Rules for main forums
- Be nice
- No advertisement
- No events
- No fundraisers
- No topics asking for votes
- Only posts related to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Burn Out
1 week(s) ago • 291 views • 8 replies
RBlack beltVerified
1 week(s) ago
Hey everyone!
I've battled this for many years at this point, but struggling with burnout in jiu jitsu and it's not even specifically jiu jitsu in general, but more so teaching/coaching.
I've been training for 12+ years and almost 9 of them have been in some sort of coaching capacity. Rarely do I have the time in my work/life schedule to get extra days of training in for myself, so I'm mostly just coaching my one class a week, which I truly love, but I have my reservations of wanting to continue to do so. Whenever I hold a class, I feel enthusiastic of what I'm teaching and I genuinely enjoy helping others, but something just feels off.
I am unsure if I should try to take a break from teaching or if this is just something that will pass in time. Yet this feeling has been building for a few years at this point. I've talked with other coaches and seasoned practitioners, and they have great advice, but despite trying to implement their thoughts I still feel a bit burnt out.
Has anyone else successfully made it out of this trough of burn out, and what worked for you if you did?
Looking forward to hearing some thoughts...
Ryan
I've battled this for many years at this point, but struggling with burnout in jiu jitsu and it's not even specifically jiu jitsu in general, but more so teaching/coaching.
I've been training for 12+ years and almost 9 of them have been in some sort of coaching capacity. Rarely do I have the time in my work/life schedule to get extra days of training in for myself, so I'm mostly just coaching my one class a week, which I truly love, but I have my reservations of wanting to continue to do so. Whenever I hold a class, I feel enthusiastic of what I'm teaching and I genuinely enjoy helping others, but something just feels off.
I am unsure if I should try to take a break from teaching or if this is just something that will pass in time. Yet this feeling has been building for a few years at this point. I've talked with other coaches and seasoned practitioners, and they have great advice, but despite trying to implement their thoughts I still feel a bit burnt out.
Has anyone else successfully made it out of this trough of burn out, and what worked for you if you did?
Looking forward to hearing some thoughts...
Ryan
IBlack beltVerified
1 week(s) ago
Sounds like you need a break man. You been on a vacation recently? If you're not relying on those classes for income then take a few weeks off and see how you feel.
RDBlack belt 4th degreeVerified
1 week(s) ago
Been there.
Take a break from teaching and get back into training for yourself for awhile.
If that does not make you feel any better. Just flat out take a break.
Don't even watch videos.
You'll get the fire again very shortly.
Take a break from teaching and get back into training for yourself for awhile.
If that does not make you feel any better. Just flat out take a break.
Don't even watch videos.
You'll get the fire again very shortly.
Edited 1 week(s) ago
JGBlack beltVerified
1 week(s) ago
Absolutely sounds like it's time for you to take a break from teaching. It'll be a good opportunity for someone else at your gym to take up the torch and teach their variations of technique. When burnout starts to impact me, I have to switch it up. Not sure the capacity within your area/affiliation/non-affiliation, but for me, I start looking to our surrounding gyms and train at a handful of them and/or find whatever open mats are happening in the area.
HBBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
1 week(s) ago
Hey everyone! I've battled this for many years at this point, but struggling with burnout in jiu jitsu and it's not even specifically jiu jitsu in general, but more so teaching/coaching. I've been training for 12+ years and almost 9 of them have been in some sort of coaching capacity. Rarely do I have the time in my work/life schedule to get extra days of training in for myself, so I'm mostly just coaching my one class a week, which I truly love, but I have my reservations of wanting to continue to do so. Whenever I hold a class, I feel enthusiastic of what I'm teaching and I genuinely enjoy helping others, but something just feels off. I am unsure if I should try to take a break from teaching or if this is just something that will pass in time. Yet this feeling has been building for a few years at this point. I've talked with other coaches and seasoned practitioners, and they have great advice, but despite trying to implement their thoughts I still feel a bit burnt out. Has anyone else successfully made it out of this trough of burn out, and what worked for you if you did? Looking forward to hearing some thoughts... Ryan
So i one-million percent was in a rut like this, i'm 28 years and change into my entire BJJ journey, i'd say about 25 years of it teaching. One of my Brown Belts went to three Globetrotter Maine Camps, and i finally went to my first one in 2025, and i can absolutely say it pulled me out of the rut. It was refreshing to be surrounded by so many like-minded people, not worry about anything for 8 days, and just focus on hanging out and BJJ.
Maybe a vacation like that or something else can "reset" you and get you back on track?
Maybe a vacation like that or something else can "reset" you and get you back on track?
