Give What You Get

14th October 2023, White Belt Diaries VII At this point I’ve been doing jiu jitsu for sixth months or so. I still take my licks from the higher belts, but I feel a degree of competence and understanding in the sport. It becomes clear to me that one of the largest learning curves you have is […]

Hammer and Nail

28th September 2023, White Belt Diaries V Over the summer my second stripe comes shortly after my first. I beam with pride over the two little strips of fabric on my belt and I bore my girlfriend with boasts of how I feel like I’m naturally well-suited to the discipline of BJJ. Finally, the years […]

Wear and Tear

9th September 2023, White Belt Diaries IV The scream was unlike anything I’d heard in a long time. It rang out across the mats with a guttural agony. Everyone in the room froze immediately, our heads whipping towards the sound of the wail. The scream seemed to go on and on and on – it was […]

Earn Your Stripes

1st June 2023, White Belt Diaries III My instructor wraps a piece of tape around the end of my belt. It’s only a thin strip of finger tape, but I’m utterly chuffed. I feel like a kid again getting that 50m swimming badge. My first ‘promotion’ in the sport. In Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, there are practically speaking only five […]