One white belt’s story of how Art of Jiu-Jitsu has changed his life and weight

25 Jul, 2013

Jeremy has improved his life through training Jiu-Jitsu. Photo: Personal Archive

Weight loss is just one of the benefits of training Jiu-Jitsu but often times a person will start for that goal and gain many other benefits along the way. A perfect example is a GMA Art of Jiu-Jitsu member, Jeremy who has been training under the Mendes bros for three months.

Here is his story:

“I started to get serious about my health in February of this year, and since that date I have lost a total of 84 lbs and still dropping.

Jiu-JItsu is one of the greatest parts of my life, I look forward to my training every day. I have been training at Art of Jiu-Jitsu under the Mendes Bros supervision and the direction of Coach Ryan, Coach Gustavo and Coach Ian since mid-March. I have always been a huge fan of MMA and would have lengthy discussions about it with friends that train; such as Lou. Lou introduced me to AOJ and I recall a time when he actually invited me to try it out at a seminar the Mendes Brothers were putting on and I actually drove into the parking lot and had a panic attack and had to leave before I even parked my truck. I was so nervous and insecure due to my all around health and weight that I couldn’t muster up the courage or strength to walk into the school. I was in fear of judgment, I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to hang, I was afraid of a lot of things. I was wrong about it all! Once I walked into AOJ I was immediately comfortable, there was no ego there. Everyone was friendly and the beginners program was not intimidating at all. The direction and instruction I have received is truly second to none. The attention to detail and the skill in which we are taught is a refreshing part of my day to day activities. I show up and I am greeted by new friends, I am accepted into a group of like-minded individuals and taught a skill that has not only improved my life physically but it has drastically improved my emotional and spiritual life as well. It is one of the greatest workouts I have ever had.

Jiu-Jitsu thus far has given me increased determination and accountability and the principles that lay behind have begun to take hold in my daily life. Jiu Jitsu really is more of a mental game than a physical game and I learn that more and more each time I train.

Prior to this most recent attempt I had tried everything you could possibly think of starting at the age of 13 up until now at the age of 34. Fad diets, starvation, gym workouts, running, swimming, over the counter weight loss supplements, you name it and I had probably given it a shot at one time or another. Always with the same results, a temporary reprieve from my weight problem always followed by a larger weight gain and a big sense of failure. Through AOJ I have been able to see real life results on a regular basis, couple that with my regular gym routines and today I am well on my way to being the healthiest and happiest that I have ever been. The most recent milestone was receiving my first stripe, it was a symbol of the hard work and determination that I have put forth, it was a real life goal that I was able to achieve through the eyes of not only myself but my peers, my coaches and my professors. I plan to continue working hard at AOJ, hopefully I will be able to participate in a competition soon; if professors Gui and Rafa think I am ready, and I am also training for the Surf City marathon in February.”