Blue Belt Hobbyist Feels Worthless at Competition-Focused Gym 

without the hobbyists, BJJ professionals couldn't make a living.

Happens in every discipline. My daughter and wife were treated poorly and ignored by her gymnastics coach because she didn't compete. They said that the students who compete are their priority. They sure liked our money though.

He should leave. He was told to leave, never stay where you are unwanted. Take your wallet with you.

If you go to the most competitive competition gyms, they will have a ton of hobbyists. like chewy said, hobbyists keep the lights on. It sounds like that coach might be resentful of having to teach people who don't share his personal goals (which is not very cash money of him). Jiu jitsu is a personal journey and, in my opinion, if you're teaching normal day classes, you should respect that people are there for different reasons.

Some of these coaches need to realise that WE PAY THEM to train us, not the other way around.

I trained in Wrestling for 10 years. My high School Experience had a Teammate at my weight class, and a grade ahead of me. He was a 3 time state champion, and later a 2 time collegiate all American. My role was to being able to get my teammate prepared. My job was to push him to the best of my abilities. I ended up getting a torn hamstring my senior year. Me and said person went to the same college. We met at the bar and he was a red shirt senior at this point. he thanked me for pushing him in high school. It validated my entire competitive wrestling career. Knowing that my strong work from the bottom, and take down defense helped him be better.

If the coach wants to be focused on the top level competitors, have a competition focused class as part of the schedule. It’s easier to add a class to focus on certain aspects of BJJ, than to lose money by losing students.

Everyone trains for a different reason. Especially if your older with a family and a career competing is often not that important. However, everyones reason for training is valid. Whether its self defence, fitness, social, competing. Martial arts are for everyone. To think otherwise is elitist and narrow minded.

I'm 57 with a boxing background . Started at my gym 3 years ago with no real ambitions, other than to have fun . Have now stopped . I loved BJJ but have a family and couldnt commit to more than once a week and because of that was made to feel not part of the team . Real shame . Now looking for another gym .

I train at a hardcore competition focused gym (37 years old masters guy), and there are still a great deal of hobbyists on the mat with the competitors. Cool thing is, our hobbyists train just as much and just as hard as the competitors. They just dial it back when needed, and the most gnarly guys in the room respect them all the same. Just train hard, and if people are being resentful or disrespectful find a group that better suits you.

Fortunately, my area has several gyms. A coach who doesn't feel like he has time for me isn't going to be receiving my monthly payments.

I love how Chewie has a story from a book for most situations in life, reminds me that i should be reading more

if its a competition training or advanced training i get it but if it’s fundamentals or all levels class hobbyist deserve attention and respect

The competitive grappler’s are most definitely an important part of the gym. When they compete they get the name of the gym out in the public eye, and if they’re winning on a regular basis they bring recognition to the gym. That being said, it’s the everyday guy who comes in day after day training because they have a legitimate love for the art, and they hate exercise but love BJJ and getting on the mat helps them to maintain physical and mental health. They’re the ones that keep the lights on, and the provide fresh training partners for those who compete. And even though they may not be elite level grappler’s, every training partner offers new opportunities to improve. It’s a symbiotic relationship.

We need more coach's like you chewie, a lot of times in my bjj journey I almost dropped off because I was neglected just because I don't like to compete even though I already had. In my opinion martial arts are a different journey for each individual and we as practitioners must respect everyone

Does the owner of the gym know he’s saying that crazy ass shit?

I train at a relatively small gym. There’s only two of us that compete regularly. Without the other members at the gym training would become pretty stale, and you wouldn’t get all the different body types and training styles. I’m always happy when the mats are packed, regardless of your skill level or competition status.

