My Best BJJ Students Share This Attitude Towards Belt Promotions 

I have searched and tried many sports in my life but there is just something about BJJ, training, getting confused, having lightbulbs go of in certain positions, getting destroyed by higher belts, getting small victories in rolls when applying newly learnt techniques, the quirky humor of our team, the constant encouragement, the sometimes bad training and rolling nights, the comradery from a very diverse and eclectic group , the physical exercise, i could go on. nothing beats it for me, shame I didn't start till I was 38 but better late than never.

Took me 9 years to get my blue. Actual mat time was 2 years. Had I just made it consistently for a year.. it would of only taken me a year.

I’m only a blue belt and I’m not someone who’s super bothered about belts but I think to me atleast, the blue belt is probably the most important. It’s just nice to feel like your differentiated from the sea off white belts who will come and go, I feel like you become an established member of the community and can settle in for the long haul

I think training Taekwondo and getting a ‘blackbelt’ as a young kid helped. Realise that belts dont mean anything and just have fun.

I wrestled for 2 years, grappled in the military for about 3 years, been in a jiu jitsu academy for a year and a half and I’m a two stripe white belt that can handle almost any blue belt that’s my size. I love it lol

The biggest change that happened to me when getting my blue belt is going from me strictly learning and getting better to helping others getting better and teaching them. There are a lot of situations where people feel out of their depth when going against me, and I will say " you could have finished with this adjustment ". That is is just as rewarding to me as getting on that podium. The light turns on and I see them get better months later. I love seeing people with little confidence get so much better when you just let them know a few adjustments will vastly change their game.

Heck man I spent 5 years as a white belt (I travel for work and often times go 3-6 months in between training). With that being said i never cared about stripes or belts I just had fun and enjoyed the journey. Since I was always gone during promotions I got all 4 white belt stripes at once and then about 6 months later got my blue belt and been a blue belt about a year now.

When one is a white belt, and they focus on getting promoted to blue belt "what do I need to do to get promoted?" When one gets promoted to blue belt "I don't know if I am really a blue belt. Do I have imposter syndrome?" When one only focuses on training and not worry about either one "How do I pass guard? If you are to focus on any of these very simplistic option, only one will help you get better at BJJ, and will lead you to forgetting the other two questions. I know this seems like BS, and maybe it is. But I just watched one of my coaches get promoted to Black Belt, and he didn't think he had enough knowledge or wisdom for that rank. But we all see that he does. The less you focus on Rank, the more you will focus on the art, then the promotion will happen. and if it doesn't it is okay. as long as the training fills that cup, keep on drinking. Thanks Chewi

I do BJJ because I love rolling and the self improvement aspect and if there where no belts I would still be going to Jiu Jitsu. But still it's nice to get some acknowledgment by your coach from time to time. It let's you know that you are improving and the hard work you are putting in is noticed✊🏾

I told my coach as a white belt "you can take as long as you want to promote me, in the meantime I'm just gonna win these tournaments until you have no choice"

I literally just had this conversation with a fellow white belt from my gym. It’s amazing to me how BJJ can oftentimes be a mirror for how one’s life. My guess is that that person who asked you this question often looks for that external validation in BJJ, which my guess is that they probably do that in their every day life as well. And so, I believe if you work on that part of yourself or any other part (such as your ego, being to hard on yourself, etc) it’ll translate into everything else you do in life. Anyway, awesome video as always Chewy! Hope you and Jess are doing well out there in Kentucky!

I try not to think about the promotions either but in this particular case I feel for the guy. If he is training regularly then 1 stripe in 2 years is really tough.

So humble! Bless you Chewy!

We all know the right thing to say, here. But I think everybody saying as much would also have been terribly demoralized to spend two years as a one stripe white belt. Now, I don't know if they're only at one stripe after two years because they only show up sporadically, and if that's the case, then, the advice is devote more time to training. But I'm guessing that's not it. And yes, of course it makes sense to focus on the skills gained and the joy felt, rather than the abstract notion of a colored belt or another stripe… But again. Two years as a one stripe white belt… Like Rick/Chewy, I hope the person who wrote in gains something from the answer "they don't want to hear," but I also hope they come to this video and read these comments, because, brother, I'm here to tell you, that's too damn long to make consistent effort and not be encouraged with even another damn strip of adhesive tape. Maybe it's just not the right place for you. That is also a possibility to be considered.

