Recently I had 2018 IBJJF World Champ Mahamed Aly out to our gym to train and do some videos.
In this video I take you guys along with me while I meet and train with Mahamed.
It starts off with me picking him up from the airport and finishes up with him rolling with me and the students at my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville, KY.
During our roll all I can say is. . . man. . . he’s fast! Especially considering he’s like 230lbs.
The Brazilian Jiujitsu techniques and ideas he shared were great. And if you ever get a chance to train with Mahamed you should definitely do so.
You’ll also see me teaching a bit as well as just some clips added in during the day. This is a little different than the normal style Brazilian Jiujitsu videos I put out. But I hope you enjoy it.
https://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Screen-Shot-2019-02-05-at-6.46.52-PM.png477258akatbreeziiehttps://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ChewJitsu-Logo.pngakatbreeziie2019-02-17 18:00:182019-02-05 18:48:10Hanging, Rolling and Choking with 2018 World Champ Mahamed Aly
How does someone go from being an unconfident kid with a stutter to becoming an MMA fighter and Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu who’s competed at a professional level?
At some point you’ll have to have some serious self confidence to accomplish these things right?
Today’s question from Selena is about self confidence. It pertains to her training BJJ for the 1st time. But she lacks confidence overall and would like to change that.
In this video I come from the perspective of someone who had no confidence when they were younger.
Self Confidence is Like a Muscle
If you’ve watched my videos then you know that in high school I lacked confidence. It wasn’t until I continually trained in Wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu that I pulled myself out of it.
And I talk about the process and how you’re not necessarily born with self confidence. But instead you build it up like a muscle.
I share my experience of this as I went from an overweight high schooler who couldn’t even talk to people to becoming a professional MMA fighter who talks to thousands of people through a camera.
The biggest idea I try to share in this video is that self confidence doesn’t mean you aren’t nervous or that you don’t have fears. You’re going to have them!
Confidence in yourself, whether BJJ or otherwise, is having those anxieties and fears but knowing that you can take care of it, that you can deal with it and overcome it. You got this.
So if you someone struggling with confidence in yourself. Whether to start your 1st BJJ class or something else. Understand that it’s more of a process of becoming more confident rather than lacking some innate quality.
If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.
https://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/chubby-nick_Fotor2.jpg418400Chewyhttps://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ChewJitsu-Logo.pngChewy2018-08-02 09:01:562018-08-02 13:53:04Unconfident Kid with a Stutter becomes a MMA Fighter and Black Belt
I Can’t Accept my BJJ Purple Belt Promotion (I’m Not Ready)
What do you do when you feel like you’re not ready for your BJJ promotion? When you feel like you’re just not good enough to uphold the rank properly.
This is the question I got from Matt who is a 50 year old Blue Belt and was recently informed that he would be up for his next BJJ belt promotion to Purple Belt.
Now, in most cases this would be a good thing. But as soon as Matt was informed about his potential promotion. He instantly began to have feelings of anxiety and doubt in himself and his abilities.
He says that he’s in pretty good shape. But being 50 years old is tough in BJJ. And he struggles rolling with the younger, stronger practitioners even if they’re less experienced. I’ll tell you from experience, this is even tough for me. I’m 33, not old by any means and I struggle with younger Black Belts. Even if I’m technically better. Youthful recovery and energy definitely plays a role!
In BJJ, And Everything, You’re Your Worst Critic
In this video I go through and share the idea of imposter syndrome. Where we feel like we’re faking it or that we aren’t good enough. I also share how at every single belt including my BJJ purple belt promotion I was promoted to I had the same feelings of inadequacy in relation to my Brazilian Jiu-jitsu abilities.
Jordan Peterson talks about this in his recent book that we are tyrants to ourselves. Someone else could make the same mistake as us. But since we made it, we’ve very hard and judgmental.
Nothing wrong with pushing yourself to be better. But at the same time there has to be a limit.
If you’re struggling with being your own worst critic or a downright awful person to yourself. Whether this is related to BJJ belt promotion. Then I hope the video helps!
https://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/joe-armento-bjj-belt-promotion.jpg960720Chewyhttps://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ChewJitsu-Logo.pngChewy2018-07-13 19:55:132018-07-13 19:55:13I Can't Accept my BJJ Belt Promotion (I'm Not Ready)
If you’re a father, mother, student or maybe someone working 60 hours a week who can only train BJJ 2 days a week. Is it even worth it? Can you get better at BJJ training on only 2 days a week, or are you wasting your time?