I was in a Cobra Kai gym in my first two years of BJJ. It made me constantly compare myself to others in the gym, and because of that I was always anxious about my improvement and performance, BJJ wasn't fun for me. Now I'm at a different gym where it chill, and everyone can do their own thing at their own pace and the coaches treat everyone equally, BJJ is fun for me now. A few interesting points, first I am improving a lot faster now, and I went back to the Cobra Kai gym, and I beat the assistant coach, a purple belt, so more pressure doesn't mean improve faster. Second, many people at the Cobra Kai gym end up quitting at blue and purple belt. Only two higher belt when I was a white belt is still training there, and I can count 15-20 higher belts who have quit the gym, in fact, most of them quit the sport entirely, so I think Cobra Kai is also no good in the long run.

As a hobbyist myself, this made me feel a lot better. Not that my gym prioritizes competitors over the rest of us, but it made me realize that I can still contribute something to the ones that are serious competitors. One of the owners is on the SWAT team where I live so when he teaches, its more along the lines of self-defense. Other coaches focus more on competition. Its a good mix. I don't get to train as much as I used to, but when I do get to class, whoever the coach is that day, they still shake my hand/bump fists with me when I walk in the door and appreciate that I'm there supporting them. The gym also has a class specifically for those training for upcoming competitions, which I think makes the regular day classes more inclusive of folks like myself and more welcoming to new people. Bummer to hear that not all gyms are like mine. Suppose I should consider myself lucky.

i train at one of the best and most competitive gyms in the country. even many white belts have judo or wrestling backgrounds - im a beginner/ hobbyist just trying to learn ,. Fortunately everyone has been helpful and extremely humble ....

The best gyms I’ve ever been a part of (any type of gym) have built community. I used to be a part of a powerlifting gym where I made connections, had people push me, and we were friends! One of the only reasons I joined a bjj gym was for community. I’ll never compete and I don’t super care about belts - I care about learning a skill, being a part of a community, and a workout.

This is sort of me right now. I switched gyms about 7 months ago. New gym. Really good training but instructor is really hard on me and even hurtful at times. I don't want to quit but really struggling lately. I don't feel that I'm wanted there. That's a shitty feeling.

The “ambalampses” distractions are fantastic! 😂 keep up the content, Chewy! Enjoy all the videos

Chewy you always have the best answers, great use of story telling really shows how knowledgeable you are not just in jiu Jitsu but outside too 💯

Wise beyond your years Mr Chewy!

You are a true martial artist, Chewjitsu. Respect. Please keep spreading wisdom.

Loving this content. I'm a white belt returning to training after about a year layoff due to some health issues. You're answering so many concerns. Thanks Chewy, keep it going brother

I'm a hobbyist in another style and I needed to hear this too! Thank you man! 🙏🏻

This video opened my eyes and gave me a different outlook on many other aspects of life. Thanks for sharing, this is a perspective that I will need to meditate on for a long time.

Great perspective. Thanks Chewie.

gracias mi hermano for saying that, I also have thought about that term sometimes, your analysis about the roll of hobbyists in the BJJ world brings light to the importance of everyone as part of the same discipline and the roll some of us play to help competitors succeed which also helps to develop this martial art.

Very good advice, well thought out and you have him a great perspective

My favorite part was when you called out and sort of scolded the coach talking down to the hobbyists 👍

Being that you’ve trained there for years and love the people and the gym I’d just say it needs to be ran by the owner who hopefully give the 2nd in command an attitude check bc that’s horse shit. I’ve trained at 2 gyms including my current both having every type of practitioner from high level ibjjf competitors & even 2 current ufc fighters to your average joe hobbyists like myself who just love the art & wanna learn..my instructors a high level black belt under Carlson gracie & show’s everyone the utmost respect & attention whether he’s helping you train for a fight or just improve your game as a hobbyist. Don’t give a DIME of your hard earned $ to a gym you’re not 100% comfortable & respected at there’s plenty of great gyms out there you just gotta find em!