Chewy, you just explained the difference between behavior theories involving intrinsic and extrinsic motivation! What you are saying is absolutely backed up by research, and it's awesome that you've experienced and seen these principles and can explain them in such a great way! People that are intrinsically motivated by the activity because they love it for what it is, seem to go further and stick with it for the long haul.

I love this segment. Every person's bjj journey is different. Belts come at different intervals and stripes sometimes never come regularly! (I was promoted to blue belt with 1 stripe on my White belt, to Purple with only 3 stripes on my blue, got 4 on my purple to get my brown). My journey is different than most people because I teach; I am an instructor at my academy, and have been since I was a white belt. My professor took me under his wing to show me how to teach the art, and I started helping in the kids class at that time. Now I teach both the kids classes and the adult classes from time to time (as fill-in instructor). My personal training began at 4-5 days a week as a white belt, but as I've gotten older (turning 45 this year) my body can't quite handle the recovery and other commitments in life happen, so I'm down to 2, sometimes 3 days a week. My point being, 2 years training can be SO different from person to person. How often is the person training; how quickly are they picking up techniques and how well do they work with people on the mat; how involved are they at the academy (do they help out, clean up, help teach, how invested are they). I liked how the person that wrote in asked their instructor where they stood and what they needed to work on. Keep up with that, keep working, keep the communication lines open and enjoy the journey. When/if I roll with you, you will still be you, and I will still be me, no matter what color the belts are that we are wearing.

As a Judoka of 7 years iv got a really strong game. The few times iv gone to JJ clubs I didn't care about putting a white belt on because it didn't make me worse at what I was doing. I remember the coach told me that if I compete and bring him 2 medals he will give me a blue belt right away and I couldn't be less interested because I wasn't there for a belt, I was there to train and get better, to find new solutions to puzzles and play a similar but different game. Belt doesn't make you happy, getting better and beating people you couldn't before or learning new things does

Good advice. The training and the skills gained are the reward. The belt is the eventual recognition for what you've already gained. They come when they come.

You're a really smart dude! You're advice is solid and motivating, thank you sir!

I'm only three weeks in and had my first real roll today, I'm definitely loving the sport - feels amazing to be able to use my body as it was designed again. At the same time, I'm super thankful that belts exist. One of the biggest struggles I've had in the past is "what do I do now once I've reached my goal?" I'm goal oriented and whether it was training for a 5k or a certain lift, I often fall off after I hit that goal. The belts provide a really solid background goal all the way through. It's a concrete structure undergirding it all even while I enjoy all the less concrete stuff. Really is mile markers for sure, but I want to get to the next marker! All in good time... and it is a good time!

Coming to Dallas from Louisville, still trying new gyms that cultivate learning the art the way it was at DCMMA. Blessed to have been introduced BJJ from y'alls' philosophy. I'm able to seek training in an environment that isn't focused on belt promotions per attendance that feels commercialized, rather conducive to moving the body. Appreciate the upload as always!

Awesome advice. My gym doesn’t give stripes and been a blue belt for a year now. Couldn’t be happier, I enjoy the learning process and know my time will come when it comes. Happiness doesn’t come from accolades, it comes from within. BJJ is helping me think this way in my personal life as well.

Jits is my therapy and the best part of my day. Don't care about the belt - just love the training. Great video.

Love this video. I started 4 years ago and finally thought I don't care about promotion and was more enjoying it and then I got my blue belt

This channel is awesome! Our own perception of our readiness for a promotion is not always what our coaches see. My advice is the enjoy each belt, including white belt. As a white belt it felt really awesome when I'd get done with a roll with a purple belt or brown belt and they told me that I was doing well, and that now they have to actually try when they roll with me. Honestly, I'd much rather be an underrated white belt, than a blue belt that was promoted too early. Let it happen naturally, your coaches don't want to set you up for failure. Study, watch good RU-vid channels when you're not rolling, the little things will come. You'll be there before you know it.

"We're all gonna break down and die." Coach of the year folks! Lol, but for real, absolutely agree. Roll for the love of it; there's nothing magical about those belts.

Agreed... Learn to let go when you will have your next promotion. Yes, it's nice to get the recognition of being promoted but what happens after that? Let it go and just enjoy training.

