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Your individual martial arts/ combat sports journey - did you train in other martial arts systems before BJJ?
5 year(s) ago • 2507 views • 51 replies
TPBlack beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Glad to find another one listening to History on Fire. Really enjoyed that podcast. Also, Italian accent.
Only 2nd to Hardcore History IMO. (And certainly delivers that accent fix whenever I miss my Italian friends. :D)
...And to keep this a bit on-topic, the host Daniele Bolelli is a also a martial arts geek with a long training history & a BJJ brown belt, like you probably know.
Recommended listening!
...And to keep this a bit on-topic, the host Daniele Bolelli is a also a martial arts geek with a long training history & a BJJ brown belt, like you probably know.
Recommended listening!
Edited 5 year(s) ago
BMBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
I wrestled in high school and then college before taking up BJJ. I think I might be one of the rare BJJ guys who has had exactly zero interest in fighting, and have always loved grappling in general. Most people I know got into BJJ because of the UFC, Royce Gracie, or they learned what it was via some other martial art.
I think one of the reasons gi-based BJJ doesn't appeal to wrestlers (at least in my experience) is due to the "martial arts" feel that training in a gi, the belts and all the other bells and whistles that come with BJJ. As should be expected, I initially gravitated toward no-gi, but now I love training in the gi as well.
I can say, at least in my experience, that wrestlers have a totally different way of looking at BJJ when compared to those BJJ practitioners who had experience in other martial arts.
I think one of the reasons gi-based BJJ doesn't appeal to wrestlers (at least in my experience) is due to the "martial arts" feel that training in a gi, the belts and all the other bells and whistles that come with BJJ. As should be expected, I initially gravitated toward no-gi, but now I love training in the gi as well.
I can say, at least in my experience, that wrestlers have a totally different way of looking at BJJ when compared to those BJJ practitioners who had experience in other martial arts.
JWBlue beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
I've played around with a lot of martial arts over the years (Shaolin Do Karate, Hapkido, TKD, Judo, Jook Lum Praying Mantis Kung Fu, and some To-Shin Do, but these are the ones I've actually have got rank in.
*Chaun Fa - It was Kempo, I believe, but we wore kung fu uniforms. I got 3 sashes in before the instructor moved. White, Yellow, Orange, and Green. I was 4 away from black.
*Ng Family Kung Fu - It was a family-style of Kung fu taught by John Wing-lok Ng. not sure what all it was a mix of. I got my first sash in it (blue) before I left for Japanese Ju Jitsu.
*Japanese Ju Jitsu "combat Jiu Jitsu" - I stayed with this one a while and got my black belt in 3 or 4 years. I stuck around a few more years but had started going to BJJ seminars.
*Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - I had a few false starts but finally started going to my current school in 2018. I'm a blue belt now.
*Chaun Fa - It was Kempo, I believe, but we wore kung fu uniforms. I got 3 sashes in before the instructor moved. White, Yellow, Orange, and Green. I was 4 away from black.
*Ng Family Kung Fu - It was a family-style of Kung fu taught by John Wing-lok Ng. not sure what all it was a mix of. I got my first sash in it (blue) before I left for Japanese Ju Jitsu.
*Japanese Ju Jitsu "combat Jiu Jitsu" - I stayed with this one a while and got my black belt in 3 or 4 years. I stuck around a few more years but had started going to BJJ seminars.
*Brazilian Jiu Jitsu - I had a few false starts but finally started going to my current school in 2018. I'm a blue belt now.
SMPurple beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
My progression went:
(1) watching tons of terrible ninja movies as a kid (I still think I could be great at shooting a bow and arrow upside down while hanging off a wire by my toes)
(2) did a judo summer camp when I was about 12 which was really cool but only lasted two weeks
(3) played high school hockey in rural Canada for 3 years while weighing only 165 pounds. Hockey fights are short, common, and you learn to stay on your feet!
(4) started taekwondo at university because it was the only martial art in town. I went with a friend to try it out. My friend quit after the first week but I kept going, and eventually earned a black belt.
(5) watched UFC 1 & 2 on a VHS tape that someone got at the video store. I watched with a TKD buddy and our jaws dropped. However, no way to learn BJJ at that point.