Chewy, such a good insight brotha. The talk down to anyone in jiu jitsu always didn’t make sense to me. I’ve never liked it in the gym or in life.. such a weird way to be to people IMO. Life’s too short for that stuff, Even if someone’s day one in the gym I try and get them excited about jiu jitsu. Keep up the good work 👍🏼

Imagine if other ppl had that coaches mentality.. nah I don't want to train you because you are a hobbyist. I guess some gyms are more full on then others 🙏💙

This genuinely continues to be one of the best jits and martial arts channels on the Web.

Great word! BJJ is an amazing part of life. To me, it’s a great skill. A hobby with a purpose

I appreciate this post chewy. As a 38 yo hobbyist with a wife and two boys under 10 (who train as well), I appreciate your take. We all provide value.

Thank you so much for doing this i learn so much about what i didn't know and thought i did :-D

just realised why i watch Chewy even though i dont do BJJ. Chewy is compassionate but his compassion is tempered by reality. Like he is considerate but not a doormat. Tells you how it really is but not a douche about it. im not sure about this but i get the feeling that Chewy knows the importance of both community and individuality. Chewy is big on the Stoics which, based on my perception, is very self-focused but Chewy is aware how important community is (e.g. cultivating a welcoming gym culture, acknowledging how your training partners help you) i bring up "community and/vs individuality" cos its something ive been thinking about for years. Like i started out as someone who dumps on social expectations and social conventions but as i grew older i realised that it is difficult (and not fun) to live without cultivating or joining a group/community who share the same values and goals as you

yes it is. sweep the leg! strike early. strike hard. strike fast

Its not what happens to you, its what you think about what happens to you that matters. Keep learning from that coach, keep training and following YOUR path.

Dude, I just bought one of your shirts. I love it.

I went through my competition phase my first years of Jiu-Jitsu. It was amazing. Now as a coach I make sure I cater to everyone. Everybody is there for a different reason. And honestly maybe like 20% of my gym are competitors. If you only cater to competitors you are basically closing the door to law enforcement officers and veterans. My students who are in law enforcement are there to learn stuff for work. And majority of my veterans are there because they are coping with PTSD, depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders. My advice to the coach actually is to be a little bit more careful because you do not want to make your so-called hobbyists feel unwelcomed or like they have to do competitions. Personally every now and then I will jump into a competition. But if I have many of my students that are going to be doing that same competition I focus my attention on them and get them prepared with a personal game plan for each one and to ensure they are ready in all other aspects like mind-set, their weight, and make sure they are physically ready. I make sure that my competitors are there even when there is not a competition coming up. And the other way around. Now just imagine if the hobbyist would not show up when there's competitions coming up. Who is going to get their teammates ready? Yes the coaches there to teach and to roll with them of course. But they need to roll with different people of course because everyone has something different to offer skill-wise. Anywho this was a great topic chewy. Thank you for your content as always brother you always have the best things to say

Same thing goes for my high school wrestling. Duals and team events are done but we still have individual conferences and states so we keep the Jv guys around to drill with and make us better

Well said. As a career military Logistician and doing much the same type of work post retirement, I love this analogy. I got to do a lot of neat stuff in the Army eg jumping but it was sometimes hard to convince people my prime raison d'être was support not pointy end. I at 64 , am happy being a hobbyist at BJJ and probably will never compete but respect those that do. I hope they see me in a similar light .

Great video!!

That's the politics of it, and every sport has it. As well of all else fails, you have mad self defense skills. My wife and I are mid 20s and hobbyists we train 4 days a week hour classes and maybe 30min to an hour or rolling after. Believe me as a hobbyist you are important to the gym but equally important is your bettering you health and public safety all the while. Roll on. Thanks Chewy love the content. #chewjitsu and #stranglegang collab?

