Medal-Winning White Belt Obsessed with Belt Promotions in BJJ 

When I first started, the belt and piece of electrical tape was everything. Now I’m nearly a brown belt and I find that I really don’t care about that belt anymore. I don’t care about stripes or anything else. I enjoy coming to class and getting some rolls and enjoying the brotherhood that Jiu Jitsu brings

I met Chewy at ADCC trials, out of all the BJJ guys we all know, he is by far the nicest guy around! Thanks for being such a cool dude Chewy 🤙🏼

Just go to class, roll, learn, be a good person and a respectful training partner.. It's amazing how belts come when you keep it that simple.

Chewie, you are AWESOME. You might think that Jiu Jitsu is the best thing you can offer, but, if so, I think you would be wrong. Your philosophical approach to things is what distinguishes you so much, and is truly the best you can offer, (despite you also having a outstanding Jiu Jitsu, of course!)

I'm coming up on being a 3 year white belt. And that's okay because I love doing and improving at the art. If I cared about the belt I wouldn't be still doing it. I've seen plenty of people get their blue belt in less than a year and I'm always extremely happy for them. Everyone is on their own journey

Many instructors will make a talented student wait longer so because they have a lot of potential. The competitor chewy is talking about is kicking butt and I hope they know it. They are winning gold at tournaments, their instructor is impressed even if they don't say it directly. keep up the good work and don't be discouraged.

I've been going to bjj for almost 6 months (5 to 7 sessions a week). I still don't have any stripes. In all honesty, the brotherhood is worth everything. I love the guys I roll with and the challenges that I've faced and perfecting my techniques. The community is worth it.

This was a good one, Chewy, thank you. I really needed to hear this today. 💗

I gave up on trying to impress my coach and I think it benefited me for the long run. Now I am enjoying the roll more. Thanks to you and your channel I’m just focusing on trying to enjoy the time in belt and learning as much as I can.

Great advice brother. It took me many years to learn this life lesson your teaching here. I never trained long enough to get my blue belt yet. When I was training for about 8 months I remember being happy that I was becoming one of the experienced white belts and that I was rolling better against the experienced blue belts (not winning just actually successfully using techniques sometimes). At the time I remember yes that I did desire to one day have a blue belt, but I kind of wanted to ride my white belt as long as they would let me lol. Mainly because I wanted to be as good as I possibly could by the time they awarded it to me. Granted if I had started when I was in my 20's or younger I probably would have been belt chasing all day long lol because I used to have that same mentality. Thats my long lame story, one day ill get back to jiu jitsu because it is such an awesome sport and stress reliever.

Very well said. Philosophical thoughts in battle keep you on the right track

That sisyphus perspective is on point. It's past midnight right now and I have work in the morning but you've just pumped me up to keep staying up and read some Camus xD

I used to be so goal driven and belt focused but now that I'm a little bit into purple belt I realize that this journey only happens once. When you get promoted you will never be a white belt again. Looking back on my white belt days I see a lot of unnecessary frustration. Now I'm focused on enjoying the lifestyle and it actually effected my progress positively, I find myself training more and enjoying myself more when training. You'd be surprised how much mental energy you spend thinking about your belt, all mental energy you could spend thinking about improving your technique instead!

Chewy I love that you referenced Albert Camus. That was a very thoughtful example of how to have some perspective on the BJJ Journey (and life journey). One of my favorite reads and impacted me greatly my first time around too. Love your videos!!! Wish you all the best sir

Great advice, Professor Chewy.

Powerful. So much more respect for you after watching this video!

Never needed this video more than ever.. thank you sir

Great reference to Camus. Put everything into perspective at the end of the day. BJJ is like lit and you can always draw parallels from both.

Holy shit, I love how Chew cites Albert Camus to answer a question. You guys lucked out! You have a philosopher coach. Greetings from Argentina my dudes!

Chewy. This video relates to me. My goals are so far away and I want everything now but I have to appreciate the now before I get to rewarded to appreciate the end goal prize .

