Okay, so I got this thing about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, especially after hearing about this Matthew Maldonado guy. I mean, it’s wild, right? This martial art, it’s not just about throwing punches or kicks. It’s like, a whole chess game on the mat.
First off, I did what everyone does – I went down the internet rabbit hole. I was looking up everything about BJJ, and man, there’s a ton of stuff out there. Videos, articles, you name it. I even found some online courses on Udemy and signed up for one, cuz why not? There are a bunch of options to choose from, I just picked one that looked good for beginners.
Then, I thought, “I gotta find a place to actually learn this stuff.” So, I started looking for gyms near me that teach BJJ. I checked out a few, talked to some instructors, and watched some classes. It was kinda intimidating, to be honest, seeing all these people rolling around and doing all these crazy moves.
I finally settled on a gym. It wasn’t too far, and the instructor seemed like a good dude. Plus, the vibe was cool, you know? Not too serious, but still focused on learning. I signed up and got myself a gi – that’s the uniform you wear. Feels kinda weird at first, but you get used to it.
- First few classes were rough. I was so lost. Everyone seemed to know what they were doing, and I was just trying not to get squashed. But the instructor was patient, and the other students were helpful. They showed me some basic moves, like how to break a fall and how to move around on the ground.
- Slowly but surely, I started to get the hang of it. It’s all about leverage and technique, not just brute strength. I learned some basic submissions, like armbars and chokes. It’s pretty cool when you actually pull one off on someone.
- It’s not just about the physical stuff, though. BJJ is a mental game, too. You gotta think ahead, anticipate your opponent’s moves, and be ready to adapt. It’s like a puzzle, and you’re constantly trying to solve it.
- One important thing I’ve learned is to be okay with failing. You’re gonna get tapped out – that’s when you submit to your opponent. A lot. And that’s fine. It’s how you learn. Each time you get submitted, you figure out what you did wrong and how to prevent it next time.
I’m still a beginner, no doubt. But I’m loving it. It’s a great workout, it’s challenging, and it’s fun. Plus, I’ve met some cool people at the gym. It’s like a little community, you know? We all help each other out and push each other to get better.
So yeah, that’s my BJJ journey so far. It all started with hearing about Matthew Maldonado, and now I’m hooked. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll be good enough to compete. But for now, I’m just enjoying the process and learning as much as I can. It’s a long road, but I’m excited to see where it takes me.