This is a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu question I received from Instagram. The person asking this question is currently training No Gi BJJ 2 days a week. He has a ton of other interests. In general he’s just a fitness fanatic. And on top of all of that, he’s balancing being a family man and working a full time job.
Because of all of these other things on his plate. He’s wondering if he’s wasting his time training 2 times a week of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. I mean can he really improve?
Don’t Let Excitement Knock You Off Track
In this video I talk about how people mimic the extremes of BJJ like high level competitors. And it’s not always in alignment with their goals. They get distracted by the excitement and fascination of high level BJJ competitions. Even though it’s not what THEY want.
Now I understand, I really do! BJJ competitions and grappling competitors are fascinating. And their performances inspire us. You can watch a crazy match online or some hardcore BJJ training session. And you’re instantly filled with energy to go to your gym and train hard.
But the problem is when you begin to constantly emulate this style of training. Regardless of whether or not you intend to follow that same path.
And in the the case of the person who asked the question. He has a ton of other goals and interests. So it only makes sense that he would not be as invested into BJJ. And I try to explain why training twice a week is not a waste of time and how it can even be beneficial for your training because it can create better focus.
I Have Student’s Who Train 2 Days a Week and WIN!
Some of my students have been people who can only train a couple times a week. Every now and then if they are preparing for a competition they’ll train a bit more. But in most cases they do 2 days a week.
The interesting part about these people is that they hang with some of the people who train more just fine.
So if you’re in this situation, don’t worry! There’s plenty of growth potential for you in BJJ. And I hope the information in the video is useful for you! Don’t let competitions and the excitement of it shame you or make you feel guilty.
Oh and a side note for your competitors. Remember, BJJ often lacks a true season where tournaments stop. Be sure to implement mandated seasons for yourself where you back off the gas pedal a little and allow your body and mind to recover.
https://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/flopandchewyrolling.jpg640960Chewyhttps://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ChewJitsu-Logo.pngChewy2018-04-04 18:48:182018-04-04 18:48:18Is Training BJJ 2 Days a Week is a Waste of Time ?
How can you catch up to the people in front of you as a BJJ White Belt? How do you stick it out in training when you get frustrating because nothing is working?
These are the questions our friend Jeff asked concerning his BJJ training.
He’s being doing Brazilian Jiu-jitsu for about 2 months and says everyone in his gym is either a 2 stripe white belt or above, and no matter what he does, he just continues to get smashed.
Part of the Process as a BJJ White Belt
Getting smashed into the mat as a BJJ White Belt in Brazilian Jiu jitsu is one of the most frustrating things in BJJ. But it’s something we all go through, it’s part of the process.
BJJ is often fun at first because of how new it is. But overtime it can become aggravating when you don’t feel like you’re making progress. You just feel stuck.
Having an “A-HA” Moment
In the video I share a story from my personal BJJ journey about how I got beat on for nearly 6 months of my BJJ training. Then eventually things started to “click” and I started to make noticeable progress. I had what I call an “A-HA” moment in BJJ. It’s that moment in your Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training where things just seem to come together.
This moment turned Brazilian Jiu-jitsu into something completely different for me.
If you’re someone who is experiencing a rough patch in BJJ. Even if you’re not a BJJ White Belt. Maybe you’re a higher level belt. Watch the video and see if you’re able to take some of the advice and apply to your situation and avoid getting frustrated, or at least have a way to work through it. Because if you can work through it. Those moments where everything clicks are ahead.
Thanks for watching! I hope the video helps!
-Chewy
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The speech and BJJ Black Belt promotion starts at 3:20 . But feel free to watch it all the way through if you enjoying listening to me ramble.
This video came from our promotions last night and was by far one of the most powerful and meaningful moments I’ve ever had as a coach. Promoting not only a crop of tough people to Purple and Brown Belt. But also promoting my “little brother” Chad Hardy to Black Belt.
I’ve known Chad since he was 11 years old. I’ve had the pleasure of removing his original White Belt and have had the pleasure of tying on the belts he’s received after. I’ve also had the pleasure of getting to know him incredibly well over the last 10+ years. We even lived together for a while.