I struggled for a while with this. I've always been an overachiever at school, in life/ work, which isn't necessarily a good thing. When I found out my friend, at a different gym, got her first tab after training for only a month, I was hungry for mine, competitive. I worked so hard, threw myself into BJJ in a way that I probably wouldn't have if the tab wasn't such a psychological factor for me, but I'm grateful for it at the end of the day, because I've totally fallen in love with the sport and the community. I received my first tab last week, and it felt amazing to have that recognition from my coaches of the hard work I'm putting in. The thing is, I thought I was doing poorly because it took 5 months to get my first, but people rarely get their first tab until they've been training for at least 6 months at our gym. Comparison with other gyms, or other people isn't accurate, or healthy. Everyone's BJJ is unique, everyone is on their own journey.

One massive problem with Bjj is that there aren’t very clearly defined expectations for what makes up a blue and purple belt etc. it seems to be mostly based on the opinion of the Sensei which an be good and bad.

This was a great video man🙌🙌

Hit it on the head Chewy. I earned a black in tkd and am just enjoying the journey this time around. Only have one goal, learn as much BJJ as I can.

not always about the destination. awesome video coach

Wonderfully said

Thanks Chewy, great advice that I needed to hear. It's so easy to get sucked in by these goals that you can easily forget what we know to be true. I know, that as a brown belt hobbyist Judoka my black belt doesnt mean a great deal in the grand scheme of things. However, as my next comp approaches knowing I only need to win 2 fights to get the remaining points I need and qualify for that black belt I get more and more consumed and that just makes me lose focus on what's important!

Chewy talking about Camus was like X-men vs Street Fighter when I was a kid. 2 things I respect and follow colliding in the best possible way

I truly believe that when you are; loyal, humble, teachable, faithful, supportive of the school and team, and actively celebrate your team mates successes while enjoying yourself, this will impress your Professors and coaches. Perhaps, they are looking to be impressed in other ways than just being good at Jiujitsu.

I think this mindset really applies to everything. I workout for fun, and I make gradual gains; I enjoy the process and may never reach my maximum potential because I'm "lazy", but that's fine by me. My sister finished her degree by the time she was 20. Now I see she doesn't really know what to do but keep reviewing her studies till she gets a job. I'm taking my own sweet time with my studies (taking 3 time longer than what I could do them in), but I'm enjoying the process. Life is long (unless you die young), and if you accomplish everything early, there won't be anything left to do later.

This young man should keep doing what he's doing. set yourself a goal try to achieve it. you are young! it's go time!

Great Message bro!

Love love love this view

Very well said. I am a white belt and I don't care about stripes or belt color. It makes me excited to roll and learn cool tricks. Everything else is secondary.

Great video!

Great advice.

Everybody has a different goal with jujitsu, one could be, just going to class and learning a skill while making friends, another is for a form of excercise that's fun, others to be the best.

Bjj has been so therapeutic in my life.

Did really good in white belt competitions (won a bunch got some double golds) and just got promoted at the year and a half mark to blue, I signed up for a tournament and I'm nervous again, just like I was for the first competition ever. Very excited to get my ass kicked and kick some ass that has a solid game plan now

Wow. Thanks brotha

It’s certainly hard when you’re just starting, especially when you feel like you’ve just gotten over that initial learning curve

I was just like this guy. I got my blue belt in a year because I got a stripe every time I did a tournament because I kept winning. I won 7 gold medals, and 1 silver, in my first four tournaments. I came out of it hating tournaments. I almost never compete anymore.

I am nearly certain my first coach didn't give me a blue belt cause my mind was not focused on the journey, but the destination. Had to take some time off for work and family and I matured a bit more outside of the gym. Came back, got promoted to my blue belt with in 2 months. But my mind set is in such a more long term healthy state that I don't really seek promotions any more. I still enjoy the fact that I got the belt promotion but it's just not my main focus any more.

Jiu Jitsu is a lifestyle for me. I'll still be training 10 years from now. I'll probably be wearing a belt of some color

Yo it’s me. Love the channel. So 🔥

Blue belt! Ha ha ..just got mine short of 2 years.. 41 yr old hobbiest.. I roll with guys like this and actually like it.. chewy is so right .. we desire things... belts.. winning, but u got medals... I don't have that... I get submitted allot! But u guys keep up us young! .. train hard, beeeeeee safe

BJJ and Camus -- this is my guy!

