Do you ever feel like you want to do something but have trouble moving towards that thing? Maybe you want to change careers or take on a new path in some form.

I think we all go through this changing and an almost death of our old self from time to time.

In the video you’ll hear me talk about my obsession with Bloodsport as a kid as well as my start in Mixed Martial Arts and how I wanted to let go of MMA and didn’t want to fight anymore so I could focus on BJJ full time.

This came about because I was cleaning out a car that I gave to my student and I came across some old CDs that we used for BJJ training back in the day.

For me, I have an attachment to music and so as soon as I popped these CDs in. I was immediately transported mentally to 2006-2009. I could see myself rolling with my friends and remembered all the experiences that I had during this period.

It was an interesting time for me. Because it reminded me primarily of my changing at the time. I went from chasing a the desire to be a successful Pro MMA Fighter, to wanting to jump full board into Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

This was a really tough decision for me. Being a fighter was something I obsessed with since I was a teenage Wrestler who got into UFC and Mixed Martial Arts.

I mean the whole reason I got into BJJ was because I figured it was the best thing to compliment my Wrestling.

This video is a little different and more of a random thought with you guys. It’s not even that coherent but I hope you enjoy the ramble.

-Chewy

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Are you a White Belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu who feels better when they roll with a Higher Belt?

This is the question I received from Brianda who asked,
” I’ve been training for four months and I know I’m improving a lot (everybody tells me), but when I roll with white belts. Why do I feel like I can’t do anything? When I roll with higher belts everything goes better and I can practice all the movements and submissions I’ve learned, is it normal?

In this Chewy ramble video I discuss this common situation in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. When it boils down to it this is caused by a couple things.

A higher belt (Blue Belt, Purple Belt, Brown Belt, Black Belt) is in much better control of the roll and is much more relaxed. And oftentimes higher belts will play down a little bit during BJJ training to allow the newer students to move around and attempt their techniques a bit.

This relaxed state is usually fueled by the fact that the higher belt can finish the roll and gain the upper hand at any point.

In contrast you might roll worse against a White Belt. This is because a white belt does not have the security of being more advanced technically. So, instead they are fighting life and death when pitted against another beginner during a Brazilian Jiujitsu class.

The roll then takes on a much more aggressive nature and makes it more difficult to execute techniques.

I go into more detail in the video and share a few stories. But in short, yes this is a normal situation.

If you’re running into this as a BJJ White Belt. I hope the video is helpful!

Thanks!
-Chewy

—————–
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Are you a White Belt in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu who feels better when they roll with a Higher Belt?

This is the question I received from Brianda who asked,
” I’ve been training for four months and I know I’m improving a lot (everybody tells me), but when I roll with white belts. Why do I feel like I can’t do anything? When I roll with higher belts everything goes better and I can practice all the movements and submissions I’ve learned, is it normal?

In this Chewy ramble video I discuss this common situation in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. When it boils down to it this is caused by a couple things.

A higher belt (Blue Belt, Purple Belt, Brown Belt, Black Belt) is in much better control of the roll and is much more relaxed. And oftentimes higher belts will play down a little bit during BJJ training to allow the newer students to move around and attempt their techniques a bit.

This relaxed state is usually fueled by the fact that the higher belt can finish the roll and gain the upper hand at any point.

In contrast you might roll worse against a White Belt. This is because a white belt does not have the security of being more advanced technically. So, instead they are fighting life and death when pitted against another beginner during a Brazilian Jiujitsu class.

The roll then takes on a much more aggressive nature and makes it more difficult to execute techniques.

I go into more detail in the video and share a few stories. But in short, yes this is a normal situation.

If you’re running into this as a BJJ White Belt. I hope the video is helpful!

Thanks!
-Chewy

—————–
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Jose commented on a recent video asking about a Butterfly Sweep to Rolling Back Take combo that was in the video.

So while I was working on videos for my new White Belt series. I wanted to answer his question.

I’ve placed chunks of the BJJ class where Adam and I were rolling. In the video I countered his reverse Half Guard position and switched it into a Butterfly Sweep. I attempted to sweep him to one side, it failed so I came back up to a square position. Then I switched the Butterfly sweep to the other side.

Right after the sweep he shot into a Deep Half Guard. I countered this by keeping my hips back which caused us to land in a Quarter Mount position.

From there I did a very simple rolling back take. Literally, it’s a glorified front roll. So if you try this move. Don’t over think it.

When you watch these techniques being used. It seems that it’s some sort of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu combo that I have because they flow together smoothly.

But it isn’t! What happens often during Brazilian Jiujitsu is that you do moves based on the circumstances. Your opponent does this, so you do this. That kind of thing.

This is just a situation where I’ve done the Ghost Sweep (as I call it) countless times as well as the forward roll to the back. The moves connected together without any sort of grand design. I didn’t plan on taking the back when I initiated the sweep.

Lastly, in the video I share a few quick details on attacking the rear naked choke right off the back. Instead of just getting to back mount and holding. I really like coming in for the finish right off the bat.

