Tom DeBlass, a renowned figure in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, is known for his tenacity, skill, and passion for the art. However, even someone as accomplished as DeBlass faced a moment when he nearly walked away from it all. In a candid reflection, DeBlass reveals that his journey almost ended at the blue belt—a stage where many grapplers hit a wall and consider giving up. His story serves as a powerful reminder that even the toughest battles can be won with perseverance, and that the challenges faced at the blue belt level are not unique, but rather a common struggle in the pursuit of mastery in Jiu-Jitsu.
Tom DeBlass recently wrote a short essay on his Facebook profile about he was close to quitting Jiu-Jitsu back when he was a blue belt:
“Jiu-Jitsu knowledge..
There was a time as a blue belt I was close to quitting.
It was the first expert division I did and I ended up losing. I waited around at the tournament all day, paid money, and lost. I tried to think of all of the reasons I shouldn’t be “wasting my time” on Jiu-Jitsu, and I had thought of some really good ones. However, there was one problem.
I claimed I loved Jiu-Jitsu, and when you love something you love on the good days, and bad days.
I looked at myself in in the mirror and reminded myself that one day I would look back on that heart crushing defeat and smile.
I was right.
So many people quit before they give Jiu-Jitsu a chance to benefit their life. Anything worth while takes sacrifice and all tough times pass. When I was a blue belt I truly had no idea how beneficial Jiu-Jitsu would be in every aspect of my life.
Where would I be if I quit? I certainly wouldn’t be in the position to lift this little guy up after he tasted defeat that I’m hugging in the picture.
“I’m so proud of you, smile, be happy, you did amazing. Everything is going to be ok, you are a super star. You did the absolute best you can do and that makes me the most proud instructor in the world”. Was what I said to him.
It’s all worth it my friends, never give up.”
Who better to show you how to use his own brand of pressure passing and finesse to stop the Z Guard than half guard master Tom DeBlass?! And if you thought he was only a No Gi player, you’ve got another thing coming. In his new 4 volume “High Tech BJJ in the Gi” instructional that just hit the BJJ Fanatics charts, he’s going to give you all of his best Gi techniques from sweeps, to passes, to submissions and everything in between. And keep in mind, everything he shows in the Gi can easily translate to No Gi, so its like getting two instructionals for the price of one.
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