closer to where I live. I felt the same sense of community at Agatsu in Montreal, where I trained for three years. That was a much smaller gym but I got along well with the other students and I still keep in touch with the head coach, Shawn Mozen.
I think that the vibe of a gym is crucial and it is largely determined by the head instructor and the culture they promote. At Rev MMA, Joel Gerson is an instructor with a serious demeanor who commands the respect of his students when teaching. But he also has a humorous side and likes to keep the environment light by making jokes. I think that balance is key because while we are there to learn, we also want it to be fun. We have enough seriousness in the daily drudgery of life so it is nice to be able to learn new skills in a chill environment without feeling stressed about making mistakes or asking questions.
Another strength of Rev MMA is the vibe during sparring. Even though the intensity of effort rightfully rises, it never reaches an uncomfortable level. People can regulate themselves well and as a result, serious injuries rarely occur. When I spar, I push the limits of my endurance but I don't feel like my training partners are out to get me or beat me up. Rather, they give me opportunities to learn and offer me tips on how to handle specific situations. And I appreciate that about the Rev MMA crew.
I am happy with the relationships I have built so far at Rev. On any given night of training, I know I will have plenty of training partners who I am comfortable rolling with and who treat me with respect. That strong sense of community keeps me coming back every week and I think that is something that all gyms should strive to create. At the end of the day, we all need each other to improve and you will know that you are at the right gym when you feel that sense of camaraderie every time you walk through its doors.
Community is important in life, whether you find it through your fitness gym, family, social circle, or hobbies. You need people that can help build you up and become the best version of yourself. So hopefully you can find that soon if you haven’t already. And it might take stepping outside of your comfort zone to meet a new group of people.
As this is my last post of 2023, I want to wish you all a happy new year! I hope that 2024 is a productive year for you, personally and professionally. Set goals and work hard to achieve them. And prioritize the most important relationships in your life because it is those people that add meaning to your life and make it special.
Thank you all for subscribing, reading, and sharing my content. I appreciate each and every one of your for your support. I will continue to publish interesting content this coming year and I welcome your feedback. And if you know of anyone else who would enjoy my writing, please share this post with them. The more the merrier!
Best wishes for 2024!