Recently, BJJ purple belt Tal Pistiner, who trains at Atos HQ under renowned coach Andre Galvao, sparked debate in the online Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community after announcing his availability for seminars. His message, posted in a Facebook group, read:
“Wassup guys?? I’m Tal, a competitive purple belt at Atos HQ in San Diego under Andre Galvao. After offering you privates 3 weeks ago and the amount of responses was insane!! I am now offering myself for seminars. We can discuss the dates and pricing individually. I would love to come visit your academy (anywhere in the states!) and teach my Jiu-Jitsu🙏🏼 Feel free to contact me anytime!❤️❤️”
The post received mixed reactions, ranging from support to skepticism and even mockery. While some praised his initiative and determination, others questioned whether a purple belt should be offering seminars at all—especially when they haven’t achieved any major titles like IBJJF or ADCC championships.
The Debate: Should Purple Belts Be Offering Seminars?
The BJJ community has long been hierarchical, with black belts generally viewed as the most qualified instructors. Black belts not only have years of experience, but many also hold competitive accolades that make them attractive to students looking to refine their skills. However, purple belts—while skilled—are often still seen as students themselves, learning and refining their own games.
Critics of Tal’s post pointed this out. Some felt that in a market saturated with world-class black belts and champions, offering a seminar without significant achievements was a tough sell. Comments like, “no one under brown allowed to teach in our sport” and “no thanks, good luck!” highlight this sentiment. Others joked that Tal’s offer was only getting attention because of his appearance, with one commenter stating, “He’s cute, hence the attention. But I wouldn’t pay for anyone other than a Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu unless they have a signature move…congrats on getting ahead of the game, but I ain’t payin’.”
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Support for Tal’s Initiative
Despite the criticism, there was also considerable support for Tal’s boldness and ambition. Some community members pointed out that rank does not always equate to teaching ability. A supportive voice in the comments read, “Anyone can learn from anyone. Even as a black belt, I see things from white belts that make me want to try that idea.” Another commenter, familiar with Tal’s skills, defended him by saying, “Tal is legit as they come. I would learn from this technical beast any chance I could get.”
There is certainly an argument to be made for learning from practitioners of all ranks. In fact, some of the most innovative techniques in recent years have been developed by lower belts who simply think outside the box. Additionally, training under high-level black belts like Andre Galvao, Tal likely has access to cutting-edge techniques and training methodologies that could benefit students of all levels.
The Competitive Market for BJJ Instruction
However, in a world where BJJ is becoming increasingly competitive, with seminars and camps led by champions of prestigious tournaments like the IBJJF Worlds, ADCC, and AJP, it’s understandable why students would hesitate to attend a seminar hosted by a purple belt without any significant titles. For many practitioners, the appeal of a seminar comes from learning the insights of someone who has not only mastered the art but proven it in the highest levels of competition.
One comment encapsulates this market reality: “Good luck, but unless you’re an ADCC champ it’ll be a tough sell for a purple belt to get people to show up.” This sentiment rings true in many cases. The current BJJ landscape is filled with top-level black belts hosting seminars, often with accolades to back up their teachings, which raises the question of how a lower-ranked practitioner can break through.
Is There Room for Purple Belts in the Seminar Scene?
Ultimately, the question comes down to what students are looking for. If students are looking for competition-tested techniques from elite competitors, then they might be inclined to skip a seminar led by a purple belt. On the other hand, if the goal is to gain new insights, refine details, or simply support an up-and-coming instructor, then rank may be less of a concern.
Tal Pistiner’s post might have been met with mixed reactions, but it opens up a broader discussion on the value of instruction in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Should the focus be solely on rank and accolades, or is there value in learning from anyone who has something valuable to offer? As one commenter wisely pointed out, “Anyone can learn from anyone.” Perhaps the BJJ community needs to remain open-minded to new teaching opportunities, regardless of the instructor’s belt color.
Would you attend a seminar from a purple belt like Tal?
Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: you can be slow and unathletic and still kick butt in Jiu-Jitsu.