ever thought about giving up bjj?

[mathematist]

hi people. Has there been a serious time when you've thought bout quitting? I've a trapped nerve sciatic in frm back2leg, knee is going, right arm busted too all cos of bjj. Is this a phase every 1 goes thru? Black belts, ur experience would be esp appreciated. Thanks lads.

[ReD_mIst]

Not BJJ, but MMA, etc, yes... many times. As clock ticks on, niggling injuries build up, fitness goes down, the young lads start getting the better of me, etc.... I think you have to work out why you do it in the first place. If you are still achieving that, then why give up?

[badshah]

one of my rolling mates hasn't been showing up to training and it's been real hard on me. I'm all depressed on the bus route to training and when I get there and roll with the guys, no one pulls spider guard like him, and I get all emotional, and during that moment I get smashed.

Wish he'd just come back.

:(

[david5]

everytime i roll with my main instructor here in rio

[Xanthic]

Oh yes. Especially when I hit a brick wall in my training (figure of speech). I felt like nothing was working, I couldnt do ANYTHING and just felt like I wasnt supposed to be there. But then it got better, the sun started shining again, birds started singing and a cool light breeze swept across the mats at SBG and all was good :)

[BruceLeeMMAfighting.net]

hi people. Has there been a serious time when you've thought bout quitting? I've a trapped nerve sciatic in frm back2leg, knee is going, right arm busted too all cos of bjj. Is this a phase every 1 goes thru? Black belts, ur experience would be esp appreciated. Thanks lads.

Trevor Leggett:

"The Unforgettable Words of Tani

One evening, however, I felt very tired with a headache. At about seven, I picked up my towel and prepared to leave the dojo. Tani looked across and asked, 'Where are you going?' I replied, 'I feel tired and I've got a headache. I'll come tomorrow'.

Tani asked quietly: 'If a man rushes at you in the street with a hammer, wanting to kill you, can you say, "I feel tired and I've got a headache, so come back tomorrow"?' Then he turned away. His words were like a thunderbolt. I went back on to the mat and practised. After half an hour he said, 'All right, go home now'. Somehow I felt I did not want to. I went on practising, but he gave me a little push with a smile and repeated, 'Go now, go now'. This time I went.

Later in life, when I have promised to do something but then have been tired or sometimes even ill, I wanted to make an excuse. Tani's words would return to me: 'Can you say, "I feel tired and I've got a headache, so come back tomorrow"?' Then I was able to put aside the tiredness and carry out the promise. "

[The Natural]

Good post..deep, very deep!

[TRIBULUS]

only time I've ever considered the possibility of giving up is when bedridden with a horrible back injury. I realised that it may be necessary to make a choice between normal life and Jiu Jitsu.
I hope to never get to such a low point ever again.

[mathematist]

thanks guys. 2 years ago, was out for 8months and was limping for 15 months. Tribulus, thats the q i'm asking myself, do i wana do bjj and not run/play with the kids or vice versa? Now tht the injury is back hence the lack of willpower. Hopefully, wil b back soon OTM.

[BruceLeeMMAfighting.net]

thanks guys. 2 years ago, was out for 8months and was limping for 15 months. Tribulus, thats the q i'm asking myself, do i wana do bjj and not run/play with the kids or vice versa? Now tht the injury is back hence the lack of willpower. Hopefully, wil b back soon OTM.

Well there are things you can do while you are on the shelf such as watch Instructional videos at home or just take part in the technique portion of class without rolling or competing. If you are physically injured, let those injuries heal but at the same time that doesn't mean you have to quit.

[TRIBULUS]

Also take the opportunity to participate in other sports, when my back was bad the only thing I could do was swim so I did loads of it. Even if it is just weight training isolated areas that aren't affected you should try to keep active.

[gogoplata]

In Dec 2005, I was told I had a severe case of Buergers Disease (also known as thromboangiitis obliterans) and I was told that I should expect to be in a wheel chair, the Dr said he was suprised I was still walking around. Buergers Disease is where The main arteries are thinned or blocked to a point where no blood can pass through them. My legs felt like I had constant cramp and shin splints 24/7. Holding guard was so painful. I thought that's it, Jiu Jitsu is done.

I was so depressed thinking Id have to stop. Then I decided to just keep going at my pace, The pace got more and more, and on a return visit to the hospital in Oct 2007 the Dr said the due to the massive amount of training I have been doing, my body has begun to create new smaller arteries which now supply enough blood etc to my lower limbs.

While Ill never be 100%. I can continue BJJ and owe the fact my legs feel ok, most of time, to my training and not being prepared to just give up.