Great mentorship

I wonder if Chris asked coach about it later, maybe even a few days after. Sometimes even our coaches mis-speak and say things that come out wrong (or don't realize how things sound). Everyone has a bad day and says something boneheaded. Maybe clear that air. We have some up-and-coming shining stars at my gym too, I'm not one of them. I compete (kinda) as a blue belt ... but we are a team. Even if sometimes the focus is on the big guns .. I get to learn what they learn, my skills grow by rolling with them, and I'm moving along on my path just fine - even if they may be on a steeper curve and get more love from the coach, who cares? If your game is growing how you want (you're fighting above blue belt at your 'away' gym), maybe you can deal. They're just words. But ultimately it's your journey. Good luck my man.

Good answer, but what I think the coach may have meant, but worded poorly, was that he does not have time for individual/person training with non-competitors. If he is a well known and sought after coach in a well known gym, teaching a one or two classes a day and personal sessions with competitors might be all he has time for. In which case I wouldn't blame him at all.

I stay in Chicago been having a hard time looking for the right gym around me. Love jiu jitsu and just want to get better in many ways if possible.

Rudy! Rudy! Rudy! One of my favorite stories of how a winning team takes a wide range of people who contribute in their own way.

Hobbyist here. Though, doing my first competition on the 6th March at CFJJB Paris Open. Not because I'm pushed by my gym (my gym treats us, hobbyists fairly well) but mainly to find suitable opposition and test my progress over the past few months. I'm a 44 year old white belt and just under 70kg and I spend my time getting smashed by younger, heavier, more athletic and more experienced guys at my gym. Looking forward to it. And regardless of result, I'll keep grinding

Wise words my friend.

Even as a hobbiest the coach/athlete bond is very important and I like what Chewy says here. I have dumped all kinds of things because I did not care for the coach or was not able to find a connection to them and I think it was the right thing to do. It is no different than leaving a dead end job you thought might be promising. And I would like to say many coaches go for the young, naturally talented athletes and pride themselves on that success. The coach who sticks with a challenged athlete and leads them to success and makes that connection is the true winner.

I first joined just for hobby...but did my first comp even tho I lost enjoyed every minute...planning next one

I just started training a month ago. I highly doubt I will participate in a tournament. Tô much going on in my life to do that right now. However, if I can get good enough that I could protect myself/family and those around me in a dangerous situation…then I have succeeded in what I wanted to accomplish. I hope to never be tested with a dangerous situation. I see some competitive ppl saying ppl need to compete to test themselves….but there are different reasons ppl get involved. I personally think most the guys I spare with are probably tougher than the average dude on the street.

Coming from old school, recognition is not really something you need. We had the same teacher for 25 years until he retired, a few students from the begining were still there when he retired. In the end you just know what time it is...

So where I live their opening up MMA , BJJ and muy tai. I plan on doing both but in both arts I know I'm probably gonna be one of the best there right off the start, I did wrestling, taekwondo and some boxing. I spare lightly with some friends too. I know there's a lot for me to learn, I'm not the best by no means but I already have a foundation that most people in my area don't. I can't imagine that many more people than the instructors themselves will be near my level to challenge me so I can grow at least right at the opening of the school.if that is the case do u have any advice on training besides always rolling and sparing the instructors until some members of the class get better. And going to others schools isnt an option bc that's the only place near by, everywhere else is almost an hour away at best. I would love to hear ur wisdom lol

If your a hobbyist or 'noncompetitor' at a competition school get used to being ignored your just a paycheck to the head instructor while he focus on the competition team.

Respect ✊🏾

Like 60% of people in my club are hobbyists and the rest are great competitors, so there's this circle of life in which those competitors that are tough as hell, have honed a game plan with a number of techniques which make them even tougher. For the rest of us (hobbyists), in order to survive we have to study a lot and come up with this wacky ways of defeating these guys, meaning we are improving exponentially while helping them find weaknesses to their game. And it also happens that some of the hobbyist end up competing every now and then.

A lot of places are like that.

