Keith Owen: Is your goal a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

[COLDBLUDZFIGHTTEAM]

my goal is redbelt lol :P

[eye2eyeize]

ALL BLACKBELTS NDAA BILL MUST DIE. MASTER

[BandakaKush]

Why does he refer to jiu-jitsu as a sport? I thought Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was an art used for self defense as opposed to most other BJJ schools who concentrate on sport.

[friesenmp]

@BandakaKush Probably because the sportive aspect becomes more prominent at a higher level (it doesn't take that much knowledge of BJJ to defend oneself against an untrained goon.) You'd have to ask Keith though to know for sure.

[ASANKramer05]

black belt seems more like a long term goal...I need to earn my purple first...baby steps....

[youngdrumma]

ari i have a question when you roll with keith owen how does it usually go

[Submissions101]

@youngdrumma how do you think it goes with a 6'3'' 240lbs super technical Gracie Jiu Jitsu black belt ;-)

[youngdrumma]

@Submissions101 well i know he beats you but is it a complete blow out

[clarkepeters22]

Although I agree with 98% of what he says here, there is nothing wrong with setting a goal just for "acheivement" sake. This gives one a more balanced, educated, and open-minded life. People who only do what they "love" are often narrow-minded. Set goals for your own personal reasons, but yes, DO stick with it. Don't follow people blindly. Who are you outside of Martial arts? After all the sacrifice for black belt, then what? It's a valid question. Who is in your life in the end? Who are you?

[franis9779]

this parallels to alot of things in life. even in business.

[paziFISTs]

thank you this is so true

[PowerMug1910]

i don't give a damn about stuff he says, i rather watch some bjj instructional video than this. Getting a black belt is not about listening to black belts talking about getting it. ITs about hard work

[Rustiax999]

@PowerMug1910 If you don't like it, don't watch it. This is part of BJJ, you clearly don't have the right attitude to be training this sport. Please go away.

[PowerMug1910]

@Rustiax999 how would i know if i dont like it if i didnt watch? And no i won't go away u aint got the power to tell rubish like this and you know nothing about my attitude so stop tlaking about things you have no idea about... maybe you like to watch some ppl talking about what you have to do to get black belt... i rather like to learn more jiu jitsu

[PowerMug1910]

and btw, learing is right attitude 

[LJSJIUJITSU]

@PowerMug1910

Instructional videos are great but sometimes some sound advice from a guy who has completed the initial journey to black belt is even better. Patience my friend, patience.

[PowerMug1910]

@LJSJIUJITSU I still think I could use these 7 minutes on some drill and get my game lil better ;-p But I know what you mean and I agree for someone it can be motivating and helpful :-) Cheer m8. Have a nice training sessions :-)

[Ohnoplata12]

My instructor told us a story recently, that somewhat relates to this video. He was teaching a touth martial arts class and he asked his students, what belt comes after a black belt in traditional MA. one of the 8 year olds responds, a white belt. My coach never even thought about it that way, but learned something that day. And, I agree with that little kid, don't settle

[DrVoltage1]

I don't mean any disrespect by stepping stone either. Theres that one saying; Jack of all trades, King of none.

[clarkepeters22]

@DrVoltage1 And the problem with being a Jack of all trades is ...??????????

[DrVoltage1]

@clarkepeters22 Oh I personally have no problem at all with that, but there are those who are martial arts purists of their specific styles. In my experience they often seem to look down on those of us who like to mix like that. Of course thats just a stereotype, but stereotypes stem from certain truths sadly...

[clarkepeters22]

@DrVoltage1 This is so true.

[DrVoltage1]

While I agree with don't just get a black belt then quit, I'd like to know what he thinks about people who want to train in multiple arts...almost like a black belt being a stepping stone to the next.

[randalsage]

I got a shoulder dislocation from a MMA exhibition match, it took me a whole year of physiotherapy and even then my shoulder doesn't feel 100%. I'm really scared to start MMA/BJJ again but I'm back into training and I'm returning to my MMA instructor this weekend. The video is very inspiring. Thank you. Ossu...

[BiGGinZ23]

Great video

[m0nkey1eader]

I'm in it for the dirty tricks. Nothing like learning some new things. The belts come with them I guess.

[explosiveInc]

I have been training in BJJ for about 3 years now. I'm 38 years old, and I am a 3 stripe white belt. Except for a few set backs I have been pretty consistent. What I like about where I roll is that it is not a black belt factory where they promote you just to keep you there. As long as I received what I deserved I would not care if it took me 20 years to get a black belt. Jiu-Jitsu is like a marathon !

