Top 10 Things I’d Do Differently If I Started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Again Today

After years on the mats, training with the biggest names in the best gyms, earning my black belt, coaching hundreds of students, and watching beginners become confident grapplers, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on what "actually" matters in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Like most people, I have made a lot of mistakes. Some cost me major progress. Others led to unnecessary injuries and serious frustration. All that said, I allowed nothing to stop my journey, but if I could step back onto the mats as a brand-new white belt today, these are 10 things I would do differently from day one.

If you’re just starting your Jiu-Jitsu journey—or you’ve been training for a few years—these lessons can save you time and help you become a better martial artist. Faster!

1. I Would Spend Far More Time Escaping Than Attacking

Every new student wants to learn submissions. Armbars, triangles, rear naked chokes especially all the Instagram moves—they’re exciting.

But the truth is this: the people who become great at Jiu-Jitsu are almost always the hardest to control. They play chess while others play connect the dots or tic tac toe!

If I started over, I would become obsessed with escaping mount, side control, back control, and bad positions before worrying about fancy submissions. Defense builds confidence.

When you know you can survive against skilled training partners, especially big opponents - you’re willing to take massive risks, experiment, and improve much faster because you know you can escape whatever they throw at you. With a defense first mindset confidence begins with knowing you can get out of trouble. I watched this done by Garry Tonon at Renzo Gracie's. 

2. I Would Roll With Everyone—Not Just People I Could Beat

Early on, it’s tempting to choose training partners you’re comfortable with (or that you can dominate). I would do the opposite. Take the beating early and often in the beginning so it happens way less down the road. You CANNOT escape it - you will learn to be the nail LONG before you become the hammer! 

I’d seek out people who are stronger, faster, more technical, explosive, older, bigger, younger, lighter, heavier—everyone.

Every body type teaches something different.

The toughest rolls expose weaknesses. The newer students force you to refine your technique. Training with a variety of partners creates a more complete game than staying inside your comfort zone. 

Growth happens when you stop protecting your ego.

3. I Would Stop Trying to Win Every Round

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is treating every roll like it’s the finals of a world championship or their family's honor hangs in the balance from a round in a Fundamentals Class.

I did it too (in the beginning)! 

If I could start over, I would use every round to work on one specific skill.

Maybe it’s maintaining posture.

Maybe it’s escaping side control.

Maybe it’s entering a guard you’ve been avoiding.

The goal of training isn’t to win practice.

The goal is to improve enough that winning becomes a byproduct.

Black belts aren’t created by winning rounds.

They’re created by solving problems.

You must learn how to train with purpose!

4. I Would Prioritize Recovery as Much as Training

When you’re young and excited, more always feels better.

More rounds.

More lifting.

More running.

More conditioning.

More everything.

Eventually your body reminds you that progress happens during recovery—not during exhaustion.

Today, I understand the importance of sleep, mobility, proper nutrition, hydration, strength training, and taking care of small injuries before they become major ones.

Consistency prevails when all else fails - it beats intensity over the long term.

The athletes who stay healthy for ten years almost always outperform the athletes who burn themselves out in two.

5. I Would Focus Less on Belts and More on Becoming Dangerous

Belts are important. They represent knowledge, consistency, and commitment. But chasing the next belt can distract you from what really matters.

If I started over today, I wouldn’t worry about how quickly I could earn a blue belt or purple belt.

I’d ask:

“Am I becoming harder to control than I was six months ago?”

“Can I protect myself better than I could last year?”

“Am I becoming a better training partner?”

Those are the questions that matter. 

NOT

"I can vanquish the new trial guy in less than 15 seconds!"

"I hope no one looks me in the eyes, or I'll show them what it means to be a 1 stripe blue belt."

Ironically, when you stop chasing belts and start chasing improvement, the promotions tend to come naturally.

6. I Would Take Better Notes After Training

When I was newer, I often left the academy remembering that I struggled—but not always remembering why. Until I started a journal - after class I'd write what I did - what went wrong and why and how to fix it. I used a dry erase board in my garage that by the end of each week I'd write everything I need to fix and if/how I did it. 

If I started again, I would keep a training journal from day one. I’d write down what techniques worked, what positions gave me trouble, what questions I had, and what I wanted to improve during the next session.

Small observations add up over time. I used to look back after months of training and my progress written out was a sight to behold - it was massive because I wrote it down and everything was done with purpose. 

The best students aren’t always the ones with the most natural ability—they’re the ones who pay attention and learn from every experience.

7. I Would Learn The Fundamentals Before Chasing Advanced Techniques

Jiu-Jitsu has ENDLESS techniques, and it’s easy to get distracted by the newest move or the latest highlight reel submission. I spent a considerable amount of my 20's watching countless hours of trivial "moves" - all of which was a waste of time. As a blue belt and purple belt,there were periods I was going to Renzo Gracie's in NYC in the blue basement. It was then I met John Danaher and I realized how important technical fundamentals were. 