It took me a few years to realize Jiu Jitsu is much more enjoyable when you make it about the journey not the destination. Also big ups on the Camus discussion--Myth of Sisyphus has been one I've turned to many times over the years. Those boulders may always fall back on you but it's worth it to gaze down the mountain to see just how far you've come. " The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy." Thanks Chewster!

At least one of the black belts in my gym has warned against chasing after belts because it is going to take time. I'd like to earn a black belt (years from now), but regardless of belt level I want to continue learning jiu-jitsu and improving myself. I'm a bit bummed I haven't been training as much as I'd like, but also recognize things have happened to either keep me from training or made it where I should wait to train.

White belt here. I have about 2 years of mat time. 1 year for first stint. Took a break, 6 months back then a 5 year break. Now I am back for another 3months. My coach has told me multiple times I am blue belt ready, I just need to show up more consistently. Welllllll I believe May 12th next month I may finally get it. For me its important because I feel like all the time I took off was time wasted. Like I am playing catch up. I have my sights on a black belt. I call it my 10 year goal. Now that it is close I am anxious. I notice all my weaknesses now. I feel like if he waited even longer Ill just be even better.

In 2017 or a little bit later, I got my psychology degree. In that program, I went through a chorus called understanding motivation and emotion. This is a book by Reeve and others, and here is some things on goalsetting. sure, you can focus on far away (distal) goals, but also focus on closer (proximal) goals. The closer goals will lead you to your far away goals. It’s kind of like having an objective in a lesson plan for an IEP goal. What do you want the student to learn now, that will get him or her closer to her annual IEP goal? by the way, an IEP is an individualized educational plan for a person with a disability.

I’m just starting my bjj journey and last thing I’m thinking is belt promotion. My goal is building my confidence in myself and learning the basic foundation of bjj and learn techniques correctly and I’m not interested in getting my first stripe till I’m confident in myself

Honestly some coaches just promote based off tenure. I just got mine and it’s what I was aiming for forever. I started focusing on my skills because I knew I wasn’t there yet. I think because I focused on the certain aspects my coach told me to was the reason he promoted me. My other coach said another reason why they did is because I showed that I’m coachable in competition. I really don’t think it’s about winning for some coaches.

This man broke out the Camus on a jiu jitsu channel. That’s an insta sub

I knew kids who competed in the Junior Olympics and were really good in the beginning stages of their lives. One was a wrestler and the other was a sprinter. Yet, by the time they were teens they were burnt out. Being the best at the early stages is cool, but the fire burns out for many reasons. It's like when the Junior champion in tennis often never pan out in the adult leagues (WTA/ATP). Also, going for the blue may backfire, because a lot of the serious competitors are often held back because they are not good enough to beat the next belt level guys who train just as hard as they do. They often spend longer periods of time at a belt level than a recreational guy that the coach knows won''t go into serious competition and lose all of the time. Belt chasing is like trying to catch a wet rubber ball with hands soaked in motor oil. You can never know what is going on in the coaches head, the politics of the club, academy or among members of the gym. They may have to answer to higher ups outside the gym that you don't even know about (affiliates) and may not be able to promote early. Now, I have seen guys that forced the hand of the instructors by entering in advanced tournaments and beating higher level belts. After a while, the clamor is too much to ignore. However, if they are new at the belt level, good luck avoiding tradition and avoiding spending time in rank.

lol I love it when Chewie makes a philosophy reference

Belt thurst is just part of the journey for some... thay had to go to that place to get to the next.

I'm in the same boat, maybe a bit older though. I'll gladly stay white belt and keep smashing everyone in competitions all day long I'm in no rush to starting getting crushed in blue belt competitions lol

I think everyone should read The Myth of Sisyphus. "We must imagine Sisyphus happy" is a favourite mantra of mine.

Man... my coach is tough on mat time. We have a blue belt that competes and does well and got denied a promotion because of not having enough mat time . He let me sit and "stew" an extra 6 months on my 4th stripe before giving me my blue recently but my coaches get together and tell me why though it's not just a straight no. I needed to work on a few things so in the long run I'm better for it. Listen to the coaches guys, they've been there before.