We run a fundamentals program and competition program, two different focuses, students can do both however they are totally different animals. Main program is designed for competition, hobbiests welcomed, but they need to keep up in class. Fundamentals program is paced for everyone to enjoy and grow from learning the martial art of BJJ. -if you have newer students training or drilling with even a solid year in student or even a colored belt, these students are now paced much slower and might be teaching at this point. The responsiblity of teaching is with the instructor. -If the competition focused students are then slowed down due to this and can not get proper work in it defaults and prevent proper drilling time on the mats. - If everyones paying money to train and be the best the programs like in all other sports needs to be presented in the same fashion. AAA, A,B,House leagues, or Varsity vs JV. If you have C team always training with the AAA guys what happens.... BJJ and some Mma gyms really need to evolve this direction. As BJJ becomes more of a professional sport you'll see more of a split in these schools. Nothing wrong at all with being a casual bjj practitioner, hobbyist, Gym mat star, old man that loves to be part of the school,team,etc. This is wonderful, great for the community, however..... Keep the sharks and orcas in the ocean, keep the fresh water fish in the river.... They all swim, all eat other fish,but.....if you mix them bait fish get eaten up, or they just can't thrive or live in each others habitat. Just my perspective.

That's very shitty and toxic attitude expressed by that coach. I would advise Chris to take his concerns to the owner. Not only are these types of attitudes toxic and lead to a stressful and unfulfilling training environment they will eventually negatively impact the owners bottom line.

This is extremely good advice. I want to say that coach is a dickhead, but I haven't heard his side of the story so I'll refrain from that. What I will say is that if he's the "second" coach teaching the classes, he's probably new, and sometimes the new guy wants to leave his mark too (i.e. be fed by self esteem). So maybe he's going a little harder than he should on the competition side, and I can understand that. In either case, great video.

Ambulance....

It makes sense to have a variety of classes to suit each practitioner. Unfortunately, many instructors don't know how to translate their skills into self-defense style training. Competition isn't for everyone and BJJ isn't just a sport. Instructors who can't see this are generally short sighted and stupid. When I first started training BJJ I remember thinking how cool it was that the instructor didn't seem to hold himself above everyone like instructors of many other martial arts did. I always immediately lost respect for those egomaniac types. Sadly, this attitude has found it's way into many BJJ academies. The academy owner who only wants a sea of his patches on the tournament mats is someone to avoid in my opinion...

this is so true with boxing coaches, they don't want to train you if they know you're not gonna fight, and just do it for hobby.

Maybe the coach wants to focus on competitors because that will give the school more recognition and bring in more students..... who will mostly be hobbyists..... oh wait...

I train in Judo and struggle with these same issues. I am older and honestly feel that when something is exclusively competition oriented it looses focus as a martial art. Very often I think of just walking away from training.

What's the name of the book you are talking about?

My old coach hated ( I think) that I never competed but only teased me occasionally about it

The number of black belts, brown belts, and purple belts at an average gym would not be able to pay enough tuition to keep the doors of that gym open. If I were that guy, I would leave - on principle. Especially if there was enough BJJ gym in town, of comparable size and someone still the same commute. Doesn't matter if you make any mad - you're not competing. The guys that just love the sport, or love the defensive aspect of any martial art is what makes the gym possible - eclipsed only by the kids program of any gym of course. For a coach to be so disrespectful to someone that pays on time and puts in the effort is just an act of ego. Send an email to the owner of the school explaining why you're leaving and then go. Wishing him the best.

one of the coolest compliments was when one of our blackbelts got promoted to first degree and said i was as much responsible for him achieving it (i'm a brown belt) as he was at working for it.

Awesome

My tkd gym is located between the firehouse, police station, ambulance station, and railroad tracks, definitely know the frustration of constant sirens lol

Curious what book it is that is being referenced about the self esteem/food.

Terrible business plan to exclude a large part of the community. Not sure I understand what his thought process is

I just like any type of bjj training 😊

I help teach at my gym and I personally like to teach ANYONE who likes to learn. But that being said…..I still have a little chuckle when the ambulance goes by lol.