As a Brazilian Jiu-jitsu coach there is no more satisfying a feeling then to see the fruits of your labor realized in front of you. I’ve watched Chad grow as a person. From a young kid to a surprisingly mature young man.
What Makes The BJJ Black Belt Meaningful
The BJJ belt is, itself, just a piece of fabric that has been dyed a particular color. But the long arduous journey that had to have taken place is what makes the BJJ Black Belt so meaningful.
In Chad’s case. He’s battled and won more competition than I can count. As a competitor he’s always been amazing to watch and an inspiration to the people inside the gym.
And as an instructor and a fixture in our gym he’s turned into someone that is all about building up those around him. Something equally impressive and admirable.
This will certainly not be one of my more popular videos but it is a glimpse into our gym ( Derby City MMA ) and what we are all about.
We all love competition. But at the end of the day we are in this because we feel apart of a team and want to grow with each other.
And for those of you who follow me. I know I ramble on in my videos a lot. As I do in person. But you can at least be sure that anything I say in the videos is what I believe. Regardless if you disagree with my philosophy in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. I assure you it’s 100% genuine.
https://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/15134738_10210269869159397_8397156806078910711_n-2.jpg960720Chewyhttps://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ChewJitsu-Logo.pngChewy2016-11-22 15:17:372016-11-22 15:17:37Emotional BJJ Black Belt Promotion at Derby City MMA
This is a really easy way to prepare your chicken for your weekly meal prep. I preach to all my BJJ students in the gym that they need to prepare their food in advance. The better you’re eating, the better you will feel and the better you will perform on the mat. You can eat healthy if you’re eating out but it’s more difficult for most of us and it’s much cheaper to do meal prep yourself.
For more awesome meal prep ideas and recipes like this one check out my friend Erin’s website at www.ErinStimac.com.
Ingredients:
1.5-3lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs A 3lb package of chicken will usually make enough for 5-6 meals. If you use less chicken, you end up with more sauce. Either way, it’s delicious.
16oz. jar of your favorite salsa* or 1-15oz. can diced tomatoes (and flavor you choose-I love the kind with jalapenos or chilies in them, or fire roasted) If you use plain tomatoes, the flavor of the sauce will likely be bland.
1/3 cup Sunbutter or other nut butter (I think the sunbutter is the closest substitute to peanut butter and gives the most authentic “peanut” flavor).
2 TBSP Lime Juice (I’ve also used lemon)
2TBSP Coconut aminos, Tamari, Soy Sauce, or fish sauce (pick your poison) Why you would EVER use fish sauce I have no idea-I HATE fish. 😉
2 tsp. fresh grated ginger or 1 tsp. ground ginger
Cilantro and lime wedges for garnish
Ground chili paste or hot sauce-optional (for extra flavor or heat)
https://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/meal-prep.jpg25724314Chewyhttps://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ChewJitsu-Logo.pngChewy2015-07-29 16:57:372015-10-12 00:15:18Food Tip: Easy Meal Prep While You Sleep
The other day after finishing a tough no gi class and followed by a Crossfit workout I decided to cool off with a cold shower provided by mother nature. I tried to use my anchorman voice but you’ll see that I pretty much failed. Enjoy the video of the post workout shenanigans.
In all seriousness though. I enjoy the taste of Fitaid. I’m not sure that it does much in the way of helping me recover but it’s tasty. I’ve tried Killcliffs too and I didn’t feel too much on them either.
That said, it’s nice to have something other than water to drink after a workout and Fitaid’s definitely taste really good. The most important thing for performance is diet. Check out this easy meal prep recipe that will make you 3lbs of chicken and is super easy! ( Click Here for the meal prep recipe)
Often I get students who ask what they should do to build strength for BJJ. The exercise shown in this video is one of my favorites for developing explosive upper body strength. One of my trainers turned me onto it. When I asked why he put it into my training program, he said it was to develop strong triceps but also because it would give me quick explosion from the positions I find myself on the mat.
After doing the floor press for 4 weeks I noticed a big difference. Again, as I state in the video. You don’t want to rely on pure strength for BJJ. But a little strength goes a long way when it’s used properly.
So if you’re looking for a little extra power from your upper body. Give this exercise a try. It’s great!
https://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ChewJitsu-Logo.png00Chewyhttps://www.chewjitsu.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ChewJitsu-Logo.pngChewy2015-03-06 20:11:512015-10-12 00:36:27Floor Press for BJJ