(6) kept doing TKD but quit once I was told my 2nd degree would cost me $1000 for the test. To hell with that.
(7) moved to a new town and joined a new TKD school, but also did judo for about 9 months until I had to stop due to work schedules. Loved the judo. The TKD business model continued to suck. I think I got a yellow belt in judo (whatever the first color is). I regret not being able to continue judo.
(8) A looooong break here (~10 years) where I moved overseas, did grad school, married, kids, career, etc
(9) Joined a BJJ club in my new city once my kids were no longer toddlers
(10) Signed my two daughters up for BJJ when they were 5, and I taught the Saturday kids class for years and years. It because a nice weekend tradition for me and my daughters.
(11) Took about a year off for cancer (all good now).
(12) Covid Hit, gyms shut down about 9-10 months ago.
(13) found Globetrotters!
(1) watching tons of terrible ninja movies as a kid (I still think I could be great at shooting a bow and arrow upside down while hanging off a wire by my toes)
(2) did a judo summer camp when I was about 12 which was really cool but only lasted two weeks
(3) played high school hockey in rural Canada for 3 years while weighing only 165 pounds. Hockey fights are short, common, and you learn to stay on your feet!
(4) started taekwondo at university because it was the only martial art in town. I went with a friend to try it out. My friend quit after the first week but I kept going, and eventually earned a black belt.
(5) watched UFC 1 & 2 on a VHS tape that someone got at the video store. I watched with a TKD buddy and our jaws dropped. However, no way to learn BJJ at that point.
(6) kept doing TKD but quit once I was told my 2nd degree would cost me $1000 for the test. To hell with that.
(7) moved to a new town and joined a new TKD school, but also did judo for about 9 months until I had to stop due to work schedules. Loved the judo. The TKD business model continued to suck. I think I got a yellow belt in judo (whatever the first color is). I regret not being able to continue judo.
(8) A looooong break here (~10 years) where I moved overseas, did grad school, married, kids, career, etc
(9) Joined a BJJ club in my new city once my kids were no longer toddlers
(10) Signed my two daughters up for BJJ when they were 5, and I taught the Saturday kids class for years and years. It because a nice weekend tradition for me and my daughters.
(11) Took about a year off for cancer (all good now).
(12) Covid Hit, gyms shut down about 9-10 months ago.
(13) found Globetrotters!
JWBlue beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
(1) watching tons of terrible ninja movies as a kid
Man, that's what really got me into martial arts. Enter the Ninja and Sho Kosugi! I ate up anything ninja related in the 80's. I am equally proud and ashamed of my collection.
JCBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Man, that's what really got me into martial arts. Enter the Ninja and Sho Kosugi! I ate up anything ninja related in the 80's. I am equally proud and ashamed of my collection.
Ninja III domination is the shit!
CBBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Ninja III domination is the shit!
Naaaah. Ninjas vs Aliens is the shit. A work of cinematic genius!!!!!
JWBlue beltVerified
WFBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
I took taekwondo as a child honestly don’t know for exactly how long but do remember I wasn’t too far from getting a black.. perhaps 2 belts away?...again I was younger and was involved in other sports abs such as well and kind of just drifted out of it. That has been something I’ve kept in mind for awhile n when I started bjj I promised myself I will get my black belt. Not quite there yet but getting closer by the day. And of course the journey dies by stop there either as theres always more to learn and ways to improve!
GFBlack beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Dad was a Shotokan Karate Black Belt
- Karate as a kid in Belgium in the 80's (Daniel-san...)
- Judo my first year in Japan, 1994 Nagano. First intro to "relax" and tempo and newaza.
- Tried Shorinji Kenpo in College in Tokyo (oh boy, the delusion was strong in that group, really demonstration focused)
- Grad student started teaching me Wing Chun 1 on 1 in college, 1997. First intro to developing stickiness and base/root.
- Went to Taipei to learn with his Sifu Lo Man Kam in 2000/2001 ; fond memories!
- Aunkai for several years : Amazingly talented Japanese teacher with backgrounds in Daitoryu mixed with some striking and Chinese arts influences; can't do him justice in a few words.