Steve Cowan - BTT Norwich

[Predator]

everytime i roll with my main instructor here in rio

Thats not good.

Everytime i get bitched it puts the fire back in to train again. Also i enjoy be humbled.

Keeps you grounded and stops you thinking your the shit because you can beat up a few beginners lol.

[Mike Bishop]

In Dec 2005, I was told I had a severe case of Buergers Disease (also known as thromboangiitis obliterans) and I was told that I should expect to be in a wheel chair, the Dr said he was suprised I was still walking around. Buergers Disease is where The main arteries are thinned or blocked to a point where no blood can pass through them. My legs felt like I had constant cramp and shin splints 24/7. Holding guard was so painful. I thought that's it, Jiu Jitsu is done.

I was so depressed thinking Id have to stop. Then I decided to just keep going at my pace, The pace got more and more, and on a return visit to the hospital in Oct 2007 the Dr said the due to the massive amount of training I have been doing, my body has begun to create new smaller arteries which now supply enough blood etc to my lower limbs.

While Ill never be 100%. I can continue BJJ and owe the fact my legs feel ok, most of time, to my training and not being prepared to just give up.

Steve Cowan - BTT Norwich

Mate - that's a fantastic story. Thanks for posting and huge respect for sticking at it and coming through your problems like that

[SwiftMotion]

Recently ive been thinking about why I do bjj what are the reasons because I believe they change a bit as you progress.However it always comes back to satisfying an innate need within myself.The beauty of using your body in such a dynamic way.This is what"for me"makes jujitsu such a beautiful art.
I go 4-5 times a week and it takes up so much of my time and energy.I find myself thinking why I should be forcing myself to train sometimes.Ive got reconstructive surgery to both ACL's in my knee's which is major surgery and a minor op on the left knee.For the second op I was out for a year and a half.I had problems walking up mountain after 6 months.At that stage I couldnt run or hike and thought man Im never going to be able to do jitsu again but there is always hope.Ive been back now for over 2 years and Im stronger than ever.
Cant run but hey I can train 6 times a week and do judo so Im a happy man and lucky to be able to still train.
I can safely say that my low times are short lived and that I love this sport and cannot stop it no matter what.It is simply who I am,Im a fighter and a warrior.Im sure I speak for many when I say that.To be beaten,humbled and shown how weak you are,seeing your ego and realising its weaknesses,to persevere,to have fear and do it anyway.A champion is the man who stands up again and again,who does'nt falter but carries along the path no matter what burdens they encounter.So I may think about quitting but I always come back for more.

[DoubleJab]

In Dec 2005, I was told I had a severe case of Buergers Disease (also known as thromboangiitis obliterans) and I was told that I should expect to be in a wheel chair, the Dr said he was suprised I was still walking around. Buergers Disease is where The main arteries are thinned or blocked to a point where no blood can pass through them. My legs felt like I had constant cramp and shin splints 24/7. Holding guard was so painful. I thought that's it, Jiu Jitsu is done.

I was so depressed thinking Id have to stop. Then I decided to just keep going at my pace, The pace got more and more, and on a return visit to the hospital in Oct 2007 the Dr said the due to the massive amount of training I have been doing, my body has begun to create new smaller arteries which now supply enough blood etc to my lower limbs.

While Ill never be 100%. I can continue BJJ and owe the fact my legs feel ok, most of time, to my training and not being prepared to just give up.

Steve Cowan - BTT Norwich


Great post, inspiring, glad you're still training.

[mainsy]

I am at that point just now, staring down the barrel of another shoulder surgery

[markjitsu]

In Dec 2005, I was told I had a severe case of Buergers Disease (also known as thromboangiitis obliterans) and I was told that I should expect to be in a wheel chair, the Dr said he was suprised I was still walking around. Buergers Disease is where The main arteries are thinned or blocked to a point where no blood can pass through them. My legs felt like I had constant cramp and shin splints 24/7. Holding guard was so painful. I thought that's it, Jiu Jitsu is done.

I was so depressed thinking Id have to stop. Then I decided to just keep going at my pace, The pace got more and more, and on a return visit to the hospital in Oct 2007 the Dr said the due to the massive amount of training I have been doing, my body has begun to create new smaller arteries which now supply enough blood etc to my lower limbs.

While Ill never be 100%. I can continue BJJ and owe the fact my legs feel ok, most of time, to my training and not being prepared to just give up.

Steve Cowan - BTT Norwich

bjj cures diseases...

[mathematist]

just the kind of advice I was after lads and some great stories too. Respect to all.