This sounds very odd to me. At our place everyone is part of the team and everyone is equally as important, and when you go to competitors classes which are separate, there the same coaches aren't as nice to us :D I like it. You can't sugar coat the fact that competitions are tough, but every guy is part of the family no matter if you're a hobbyist or a competitor.

Love this guy

Was the book called Tribe, by Sebastian Junger ? Great book

there are so many purple and brown belts there that can work with the blue belt. As a 44 years old Blue belt I get it. I've found I can learn a lot from purple belts in my gym.

I did kickboxing for 10 years in the past and we trained all together whether we were competitors or not. My master would obviously focus more on competitors but he didn't neglet the others and we competitors knew that it was kind of our duty to spar with everyone regardless because that's how we improved (even as a white belt I sparred regularly with black belts). We only sparred between competitors closer to competitions. Now, after many years I decided to get in shape again so I looked into Judo and BJJ gyms in the area and I've noticed that BJJ (and Japanese Jujutsu) gyms tend to be very classist. They put competitors and everyone above blue belt in different classes so I can't train with them. No wonder it takes so long to take a black belt, this classification makes the learning curve much slower. This is holding me back from starting BJJ. I don't like this pedestal mentality. I mean, we're not in a kung-fu movie where everyone has the responsibility to keep the reputation of the school high, it's a sport mostly for amateurs, relax.

Imagine if a hobbyist was tapping out high level competitors. Be like Saitama smoking every superhero who trains real hard

Many hobbyists, like myself, were once competitors. I quit competing due to several injuries. I simply wanted to increase my longevity. Now, I am that hobbyist that helps get the competitors ready for competition. I take pride in that. I think anyone should. The "hobbyists" are the the mechanics that keep the machine operating.

So if I had a question on how to handle a situation kinda similar to this. How would I contact you?

Some gyms are catered to more competitive students and some are more hobbyist and some are mixed. I am in my 40;s and try to avoid the competitive gyms. It can be hard to tell but its best to simply observe the class. You can tell from watching what it caters too.

My gym is a Muay Thai gym and very Cobra Kai...honestly its a blessing in discuss to be set off to the side as a beginner or hobbyist because they get to focus on technique or specific things they need work on...and they usually get injured less...I used to loooove when my coach would tell me I could go work on a bag. But now...as a 3 month starter...I beat the shitt out of their pro guys who have done this their whole life because Ive been a high level athlete my whole life and I have great power and focus on technique and have major agression lololol. so it could be a blessing in discuss to be able to focus on technique on the side.

As a hobbyist, I want to increase my time in the gym, but due to life challenges right now, I can't go after being a competitive bjjist

Best to leave to avoid an injury by "mistake". I went to a wrestling club where the coach, an ex olympic wrestler was only competition focused. His way to weed out hobbyists? Injure them in training. I knew 2 hobbyists who blew their knees sparring with him and one ended up with a busted lower back. Needless to say, I left ASAP.

Talk to the management and express your concern.

These super duper serious warrior-athletes need to realize, that without parents with full-time jobs who train as a hobby, nobody would ever pay them to coach, nobody would sponsor them to compete, and no big tournaments would take place, with only an adult blackbelt class. They would have literally nothing. Their fights and instructionals would have 84 views on RU-vid. Nobody would really give a shit about your blackbelt either if there weren't loads of people training who never get one. In my experience, I've met a couple top level (ex) competitors, they get this. If your coach doesn't, maybe he's a bit of a douchebag. This could all change if Jiu-Jitsu becomes a real spectator sport with paying fans who don't train at all. Don't hold your breath...

What does the head coach think about what his 2nd in command said? I would talk to the head coach.

Which Gracie barra is this?

Head coach at the gym needs to hear that. Dude just lost himself a job talking that kind of stupid.