I’m a mother of two — one preteen and one toddler — and I began Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) on July 21, 2023. You possibly can take a look at my first 30 classes right here: link.
I wouldn’t say I’m your typical white belt. Except for being a mother, I run my very own firm with my husband. I’m the CEO of a tech startup, and I’ve been a content material creator for 17 years. I’m additionally a enterprise guide for some startups within the Philippines. I’m additionally in my 40s (however for some motive, folks suppose I’m in my mid to late 30s — thanks, Asian genes). And as BJJ will get extra fashionable within the Philippines, I’m seeing extra ladies my age be part of, which I like.
In beneath two years, I’ve joined three competitions — two native ones and one intramural with my workforce. Silver for all of them. And truthfully, each time, I’ve discovered a lot in regards to the sport and about myself.
So I assumed I’d share a couple of issues I’ve realized — from one 40-something white belt to a different — in case you’re pondering of competing too.
1. There’s no good time to compete
Critically. For those who wait till you “know sufficient,” you’ll by no means enroll. You simply prepare till you’re feeling like, “Okay, perhaps it’s time to see if what I’ve been drilling really works.”
Competitions are like these shock quizzes at school — you’ll by no means really feel 100% prepared, however you go for it anyway and study within the course of.
2. Go in with a recreation plan
While you compete, you’re not there to “do all of the strikes I discovered at school.” Nope. You’re there to check a particular recreation plan you’ve been engaged on.
For me, which means drilling sure positions or submissions time and again till I can do them with out pondering. And sure, you additionally have to know a couple of counters as a result of, effectively… your opponent additionally has a plan.
3. Practice Good, Not Simply Laborious
While you’re in your 40s, “simply push by means of” shouldn’t be a sustainable coaching philosophy.
I’ve tried matching the depth of coaching companions who had been 20 years youthful and 20 kilos heavier. Did I study extra? Not likely. Did my physique thank me for it? Completely not.
Today, I focus extra on controlling the tempo, observing, and choosing my moments. High quality rolls > attempting to outlive somebody’s “beast mode.”
Additionally, you’re allowed to say no. In case your physique isn’t up for it, or in the event you’re paired with somebody a lot heavier, you’ll be able to converse up. Typically I’ll inform my accomplice, “Hey, I’m engaged on passing guard as we speak. Can we concentrate on that?” This fashion, the roll has a function, I get the reps I want, and my joints don’t ship me hate mail the following morning.
And only for context, that is coming from somebody who has had:
- a minor rib fracture
- a semi-functioning shoulder
- a knee surgical procedure
Yep. You possibly can nonetheless prepare exhausting, however you don’t have to match everybody else’s exhausting.
4. Relaxation can also be coaching
Oh, the FOMO is actual. After I see my pals posting coaching pics and I’m not there, my aggressive mind begins whispering, “You’re lacking out.”
However I’ve discovered to take heed to my physique. Relaxation days are the rationale I can hold displaying up. You possibly can push by means of soreness in your 20s; in your 40s, you could be smarter about restoration.
5. Power and conditioning = your secret weapon
If I may return to my first months of BJJ, I’d inform myself: begin lifting weights.
BJJ is quite a lot of pulling, pushing, and holding awkward positions — your joints and muscle groups will love you for giving them further energy. Even a few brief classes per week with resistance bands or weights makes an enormous distinction in your stability, grip, and damage prevention.
5. Defend your physique
In your 40s, prep time earlier than coaching isn’t any joke. I exploit knee supports and finger tape each session. It takes longer to gear up now, however I want that further layer of safety if I need to prepare persistently.
Consider it as suiting up for battle — however the type of battle you continue to need to battle 5, 10, 15 years from now. Small accidents can snowball into lengthy breaks in the event you don’t care for them early.
6. Help your coaching with dietary supplements
While you’re competing (particularly in your 40s), restoration and efficiency aren’t nearly what you do on the mats — they’re additionally about what you place in your physique.
For me, taking creatine has helped with energy and muscle restoration. It’s probably the most researched dietary supplements on the market and can provide you that further push in coaching with out being sophisticated.
I additionally take nutritional vitamins and different dietary supplements to maintain my physique in combating form — actually. I wrote about my go-to record right here: Essential Vitamins and Supplements for Active Women in Their 30s and 40s.
Consider dietary supplements as assist crew in your physique — they gained’t exchange coaching or sleep, however they’ll assist you to keep wholesome sufficient to maintain doing each.
7. Heat up earlier than your match
Right here’s one thing I discovered the exhausting manner — don’t skip the warm-up. For those who’re in your 40s, your physique wants a bit further time to get up earlier than going full blast.
Earlier than a match, I love to do mild motion drills, a little bit of stretching, and a few move rolling if doable. It’s not nearly stopping damage — it’s about feeling free, alert, and able to transfer the second the ref says, “Combate!”
Even 5 to 10 minutes of focused motion could make an enormous distinction in how your physique reacts when you hit the mats.
8. Perceive the game and skim the foundations
One factor I want I did earlier was to essentially perceive the foundations of competitors. I’m not simply speaking about realizing that submissions win matches — I imply the small print: what will get you factors, what will get you penalties, and what conditions may value you the match.
Typically, matches are gained or misplaced not as a result of somebody was “higher” technically, however as a result of they understood the best way to work inside the guidelines. Realizing when to go for a sweep versus when to carry place for factors can change every part.
So in the event you’re competing, don’t simply prepare the strikes — research the game. Learn the rulebook, watch matches, and ask your coaches questions. You’ll roll smarter, not simply tougher.
Simply placing this in since we overlook to do that.
8. Have a coaching accomplice — your accountability buddy
Coaching for a contest can get intense, and having somebody who’s on the identical journey makes an enormous distinction. Your coaching accomplice doesn’t should be the identical dimension or ability stage, but it surely helps in the event you can push one another, drill collectively, and hold one another accountable.
They’re the one who messages you, “Class as we speak?” once you really feel like skipping. The one who is aware of what you’re engaged on and can provide you suggestions. And truthfully, it simply makes the grind extra enjoyable when you’ve gotten somebody to snort (and typically limp) with after class.
9. Belief your self, belief your coach, belief your coaching
While you step on these mats, it’s straightforward to overthink. Instantly you’re questioning in the event you drilled sufficient, in case your recreation plan will work, or in the event you’re even prepared in any respect.
That is once you remind your self — you’ve finished the work. You’ve put within the hours. Your coach has ready you. And you already know greater than you suppose you do.
In the course of a match, there’s no time for second-guessing. It’s important to belief your self, belief your coach’s voice in your nook, and belief that each one these numerous reps in coaching are about to repay.
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Competing in your 40s as a white belt is a mixture of nerves, adrenaline, and “what am I even doing right here?” However each time I’ve stepped on the mats, I’ve come out with extra confidence, extra readability, and an extended record of issues to work on.
For those who’re on the fence, my recommendation? Enroll. Not once you’re “ready-ready,” however once you’re able to problem your self. You’ll shock your self with what you’ll be able to really do.
P.S. For these seeking to prepare in Manila, Philippines, come and prepare with us at Origins Athletics. They they brances in San Juan, BGC and The Grove in Metro Manila, Philippines.
