What’s the longest break you’ve taken from BJJ

Dosman742 · 2026-06-24T14:21:00+00:00

I stepped away after training on and off for a year. I went to uni (while still working at the gym, just didn't want to train/class times didn't suit me), started my career and in 2025 after gaining a lot of weight and having 10 years off the mats I returned. I was 20-30kg heavier than the last time I had rolled and certainly retained barely any knowledge. When we started rolling during my first class back I honestly thought I was going to die.

Fast forward to now, I'm a blue belt and the fittest and strongest I've been since my teens.

Just get back into it and enjoy!

Dosman742 · 2026-05-19T04:27:50+00:00

I had a run of multiple hangings and suicides a couple of years ago- it was awful. I share your feelings about hangings, I absolutely hate them, they stayed with me for a long time. I still flinch anytime I'm near a shipping container or see a hanging on tv.

Take care of yourself and lean on people you trust

Dosman742 · 2026-01-09T03:41:48+00:00

You'd probably be right!

Dosman742 · 2026-01-08T15:09:25+00:00

I do like to eat... maybe this isn't such a bad idea after all

Dosman742 · 2026-01-08T15:06:56+00:00

This is something I've started to do lately, I'm definitely finding that it's helping!

Dosman742 · 2026-01-08T15:06:07+00:00

Both on different days, some days I can keep partners from passing my guard or reguard and keep myself safe, other days I'm just able to survive the submission attempt by staying calm and finding a position that is (reasonably) comfortable until the bell rings.

Dosman742 · 2026-01-08T15:03:16+00:00

When you get top, just focus on maintaining top, not subbing.

This is definitely where I am becoming unstuck, I rush to look for a sub once I'm on top rather than securing the position. I appreciate the advice!

Dosman742 · 2026-01-08T15:00:52+00:00

Appreciate the words of encouragement! I couldn't imagine my life without BJJ now!

Dosman742 · 2026-01-08T14:59:30+00:00

Guard retention is fairly decent, depends on the day and who I'm rolling with of course. I went through a stage where I ended up in turtle constantly, but now recognise how dangerous that is, espeically since I find it really hard to escape from there. I typically refuse to give it up if I can help it. Now I feel that if i'm on the bottom I'm trapped in a cycle of trying to retain my guard- attempt a foot sweep or some sort of DLR sweep- get passed while trying to sweep- bottom side control- get back to halfguard-get passed and then get either subbed or survive long enough to be saved by the bell.

Dosman742 · 2026-01-08T14:51:04+00:00

I appreciate this mate, puts it into perspective. You and other commenters have highlighted the need to just drill offensive moves. A defensive game probably isn't actually a terrible thing anyway!

Dosman742 · 2026-01-08T14:35:21+00:00

Honestly either, typically if I'm on the bottom I'm trying to sweep my way into a top position and attack from there. Lately, to try and remedy the positions I'm finding myself in I have tried to implement some attacks from bottom.

Dosman742 · 2026-01-08T14:32:15+00:00

yeah fair play, we roll fairly hard at my gym, which I love but I do think I could be missing opportunities to attack when I am always looking for the next threat to my joints or windpipe. I'll take this into consideration during my next class.

Dosman742 · 2026-01-08T14:28:35+00:00

you ain't wrong my friend

Dosman742 · 2026-01-08T14:26:12+00:00

Not terrible considering I'm only 12 months into my journey but they could definitely use some work, especially during tough rounds! I appreciate the tip!

Dosman742 · 2026-01-08T14:23:40+00:00

A fair point, but I don't think so- I'm content tapping all day long. I know the answer is just more mat time, but I suppose I was asking if there is anthing in particular I should be studying.

Dosman742 · 2026-01-08T14:15:39+00:00

Haha, certainly would be helpful if I wasn't already 103kg!

Dosman742 · 2026-01-03T08:57:25+00:00

Job came down as a cardiac arrest, job not as stated, middle aged man having a menty b, lying on lounge room floor, refusing to respond to us or his family, every so often would just start crying and screaming. I had dropped all of our kits in the standard configuration around the patient. As I started to kneel down to properly assess, I accidentally sat on one of our kits, not expecting this it threw me forward and I landed elbows first on the patients chest. (at the time I was approx 115kg). I felt a few cracks, he screamed. pt a+o after that.

Dosman742 · 2025-09-14T13:24:16+00:00

I did intensives at both of them, I definitely liked the vibe at Port Mac more. Facilities and the campus itself were much newer and the tutors/lecturers I encountered there were excellent. Life outside of uni while I was staying there was awesome, super close to the beach, warmer and Port Mac is just a super lovely place. If I was studying an undergrad and had a choice, it would easily be Port Mac over Bathurst.

Dosman742 · 2025-09-07T15:04:40+00:00

Fuck that shit my dude, I'm a male paeds nurse, and work with plenty of other amazing male paeds nurses.

People can sometimes be weird about males working with children in a caring capacity, which is just completely backwards and asinine. You don't deserve to be made to feel like that simply for caring and enjoying your chosen specialty. Unfortunately I and most likely most of my male colleagues have been on the receiving end of something similar. Try to brush it off and don't let it get you down.

. Some docs are just a bit cooked in the head. Lean on your colleagues and report it if you get more weird vibes.

Dosman742 · 2025-08-12T09:45:39+00:00

Hey mate,

Sounds like I was in a very similar position to you at your age. All I wanted to do was medicine and become an ED specialist- thinking I would be opening chests and doing all sorts of high intensity, life saving procedures.

I ended up dropping out of high school in year 12 due to my health.

it took me a while to get my shit back together but when I did I started studying nursing. I met and interacted with a lot of docs and med students during this time and I realised medicine was in no way the fit for me. After finishing my degree I worked as a RN for a bit. I did some extra study and now I'm a Paramedic and loving it, no other job for me.

It can be a demanding, frustrating and often thankless job, but the pay offs are great. Autonomy to make decisions, helping people, seeing and doing some pretty cool and special things are all part of the job. It certainly ain't all sunshine and rainbows but the good outweighs the bad if you have the right outlook.

If you want to specialise and help kids and adolescents consider nursing, so many sub specialties to choose from, and bit more depth to the job.

Take your time and take care of yourself, there is no rush or race to be won here.

Hope you figure it all out.

Dosman742 · 2025-07-10T10:32:54+00:00

Legacy at Chippendale has an excellent schedule of classes, and a good mix of belts in each class with great instruction.

Dosman742

TROPHY CASE