[xGarrettThiefx]

What an absolute crock, more BS just to keep people in the matrix..."when the going gets tough" the tough start doing stand up. Wake up folks please.

[twleo1975]

Black belts are nothing more than a status symbol, like a cell phone in high school. Waste if time...martial arts isn't about trophies.

[GrowingUpSortOf]

My goal is to ADD moves and techniques on top of what I already know :) ground game, stand up, everything!

[djb12030]

I have been doing this for 6 years and I am a blue belt.... I would love to get my blackbelt but in the end I do not really care in the long run. I will be doing it until I die and when the point comes that I am having consistant competitive rolls with blackbelts I will call myself an expert. If I never get a black belt they will just have to call me "that guy who is awesome."

[yaboyhlb]

Any tips for a newbie I've been in it for 2 weeks now

[tkdbjj91]

@yaboyhlb Just never stop. A black belt in jiu jitsu is just a white belt who never quit.

[yaboyhlb]

@tkdbjj91 thanks man i like it more everytime i go

[AgentSpiral]

fuck belts all they do is make people overconfident and cocky. Jujitsu comes from the soul, I believe anyone can be good at it even if they haven't trained from the best or have a black belt. I have seen people completely learn it naturally.

[GrowingUpSortOf]

@AgentSpiral very true. and more flexible you are, the easier it is to learn the advance moves faster than those around you

[Ohnoplata12]

I love jiu-jitsu.But, being a college student money has been a problem many times and has delayed my training. I did No-gi for 2 1/2 years and switched to Gi this past semester, which obviously you start at a white belt. That was a serious ego checker. And, I rock my white belt because its more than just about a belt, its an art. to all those who love the art

[beansk8rkid]

@Ohnoplata12 I agree 100%

[ScoKimber]

He's right. A lot of heartache. Jiu Jitsu is a beautiful thing, but it can really get to your head... Don't let it.

[FraldinhoBJJ]

Getting promoted is scarier then the thought of not being or wondering if you will. I got my blue belt 18 months ago and i just got my first stripe on it. at first i was like "finally, ive been winning tournaments like crazy" and when i got the stripe now that ive matured i was like "shit , a couple more of these and ill have to represent myself and my school as faixa roxa at a high level, so from now on im just training hard and shutting my mouth til im the best i can be, screw the belt"

[Chrisfallen]

If your goal is to get better, and you maintain that goal then you WILL get your black belt. And once you do you will realise how much more there still is to learn.

[kingvic97]

TRUTH.

[laokon]

a belt color should be an achievement because you reached a certain level, not a goal in itself.

But hey, the ego often gets the upper hand ...>_>

[beargrylls3]

I hear what he's saying, but sometimes jiu jitsu has to take the back seat for a short bit cause of injury or life changes. Either way, like he said at the end, all that matters is that you continue to get better at jiu jitsu, even if you never get the black belt.

[Jabbasi89]

first step to get the black belt - leave your spouse

:)

[gast1230]

in my first ever jiu-jitsu class i took, we were with about 30 students, my teacher told us: ''there's 30 people here, so i think 2 of you will get a black belt eventually''.

unfortunately he's right.

i've been having some serious knee problems for the past 2 years, but i'm going to get a black belt, no matter what! you guys motivate me more and more with every video you upload! keep up the good work guys!

greetings from Holland :)

[kryptos7799]

sadly there isnt any place where i live that offers BJJ.  :(

[cobrajitsu]

@kryptos7799 Move

[MiKocwalk]

I was thinking bout it just yesterday, and yes i will follow my passion, and I will get black belt sooner or later, in 10 years I will be 30 years old, that time i want to have it :)

[dmorley100]

He's right. Seems like there's a awful lot of people who just want a certain color belt just for the sake of havin a belt, thinkin it's gonna make them a badass. WRONG. YOU make you a badass with motivation and hard training almost if not everyday. This is how martial arts worked before any of the arts ever used the belt to identify "rank". Good video.

[olimario]

Also, if I was paying for BJJ classes and my instructor spent 7 minutes talking about this shit I would quit and find another gym.

[ianman6]

@olimario This was a special seminar/lecture, moron. Key words is IF you were paying for BJJ classes, so you obviously aren't taking any and simply have no clue what you're talking about, especially considering your comments on one of the top instructors in North America. Idiot.

[NightmareKage]

@olimario I pay for my classes, and I actually wish my coach would talk to us like that sometimes. This guy has something important to say, something you can learn from his words.

