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Fighting for mental and physical fitness
Posted on 9/9/25 at 11:36 am
Posted on 9/9/25 at 11:36 am
Any thoughts on this?
There’s a school of thought that says we collectively are too far removed from the physical world now and this has negative effects on us, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and that fighting for sport can help with this deficiency.
I am considering, as a middle-aged office worker, taking up BJJ.
There’s a school of thought that says we collectively are too far removed from the physical world now and this has negative effects on us, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and that fighting for sport can help with this deficiency.
I am considering, as a middle-aged office worker, taking up BJJ.
9
Posted on 9/9/25 at 11:42 am to Earnest_P
I have nothing against martial arts, MMA, BJJ, boxing, etc...
That being said: I don't think that you necessarily need "combat sports" to meet some sort of primal drive. I DO think that you need physical activity, and possiblye some sort of "flow state" activity (combat sports would fall into this, but lots of other activites do as well: rock climbing, snow sports, cycling, etc...) to combat the sedentary lifestyles and low-grade non-stop anxiety of modern life.
That being said: I don't think that you necessarily need "combat sports" to meet some sort of primal drive. I DO think that you need physical activity, and possiblye some sort of "flow state" activity (combat sports would fall into this, but lots of other activites do as well: rock climbing, snow sports, cycling, etc...) to combat the sedentary lifestyles and low-grade non-stop anxiety of modern life.
Posted on 9/9/25 at 11:51 am to Earnest_P
You can do just about anything that tires you the hell out to accomplish this. Split wood. Powerlifting. BJJ. Rowing until you puke. Lots of thoughts exit your head except for what is happening, right in the moment.
When you're starting out, tap out before you think you need to, and try not to get on the mats with inexperienced white belts, y'all might actually hurt each other
When you're starting out, tap out before you think you need to, and try not to get on the mats with inexperienced white belts, y'all might actually hurt each other
Posted on 9/9/25 at 12:19 pm to LemmyLives
quote:
When you're starting out, tap out before you think you need to, and try not to get on the mats with inexperienced white belts, y'all might actually hurt each other
That’s what I’m thinking. I don’t want to need a surgery from it.
Posted on 9/9/25 at 12:43 pm to Earnest_P
I'm not saying all white belts are risks, but some are. Just look for a white belt that has a stripe or two, so you know they've been around for a few months at least.
If you know how your body and your joints are supposed to feel (I know when my shoulder blades are tight and when they're not when squatting, for instance, and I know when my elbow is in the wrong position when benching, etc.) you'll be fine. The only thing that happened to me when I started going is I let someone roll me up and I exhaled too much air, and I ended up with bruised ribs. Two days of Tylenol and I didn't even notice it anymore.
If you know how your body and your joints are supposed to feel (I know when my shoulder blades are tight and when they're not when squatting, for instance, and I know when my elbow is in the wrong position when benching, etc.) you'll be fine. The only thing that happened to me when I started going is I let someone roll me up and I exhaled too much air, and I ended up with bruised ribs. Two days of Tylenol and I didn't even notice it anymore.
Posted on 9/9/25 at 12:46 pm to LemmyLives
Speaking as a 53 year old Brown Belt, be very diligent on rolling with any 20 something White Belt with a stripe or 2. Beginner White Belts are still in the clueless zone and the closer they can sniff a Blue Belt the less spazzy they are. Otherwise that’s just an invitation to an injury.
Jits is a great stress reliever. It’s so physically demanding that you really need to focus completely on what you are doing and block everything else out and since there are so many possibilities to a roll depending on what your opponent gives you it becomes more of a mental game at first. It’s like a game of chess on a mat.
Jits is a great stress reliever. It’s so physically demanding that you really need to focus completely on what you are doing and block everything else out and since there are so many possibilities to a roll depending on what your opponent gives you it becomes more of a mental game at first. It’s like a game of chess on a mat.
Posted on 4/14/26 at 8:57 am to Earnest_P
Found this while searching for some motivation today and wondered how the progress is coming along. It’s easy to start a routine but staying consistent when your head isn't in it is a different beast entirely.
My husband was stuck in that same cycle where he’d hit the gym for a week and then spiral back into his old habits. We eventually saw Dr. Ash Bhatt to handle the psychiatric side of his recovery and it was the only way he could maintain the physical discipline. You have to fix the foundation before you can build the rest.
My husband was stuck in that same cycle where he’d hit the gym for a week and then spiral back into his old habits. We eventually saw Dr. Ash Bhatt to handle the psychiatric side of his recovery and it was the only way he could maintain the physical discipline. You have to fix the foundation before you can build the rest.
This post was edited on 4/15/26 at 8:36 am
Posted on 4/14/26 at 9:45 am to Earnest_P
Do it man, those Classes help keep my head straight
Get out of your mind and into your body! Test yourself
Go for it and enjoy
Get out of your mind and into your body! Test yourself
Go for it and enjoy
Posted on 4/14/26 at 11:19 am to Earnest_P
quote:
I am considering, as a middle-aged office worker, taking up BJJ.
Some of the older posters know who I am here but most don't otherwise I'd post a photo from 14 months ago and one now. The difference in my physical appearance is stark. I feel 100 times better. I was 41 when I started 14 months ago and hadn't lifted a weight or done any real physical exercise of note since I was in 10th grade.