I started in December 2021 - after 7 months we had gradings. I thought I might have gotten 1 stipe..possibly - I wasn't that worried about it if I didn't get any. Much to my surprise, I got two stripes - now the opposite thing.. I don't feel like I deserve them. I know our coach does not give them out lightly. and many people on the day didn't get promoted. At my age (52) I'm just enjoying the ride and look forward to rolling with these newfound friends every time i turn up. Thanks for the vids - I appreciate your content bud.

It is the journey that stirs us.

I started BJJ in 2016 and I'm still a white belt. Charging gyms and inconsistent training have held me back but ill train BJJ for the rest of my life. You're bang on about enjoying the process instead of the result. When we live in the past or the future, we can't enjoy the present and it's living in the future when you focus on the belt instead of just training

Started three years ago and just got my blue belt. First thing I realized is that it didn't feel any different and I wasn't expecting it too. But, I'm glad I got it because now I'll be pushed a little harder by the higher belts in my academy. P.S. I've been watching your channel since I started and I feel that learning things like the content of this video and what my instructors have taught me has made me truly enjoy BJJ. Not for the positive reinforcement of belts (which feels nice to know where you're at in your own skill level), but for what the sport brings to you personally.

Got my blue belt just a few weeks ago. We are white belt heavy so I was asked to say a few words. All I said was find a way to have fun every day you train. That way it is easy to keep coming back and if you keep coming back you will progress. Belts hold your gi closed. Super stoked that this thought process was confirmed by Chewy. Thanks for all you do!

It’s so easy to focus on the belts and stripes, but ya - if you aren’t promoting then ask your coaches. But it needs to be in the context of your growth and not in the “when do I get a stripe?” A fair cadence is maybe 2-3 stripes per year until you finish blue. But by the time you’re at blue you won’t be asking in the first place.

good message. thanks for posting the music

Chewy had some good advice for you especially the enjoy the journey part. There may come a when you develop imposter syndrome and won't want to be promoted. Then that poses its own set of issues and predicaments. Good luck and have fun.

1000% - I was a white belt for about a year (and didn’t feel ready to test for blue but my instructor told me I was), and then a blue belt for almost 5 more years - it was a long ride at blue, but I couldn’t be more grateful for it because I developed so much at blue - now I’m doing the same at purple and expect to be here for a long time - actually loving it - I learned to completely trust my coach’s judgement - I think if you can’t do that you might be training at the wrong place…

100% your belt is in your head, I would much rather be the perceived sand bagging lower belt than higher belt any day of the week! Great video cheers!

you are a cool dude i enjoyed this video- on a different note i have found that there are so many general concepts i wish i knew to focus on from the start as a white belt that nobody ever told me about that are not submissions- handfighting, keeping the inside position, getting more connections than your partner, not offering up your leg to grab, how to put your foot on a bicep- white belts i would recommend getting into these kinds of foundational concepts vs submissions

Yup. All is a gift

I'm in this situation as well. Blue since 2018. Switched schools. At new school for almost two years. Just one stripe on a shredded blue belt. The reward is my technical ability and all the good rolls I can have with higher belts. When the people around me get promoted this raises my level as well.

Great advice. I'm the only adult white belt usually in my class. I'm surrounded by blues and purple. I've grown to like getting smashed. I look at my victory as surviving just a little bit longer.

Biggest thing I got from this.. his name isn’t REALLY Chewy like I was lead to believe all these years! Lol jokes aside. Love the content and what you do. Also a white belt. Loving it for a year so far. It’s great. I don’t need or want stripes, I feel that was simply put in place to give recognition to those who demanded it to keep people in the gym. I’m happy to wait two years as a no stripe white belt(currently 1 stripe bc I don’t go to belt ceremonies) and getting the real reward of blue belt when my Professor deems I’m worthy. Much love to you coaches who dedicate yourselves to your students

Lol I got my 2nd and 3rd stripes on my white belt twice. 2.5 years of training 3-5 days a week consistently to get my blue. I was a slow learner with 0 prior experience in anything grappling related. Man I use to get upset when I saw others who were not up to snuff getting promoted (I was 1.5 years in). Then after a few months I realized I definitely didnt want to be one of those guys. So I kept my mouth shut and just enjoyed getting better and better. Then at the 2 yrs mark my coach mentioned me being close to promotion. I still had a few things I wanted to clean up so I asked to wait until the next promotion (we do every 6 months). I continued competing and won a few good tournaments. Then I knew I was ready. Once I was a blue belt I never got the blue belt blues because I was already firmly there. I know its cliche, but dont worry about belts, just get better. Eventually you become undeniable.