JYPurple beltVerified
6 day(s) ago
Breaks are mission essential for longevity!
MBrown beltVerified
6 day(s) ago
Hey everyone! I've battled this for many years at this point, but struggling with burnout in jiu jitsu and it's not even specifically jiu jitsu in general, but more so teaching/coaching. I've been training for 12+ years and almost 9 of them have been in some sort of coaching capacity. Rarely do I have the time in my work/life schedule to get extra days of training in for myself, so I'm mostly just coaching my one class a week, which I truly love, but I have my reservations of wanting to continue to do so. Whenever I hold a class, I feel enthusiastic of what I'm teaching and I genuinely enjoy helping others, but something just feels off. I am unsure if I should try to take a break from teaching or if this is just something that will pass in time. Yet this feeling has been building for a few years at this point. I've talked with other coaches and seasoned practitioners, and they have great advice, but despite trying to implement their thoughts I still feel a bit burnt out. Has anyone else successfully made it out of this trough of burn out, and what worked for you if you did? Looking forward to hearing some thoughts... Ryan
I feel you! It seems like you give lots of your time and energy for others to help them, which is really a good character, but don’t forget about yourself, your needs and what you like.
What Honey badger said: maybe do train and travel vacation to not always be the teacher but just enjoy learning with others in a different environment.
I teach in LE professionally and after duty as a part time Jiu Jitsu instructor 3 sessions a week teaching martial arts recreationally since 2010 so I kind of guess what you are feeling.
I am am happy I built a team, culture and environment, where I can step back sometimes as the instructor and teammates, who are seasoned coloured belts or DT/PT instructors, too, who take charge of training, bring in new ideas or things they learned at open mats or seminars and they teach it to me and the team. So although I always think,docendo discimus :through teaching we learn, and I have been in the role as an instructor since getting my bluebelt literally, just receiving instruction and training, switching perspectives and roles, always helped me with “Jiu Jitsu coaching burn out”…
Always student, sometimes teacher 😉
What Honey badger said: maybe do train and travel vacation to not always be the teacher but just enjoy learning with others in a different environment.
I teach in LE professionally and after duty as a part time Jiu Jitsu instructor 3 sessions a week teaching martial arts recreationally since 2010 so I kind of guess what you are feeling.
I am am happy I built a team, culture and environment, where I can step back sometimes as the instructor and teammates, who are seasoned coloured belts or DT/PT instructors, too, who take charge of training, bring in new ideas or things they learned at open mats or seminars and they teach it to me and the team. So although I always think,docendo discimus :through teaching we learn, and I have been in the role as an instructor since getting my bluebelt literally, just receiving instruction and training, switching perspectives and roles, always helped me with “Jiu Jitsu coaching burn out”…
Always student, sometimes teacher 😉
Edited 6 day(s) ago
RBlack belt 3rd degreeVerified
5 day(s) ago
Hey everyone! I've battled this for many years at this point, but struggling with burnout in jiu jitsu and it's not even specifically jiu jitsu in general, but more so teaching/coaching. I've been training for 12+ years and almost 9 of them have been in some sort of coaching capacity. Rarely do I have the time in my work/life schedule to get extra days of training in for myself, so I'm mostly just coaching my one class a week, which I truly love, but I have my reservations of wanting to continue to do so. Whenever I hold a class, I feel enthusiastic of what I'm teaching and I genuinely enjoy helping others, but something just feels off. I am unsure if I should try to take a break from teaching or if this is just something that will pass in time. Yet this feeling has been building for a few years at this point. I've talked with other coaches and seasoned practitioners, and they have great advice, but despite trying to implement their thoughts I still feel a bit burnt out. Has anyone else successfully made it out of this trough of burn out, and what worked for you if you did? Looking forward to hearing some thoughts... Ryan
Teaching changed my life. And I take my time rolling with my students and other BB. What I think is that you need to make order in your thoughts, isolate all unnecessary elements and keep it as simple as it can be. Everything is a meter of perspective and priorities. Don't ask others, you might be more confused, ask yourself. The answer is right in front of you, right there, in your head. Take time with yourself.
Kind regards
Kind regards
Edited 5 day(s) ago
BVBlack belt 2nd degreeVerified
5 day(s) ago
Hi Ryan how are you? A break might help or it might not. Its like an injury, sometimes resting takes care of it. Other times you need to find out whats wrong and look for the appropiate way to heal up. The brain is no different. Maybe a break or a short holiday will fix your issue. Otherwise you might have to figure out whats eating you. If you have a hard time doing it by yourself, look for outside help. Maybe a professional or maybe someone you trust near you. Anyways, good luck!
