Written by Eric Batdorff

Introduction

Many of us have seen at least one video of a fight breaking out in public. It’s embarrassing to even watch, and evokes (at least for me) a cringy feeling that makes me glad that I’m not either of them. The slapping, attempted punches (thrown without much force behind them), headlocks, hair pulling (often from the fairer sex), and rolling around on the ground like a bunch of uncoordinated idiots is the norm. Sometimes, it escalates to the point where one person is very seriously hurt and the whole time I’m thinking to myself that his/her injuries weren’t even accrued in a cool or worthwhile way. Like, at least give me a half decent showing before you’re curb stomped into oblivion?

Relax, relax, I’m joking… maybe.

Now there’s no such thing as any single martial art reigning supreme, even Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) has both its upsides along with its limitations – but it’s still damn effective. At over a year and a half of training, I’m still quite novice, but the benefits come fast and manifest in different ways.

So as you read on, please keep in mind that with a bit of consistent effort, there are a set of tools that can provide immense value to you in your life that are widely accessible.

What is BJJ?

So what is BJJ and why bother putting yourself through such a challenging ordeal? Well, first let me give you a bit of information about the origins. BJJ is a martial art and combat sport that focuses on ground fighting and submission holds. It originated in Brazil and is derived from the Japanese martial arts of Judo and traditional Jujutsu (translated as “gentle art”). 

Now, it might translate to “gentle art” but quick disclaimer: that’s like claiming that marriage is fun. Sure, it can be amazing, but it can also quickly devolve into a knife fight over what the temperature setting should be in the house when it’s boiling hot outside but your wife is complaining about the cold while clutching a blanket like she’s been exiled to Antartica. So in both situations, It greatly depends on the individuals and how much effort is put into learning control and restraint.

In BJJ you emphasize leverage, technique, and positional control to overcome larger opponents along with various techniques such as joint locks and chokes. I really have to trust that my partner is disciplined enough not to crank my arm too hard and snap my elbow joint. Additionally, they need to trust that when I slip that glorious choke-hold around their neck, I’ll apply it with enough control so that they don’t pass out (as long as they tap out when they know they’re beat). 

I find that after understanding the movments and techniques, at the highest levels it’s like watching a beautiful dance. Similar to how music guides the dancer’s every move, the principles of BJJ provide the framework for the artist’s control. They utilize grips, body positioning, and leverage to orchestrate the movements on the mats. Each subtle adjustment becomes a note, harmonizing with the opponent’s reactions, creating a captivating melody of dominance and control.

Although admittedly, at my current skill level it can feels less like a fluid dance and more of a sloppy scramble for power when you both really want to get that submission.

Mindset

It requires a deep understanding of body mechanics, strategy, and mental fortitude. Each training session is an opportunity to challenge my limits, both physically and mentally. The act of rolling with different training partners, adapting to their styles, and problem-solving on the spot, mirrors the complexity of chess but on a visceral physical level.

Just like in chess, there are certain moves that are only available after having positioned the pieces correctly. You maneuver your opponent into disadvantageous positions while slowly cornering them and limiting their available moves before you strike. 

I quickly realized that I’m not playing against one person in jiu jitsu, but two. The other one takes the board when my body aches, my mind doubts, and I question whether I have what it takes to continue. When I’m feeling the crushing weight of despair brought on by another body smothering my face, and struggling to escape a precarious position. Usually, when I’m beaten and refuse to accept it. 

That’s when my ego starts shrieking at me to get choked out before I tap out.

That’s the other opponent – the ego. The one who refuses that I set aside my pride so that I can reset and try again. Sometimes I’m frustrated as hell that my partner uses the same move over and over, like a stupid child repeatedly mashing the same buttons in a video game. But who’s really at fault? I fell into their trap again and still have to learn to counter it.

Fail, accept it, repeat. After enough failures, you start getting a few wins, then a few more. Eventually, you move up and spar with higher ranks and find yourself getting crushed again. Though now you feel like a child being toyed with. It’s invaluable, and reinforces that there is always someone stronger than you.

Jiu jitsu would fix the woke culture in no time at all. Imagine if everyone had experience getting beat down regularly? If they had a constant reminder that they aren’t infallible and that society doesn’t owe them anything that they haven’t earned? We have an abundance of individuals who crumble under pressure and become “triggered” because they aren’t equipped to deal with the world. Often, those who scream the loudest are the most afraid.

Benefits of BJJ

There are so many tools available right now for people to build themselves up. Two very advanced technologies of the human body (the most advanced machine in the known universe) are yoga and jiu jitsu. I use the word technologies because they are the result of continuous testing over hundreds of years (and in the case of yoga, thousands). They teach us how to manipulate energies and forces both internally and externally. 

