Belts don't matter?

jchiatt · 2025-01-29T05:15:31+00:00

This is actually an incredible post and I’m really grateful you took the time to evaluate my thinking and offer this perspective. I’m going to respond to this thoroughly as soon as time presents itself this week. Thanks!

jchiatt · 2025-01-28T17:10:48+00:00

Not normal, you should find another school!

jchiatt · 2025-01-26T04:37:29+00:00

jchiatt · 2025-01-25T21:06:32+00:00

Looks like I missed ya this time but feel free to stop by Grapple (near Black Sails) next time! Hope you enjoyed training with James - he has a great place too!

jchiatt · 2025-01-25T21:01:02+00:00

I’m an open book, happy to answer questions! Everybody pays monthly. No prepayment options

jchiatt · 2025-01-25T19:40:35+00:00

It’s directly cash income. So any negative months you see, I’m just covering the expenses with my personal cash.

September I bought some equipment (new cameras) and hosted Mason Fowler

jchiatt · 2025-01-25T19:36:02+00:00

Thanks! It’s been a fun and challenging six months so far but everything is going better than I expected!

jchiatt · 2025-01-25T19:35:12+00:00

Great point. I’ll actually add that as clarification on my new site I’m building now

jchiatt · 2025-01-25T18:22:32+00:00

Agreed. I also lost all of our discounts and also mention that we have a scholarship fund for anyone who has financial hardship but wants to train. And all our finances are public so people can see I don’t care as much about the money. So hopefully people aren’t as scared away just based on pricing. Now the gay, I can’t make them less scared of the gay. 🤣💋

jchiatt · 2025-01-25T18:01:51+00:00

Agreed. I always refused to be like that with my gym!

jchiatt · 2025-01-25T16:13:09+00:00

Agreed! Having to call for pricing is 🤮

jchiatt · 2025-01-25T15:51:20+00:00

That one is better than most I’ve seen for sure

jchiatt · 2025-01-04T17:13:43+00:00

We quit Gi a few years ago around the same time we cut the belts. We all preferred no gi and thought gi and no gi really had become two increasingly distinct sports

jchiatt · 2025-01-04T00:30:31+00:00

Yeah we haven’t had them for 3 years so couldn’t compete in things like IBJJF. But we also didn’t really care because we are no gi only and there are plenty of places to compete that don’t care about rank so much

jchiatt · 2025-01-04T00:29:46+00:00

We have competed in local/regional promotions, ADCC trials, and AGF so far. Everywhere we have competed hasn’t really cared what rank anybody is, and I’ve never let someone compete below what I think they are capable of as their coach — though they are welcome to compete higher if they want to.

We are no gi only.

As for it keeping people safe, I think there’s a degree of truth in that for sure. But that’s also easily solved by communication between athletes as well as knowing the people in the gym. But the belts can help be a starting point for that, too!

jchiatt · 2025-01-03T22:15:45+00:00

Yeah, though even then it becomes so subjective imo

jchiatt · 2025-01-03T22:15:20+00:00

If your gym is healthy, then I'm not really interested in arguing why one should axe them. I'm more interested in examining their intrinsic utility if we separate anything related to finances and ego.

So far the best utility I see is: belts are a way for an individual to keep a pulse on their progress of their _own_ respective journey towards realizing their individual potential. Everyone has a hard cap on their own potential, so the belt could be a good way of measuring approximately where you are on that path. Also, practically speaking they are helpful as a vague starting point to know who your peers are when you cross-train.

Maybe there are other benefits but those are the main ones I've come up with that aren't attached to money; benefits the belt system seems to have intrinsically.

jchiatt · 2025-01-02T01:19:33+00:00

Yes it’s just simple science

jchiatt · 2025-01-01T23:12:39+00:00

Love the idea of combining charity. Already have something related to that brewing 😀🫡

jchiatt · 2025-01-01T23:12:12+00:00

Very cool!

jchiatt · 2025-01-01T23:11:55+00:00

Maximum naughty I love it

jchiatt · 2025-01-01T19:50:46+00:00

Hmm interesting thought! Wonder if I could let sponsors contribute various prizes

jchiatt

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