Thanks for the video

amen brother!

The reward in bjj to me is learning new techniques even if I'm not good at them yet and constantly working to improve on them while also being a good partner and watching other students prosper. Remember EVERYONE feels like quitting at one point in time and having a good partner to bounce learned techniques off of means so much. We are not always trying to hurt someone even the strongest flower still needs water.

Chewy going next level with a reference to Marcus Aurelius and not to look for the third thing after doing something good! And I am a 4 stripe white belt that would be happy to just have 2 stripes and let my game catch up to my stripes......

Thanks man this really helped

I’m 42 and just started BJJ (2 weeks). I was born with a mild case Cerebral Palsy. Most people with CP are in wheelchairs or braces, I was lucky where I only have a crooked leg and can still walk but with a slight limp. I played all the sports growing up: Football, Baseball, basketball. After high school I worked as a fireman and got into weightlifting and even bodybuilding for a while. While I’m very active, I still come across times where I physically can’t do something because of my crooked leg. I love training BJJ and like everyone else, I wish I would of started sooner. But sometimes a get discouraged because again, I feel like there’s several moves my instructor will show me that I can’t physically do. I have a great instructor and he’s helped me around some of these obstacles, but again I get frustrated and wonder if I should even do this. I love BJJ and I get excited for the man that I could become on the other side. BJJ is an art and I just hope I can build a game plan around the moves I CAN do. It’s just easy to lose that vision when I leave class everyday upset that everyone learned a new move and I just learned something else I can’t do. Not to mention I’m the oldest person in the class. My strengths: my upper body. Because of my weightlifting, I do have a strong upper body so I try to focus on that to help reassure myself that I do have some strengths. What is your advice? Should I find something else? Should I take a few private lessons on the side?

Come for the jiu-jitsu, stay for the life lessons.

This is great, the practical way of making sure that your dopamine release happens at the effort phase and not the reward phase, Dr Andrew Huberman did a talk on this topic on Nuro chemical activity during doing something difficult.

I've trained in Okinawan karate pretty much my whole life. I started at the beginning of college and my sensei did not give out rank easily. My goal all the way through was just to get better and I had no aspirations for rank. Coincidentally there was an unspoken disdain in my school for anyone who seemed fixated on rank. I would just show up twice a week for the 3 hour classes and loved the training. The rank just seemed to happen. I never had the goal of attaining blackbelt as it just seemed too distant but when one evening I was promoted to brownbelt (which to me is the first advanced rank) the thought first went through my mind that perhaps I'll be a blackbelt someday. The point is that I was focused on getting better and the rank just seemed to happen on its own. Btw Chewy, you've got a great energy.

I roll twice on almost every single week of vacation. It’s just a love of the sport . No matter where I go I try to find a place to accept me in to learn/roll.

I couldnt really imagine going about it any other way,im also used to it from skateboarding,sure everyone wanted to get sponsored someday but we were doing it for ourselves for the fun of it just like training. Of course id like to get my black belt someday but im so hard on myself getting promoted is kinda weird,I still feel weird about my purple and it was over a year and a half ago. Also been dealing with alot of bullshit injuries so just being able to go to the gym talk some shit and roll with everyone is a reward in itself

Just keep attending class. 13 months in with a one month break last Xmas ..three stripe white for two months now.If four happens by end year great if not don't care. At 63 I am just glad I am able to train four or five times a week plus open mats. If someone decides to promote me someday I have no option but to graciously accept, like the stripes, but I certainly not courting it. Certainly want the skills to be credible first . Fortunately with our coach attendance is only but one piece of the puzzle.

I enjoy BJJ a lot now that I'm not really interested in BJJ. I'm way better at not getting jitsued than jitsuing anyone myself and I keep getting that "You'd be great at this if you commited" conversation, but it's always a riot to hit a gym and roll around and the casual approach is definitely contributing to me being largely painfree at 52. BJJ as a side piece is a great lifestyle.

