They always say that Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone. Everyone can do it. No matter what height, weight, age, or gender, everyone can practice Jiu-Jitsu. Most of your opponents can be stronger, faster, or bigger than you; but if you know a great technique to put them down, you can always win. Jiu-Jitsu tests our ego, challenge our body, mind, and helps us connect with our fellow Jiu-Jitsu practitioners. So why did I quit it if it's so great?
You know, there are events that are out of our control that forces us to put our practice on hold or to quit the game entirely.
Here are my reasons:
1. I'm not Wolverine.
It takes unique flexibility, strength and cardio to do a BJJ training. I can't quickly recover from one session to another because I always get injuries. I don't know, maybe I'm just clumsy or I'm not doing the right technique. Most of my gi wearing brothers and sisters are probably immune to injuries.
I have a lot of responsibilities at work and home, I can't afford the time off when I get injured. Some of my teammates are just like Wolverine, these mutants heal up faster than other people. I don't posses a genetic trait called an X-gene. I don't have the superhuman powers and abilities. I'm just a normal human being.
2. I'm not a Whale.
That daily drive to the gym 3 to 4 times a week is costing me a lot of gas money. If you wanna be good at Jiu-Jitsu, it takes a lot of commitment. And boy, I'm telling you, the daily training session or monthly fee is also draining my pocket.
Plus, rash guards and BJJ gis are not cheap and it's hard to wash them manually. By that I mean, hand-wash. I don't have a sponsor like some people do. Mat fees cost around $100 to $200 per month. If you multiply that by 12 months, that's about $1,200 to $2,400 a year. It ain't cheap. I train, I buy my own stuff with my own money, if I get injured, I'll pay for my own hospital bill. It can be a pretty expensive endeavor.
3. I'm not Conor McGregor.
It just never clicked with me. I don't have the passion like McGregor has. I know that it will take a while to grasp a new submission techniques, apply moves and transitions. You have to know the recipe for endurance. It can be frustrating, especially that you're paying money to learn it.
I mean, when I was starting out, I have so much enthusiasm that I even watched so many BJJ youtube videos every night. My progress to learn BJJ was super slow, and eventually, I lost interest and motivation in it. Jiu-Jitsu gets better the longer you play. It's a long journey I know, maybe I'm missing out on the best parts. But I do know that it isn't for me.
I'm done.
It's okay to give up sometimes, it's okay to be human.
Cheers mate!
