I began practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 43 and went on to become a two-time European Champion in my division. Recently, one of my former clients, a serial tech entrepreneur, asked me an unexpected question: 'Sasha, hi. Can you give me advice on how to start practicing BJJ the right way so that I won't quit quickly and can achieve something in a year or two? Thank you” This question illustrates the way a seasoned founder thinks. The request was well thought out and specific - how to avoid the most common problem and predictably get to a desirable future within a reasonable timeframe. With his permission, I am publishing an extended version of my answer. I think many points are applicable to different activities, beyond BJJ. There are even parallels with building one own business.
Meaning. If not explicitly, at least at a gut level, find out why you need it. Otherwise, it's hard to endure the discomfort of an adult's ego being challenged, close physical contact, micro-traumas, etc.
Survival. Accept that the first 6-12 months of training are not about domination, but simply survival. So the priority should be working on escape from bad positions, not attacks.
Hygiene. While at work you are more likely to catch the flu, at the gym you can get a fungal infection of the skin - ringworm. That's why it's essential to wash with special shampoo, like Defense Soap or Head&Shoulders, after training and treat any cuts immediately with hydrogen peroxide.
Smooth start. Treat warm-up (and cool-down) as a sacred ritual. Its absence is the cause of many pointless, and therefore disappointing, injuries.
Vulnerability. Be paranoid in protecting your own and others' joints and ligaments: neck (top-down stacking), shoulders (kimura lock), elbows (armbar), and knees (leg locks and twisting the fixed leg around the axis). During grappling, pay attention to adjacent pairs, as unexpected danger comes from them.
Recovery. If you are injured, give yourself time to recover (avoid fights). However, don't stop exercising other muscles, even if it's a different activity - swimming, yoga or walking.
Core. Regularly strengthen your core muscles and joints (abs, lower back, press, spine, shoulders) using weights, resistance bands, or dumbbells. Simultaneously, increase your range of motion through stretching, especially for your hips. This helps prevent overuse injuries to your joints and muscles.
Coach. Pick a gym based on the chemistry with the head trainer (and their right hand). Gym cultures can vary greatly, but always reflect the personality of their founder, i.e. their understanding of good and evil.
Risks. Identify the "club psychopath" (1-2% in each community) and only fight them just before important competitions. During regular training sessions, politely but firmly say No.
Insurance. Consistently train to willingly tap out often and early in compromised positions. Injuries set you back far. Also, BJJ is a lifestyle, not a million-dollar UFC fighter career.
Moderation. Learn to roll, not fight like bulls every time. Your explosive movements are dangerous for all participants and speak more of desperation and technique deficiency than strength. The goal should be to maximize not the intensity of training sessions, but the amount of work done over a period (month, quarter, year).
Partners. Find like-minded individuals within the club with similar goals and a reliable sparring partner. In BJJ, one necessarily needs another to progress.
Horizon. Forget about the local result — who won or lost today — and remind yourself of the big picture — what you want to achieve in a year or two. This allows you to downplay what's happening in the present and focus on the long-term process of continuous improvement of your mastery.
Yours sincerely,
-Alexander
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