10 Hard Truths About Jiu-Jitsu That Chris Wojcik Learned By Going Pro
10 Hard Truths About Jiu-Jitsu That Chris Wojcik Learned By Going Pro
Pro jiu-jitsu isn't always pretty... Here's 10 hard truths Chris Wojcik learned by making jiu-jitsu his full-time job
Doing Jiu-Jitsu for a living is weird.
I took my (and a lot of other people’s) favorite hobby and decided to make it my full-time job.
Teaching, competing, instructionals, and more make how I get by. It’s a dream that a lot of people have but it isn’t exactly what you might think.
Full-time Jiu-Jitsu for most of us isn’t chilling on a beach in Southern California sipping $12 lattes in a Shoyoroll T-Shirt in between workouts.
No, it’s not so glamorous.
The reality of full-time Jiu-Jitsu is questioning yourself, training several times a day in a dingy gym in Austin, Texas. It’s feeling like the harder you work, the worse you get. It’s opening your bank account and having an anxiety attack. It’s getting sent to the hospital for a MRSA infection and having no idea how you’re going to pay for it.
Buy my DVD, I guess?
Full-time Jiu-Jitsu is interesting. It’s changed the way that I think about our sport.
Here are 10 hard truths about Jiu-Jitsu I’ve learned from nearly 10 years in the game.
1. Technique Does Not Conquer All
Techniques conquers some things, sometimes.
When I train with bigger, more athletic guys, I realize that there are limitations to technique. I’m far more technical than some guys, but some guys are so strong and so athletic that it doesn’t really matter.
Technique is essential, but so is being athletic, being strong, and being fit. If you want to win at the high levels, you can’t solely rely on technique.
You must have both.
2. To Excel On The Mat, You Must Make Sacrifices
When I was younger, these sacrifices were easy and essential.
I sacrificed the comfort of living in the town I grew up in to chase Jiu-Jitsu down to Austin, Texas. I broke up with girlfriends, quit jobs, and endured many sleepless nights in the pursuit of this sport.
Now, I’m 27 and I’ve been doing Jiu-Jitsu for a decade and full-time for about 4 years. I have a little more wisdom than I used to, but there are still sacrifices that I must make. I can’t go out and party, be a natural athlete, and maintain a high training schedule. I can’t take on as much writing work (my side hustle) as I did before competing full-time.
You have limits, and you must work with those limits to excel.
3. You Must Take Precautions To Avoid Injuries, But You Will Still Probably Get Injured.
A twist of a knee, a slip on a sweaty mat, or just a weird post on your elbow can all dramatically alter your day, week, or even month.
Strength and conditioning is essential for injury prevention, but there will always be freak accidents.
Tread lightly.
4. Your Network Is Everything
When you’re struggling to build your name and get opportunities for matches or seminars, you need to work on networking.
As a friend of mine once said, “You need to shake hands and kiss babies in this sport”.
This is something I’m not so good at. I’m a horrible kiss-ass.
However, even my stubborn self has built a really strong network of people who respect my work and my Jiu-Jitsu. This network pays my rent each month and is the reason I get to keep doing this.
5. We Do NOT All Have Equal Opportunities For Success
If I wanted to lie to you, I’d tell you that anyone can be a pro Jiu-Jitsu athlete.
I’d tell you that anyone can be a world champion.
It’s not even really about being a super high-level athlete (I can’t do flips or tons of muscle-ups), it’s about being in the right place at the right time. I got lucky that I walked into an academy at 17 and found a coach I gelled with who wanted me to succeed.
It’s kind of dumb luck that I’m here. It’s a privilege that I’m doing this and not a real job.
6. Ego Exists Everywhere On The Mat
I am not Buddha.
I have not attained a state of complete freedom from the ego.
It’s funny to me that we always talk about how there’s no ego in Jiu-Jitsu, but we also are making the professional side of the sport more and more like professional fighting – where there’s tons of ego.
It’s not a bad thing to have an ego, it’s a bad thing to have an ego that is out of control.
7. Great Grapplers Come In All Shapes and Sizes
One thing I’ve realized about Jiu-Jitsu is that looks are confusing.
Sometimes, the most unassuming guy is the most dangerous guy in your division.
This to me means that even if you don’t look like Gordon Ryan does before an ADCC, you can still be a really dangerous grappler. It also means that you should respect everyone you compete against.
Maybe re-read the last sentence of point #6.
8. You Must Be Entrepreneurial To Survive In This Sport
I always wanted to be an entrepreneur when I was in school, and Jiu-Jitsu forced me to become one out of necessity – survival.
I had to sell things that I created (my Jiu-Jitsu knowledge, my instructionals, or my book) to make a living.
If you want Jiu-Jitsu to be your full-time gig and you want to make an okay living, it is possible and you don’t need to be a world champ, but you do need to be an entrepreneur.
9. The End Is Coming For All Of Us
Before we end today’s post, let’s get dark for a moment.
Every time you step on the mat, you’re one day closer to the last time you step on the mat.
That’s pretty sad, but it’s also true. I’m okay with being the bearer of bad news today.
I don’t want you to waste all your time thinking about the end of your Jiu-Jitsu experience, but maybe just acknowledge that it’s there and choose to enjoy your time on the mat.
10. Jiu-Jitsu Is Not About Being The Best
Even competitive Jiu-Jitsu is about more than just winning.
Whenever I feel burned out or frustrated with the politics, the drama, or anything else in Jiu-Jitsu (these annoying things exist at every level), I remember what got me obsessed with Jiu-Jitsu in the first place:
The idea of trying to be my best.
It’s not about being the best in the world, it’s about pushing yourself to be the best you can be. Whether you’re a 40-year-old dad who trains twice a week or a 19-year-old blue belt trying to make your name, this sport is not about your titles – people will forget them faster than you think.
It’s about trying to be your best, learning as much as you can, and experiencing the power of martial arts.
Read more from Chris at TheGrapplersDiary.Substack.com
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