The Real Superpower: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

I started training BJJ a couple of years ago and I’m so glad I did. One of the best decisions of my life by far. It has improved me overall and definitely became my mental therapy. I could write pages about bjj helping me mentally, but that’s not the topic for this one. 

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a martial art and a combat sport based on ground fighting with submission holds such as chokeholds or joint locks. Basically I get to choke out my friends/training partners, also get choked out, and we hug it out afterwards, no bad feelings at all.   

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a superpower for the simple reason, dominance. If you haven’t rolled (a term used for sparring in bjj) with someone who knows decent jiu jitsu, you wouldn’t truly understand what I mean by that. I can at least share my experience so that you have an idea of how it feels to be dominated by someone else.  

Before my very first jiu jitsu class, I knew what to expect. I had listened to enough Joe Rogan at that point. So as a newcomer, I knew I almost had zero chance against people who were more experienced than me, regardless of their age or size. Even though I knew what to expect, being dominated on the mats by someone who was almost my dad’s age and 30 pounds lighter than me and not knowing what to do about it amazed me. After a couple of months however, I was able to do the same to newcomers even if they were 200 pounds of solid muscle. Again it’s hard to believe unless you experience it. 

If you are not convinced, you can watch the early UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) and see how dominant Royce Gracie was against the guys who were twice his size. He didn’t beat all his opponents because he was extremely strong or athletic. He beat them because he knew jiu jitsu and the others didn’t. 

The more you train jiu jitsu, the more confident and powerful you become. You realize you know a skill that most people don’t, and you can subdue them if you have to. That’s why jiu jitsu is a superpower.