Our entire existence is made up of different forms of energy, so learning to control them just helps life become easier to navigate. 

Plus, why do you think martial arts masters are so Zen? They got the keys to the universe bro.

I can’t help but marvel at the parallels that jiu jitsu shares with yoga – another favored practice of mine. Both require dedication, discipline, and the ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances. Both offer a path of personal growth, fostering resilience and building connections within a community of like-minded individuals.

Something to note, and I take nothing away from how incredible yoga is by saying this, but I found myself becoming a bit too passive with just yoga as my primary practice along with the occasional strength training. I was lacking an environment that would push back harder than I was pushing – something forcing me to excel. This is where jiu jitsu shines. It’s an incredible force multiplier when combined together with yoga. It brings the intense masculine energy into the mix, but in a very tempered and controlled fashion.

And about the physique? Assuming you eat healthy, you will without a doubt get shredded muscles. It sculpts a body into a very well balanced build due to dynamic range of movements, along with the engagement of so many previously unused muscles. But, alas, BJJ alone isn’t enough. People who solely practice BJJ end up lacking high muscle mass and accrue tons of injuries over time. The pulling, pushing, slamming, crushing, and twisting of joints… they tend to add up. 

Stretching liberally and incorporating a separate strength training regime is important.

One unexpected but extremely beneficial aspect of BJJ is the activation and control of the legs. We underutilize them so much in day-to-day life. The sheer variety of movements and control you gain due to hooking your opponent’s body and pushing them away from you with your feet, makes it feel like they were previously undiscovered limbs. Also, using your legs to immobilize or choke someone is just really fun. 

Tips

There is one myth that I’d like to quickly debunk. Some practitioners claim that “strength doesn’t matter as much as technique.” That’s… a bit of a stretch. Technique is absolutely crucial for sure, but weight and strength play a pivotal role in controlling your opponents body and having the endurance to go round after round. Diversify your practices for maximum performance. 

Additionally, I suggest learning basic striking (kicks & punches) along with a wide variety of moves to take your opponent to the ground. BJJ tends to focus primarily on the ground fighting aspects, and in many real-life situations it’s ill-advised to take the fight to the ground (bars, street fights, arguments with your wife).

And please, please, please… learn to breathe deeply and with control. That’s an invaluable lesson that translates to every aspect of your life. Use your breath to focus your attention and pull yourself out of the fight-or-flight mode that triggers when you’re being suffocated by a guy 50% heavier than you, or sitting through an hour-long powerpoint presentation by someone with a monotone voice. Both situations apply.

There is a quote by a 15th century samurai named Miyamoto Musashi, he went undefeated in 61 straight duels (many to the death) and is to have said in a book, “It’s better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.”

Now, not everyone has the desire to be a warrior, I get that, but even aiming to be an aggressive gardener sets you leagues above the average person. Keep in mind that 95% of society have no idea how to fight or defend themselves. Just by learning any martial discipline you give yourself the ability to do something.

I’ll tell you one thing for sure, very very few people have an intuition for fighting. When faced with a real opponent, you will freeze, run, or be so terrified for your own safety that you get maimed or hurt someone and end up in prison. Is jiu jitsu the same as lethal gladiatorial combat? Perhaps not, but it’s a hell of a lot closer to the real thing than you’ll get without any training. BJJ is widely learned by fighters competing in the UFC because of its effectiveness. Also, the ability to subdue someone without hurting them is extremely valuable. Some people just need to be forced to chill out when they’re throwing a tantrum in public.

Imagine instead of Will Smith smacking Chris Rock at the Oscars, Chris instead throws Will to the ground, mounts his back and chokes him out on live TV while whispering sweet nothings in Will’s ear as he fades to black. Will then takes a quick trip to Valhalla, wakes up confused but physically unharmed and everyone has a much more interesting story to tell.

BJJ gives you options.

Conclusion

I recently participated in a regional jiu jitsu competition and I assumed that having spent 8 years in the military and maintaining an overall physical lifestyle throughout my life, that I’d remain focused and composed. Instead, the adrenaline hit me like a charging bull. I felt my opponent’s energy crank up to 100% and matched his pace by throwing out most of the techniques I’d learned along with exhausting myself physically and mentally. 

Did I win? Sure, but it was sloppy and left so much room for improvement. So, back to the mats.

I know it’s cliche, but you will learn so much about yourself along the journey. I can’t recommend it enough and really hope that everyone takes the opportunity to do it. Not once or twice, but to really stick with it for several months at the very least – long enough to feel the gains that are earned through hard effort. They come quickly, and before you know it you too will have the ability to slip a choke-hold on your friends and family whenever they deserve it.