If you’re like me…..the thought of a packed gym is repulsive.
An entire floor of people who are more-so there to either find a future spouse…..or get a break from their current one. 🤣
The “gym” is one of the main reasons I started training Jiu-Jitsu.
Ok…that’s not completely true.
I got WRECKED in a white-trash trailer park fight….then had the luxury of getting my senior picture the next day with a nasty shiner for it to be forever immortalized into my High School Year Book.
After my royal beatdown, I thought the problem was
“Well I just need to get stronger. That’ll solve it.” 💪
So I went from 145lbs to 190 over the course of 2 years using Mark Rippetoe’s Starting Strength program.
Pretty impressive right? From an Instagram standpoint (which didn’t exist at the time)... sure.
But from a self defense aspect….I was no more prepared to defend myself then when I was 145lb.
My brother at the time lived across the hall from Ribeiro Brothers in Toledo, and he was pressing me for YEARS to come and learn from them.
So eventually I bit the bullet and took a class.
My first Jiu-Jitsu class consisted of me getting MAULED by a malnourished teenager…..by the name of Dante Leon (currently ranked #4 in the world at the time of this writing).
I was instantly hooked!
"Goodbye fitness gyms! Hello Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!”
Or so I thought.
AGE CAUGHT UP WITH ME
I started training Jiu-Jitsu at 19…..In hindsight I had no idea what the term “sore” meant.
But somewhere around my 29th birthday…..my body wasn’t performing the same as if it used to. It took me longer to recover. My response time was slower. And frankly I felt like I was moving backwards big time!
Now, I train BJJ 4-5x/week, anywhere from 6am to 7pm. And while I’m amply capable of protecting myself now, that’s no longer why I train.
I want to do Jiu-Jitsu the rest of my life.
Which means I will have to create a lifestyle that is conducive to such a goal.
Here's a short list of lifestyle changes I had to start paying attention to after I turned 29:
1. Proper rest. 🛌 - 7hrs minimum each night.
2. Hydration. 💧 - 1/2 gallon of water with either Celtic salt or amino acid
3. Strength Training (Not powerlifting). 🏋️♀️ - Programs varies, but it's functional & consistent.
4. Yoga/Stretching 🧘 - Before & After each workout. Preferably after each class as well.
5. Proper Nutrition 🥗 🥦 - Eat the rainbow (lots of colors, veggies, and fruits).
Also, lots of protein, I like to blend 6 raw eggs into my protein shake each morning. (You wouldn't even know they're there and it adds 40+ grams of high quality protein).
The strength training looks different as well.
I’m not trying to crush a one rep max of squats, or deadlifts.
I want to make sure I’m keeping proper form, full range of motion, and even modifying movements to simulate Jiu-Jitsu techniques (staggered combat base squats, Triangle Sit-ups, etc).
What I love about BJJ is it doesn’t have a hard age limit, it can absolutely be a lifelong hobby if you want it to be.
See You On The Mats
Written By Coach David
Metro Jiu-Jitsu
13555 Eureka Rd, Southgate MI