The most basic moves with no mistakes can make you unbeatable. 

If I started over, I would spend more time mastering the basics.

Frames.

Escapes.

Pressure.

Position control.

Timing.

The fundamentals are what hold everything together. Advanced techniques are built on simple movements performed with incredible precise detail.

A strong foundation will take you further than a large collection of techniques you don’t truly understand.

8. I Would Be More Patient With My Progress

Jiu-Jitsu is a long journey.

There will be plateaus. There will be frustrating days. There will be LIFE - kids, houses, relationships, family, jobs, injuries - life will just keep on going. The time will pass! There will be moments when you feel like you forgot everything you ever learned.

I would remind myself that this is part of the process.

Progress is rarely a straight line. The students who succeed are the ones who keep showing up even when improvement feels slow. 

There were times I had significant serious injuries like instances where I couldn't use an entire arm from an injury from not tapping at a tournament. But I would be back on Monday and still train - I would just tuck my arm/hand in my belt to protect it and just not use that arm. I convinced myself I was improving my guard because I couldn't rely on my injured arm. I'd suffer a broken tailbone and not be able to do any seated guard positions so I only did stand up. I looked at injuries as opportunities to improve. Nothing could deter me!

As an older and "wiser" man, I would advise you to trust the process and give yourself time to develop. Everyone is so accustomed to wanting something and getting it when they want it in this society. The reality is that almost anyone can start Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but very few people will ever become a black belt. Not because they lack talent, strength, or athletic ability—but because they lack the "staying power" - the persistence to keep showing up when progress is slow, when training is hard, and when life gets in the way.

A black belt is not awarded for surviving a certain number of years. It’s earned through countless hours of deliberate practice, insurmountable failures, the humility to come back the next day ready to learn again. The techniques matter, but the character developed along the journey matters even more. Improvement becomes inevitable!

In a world that rewards instant gratification, Jiu-Jitsu rewards consistency and "intestinal fortitude" as my Dad would say. It doesn’t care how gifted you are. It rewards those who refuse to quit. That’s why a black belt isn’t just a symbol of technical skill—it’s proof of resilience, discipline, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement.

Anyone can train when it’s convenient. Black belts are forged by the people who train when it’s difficult.

9. I Would Focus More on Being a Great Training Partner

Early in my journey, I thought improvement was mostly about what I could get from training and how many rounds was I winning. Over time, I learned that becoming someone others want to train with makes everyone better.

Control your intensity.

Help newer students learn.

Respect your partners.

Create a positive training environment. 

As a good training partner, you have an obligation to make others around you better - as you improve - they improve - as you work on things - they work on things. As the water rises, so to shall boat we are all on! Find a training partner who will become your person you drill techniques with before or after class or to get reps in or work technical issues with. 

Most of you here at Bushido have met Isaac from Connecticut - when he's come here to coach. He was an integral part of my journey to practice and drill with. Without him my progress could've been much longer but we drilled and trained together countless hours. Refining, working, problem solving, drilling, tweaking, and improving. 

The best academies are built by people who care about each other’s growth (not just I smashed everyone).

10. I Would Enjoy the Journey More

Looking back, I wish I had spent less time worrying about relentless improvement and more time appreciating where I was.

Every belt level has something special.

Every training partner teaches you something.

Every challenge gives you an opportunity to grow.

Jiu-Jitsu is not just about becoming a black belt.

It’s about becoming a better version of yourself along the way.

Final Thoughts

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has given me far more than techniques. It has taught patience, humility, discipline, resilience, and how to stay calm under pressure.

If I had the opportunity to start over, I wouldn’t change the journey—but I would advise students to change their priorities.

Train your defense.

Leave your ego at the door.

Learn from everyone.

Stay curious.

Take care of your body.

Measure yourself by progress, not rank.

If you do those things consistently, you’ll become the kind of grappler everyone enjoys training with—and the kind of martial artist who continues improving for decades.

Whether you’re searching for Kids Jiu-Jitsu in Zionsville, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu near Indianapolis, Jiu-Jitsu in Carmel, Martial Arts in Whitestown, or you’re an adult looking to begin your first class, remember that everyone starts exactly where you are now. The difference isn’t talent—it’s consistency, quality instruction, and a willingness to keep showing up.

At Bushido Jiu-Jitsu, our goal isn’t simply to help students earn belts. It’s to build technically sound, confident, resilient martial artists through real Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a welcoming environment where beginners and experienced practitioners can thrive together.

I hope to see you on the mats.


— Coach John