I was a white belt for 11 years. My training patterns was on and off from bjj to judo and doing both at the same time, focusing on judo mainly. Of course I wanted to get a blue belt and who doesn’t after 11 years of training. When I would ask the instructors to gauge my skill level, I was being told by professors I was easily a purple belt if not a strong blue belt. I ended up being promoted to blue belt in 2021, I think or maybe it was 2020. After becoming a blue belt I have no desires to go any further than the purple belt skill. Everything else is just recreational. I just enjoy learning the art while I’m alive.

I got a belt rank officially years ago in karate. I haven't being in an actual class in a while, but I do train on my own. I dont really care too much for the belts either. I may even start from the very beginning when I find a place to train again. I like just learning new things. And being able to spend time with other people.

When i was younger it bothered me, but these days i’m just in it to enjoy myself… I did mainly No-Gi for about 4-5 years across classes in Leicester, Nottingham, Birmingham and various gyms in London as i travelled a lot for work, was playing at blue to purple level but never got a stripe or promoted past white. Injured my knee, took over 12 years off, everyone i knew and trained with is either now a brown or black belt. I’m back to white belt again, had another knee surgery and a few other issues. But main thing is, hey man i’m just back at training and enjoying myself! When i get blue i’m sure i’ll be over the moon, but where as when i was younger it bothered me, now, it just doesn’t bother me at all. It means more to me just to be back and able to enjoy the sport i love again! 👍🏼👍🏼

Never about the belt, always about the journey. Plus as a white belt there are few expectations and when you roll with someone at a higher level and dominate - oh what a feeling!

I’m 62. Had to stop training to have a little health. I still follow the sport and like to breakdown techniques etc.

That was a really good answer. I'm one of those guys who wants the mile markers and wants to know what do I need to do to reach those mile markers. I also want the mile marker when I reach it. That's just the kind of person I am. So I'd find a school that provides that structure. I'd also be thinking that after 2 years I'm still a one stripe white belt then there is either something wrong with me or this something wrong with this school. However, I still like the way Chewy explained his thought process.

So true with most things in life. Enjoy the journey!!🤪🤪

Good video. My opinion, as someone who trained in Taekwando for a few years n was close to getting a blue belt but had to leave it due to HS, I'm 41 😂. Ever since I started bjj back in May 2021. I've had a personal goal of legit reaching blue belt in any martial arts, to vindicate myself for not reaching blue in Taekwando. In fact, honestly... my academy had belt ceremony n I didn't get blue, 2.5 years 4 stripe white belt, n yet a 3 stripe white belt got blue. I was mad, n did leave the academy early after the belt promotion. I was also sleepy n a little hungover 😂 n wanted to go home to take a nap. I went to get coffee, a few of my bjj buddies messaged me. I said my peace, n made my mind to keep at it n to just keep hitting the mats. I know I'm progressing well, n I know I'm an older guy n my journey will be slow. In addition, my academy's Professor is a really old school hard grader, so it's to be expected that reaching blue was going to take long. I just didn't imagine that it would be 3 years total for me... but yeah...once I reach blue. The other belts will not matter to me. I'm just going to keep at it. I just want the blue for personal vindication reason. I'm still going to roll till it turns black. 😅

I was 4 years as a white belt, and that's training 3 times a week consistently and doing competitions. My coach would rather promote us late than promote someone early

I was excited about getting my blue. But i just got my purple ..and its cool and all.. but part of me wants to stay 4 stripe blue forever 😂 less pressure.

I understand where this guy is coming from. I used to be a white belt and I cared about my progression being seen by higher belts. I cared about my progression myself but I also wanted to see that the progression that I saw was seen by the teacher. And the way that that was done was by stripes and belts. I think this guy is looking for an answer as to whether or not one stripe is realistic for two years of training.

I honestly think it would be more fun to be the white belt with the black belt jazz. There's a reason they do all the "black belt pranks gym" videos. The journey is the reward.

I have come to love submission grappling as a whole. I would do JJ even if there were no belts at all.

Every belt I've gotten I wished I could've stayed the previous belt longer lol. Just got the brown last week, and definitely don't feel ready for it. Had just started to feel comfortable in my purple belt skin.