[olimario]

@NightmareKage It's all preference.  I'm a grown ass man and I dealt with enough of these inspirational speeches in Jr High to last a lifetime. Nothing a BJJ instructor could say would motivate me any more or less than how I've motivated myself.

[josh1212121]

black belt or not, my goal is just to get better. i dont care about belt colors, i care about just getting better

[Illmilgeronimo]

BJJ4LIFE - Rank is not the focus, its the ideal of one day mastering the art and life-style of BJJ.

- Past 3 years Ive dislocated my shoulder 4 times, I one day will get the surgery but I rehab it and get back and train.

- BJJ is a lifestyle, and friends and family that love you should accept your passion!

Train, Evolve, Belong.

[JCOMPETITOR]

GREAT TALK!

[dobberdoss]

Sounds like a recruitment drive focused on keeping the BJJ funds coming in. My point is "motivated people" rarely need a 'pep talk' . It is about "love". I you only "like" you will fail, just a matter of when. Much like a marriage.

[INTERGRATEDMA]

Owen, great speech... I really to it to heart... you are so right!!!!

[seals234]

great topic of dicussion, wheni started last yr i didnt have any goals, now i still dnt. thks submissions 101, u guys really opened my eyes there

[olimario]

My goal is to just get better. I don't care about belt color.

[SmashXShread]

@olimario Amen.

[bealedozer]

@olimario thats usually about the time you get promoted honestly.

[jjhaywood]

@olimario my goal is to get a black belt in Judo, it's a much more complete system.

[olimario]

@jjhaywood I've rolled with black belts in Judo. They are worthless on the ground.

[jjhaywood]

@olimario "worthless"? It's extreme. and its not all about the ground game. I've been attacked and never been on the ground. Of course if I spend1 hour of 2 hour class on ground and you spend 2 hours of a 2 hour class who will be better on ground? In terms of basic self defense thats MORE than enough which is why Professor Kano included the 2 schools of juijitsu to be studied CONCURRENTLY, not as an overspecialization as you see in BJJ.

[jjhaywood]

@jjhaywood Now back to reality. Most fights go to the floor? OK... how many start standing up? I hear all this talk about self defense. OK BBJ Ppl, then tell me when you attacker will wear a gi? Now if you really want a rude awakening lets see you throw away that gi and go against a college wrestler LOL. I have much respect for Eddie Bravo system and college wrestlers.

[jjhaywood]

@jjhaywood also... please please remember. If you are mugged, Even in a one on one attack (which could easily turn into a multiple attack cause you don't know if they have friends) it's soo vital to learn to end your disputs on your own two feet. I meet these BJJ and JUDO people who go to the floor and wind up in hospital because they want to roll in the street.

[eezme1]

@jjhaywood submission wrestling anyone ?

[DBalla4427]

my goal is not to get a black belt my goal is to train bjj for the rest of my LIFE a black belt is not the top it is only a stepping stone

[kesagatame]

Since the money issue seems to come up often and you don't have cash, just ask an instructor if you could clean toilets, mats, windows, etc. in exchange for free tuition. I can't imagine quitting anything because I don't have enough cash.

I'd rather have good training partners that don't pay than the ones who do, but are lazy and unpleasant.

Also, I don't understand spouses who are unsupportive...you'd rather see me at the bar every night?

[TimminsMMA]

Spouse is 100% correct. See it allllll the time.

[hoger213]

When you learn to ride through the dark days...you learn to ride to the end.

[c3m3nth3ad]

That 'derail' point you brought up is so true. I got a small minority of people, including family, who try this all the time.

[rkesslerjj]

Agreed, it cannot be obtained without a sort of fanatical love for it. Just too many years and time goes into it. It just must be a part of your life like anything else you do every day, and you just do it period. Great vid, thanks for sharing..

[KaratekaKid]

Skin diseases and the resulting lack of sex because of them is the reason I don't train BJJ anymore. Molluscum Contagiasm and ringworm don't play dice my friends...

[NoFrag0]

@KaratekaKid

Good shower after the gym and applying basic hygiene methods, as well as long sleeve rashguards will easily prevent this problem.

[ThOutRider2]

i train bjj for mma so i didnt really care about belts, but then i thought that it would be cool to have a belt, to be a part of that bjj community. so my goal is to be a blue belt now fuck ya

[hero4301]

i like some of the points he touched on about who is on board the spouse the teacher one blew me away about them not wanting anyone to out do them. but it defiantly was some things to think about. i was introduced to the sport 3 years ago and financially is what has kept me from going to an academy til i bought the instructional dvd from teacher and now it's finding people to be interested in the sport. i really want to learn to teach it someday that is my over all goal. i am still working

[rednek316]

@bigpimpdevon1 Watch the skies traveler.

