Not everyone but a large percentage of Jiu-Jitsu Player starts out with big dreams and excitement. They want to first be the next BJJ Penn. Winning the Worlds at Black Belt.

1. Time,
BJJ takes time there is no way to skip putting in the time on the mat. If you don't there is no way to reach your potential. As a recreational Jiu-Jitsu Player we should be thinking about 3-5 classes a week. Profesionals, it is your job 6 or 7 days a week.

2. Your Body,
Jiu-Jitsu is going to change your body. If you change nothing eating the same exercising the same out side of class. You are going to lose weight and become stronger just going to class. Your clothing will fit better and you should become in better health. To make real big changes to your body you will need to alter your diet and eat healthier. I think in the beginning of training. It is best to spend a couple months just concentrating on learning Jiu-Jitsu. Making the adjustment to going to class ect....

3. Your friends,
Your friends will change. Almost 100% of my friends train Jiu-Jitsu. I have a couple of friends that I know threw motorcycles. But by and far Jiu-Jitsu people are the ones I hangout with. There is something about the fact that training with someone. Some who has tested themselves mentally and physically. Jiu-Jitsu that makes it easier to connect with other people.

4. Your vacations,
Almost all my vacations, or time spent away from teaching Jiu-Jitsu. Involves going to some sort of fighting or Jiu-Jitsu related event. I even try to tie teaching seminars into a lot of my trips abroad. To me there is nothing like showing up in some place like Thailand. To teach a seminar. I will be meeting how many people from all over the world making new friends and teaching Jiu-Jitsu. I haven't always tried to mix traveling with seminars. I have been lucky so far having taught seminars in Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Australia, and New Zealand to name a few.

5. Your family,
Training Jiu-Jitsu will effect your time with your family. I think it is the best case when the whole family trains together. Sharing the experience of training and progressing with my kids. This has been a amazing part of my Jiu-Jitsu journey. My 16 year old son trains in my Adult Class now along side me. Being able to have a conversation with him on the way home after training about how class went. What he is doing right has been very rewarding as a parent. My wife and two younger kids train also. Erin has been in and out the last 6 years of train having kids in-between. But seeing how much she still loves to train is motivating by itself. Paxton, Hayden, and Ronan time will come on the mat but at home the two older ones grapple a for at least a hour a day.

Conclusion: Training as a whole makes you into a better more complete human. Training will demand things from all parts of your life but in the end I think the pay off is amazing. If you aren't involved in Jiu-Jitsu yet, do yourself a favor and start today. 

Call 817-781-4243 to start your Journey if you live in Fort Worth Texas today. If you don't live close by find a qulified instructor. If you need advice feel free to email me at lutterbjj@gmail.com send me a list of the academies close to you and I will be happy to try to point you in the right direction. 

Travis Lutter

Update: My son is now 20 years old. I originally wrote this when he was 16 years old. He is still training. He is also going to college and has become a young adult now. After rereading everything I wrote 4 years ago I still find it all to be true. 

My other two kids Hayden who is 10 years old and Paxton are training now also. I enjoy watching them in kids class and when they compete. I am very excited for the day that they will be in my class in a couple more years. Ronan is also training a little bit but not as much as the other two being 4 years old.