BJJ is important but it's a journey. For me it will be a longer slower journey, but it will probably be a lifelong one so I'm not worried. I spent my first year belt chasing and got my blue belt in 13 months. To do that though, I blew off a lot of other important things that I probably shouldn't have. So now I have a blue belt, but I've slowed things down a bit. I go I train and I enjoy the journey.

I wish I could be a white belt again. No joke. It's one of the best times in BJJ where everything is fresh and exciting and there is no pressure to live up to some grade or level. Once you get that blue, it's a target on your back and pressure to live up to some ideal and it doesn't get any easier after that!

I got the opposite. I been doing it for 2 years but I took months off for my second kid and only go 2 times a week all I can right now. I went to the class lead by my teacher and he gave 3 stripes. He bee. Giving alot of stipes out lately and really pushing blue belts. I still get passed by fresh white belts with any kind of experience and feel like I'm the worst out of the 3 stripes. They trying to get to me to the blue belt promotion but I just am not that good and don't have time currently to go more. I just been avoiding the teacher lead courses lately. Also don't want to be an attendance blue belt and just suck

I'm like 4+ years in and a one stripe blue... I don't care about the belt, I enjoy learning and rolling 😎

i want to be a white belt forever.. im in no rush for people to go crazy hard on me cuz im now a higher belt.. LOOOOL..

"Coach, what do I need to do?" Keep showing up. Be a good training partner. Have a positive attitude. Work hard. Make the school a better place. Oh, and keep showing up.

A random, amateur Judoka (for almost a year) here, I too wanted my yellow belt ASAP when I started last year. I would ask my coach about it multiple times. And he would tell me to focus on my training and enjoy it. Noob me still wanted a belt though. But while training, I also wanted to be able to throw, toss, sweep, pin and submit others more than the belt. Now I am still a white belt. The idea of improving and not worrying about the belt has grown on me as I care lesser and lesser about it. Would I want a shiny, coloured belt? Yes. But am I as persistent with wanting a belt as I was before? Nope. I'd love to stay a White and be able to wreck colourful belts. But yea, one shouldn't just limit their growth to the belt.

Man I really appreciate your outlook.

This resonates with me. I used to dread going to jiu-jitsu because of injuries and the feelings of shame seeing others progress faster than me. Now I enjoy going because I narrowed it down to objectives, like trying out a a technique I watched on RU-vid, like BJJ Fanatics or Chewie's channel. Made it more fun, lively, and drowned out the noise of how others were doing and focused whether I felt success on what "I" was doing. Thanks for this Nick😊

Took me 3 years to get my blue belt, a year later I still don't have a stripe on it. I wanted that blue belt sooo hard, got it, didn't want it anymore! I believe that side of things is literally out of my control, it's not my decision. My decision is to just get over my ego and enjoy the journey!

Now that I'm working on learning languages I often wonder "how long will it be until I'm fluent in this language?" A great piece of advice from the youtuber Steve Kaufmann was "What's the rush?" Like you'll be using and learning this language for your whole life, so just keep enjoying what it brings you and think about some concept like "fluency" long after you're talking with people and engaging with foreign content.

Fresh blue belt here. Nothing changes. The pecking order of who can beat who still exists without the belt system. The belts just help people new to the gym get a general idea of whos been around for a while

I got to blue belt almost a year ago, and to be honest I’m happy to stay a blue belt, in my mind I’m years of being good enough to get a purple belt, I genuinely don’t want it, if my coach promotes me to purple one day so be it, but that’s not why I’m training, I just love being on the mats and working at it with my brothers and sisters from my gym, I feel like it’s about the moment or the journey not the destination

I’m 3 years in my journey, my thoughts until I got my blue belt which I was a white belt for a year with no missed classes and never had any stripes. My professor played a trick on me lol he wanted to see how I reacted when certain people got their stripes and I didn’t . It made me work harder lol 😂 I started destroying everyone that got a stripe, next promotion I got my blue 😁 I was so excited about getting it but I felt a pressure on me from all white belts gunning for your neck cuz your a blue belt.

I get what you're saying but, and this happened with me. I started asking myself, what am I doing wrong that I'm not getting promoted? The belts may not mean anything to some, but they are a direct reflection as to what your coach thinks about your jiu-jitsu. And if johnny started the same time as I did and was promoted a year ago. It's only natural to begin to question yourself.