[HeadHunterCG1]

@bigpimpdevon1

*slow clap*

[tillman40]

I did now I am single..

[lagook]

@tillman40 lol i always say 'jujitsu was here before you'

[1iguerra]

Belts are just a status symbol that shows to everyone else how much money you spent at a dojo. It's just a way for tournaments and academies to continue to fund themselves. Like this guy says, belts are moot, what matters is that you love to do jiu-jitsu. I can walk around the block without a belt and people will be oblivious to the fact that I like jiu-jitsu, but it won't change the fact that I do.

[metalbullitt]

@1iguerra I'd have to disagree. Belt ranks show the level of knowledge you have accumulated over time. It might hold true for BJJ after you reach say Brown Belt but definitely doesn't hold true for Japanese Jujitsu.

[1iguerra]

@metalbullitt ordinarily I would agree with you, but with martial arts universally falling prey to the "McDojo" effect it's hard to discern how serious the practitioner is based on belt rankings alone.

[metalbullitt]

@1iguerra agreed

[featherspike]

I really don't care about the belt.I just love learning bjj!

[Orrintl]

It's a life style. Belts are important, they show to everyone else how much time and work you have put in. For those who attend a good bjj school or are shooting for a black belt good luck and remember joy should not be found in finishing the activity but doing it.

[amrwg6111]

Does belts really matter?

[colossuswright]

Don't get me wrong I love BJJ! However it has become incredibly expensive and class sizes are out of control! Can one instuctor really give 40-60 people the attention they need??? The answer is no, it doesn't work in our school systems and it does not work in any form of Martial Art! The Martial Arts "All of them" are about knowledge, knowledge that should be shared equally and without all prejudices so that the Art can grow! Hefty costs deter this!

[Torashin]

@colossuswright If you want it bad enough you will find away, if not you will find a excuse

[jtonyrock]

for me injuries are the biggest problem with BJJ. I cant afford to be injured all the time, I do have to work. I hope that next dojo will be more anty-injury.

[doubleomc]

What kind of person becomes a black belt in BJJ? umm.. The one who can afford to keep paying 150-200.00 a month for the next 7-10 years... Unfortunately i can't afford that.

[psychoklown66]

My goal is not for a different belt color.

My goal is to get to the point, where I can successfully defend myself from my instructor and not tap in a 6 minute round.

My goal after that, is to get to the point, where I can tap my instructor.

[jtonyrock]

@psychoklown66 how big are you? you can stall and not get tapped. take him down and you hold his hips.

[uXgotXmerked]

@psychoklown66 You should never be able to not get tapped by your instructor, because your instructor should always be getting better too.

[ShalKekNemRon]

@uXgotXmerked Disagree

[uXgotXmerked]

@ShalKekNemRon Why would you disagree? The only way you'd be able to tap/not get tapped by instructor is if your instructor is getting too old

[ShalKekNemRon]

@uXgotXmerked I disagree with the not getting tapped by your instructor part (which was said to be 6 minutes). You will most certainly reach a point where you can defend, stall out and turtle to survive 6 minutes. Even if it's just by learning your instructors common attacks. I don't think it's possible to study an art 10 years and still be unable to defend against you instructor. Nothing is that efficient.

[Exilict]

@ShalKekNemRon You make it sound like your instructor isn't getting better as well. If your instructor is 12 years ahead of you he will always be there. Its not like your instructors skill will not improve.

[jtonyrock]

@psychoklown66 however for me belt does not matter. I even think that if you care about the belt you don't really care to learn, but just to impress instructor.

[cnees208]

job security.

[zenhatesyou]

"what are you gonna do once you get your black belt?"

strongest talking point (to me)... it probably helps to be process oriented rather than goal oriented when doing bjj as this way you are focused on the art itself from the get go

[jtonyrock]

@zenhatesyou Its a good point. however once you get black belt I think its ok to quit. having black belt means (or should mean) that you know everything there is to know (not true, but thats what it should be), so what is the point of doing it more? no point! if you like BJJ you should do it, if you are bored with it try something new.

[colossuswright]

Well it takes about $150 a month for 8-12 years. Or about 15,000 give or take a few hundred. In the tough times now a days you would think places BJJ Dojos would lower there prices.....but they dont. You also need to live on the West Coast. You can argue that point all you want but all the best BJJ Dojos in the states are in the West Coast.

[1iguerra]

@colossuswright Marcelo Garcia's dojo is in New York...