Other grappling backround that kid is on fire

2 years too late to the party, but... impressiv is getting the black belt in 3 years! 🤠

I train here in Brazil, it is difficult not to have an exact standard to know what is needed to change belt, but i think the ideal is to trust your Sensei, he will know when you are ready, forget about the belt, enjoy the knowlegde, take bjj not only into the tatame, but also to your life. And remember that most important then know every movement is to be humble enough to respect your Sensei, your training partners, and people in general. Knowing that you know nothing is the first step.

I remember my professor once saying that "blue belt no stripes is like white belt extended". Also think about it this way roger gracie won't award someone a blue belt until they have done 14 months at his gym, because as once explained at a seminar "i'm putting my name next to that person's ability". Also what if he's at one of those schools that grade twice a year? if he's not good enough by the grading seminar he'll be waiting another 6 months anyway.

“I want to be special”. That’s the problem.

Chewy's right. Goals are good, but you have to have the right goals. I've been training now for close to 3 years. When I first started, my goal was blue belt in 2. I'm almost 50, but I've been in lots of other martial arts, and always been pretty good at them, so I felt like that was a pretty reasonable goal. But things happened, life happened, I've been away from training a few times, for 2-3 months at a time, and here I am almost 3 years later, and I've earned my combatives belt in GJJ, but I'm still working on the blue. Why do you want a different colored cloth around your waist? I know Chewy asked you that, but you need to dig deep and find the answer to that question. Do *you* need the validation, or like Chewy said, are you looking to impress other people? Either way, training for the belt isn't the way to go. Chase the knowledge and let your accomplishments be your validation. I'm not going to give you the same old tired platitude that high belts like to give us lower belts and say the belt doesn't matter. It does. We all know it does. It's an important symbol of growth, and something to be proud of, because it's something you earn. That being said, enjoy your time at each belt, because yet again, Chewy's right. Once you get the blue belt, you won't feel better for more than a month or two before you start chasing the purple. And after purple, it will be the same with brown, unless you change your goals and your focus. BJJ is a lifelong journey, and you've got plenty of time. Enjoy the ride.

About a month after getting a blue belt I realized how insignificant it is. I have guys above and below me in "rank" that I tap, or get tapped by. I go to class, I try to learn as much BJJ as I can. It's fun, it's where my friends are, it keeps me fit. The belt literally just keeps my GI top closed.

Guys listen, people who deserve things go out and get them. When you want that blue belt you go and tell your coach your ready for it, and need it. And you will get it

Just got my blue belt this weekend. Keep going and help others along the way. Some places have a minimum time of 2 years/300 hrs at White belt. Ask your coach about what you can improve on.

Just gonna say that when you get promoted, the level of competition skyrockets and while it is possible you can get gold like you do now, it isn't likely. Its like the standard for being a competitive blue belt goes way up, and everyone is gonna at least be at your level, so enjoy being on top while you can, champ.

Chewie the warrior/philosopher pulling out the meaningless of existence to make a point lol. I like the comparison of training to Sisyphus though. How about the stoics and the dichotomy of control? 1) Everything is either something we control, or don’t control. 2) We control our emotions, behavior, and reactions to situations. 3) We don't control other things, like peoples behaviors or what they think of us. (or if we get a blue belt) 4) If we wish to be happy/better people, we should focus on the things in our control, like our behavior and our reactions to situations. He is going to get that belt, he sounds like a hard worker.

I was told to drive my elbows into my partners to get of guard!! Then I felt it being done to me!! Mind you I personally was careful of not just driving the elbows into the thigs, I wanted to make space and push outward!! The coach last session show a better way which is standing up and pushing leg and making little jumps!! Now I'll keep using that because I find is a better and most effective way and also I find is lest painful to my training partners!!!

As people age, they will stop chasing someone's validation if they are matured enough. If the kid has other amazing life experiences outside of the gym, he will less likely to preoccupy his mind like this.

Moving the goalposts is like when you work 60 hours a week and get "comp time" that you can never use because there's 60 hours to do next week.

