Why Weirdos Love Jiu-Jitsu
Before we delve into this somewhat controversial topic, we must define what a ‘weirdo’ really is.
Weirdo: An outlier. Someone beyond a cultural norm. A blue rose in a field of red. The opposite of an NPC.
Over 8 years in a variety of martial arts — whether it be cage-fighting or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — if I learned anything, it is that these environments attract real-life superheroes. Whether it’s a seemingly a goofy looking middle-aged dad, dressed from head to toe in unicorn spats, or a gangling geek, afraid to make eye contact, you can rest assured that both are capable of:
- Breaking your bones
- Choking you unconscious
- Killing you
- All of the above
Why do such dangerous men and women have such outrageous personas?
Because they can.
No, really, because they can! From the onset of our lives, we are all forced into what is essentially the same classroom. We are fed the same goals. We are fed the same lessons. Doctor, lawyer, or engineer. Our lives are predetermined before the blink of an eye, destined to forever serve as a cog in the war-machine of Western progress. That is, until you discover combat sports, or — in this case — Jiu-Jitsu. A Jiu-Jitsu gym is the only place in the world where a person of any color, class, background can step on the mat and be as respected as an equal. A true equal. No more boxes, masks or farces, on those mats, you will be you!
Don’t believe me? Look no further than 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu. Whether it be flat earth theories, psychedelic trips, or a variety of out-of-the-box ideas, understand that at 10th Planet everyone is — and isn’t — weird. In Jiu-Jitsu, ‘weird’ has become ‘normal’. Your self-image no longer has to hide at the risk of societal shame.
Geo Martinez, Levi-Jones Leary, Gordon Ryan, Craig Jones. These are all huge names in the sport of Jiu-Jitsu. All of them have polar-opposite personalities. All of them have deafening skill in Jiu-Jitsu. Despite their differences, they are all equally weird.
Jiu-Jitsu is a mirror. Every loss, every tap, every missed opportunity, every “Ah ha!” moment, it is all just another look into that mirror. Who in that mirror is the person you really see? Was it the you from yesterday, who did not know an arm-bar? Or from the month before, who had not even heard of Jiu-Jitsu? We quickly begin to associate what is happening in the gym and on the mats with our self-image. It can be molded and changed into what we desire by the day.
I can make my own image with Jiu-Jitsu.
Why do we come to this stark realization? Self-image is a mask, and this becomes most apparent on the mats. Whatever egotistical, over the top image we had of ourselves and abilities walking into a gym, understand it crumbles in an instant after your first tap. A confident, charming businessman can be reduced to a wheezing plebeian after a roll with a broke liberal arts student. In that moment, they are treated the same. Memory of their class fades away, and all that remains is their Jiu-Jitsu. So, if this constructed mask meant nothing after all this time and did nothing to protect you or your self-image, why not be somebody you actually like?
Being somebody you like. This is the key that attracts all weirdos from all walks of life. In a world begging us to create what everyone else wants to see in us, whether it be through Instagram, Facebook or Twitter — with Jiu-Jitsu — the only mask that matters is the one you actually like to wear. You can be whoever you want to be. A star, an artist, an athlete, maybe even a King… All of this and more is possible in both the hobbyist and “professional” world of Jiu-Jitsu.
It is important to note, that in a sport so niche, everyone is only one big win away from internet celebrity status. With that in mind, the goal of having your own image — which you adore — be presented for all to see (and to appreciate), on a truly global scale becomes reality. Your Jiu-Jitsu is a complete representation of who you are, and what more does someone want than to tell the world about themselves? Either that, or your the type who lets their Jiu-Jitsu do the talking, while you introverted self enjoys the well-earned downtime. There is a place for everyone in Jiu-Jitsu.
Which persona is best for your overall well-being, you ask? Again, probably the one that you actually like. Just know that whichever character you decide to play, will have its fans and haters. Who do you want to be? A clown? An animal? A samurai? That is all up to you to decide, as long as you find a bare minimal amount of success in the sport. If you find yourself in a small country town, access to BJJ-fanatics DVDs, and attending what is essentially a McDojo, you might even decide to declare yourself a God (without consequence, I can not promise).
Jiu-Jitsu is a dangerous (albeit rewarding) path to take for those who know not who they are. When you are winning, you can be everybody, and anything. Just understand if you approach it this way, when you are losing, you are nobody, and nothing. Many make the mistake of attributing their value to their Win-Loss ratio. This is a grave decision that will only lead (at least in my case, into depression. Remember, we’re all equal on the mats, and we all want to be equally weird — so forget the results! Know that the person you truly are will always be accepted in the Jiu-Jitsu world (I mean, as long if your ‘true’ self isn’t a shameless scumbag, hellbent on causing harm to all those around themselves, you should be good).
Come one, come all, come weirdos. From the bottom of our hearts, we’d love to train with the oddest of the odd, for at least we know they’re genuine.
