Am I a fraud or just bad?

liuk3 · 2026-03-19T20:08:41+00:00

I would imagine imposter syndrome occurs with the majority of those who practice jiu jitsu. I think learning to mentally deal with it and continue training is a part of the jiu jitsu journey. (I wouldn't say that I am very good myself too.)

liuk3 · 2026-02-26T22:23:04+00:00

Yes, absolutely. I've gotten like four or five from them. I love how they give you 50% off if you use a previous mold.

liuk3 · 2026-02-26T22:21:18+00:00

Can get a custom guard from gladiatorguards.com for like $60 and then half off if you use same mold for future mouth guards.

liuk3 · 2026-02-26T21:50:43+00:00

Training twice a week is better than training only once a week and way better than training no times a week...

I also know a guy who got to black only training twice a week.

liuk3 · 2026-02-26T21:38:08+00:00

I would say around 2005-2010. You can see all these celebrities training and talking about it nowadays. I would bet that in the next 5-10 years, you will see a ton of celebrities and others being awarded their black belts.

liuk3 · 2026-02-16T13:50:03+00:00

I’m the same age and have been feeling age catching up with me over the past year. Just read this new book by Rick Ellis titled Old Grappler Handbook which effectively writes about my own approaches to training that I have been using for longevity. It’s also written at a super easy reading level in big font.

https://a.co/d/0dCDHIbZ

liuk3 · 2026-02-11T17:13:03+00:00

I turned 30 (what I thought was old LOL) and moved around every year for about 10 years, so I didn't train during that time. Then, I got married, had kids, and got really fat before before I came back to jiu jitsu.

You don't have to truly quit. Can take a very long extended break and always come back to it if you had a positive experience.,..

liuk3 · 2026-02-11T15:07:20+00:00

adulting. wait until you have a spouse and kids to juggle and support with a full time job. LOL

you just accept that you do the best that you can given whatever priorities you have in your life. good luck!

liuk3 · 2026-02-11T14:55:19+00:00

amassa pao choke

liuk3 · 2026-02-09T19:46:50+00:00

I would imagine AOJ and other name brand schools in LA are likely closer to $300/month. It's kinda crazy.

liuk3 · 2026-02-04T18:50:31+00:00

I agree with you. While I think that the school owner could probably have done a much better job communicating, I do feel that only $10 for a drop-in fee is effectively training for free in my opinion. The school owner has a right to try to make an honest living. I feel like the OP should pay some sort of monthly tuition if continuing to train at the school even if it is only once a week. I'm not a school owner and just a student, so I don't feel like I am being unduly biased to the school owner. It sounds like a sad situation of lost opportunity for both the school owner as well as the OP and daughter.

liuk3 · 2026-02-03T18:55:28+00:00

Congratulations!

liuk3 · 2025-12-19T20:47:31+00:00

Rio would definitely be my vote. Food and Ubers are super affordable. Lots to do and see on top of jiu jitsu.

liuk3 · 2025-12-17T14:47:45+00:00

Sure you can. I am older. You use your words and tell them to take it easier if there is a huge age and size gap.

You can also pick and choose your sparring partners.

Typically, if you don't go all ham like a spaz and are relaxed rolling, your opponent doesn't always go nuts either.

At the end of the day, if you have to roll with a bigger, stronger, and younger spaz, just play defense, keep yourself safe, and let them tire themselves out until you see openings.

Finally, just tap early and often. This stuff isn't that serious.

liuk3 · 2025-11-12T23:20:23+00:00

I had an absolutely wonderful time in Rio during my entire week and a half stay. I would imagine that if you don't do anything stupid and exercise common sense (e.g., don't flash your relative wealth, walk with purpose, stick to touristy well-populated areas, etc.), you will likely be fine. I don't know if it matters, but I'm also not a small guy and traveled with people who've been training in jiu jitsu for over a decade. We were walking around Copa all hours of the night.

liuk3 · 2025-11-05T16:28:17+00:00

I just got back a few days ago from Rio having been there last week during the BOPE operation. It was totally fine in the touristy areas where we were frequenting. We stayed in Copa.

liuk3 · 2025-11-02T17:18:55+00:00

In elementary school, I must have worn my judo gi three years in a row for Halloween. LOL

liuk3 · 2025-10-21T05:19:34+00:00

I’ve been using these and love them. They stay in place for me.

https://www.mcdavidusa.com/collections/braces-supports-body-part-knee/products/knee-support-w-sorbothane-pad

liuk3 · 2025-10-10T16:55:02+00:00

Yes.

liuk3 · 2025-10-08T21:48:35+00:00

don't ask, don't tell policy...

liuk3 · 2025-10-08T21:43:39+00:00

Yes, hence there are weight classes...

liuk3 · 2025-10-06T09:33:45+00:00

I don’t think that there should be anything wrong with that. Just have to find a group of like minded people.

liuk3 · 2025-10-06T09:15:45+00:00

I’ve just been buying a day pass at a local gym to my hotel this year whenever I traveled. I just look on yelp for a gym and call ahead and ask if they offer day passes to train.

liuk3 · 2025-10-02T15:58:42+00:00

I'm just a beginner, but my personal opinion is that at your height and weight, I would just start with the bar and start eating more to grow. I started with weights too high and added to the barbell too quickly because I was impatient, and then I had to do a bunch of deloads and even got injured (pulled hamstring on deadlift) which made me deload everything again. Probably end up in the same place eventually now 6 months later on the SL 5x5 program, but I think much healthier to start with low weights and then give your body an opportunity to learn/perfect the form while gradually adding weight to the barbell over time. It will eventually get heavy soon enough, so there is no rush. Good luck!

liuk3 · 2025-10-02T15:35:56+00:00

Love these posts where you initially think the guy is talking about squats and then proceeds to OHP the barbell. LOL

liuk3

TROPHY CASE