My then 9 year old son started doing it 2 years ago. Guys at the gym talked me into it. I went from 285 to 235 in 6 months. I changed very little about my eating habits. At the 8 month mark I started lifting solely for the benefit of my BJJ game. I'm still in the 235 range and have replaced the fat with a bit of muscle - got a long ways to go still. I plan on dropping another 20 lbs or so but I'm set on competing in the 235 area for now. I've changed my eating habits since I started working out to maximize the results of working out (high high protein diet).
I also was under 200 test and started TRT before starting BJJ. I'm not sure I could swing it otherwise.
I thoroughly enjoy BJJ. Few bits of advice. Find a good gym where high level guys will roll with you and teach you stuff, not just smash you repeatedly without helping you understand why you are getting smashed. Find a gym filled with good people - the community can enhance your life in ways outside of BJJ. Tap quickly and often. You will get dinged here and there - take a few days off and recover.
Posted on 4/14/26 at 11:56 am to Earnest_P
I’m a middle aged purple belt
I almost got paralyzed in late 2024 due to an overzealous white belt while I was going at 40-50% since he slammed me then took my back, I escaped then hyperextended his arm
I have had a hard time trusting people so I haven’t trained much since then.
I have multiple herniated discs from c5-t1 which I just finished my 2nd round of bundle branch block injections along with bilateral carpal and cubital tunnel so there’s a price to pay
I almost got paralyzed in late 2024 due to an overzealous white belt while I was going at 40-50% since he slammed me then took my back, I escaped then hyperextended his arm
I have had a hard time trusting people so I haven’t trained much since then.
I have multiple herniated discs from c5-t1 which I just finished my 2nd round of bundle branch block injections along with bilateral carpal and cubital tunnel so there’s a price to pay
This post was edited on 4/14/26 at 12:03 pm
Posted on 4/15/26 at 2:40 pm to Earnest_P
100% 1000% yes.
BJJ is a gift for the mind and body and soul. Not all gyms will be the same. Find one that is a fit for you, and I would bet you 1000 dollars if you stick with it for 2 or more months, it will change your life.
Also, bone density is critical as we age. Stressing your bones is good.
Last note: a bit of advice. Tap early and tap often. If you have a real pull/strain, be wise about it. Stay off of it until it heals fully. I tell you this because once you "get it" and you no longer need the motivation to stick around, you will become obsessed with bjj like the rest of us. It will be all you want to do... and then healing will be hard for you. You can still go to class. Still do drills if your injury site allows for it. You can still go and learn and put in the time. Just don't roll.
Be wise. Enjoy the ride. It is a marathon, not a race.
BJJ is a gift for the mind and body and soul. Not all gyms will be the same. Find one that is a fit for you, and I would bet you 1000 dollars if you stick with it for 2 or more months, it will change your life.
Also, bone density is critical as we age. Stressing your bones is good.
Last note: a bit of advice. Tap early and tap often. If you have a real pull/strain, be wise about it. Stay off of it until it heals fully. I tell you this because once you "get it" and you no longer need the motivation to stick around, you will become obsessed with bjj like the rest of us. It will be all you want to do... and then healing will be hard for you. You can still go to class. Still do drills if your injury site allows for it. You can still go and learn and put in the time. Just don't roll.
Be wise. Enjoy the ride. It is a marathon, not a race.
This post was edited on 4/15/26 at 2:42 pm
Posted on 4/15/26 at 2:58 pm to Earnest_P
quote:
There’s a school of thought that says we collectively are too far removed from the physical world now and this has negative effects on us, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and that fighting for sport can help with this deficiency.
And the natural world. You should spend time every day outside and at least an hour or two in the woods every week. That is why i am a huge fan of mountain or gravel bike riding. Humans have been evolving over six million years and it is just the very tiny recent history where we started sitting all day and staying indoors and becoming lazy. I don't know what BJJ is but think about hiking instead.
UCLA study.
Posted on 4/16/26 at 3:14 pm to MWP
Were you the one who had been to one of Royler Gracie’s seminars?
Posted on 4/16/26 at 3:30 pm to lsucoonass
Yes, I have been to several. He actually awarded me my Purple Belt.
Posted on 4/16/26 at 8:05 pm to MWP
That’s pretty awesome
Posted on 4/16/26 at 9:59 pm to Earnest_P
Idk about any of this martial arts stuff but I started heavy bag boxing training recently and love it. I look forward to heavy bag day. And burns up my arms and shoulders. I love it.
Full disclosure: I have no idea what I’m doing.
Full disclosure: I have no idea what I’m doing.
This post was edited on 4/16/26 at 10:00 pm
Posted on 4/17/26 at 6:53 am to rebelrouser
quote:
And the natural world. You should spend time every day outside and at least an hour or two in the woods every week.
Yup. I'm lucky enough to live about 15 minutes away from Tunica Hills. I usually spend a couple of hours every Saturday or Sunday on the trails. Really helps clear the mind. When I'm at home or at work I rarely go 10 minutes without checking my phone. When hiking/hunting I'll put it in my pack and forget about it for 5 hours.
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