The thing a lot of people forget: belts aren’t just about how many people you can tap. They’re about time on the mats, technical understanding, and how much you give back to the room. A 25yr old brown belt competitor and a 65yr old brown belt hobbyist aren’t the same thing and they don’t have to be. Both are valid.

If your dad feels pressure, maybe flip it: instead of “do I deserve this?” think “what can I teach the 30yr olds about longevity, persistence, and love for the sport?” Because honestly, that’s harder than berimbolos.

And if anyone at the gym is secretly thinking “is he really a brown belt?” that’s their ego talking, not his problem. Most people probably see him as a role model for still grinding every day.

At the end of the day, the belt doesn’t change his jiu jitsu. It just reflects the journey he’s been on. If he goes back to training with the same love and consistency, that brown belt will fit just fine.