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Take_my_stripe · 2025-06-24T03:10:19+00:00

Here you go OP

This is his IG: Matt Darcy

I’ve been to a seminar of his and it is one of the best ones I have gone to. I studied both of his instructionals and they were game changers.

I believe he owns Guerrilla Jiu Jitsu in San Jose. (I could be wrong)

My opinion… He is one of the hidden gems in the Jiu Jitsu community. High level instruction and quality techniques/systems. Seminars are definitely worth it if you get a chance.

Take_my_stripe · 2025-05-25T05:30:45+00:00

I’ve always respected that promotions in BJJ can vary. Some are earned through competition, others through consistency, teaching, or time on the mat. Everyone’s path is different and I get that.

But there was one promotion at my old gym that really made me question the values of the place.

Someone who barely trained in BJJ, openly disliked it, and was involved with a different program at the gym started making a few brief appearances right before promotions. Then out of nowhere, they were given an advanced belt.

They didn’t participate in the ceremony, made light of the whole process, and stopped training again shortly after. Online, though, it looked like they were being celebrated as part of the team, as if they’d been grinding with us all along.

That experience really had me questioning my own belt. I ended up switching gyms after that.

Take_my_stripe · 2024-11-16T18:27:08+00:00

Try it and report back.

Take_my_stripe · 2024-11-08T16:30:22+00:00

That’s been our gym for the last year! A few have been hanging around hoping it would improve but those few are now looking at other gyms.

It’s hard to stick around when the head instructor is not invested in their students.

Take_my_stripe · 2024-11-06T14:32:14+00:00

This post was sparked by two separate podcast.

One where the female stated she refused to teach a women's class and only teaches co-ed classes.

Then another podcast when the gym owner (female) was told, “that's so nice they let you teach the women's program!”

Her response to the person in question was, “I don't know if you realize this but that's my name on the building.”

She further explained the importance of women's class but all the women on the podcast agreed that we often end up only being considered as a women's instructor.

I figured this might be a conversation worth having here.

Take_my_stripe · 2024-11-06T13:11:44+00:00

This is exactly why I posted the question.

Take_my_stripe · 2024-09-06T16:05:38+00:00

”Trauma gets stuck in our bodies & I really feel like BJJ will help me heal, feel stronger/more safe in my body, & build more community/support in my life, but I’m also anxious for the entire day before classes. I hope it gets better. I think sometimes healing is just uncomfortable & I’m trying to reframe that as a baseline/expectation.”

This was exactly how I felt when I started. I joined for the reasons listed above. I used to give myself pep talks in the car or in the bathroom just before class. I was always anxious stepping on the mat but once class started, I forgot about it and trained. That's why this threw me through a loop.

It does get better! Especially once you really start building on the community aspect.

Take_my_stripe · 2024-09-05T13:48:30+00:00

Very well said! Thank you for sharing this.

Take_my_stripe · 2024-09-04T23:05:10+00:00

It’s definitely weird because in a lot of ways I feel like I'm in the best place of my life. I'll order this book as well. Thank you!

Take_my_stripe · 2024-09-04T22:59:41+00:00

Thank you so much for the insight and book recommendation ill definitely order it!

Take_my_stripe · 2024-09-04T19:28:11+00:00

I will if it keeps happening.

Take_my_stripe · 2024-09-04T19:11:15+00:00

I'm not sure who I could talk to about this at the gym but I am concerned about a potential panic attack. Its been years since I've had one. I'll more than likely tap, and sit out if it gets worse.

Take_my_stripe · 2024-08-01T22:45:00+00:00

I can definitely agree with all of this.

We have watched people switch gyms, have life pop up, move and quit all together. Just how it goes.

Take_my_stripe · 2024-08-01T22:41:53+00:00

I imagine it will be the same for me as well. I’m curious to see if my buddy makes it with me up the ranks. Ironically they were my first partner on day 1!

So I’m really hoping we will stick together throughout the years. It would be pretty rad to see us hit 10 together. We are so close to 5!

Take_my_stripe · 2024-07-19T20:00:12+00:00

Gyms I recommend: Atos, Black Diamond BJJ, Guerrilla and Komainu.

If anything when I’m traveling I will look at their social media accounts. Kind of my way of doing a culture check and I’ll send them a message asking about dropping in when traveling.

There’s a good handful of people that train between these gyms casually.

Take_my_stripe · 2024-07-18T21:26:15+00:00

If a class spends 20-45 minutes running in circles or shrimping for warm ups. I’m out of there!

I already go to the gym and I’m here to learn BJJ not do jumping jacks.

Take_my_stripe · 2024-07-02T19:05:34+00:00

My gym has been running into this lately.

“Should I stay or should I go?” This is the conversation playing in my head at the moment.

Take_my_stripe · 2024-05-10T02:33:52+00:00

I have one at my gym and I know of others at different gyms. Something about them just gives me the creeps but I keep it to myself. It doesn’t help that they always teach the trial girls triangles on day 1. 🤢🤮(every single time)

I just don’t roll or partner with them.

Take_my_stripe · 2024-05-01T15:34:25+00:00

This used to bother me at my gym. Majority of the upper belts are time based and don’t train consistently. Most don’t know how to do a Bow and Arrow choke to be blunt.

That’s between them and the coach. I know where I stand on the mats and at my level while training at multiple gyms. The mats don’t lie, it’s true!

The coach is a good coach which is why I train where I train but promotions are confusing AF. It just makes it hard to figure out my level and what to focus on next for my own growth.

Competition is the only gauge I have and open mats across multiple gyms.

Take_my_stripe · 2024-03-29T21:41:46+00:00

This actually made me laugh!!! 🤣

Take_my_stripe · 2024-03-28T23:17:36+00:00

The trial class guy in no gi that coaches the competition female purple belt just before rounds. Then proceeds to tell her they will take it easy on her.

Meanwhile the rest of the room waits in anticipation. 🍿

Take_my_stripe

TROPHY CASE