By: Liliana Martinez
It would be years before I decided and committed to learning martial arts. Growing up I've always admired people who knew how to fight. I've watched countless action movies and UFC fights with my dad but never took it upon myself to try it. I did try a karate class in elementary school but that only lasted an hour after quitting and joining a softball team. Fast forward to my junior year of high school, I started watching the Netflix series Cobra Kai, a spin-off from the Karate Kid. I felt so moved by the main character who started as a total beginner in karate.
He had no clue what he was doing, but eventually, he got better and started competing. I thought I was just like him. A couple of weeks later, my friend reached out to me and told me about her experience at this gym that teaches jiu-jitsu. Listening to her talk about it motivated me to try it so I asked my parents, and they enrolled me. At first, it was kind of a lag, I felt so out of place and embarrassed about my skill level, but I wasn't the only one. There were plenty of younger and older students who started like me. After a year, I noticed some improvements. I felt faster, stronger, and more coordinated.
After a year of training, I had to take a break because of school. When I left, I had just one stripe on my belt. I was about to graduate and needed to focus on college applications and finding a job to help pay for school. It wasn't long before I decided to start training again. Two years had passed without any practice, and by then, everyone I started with had moved up to the next belt.
I was genuinely happy for them—they deserved it, and I could see how much they had improved. But that's when I realized I'd be playing a game of "Catch Up.” This is the challenge of not continuing, and it only gets tougher the higher you go. Some people never return after reaching the blue belt. This phenomenon is common because the blue belt represents a significant milestone where students often hit an achievement plateau, face increased difficulty or experience burnout. The realization of the vast skill gap ahead, combined with life responsibilities, potential injuries, or a lack of motivation, can deter them from continuing. Additionally, the fear of failure or self-doubt at this stage might make the journey ahead seem too daunting, leading many to reassess their commitment and ultimately step away from BJJ.