Maybe his A game is rock solid and coach wants him to open his game up to be more technical. Play more guard or start focusing on passing guards if one is your game

Just in life in general you should push to improve nomatter what other people think. I've had jobs and situations were I am dealing with people who want me to fail and I could not let that stop me from improving and learning. Understand what politics are at play but don't let that be your motivation or the end of it.

One of the grains of knowledge shared with me from the guys that have been doing it much longer is "chase skills not belts" if your a white belt in 10 years but your tapping black belts , does the belt even matter? In the grand scheme of things your getting really worked up over a piece of fabric.

I think people would of course stop if they had physical injuries that were career ending. Or, if they moved out of the state or some thing.

Just ask yourself the question. If your coach looked you in the eye and told you that he would NEVER give you a promotion. Would you stop training? Why? Are you there to learn, or to get a coloured belt? What difference does it make? Everybody you train with knows how good you are.

I cared about getting my blue belt because I wanted a belt that I earned, not one that came free with my gi. Now I just want to get better and wear out my blue belt in the process

I feel like you should hold a white belt 2-2.5 years. No need to jump the gun. Have fun with it. It really don't matter it's more about the ride and fun, meeting new friends the memories. Chewy- put more videos up

That Charlotte's Web must be hitting hard today, chewy is getting very philosophical

I've been doing BJJ for almost 3 years and still a white belt. I'm not interested in competitions just want to be part of the team and learn this skill. I think enjoying BJJ is more important than belt, its only a piece of fabric

He’ll learn bless him….. wisdom is wasted on the old ….🙏

!!!! “ your going to be trying to achieve a future that you’re not going to be at when you get there!!!!!!!BECAUSE YOURE ALREADY FOCUSED ON SOMETHING ELSE 🗣🗣🗣🗣🗣

Took me 9 months to get my blue belt. It was cool because it was from Dean Lister. However I disagree with the belt system. Seems lame overall. I wrestled most of my life all I care about is getting better. Whether I lose or win I just care that I am improving where I'm trash at. I would gladly just not wear a belt. That's why I prefer no-gi. But gi is cool as well.

FYI Chewy your description says "with the goal of getting his BJJ White Belt in 1 year"

This got really deep lmao😂

just to be pedantic, I want to comment on and critique the Sisyphus analogy, because what Camus, who was an existentialist Philosopher, was explaining in "Le Mythe de Sisyphe", is that Sisyphus was ultimately happy because he is conscious and this consciousness makes him know “himself to be the master of his days,” he's happy to be able to accept the absurdity of our own lives. but maybe I didn't really understand what Chewy tried to explain by using this example. :/

I think ego gets in the way of remembering that this is a martial art. Emphasis on art. If you're in it solely for your ego and not for the process, there's no amount of belts or trophies, or accolades that will satisfy you.

A wise man once said, “The belt doesn’t make the man, the man makes the belt.”

I feel like I'm the opposite. Currently a 4 stripe white belt, 3 of them I was very surprised I had earned a stripe. The first one I kinda knew as it seemed like a lot (relatively) had been clicking lately. But the rest, I definitely did not realize I was the one getting the stripe when my coach announced he had a stripe to give out. Edit: Then again I'm in my mid-30s so maybe that makes a difference too. Different expectations.

Was a white belt for like 3-4 years... hated it... Not going to pretend like I didn't want the blue belt... But once you've been white so long you're beating up purple belts you think its kinda cool lol rock that beat up white belt with tape falling off as long as you can

Chew you need to be Jeopardy quoting the Plague

And is it system based? My school is system based with testing

Way to flirt with nihilism there but always pull it back, Chewy! ;)

eithan needs to chill...btw first comment 😂

unless you are making a living with bjj, try not get get hurt or hurt others, and enjoy the journey. bjj doesnt end within a year or two and getting injured is the worst thing that can happen

I agree when you are the most experienced white belt. But I kinda see the guy deserving his blue belt for as dedicated as he is being and slamming through the divisions. He’s not a white belt. I get the lesson of the video but sometimes you gotta call a spade a spade. He deserves his blue belt.

Some coaches promote their best students kind of late