How to Keep Jiu-Jitsu Fun

A simple guide to lasting competitive growth.

Legion AJJ — San Diego, CA — Photo by MJ

I’ve gotten a lot of messages about burnout in BJJ recently.

People who are going through the motions, experiencing overtraining, and dealing with cynicism about BJJ. People who are feeling fed up with the sport that they once loved, are still obsessed with, and for some reason don’t now want to participate in.

It’s a weird predicament to be in, but I get it. I’ve been there too.

But Jiu-Jitsu shouldn’t be a miserable experience. You shouldn’t dread getting on the mat every day. If you do, something needs to change.

The ideal expression of Jiu-Jitsu is an entirely positive addition to your life. Something that helps you improve your health, personal well-being, and happiness. Something you love doing every day not because you have to, but because you want to. Something that could break you, but does the opposite. Something that helps make you better.

If you’re dreading training or if Jiu-Jitsu is making you worse, something needs to change.

Here are a few things that I do to avoid burnout in BJJ and keep Jiu-Jitsu fun.

Lately, despite everything, I’ve been having a really fun time with BJJ.