[colossuswright]

@1iguerra Thats one. Not all of them are in the West Coast, but the Majority of them are! You could find more in California then I bet you could in all of the Midwest and East Coast combined!

[1iguerra]

@colossuswright I know that, but again, you said "ALL" of the best ones are on the west coast, which is not true. Yeah the majority of the better known ones are, but not all of them. You fucking prick!

[rednek316]

@1iguerra Exactly, I'm in Virginia and my head coach is Tony Passos, who's incredibly high-tier. He's a bronze medalist black belt in the Pan Ams, and he brings in top level guys for seminars. We've even had Andre Galvao and Lucas Lepri come in.

[metalbullitt]

@colossuswright I couldnt agree with you more.. I live in LA and am down the freeway from the Gracies, Barra, 10th Planet etc.. and you're right, their prices are ridiculous (And they only seem to be going up!) I'm now a Japanese Jujitsu practitioner and can comfortably say what I'm learning now is more street applicable than BJJ, for nearly half the price and 1/4 of the time. Oh and I'll have my black belt in only 2.5 more years ; )

[Sawbucks23]

@colossuswright You have made the best points on this video. Besides injuries, money is a huge concern. A MMA school opened up where I live for $80 a month for full access of the gym's workout equipment, nogi BJJ MMA classes, boxing, and kicking compared to $159-$200 (depending on what your plan is) for only BJJ. I'm jumping ship with retiring with my blue belt. lol

[poolboyinla]

@Sawbucks23 $80 is a great deal.

[Sawbucks23]

@poolboyinla Thanks bro, I thought I was dreaming when one of the workers told me that. $80 for full access of the gym and all classes or $60 for just boxing and kickboxing. It sure beats my $132 a month.

[poolboyinla]

@Sawbucks23 That's really crazy. Where is this gym?

[fitzerg]

women are dream killers

-Tom Leykis

[buffmedic01]

After doing this for a long time and training abroad while I was in the military the less I cared about belt ranking and more I cared about the actual art of it. I train now with a bunch of guys but I dont even bother trying to pursue a black belt. Its not important to me to walk around and say. I have a black belt in this. I would rather just tap them out. No Gi, No Belts is the way to train and be.

[LazyBoyee65]

@buffmedic01 Very true, brotha. Get a few friends, look up some moves on youtube, teach it and drill it with your buddies, and then roll. You don't need an instructor now days now that anything you could learn from Jiu Jitsu is on youtube. You just need to take the initiative and actually commit to learning and training on your own time with your own friends.

[kmeyers85]

My suggestion:

If you are injured. I would suggest staying at home and healing. Go back when you are physically capable of training without re- injuring yourself. If you are broken and can't move properly, you will never achieve a Black Belt.

So, if your shoulder is busted up. Stay home! Stick with it. Just stay home till you can return.

[1iguerra]

sloppy belt tying right there

[chavamma]

I see Master Keith is getting in fighting shape! Keep it up! Pedro Sauer Team 4 Life!

[seattle0002]

Sounds like life.

[Klootjee]

Bjj <3

[Viktir666]

Hell, if you already made it to purple belt, go to black belt. Don't drop out halfway there.

[jordanmclean]

I wish we had a gym in my small town

[pornomanijakizam]

good speach..dedication and desire is what you need..

[scorcher165]

Black belt is just the beginning!! I wanna be Mundials champ and ADCC champ one day!

[bjjartist]

@scorcher165 me too.

[revanslacey]

Glad he emphasises the love of the sport. I was worried for a bit that the goal of black belt was a bit vain.

[TheRiobezerko]

I achieve black belt...I'm done. No more rolling around with sweaty dudes.

[waldomarek]

well said mr. owen! dedication and discipline is what you need imo.

[NylerFtw]

awsome video! :) i love the sport of bjj, im 17 and in the city i live in in each bjj lesson is AUS $20 and i just cant afford it! me and my friend make sure we meet (together or with others) at least 3 times a week though :D although i may not achieve the rank/belt grading. i hope i can continue to achieve and grow in knowlege of bjj

[Perspar1]

@NylerFtw is that a private lessons/ very small group ? that's pretty expensive.

awesome speach

[NylerFtw]

@Perspar1 Hey, i checked it out and the group is fairy large, say 15+, one on one costs $45 for only 45min! haha ikr, thanks.

[photographymatt]

@NylerFtw Keep at it dude. I think it is best to learn from an experienced coach but if not possible just keep rolling!

[NylerFtw]

@photographymatt will do! :)

[NickDiazBeast]

epic