-Lost touch with the friend who introduced me to Wing Chun, who was now a Black Belt in BJJ and told me many times I should try BJJ
- Finally started in 2015; fell in love, this is what I had been looking for in Martial Arts.
I've also through the years participated in Aikido, Krav Maga and Systema classes.
to paint with a broad stroke, BJJ folks seem to me the least delusional in their abilities, the most fun to be around and the least unnecessarily adherent to obscure etiquettes and sensei/coach-worship. your mileage may vary ^^
- Karate as a kid in Belgium in the 80's (Daniel-san...)
- Judo my first year in Japan, 1994 Nagano. First intro to "relax" and tempo and newaza.
- Tried Shorinji Kenpo in College in Tokyo (oh boy, the delusion was strong in that group, really demonstration focused)
- Grad student started teaching me Wing Chun 1 on 1 in college, 1997. First intro to developing stickiness and base/root.
- Went to Taipei to learn with his Sifu Lo Man Kam in 2000/2001 ; fond memories!
- Aunkai for several years : Amazingly talented Japanese teacher with backgrounds in Daitoryu mixed with some striking and Chinese arts influences; can't do him justice in a few words.
-Lost touch with the friend who introduced me to Wing Chun, who was now a Black Belt in BJJ and told me many times I should try BJJ
- Finally started in 2015; fell in love, this is what I had been looking for in Martial Arts.
I've also through the years participated in Aikido, Krav Maga and Systema classes.
to paint with a broad stroke, BJJ folks seem to me the least delusional in their abilities, the most fun to be around and the least unnecessarily adherent to obscure etiquettes and sensei/coach-worship. your mileage may vary ^^
![Slideyfoot [jun]](userimg/5e25cf311adfd.jpg){kind=small}
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Like Bridget, I also have a blogpost on this topic. Unlike Bridget, mine is super super long winded and rambling. :P
http://www.slideyfoot.com[...]round.html
In short, I started with fencing at 13 in 1994, moved into a weird kung fu/kickboxing/taekwondo hybrid thing called Zhuan Shu Kuan at uni, then dabbled in all sorts of other stuff and MMA before finally getting to BJJ in 2006.
http://www.slideyfoot.com[...]round.html
In short, I started with fencing at 13 in 1994, moved into a weird kung fu/kickboxing/taekwondo hybrid thing called Zhuan Shu Kuan at uni, then dabbled in all sorts of other stuff and MMA before finally getting to BJJ in 2006.
TPBlack beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Ninja III domination is the shit!
I got a Ninja III patch for my gi :D
Joe’s Sho Kosugi Ninja Fan Club Member patch is way cooler tho... would definitely sew that on my competition gi to strike fear into the hearts of my opponents.
Joe’s Sho Kosugi Ninja Fan Club Member patch is way cooler tho... would definitely sew that on my competition gi to strike fear into the hearts of my opponents.
MMircoOP
Brown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Like Bridget, I also have a blogpost on this topic. Unlike Bridget, mine is super super long winded and rambling. :P http://www.slideyfoot.com[...]round.html In short, I started with fencing at 13 in 1994, moved into a weird kung fu/kickboxing/taekwondo hybrid thing called Zhuan Shu Kuan at uni, then dabbled in all sorts of other stuff and MMA before finally getting to BJJ in 2006.
I read it, „Can“/Slideyfoot. It was really interesting.
My original „MA journey“ is about 30 pages, but that would have been to long for the forum, I think.
My original „MA journey“ is about 30 pages, but that would have been to long for the forum, I think.
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
I read it, „Can“/Slideyfoot. It was really interesting. My original „MA journey“ is about 30 pages, but that would have been to long for the forum, I think.
Yeah, my blog post definitely is, that's got to be 1000s of words and lots of pages. But you should definitely put it up on a blog if you haven't already, always interesting to read. :D
Also, you mentioned Worth Defending: not sure if there has been a thread on that already. I was considering putting up a review, but I don't want to be mean and knock down his star rating on Amazon etc. Might just do something on Instagram eventually. In short, I liked the history section, not so keen on the less cohesive second half (and especially his strong support for alternative medicine, that put me right off. Telling people to not undergo proper treatment for cancer, very very slippery slope, regardless of his anecdotes).
