Veteran BJJ black belt and coach Tom DeBlass has shared a message aimed directly at hobbyists and older practitioners who often feel discouraged training alongside younger athletes.
In a recent social media post, DeBlass addressed what he believes is one of the most common psychological mistakes in the sport…
Adult students with full-time jobs and families trying to measure their progress against young athletes:
A huge problem I see in Jiu Jitsu… Is when adult students who have families and full time jobs feel pressured to keep up with everyone around them.
They train with younger athletes and end up discouraged.
According to DeBlass, this comparison ignores the reality that many younger practitioners have vastly different responsibilities and recovery capacity.
Instead of trying to match their pace, he believes students should judge progress only against their past selves:
You are not expected to keep up with anyone. You are expected to improve who you were yesterday.
Why would you compare yourself to someone in their early twenties whose only responsibility is training?
DeBlass emphasized that consistency matters more than performance during individual sessions:
It is powerful enough that you show up at all.
Never forget that. Your journey is yours alone.Remember, it is your mind that will carry you to black belt, not just your technique.
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