I tend to feel I'm a little behind on the stripes promotions I get in how skilled I actually feel. I don't argue with my coach about it, I just accept it and try to keep up and grow into it

I think finding reward from it or "genuinely liking" it is important for longevity

Well, maybe, for most people that is true. I started Taekwondo when I was 17 in 1990. All the way until I was 43, and I was one rank from black in 1995, never got it as I did not like the style part and did not care. When I was 43 I started BJJ and fell in love with it. I am a 49 year old Purple belt now and I am still hangin in with 20 year olds speed wyse and strength wyse, accept for endurance :P. My goal is to get my blackbelt before I am 55. The reason is as a lifelong martial artist I never got the blackbelt. Now I am older and love BJJ, I want to be a blackbelt while I am still mobile and i.e. have the option can compete in younger age brackets. For younger people, its easy to say " I dont care for the belt". If you have spend +30 years on the mats, it is a damn nice reward to achieve, and I wanna get that before I die, which could be tomorrow. As a blackbelt in your 30's, you might not understand, hope this gives another perspective. Edit: im training 5-6 days a week, because 1: I love it 2: I want that blackbelt badly (but EARN it) 3: I like to share the knowledge and love for BJJ with younger people and as a blackbelt, that's easier.

Simple solution. Screw promotion day. Skip them all. Show up 3-5 says a week for for 10 years train and have fun. When they try to promote you tellem keep it, Im gonna be quitting soon anyways. Not really quitting but play the game with them.

when I started I lusted for a different color than white but am NOW on the journey...don't cared about the belt so much ,I asked if it's cool to skip belt testing because I just enjoy my time on the mat and with friends....maybe I am afraid of looking dumb in front of my coaches when during belt testing but inside...I am ok with my white belt 4 stripes..maybe it comes with age...I might look younger but am 49 so my rolling partners are surprised when they finally know how old I am...all of them are from 18 and up.

4 years training as white belt, got 4 stripes, 2 stripes felt then coach gave me another 2, by today i have 9 years in the mat, it feels good receiving belts only when coach says so, never ask for it, always work for it, when you join bjj for belts and stripes then is your ego there and more likely you will quit, when you join it for wisdom, health, fun, knowledge then you discover that we know nothing about the new person that emerges from withing yourself, there is another you that is inside but has to be carved out by sweat, then you will find happiness and satisfaction and freedom, that is the real reward, and if you have children that is part of the legacy you will leave to them, do not quit because you do not get a belt, think different, when you go to the elementary school there is no choice, if you pass is because you study, well is similar. you teacher is your coach, leave your ego at the door or at least most of it and find yourself within your self, do not get to the mat thinking about a belt, that obsession will eat you.

Other white belts in my school have had 1-3 stripes added while I don’t have any. I care nothing for it. I enjoy the roll and the learning and growth. And I also like when I submit someone who has multiple stripes and sees my no stripe belt and wonders WTF. I still get smoked by the blue belts. I know I’m not there. And I enjoy the journey.

Well now that we're all getting closer to stringer frame of mind: "Do not be the one who starts the fire, be the one who relinquished it!"

"Desire is a contract that you make with yourself to be unhappy until you get what you want." -Naval Ravikant

Saying you deserve a belt before your coach / professor thinks you do is not the way. Keep grinding and you'll get the promotion when you're ready.

I mostly care about the belt because I wanna teach in the future, and belts are like degrees in in academy, even if you are the best and very knowledgable in high school literature you can't be hired as a literature teacher without a degree

My gym does blue stripes for technique demonstration then the coach replaces the blue with white stripes. I think it keeps the coach dialed in with the white belt progression because I doubt he wants to see guys rolling around with four blue stripes for an extended period of time.

Hey Brother Don’t Give up I am three strips in two years in. I will tell you the truth I wasn’t giving it my all. I have been doing boxing 🥊 for 5 years mma for two I didn’t understand how good I can really be until I lost a competition then I seen that the reason I was not getting promoted was because I didn’t know anything.lose weight train hard watch what happens!

23 year 4-stripe brown belt here. I’m not the best, but I won’t quit.

If I never beat up I’ll just be a kick ass white belt at the tournaments, like a hidden weapon