Also, you mentioned Worth Defending: not sure if there has been a thread on that already. I was considering putting up a review, but I don't want to be mean and knock down his star rating on Amazon etc. Might just do something on Instagram eventually. In short, I liked the history section, not so keen on the less cohesive second half (and especially his strong support for alternative medicine, that put me right off. Telling people to not undergo proper treatment for cancer, very very slippery slope, regardless of his anecdotes).
MMircoOP
Brown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Yeah, my blog post definitely is, that's got to be 1000s of words and lots of pages. But you should definitely put it up on a blog if you haven't already, always interesting to read. :D Also, you mentioned Worth Defending: not sure if there has been a thread on that already. I was considering putting up a review, but I don't want to be mean and knock down his star rating on Amazon etc. Might just do something on Instagram eventually. In short, I liked the history section, not so keen on the less cohesive second half (and especially his strong support for alternative medicine, that put me right off. Telling people to not undergo proper treatment for cancer, very very slippery slope, regardless of his anecdotes).
In relation to „worth defending „ you are right. I enjoyed everything reading about his Jiu jitsu journey and history of bjj/ ufc in California since 1979.
That said I thought the same like you, Can, when wrote about that alternative medicine stuff.
I can understand his point about chiropractic and it definitely helps, but the alternative medicine in relation to cancer my „alarm bell“ rang while reading. It is his opinion and perspective though so I just tolerated it while reading.
That said I thought the same like you, Can, when wrote about that alternative medicine stuff.
I can understand his point about chiropractic and it definitely helps, but the alternative medicine in relation to cancer my „alarm bell“ rang while reading. It is his opinion and perspective though so I just tolerated it while reading.
DBBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Chiropractic is dangerous bullshit & discovered by a guy during a goddamn seance. Carry on.
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
Chiropractic is dangerous bullshit & discovered by a guy during a goddamn seance. Carry on.
Yep! It disturbs me how many people conflate "ridiculous nonsense some guy made up" with "actual medical training". I also remain irritated that you can be prescribed crap like acupuncture on the NHS.
MMircoOP
Brown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
Chiropractic is dangerous bullshit & discovered by a guy during a goddamn seance. Carry on.
In my opinion you can’t generalize. Friend of mine had shoulder issues and pain, could not be helped by an orthopedic doctor, went to a chiropractor, shoulder pain is gone after that. Just sayin. Everybody is different.
It is off topic though
It is off topic though
Edited 5 year(s) ago
SJBlack belt 1st degreeVerified
5 year(s) ago
In my opinion you can’t generalize. Friend of mine head shoulder issues and pain, could not be helped by an orthopedic doctor, went to a chiropractor, shoulder pain is gone after that. Just sayin. Everybody is different. It is off topic though
I'd argue very strongly that you can, as there is a huge difference between peer reviewed, properly tested (double blind tests in legit labs with large sample sizes, etc), and the anecdotal evidence of "yeah, my mate's shoulder was totally fixed by magic monkey dust." It is entirely possibly that somebody could smear magic monkey dust all over their shoulder and that their shoulder improved afterwards, but without proper scientific testing, there is no way to draw a causal link.
BUT as you say, off-topic. :D
BUT as you say, off-topic. :D
AGBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
I did TKD as a kid for about a year and got to purple belt. Did Krav for a bit before and after I started BJJ. My dad always had me throwing boxing combos with him as a kid, but it was a far cry from actually training. Fucked around with Muay Thai a little bit, was planning to put BJJ on the backburner and getting my metaphorical blue belt in it before Covid changed all of our training situations.
AGBrown beltVerified
5 year(s) ago
I did TKD as a kid for about a year and got to purple belt. Did Krav for a bit before and after I started BJJ. My dad always had me throwing boxing combos with him as a kid, but it was a far cry from actually training. Fucked around with Muay Thai a little bit, was planning to put BJJ on the backburner and getting my metaphorical blue belt in it before Covid changed all of our training situations.