Thanks for the question Jose! And I hope the video is useful to any of you playing from the Butterfly Guard or if you get caught in the Quarter Mount / Quarter Guard position.

—————–
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Does your physical appearance bother you at all when you’re doing Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, either in the gym or in competition?

Our friend, who wished to remain nameless, is having this issue. He isn’t comfortable with his physical appearance right now and it’s getting in his way with competing.

He says that he’s lost over 50lbs since starting BJJ. But he still isn’t comfortable. And he’s wanting to compete in bigger BJJ tournaments. But the big tournaments don’t allow people to wear rash guards or t shirts under their gi.

In this video I share experiences from my childhood when I was a fat chubby kid who had man boobs. And I had little to no confidence. My insecurity was so bad at one point that I developed a stutter.

I was in the same boat as Bob in regards to being overweight abd ashamed of my physical appearance.

Then I started wrestling, eating better food and lifting more effectively. By the time I got into BJJ. I was a successful wrestler and even had abdominal muscles showing. But. . . I still felt awkward with my shirt off in front of people.

So in the video I try to share how I overcame my awkward, insecure feelings with my clothing off and hopefully it will help Bob on his desire to compete at bigger BJJ competitions and BJJ tournaments.

Thanks!
-Chewy

—————–
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Do you ever get sore neck muscles after BJJ training? Then try using this $5 (or less) little too like I show in the video.

Recently I was doing a little No Gi training with a good Black Belt friend of mine. During our roll he was going after his Guillotine choke, which he has a good one.

I was able to defend the chokes but my neck took a beating.

Later on that night after the rolling session. I was sitting with my girlfriend for dinner and realized my neck was incredibly sore. And I realized it was from out session.

Anytime I run into sore neck or upper back muscles after Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training. Using a lacrosse ball or this lacrosse ball peanut is my goto for recovery and to relieve sore neck muscles. It really digs deep into the muscles and gives me a ton of relief.

On the day of filming this video I was doing a bit of lifting. And before I could do front squats effectively. I had to loosen up my neck.

Hopefully if you’re experiencing some sore neck muscles after Brazilian Jiujitsu training this little tool will be helpful for you and your recovery after training!

-Chewy
—————–
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If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.

Do you feel like you’re not progressing in BJJ like you should? Do you feel like you’re in the gym training but not making any headway?

This is the problem our friend who is a BJJ Blue Belt and is having an issue. He recently sent in a question asking for advice on how to deal with his progression in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and aggression during rolling.

In the video I don’t touch on the idea of aggression because it often gets used as a cure all for every problem many of the beginners. Whenever issues happen. Instead of fixing the technique issues, they just think they need to be more aggressive. Which is not the right idea I believe.

But during the video I do talk about the idea of setting expectations during Brazilian Jiujitsu training. And the idea that it’s dangerous to set them.

Setting expectations for BJJ training is the same as setting expectations for a situation that is not guaranteed.

It makes you focused on the fruits of your actions rather than the moment to moment action which is required to make progress happen during grappling.

So if you’re training Brazilian Jiujitsu and you feel like you’re not progressing like you should. Watch this video and I hope it helps!

-Chewy
—————–
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If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.

In this video myself and Mike ( Aka Mr Jiujitsu from Facebook) sat down and answered a few questions. Mike was in town so we’ve had the chance to train together a bit and decided to have fun and do a video together.

We definitely answer the BJJ questions in different ways and from different perspectives.

The questions look something like this. . .
1. What should I do when my significant other is trying to take time away from my Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training?

2. My Brazilian Jiujitsu coach is wanting me to start wearing the gym gi. I’m wondering if this is normal or if it’s McDojo.

3. What’s are our thoughts on cross training at other Bjj gyms in the area.

But I hope you enjoy the video!

-Chewy

—————–
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If you’d ever like to train with the team and I. Check out my gym Derby City MMA in Louisville,KY.

The Scissor Sweep is one of the first Sweeps from Guard that most BJJ White Belts learn. And in a recent video where I covered some simple adjustments to the Keylock. Several of the White Belts that watch the channel asked for some tips on some of the really basic Brazilian Jiu-jitsu techniques that White Belts use.

So I decided to cover the Scissor Sweep since this is one of the 1st sweeps most White Belts learn. In addition, the movement used for the Scissor Sweep will be used over and over again in Brazilian Jiujitsu. Whether you’re trying to sweep of if you’re trying to open guard and transition to other positions beside the full guard.

In this video I show some simple adjustments and tweaks to the Scissor Sweep that have made this BJJ technique useable for me as a higher level belt and in addition been very helpful to many of my students.

Simple things like turning the wrist over, grinding the hips up rather than simply coming up to the knees in mount have really helped.

Try combining these adjustments with some of the instruction your BJJ coach teaches you at your gym.

I hope this video helps your BJJ Scissor Sweep regardless of whether you’re a White Belt or not.

Thanks for watching!
-Chewy
—————–
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The Toe Tuck Sweep / Position is one of the 1st Half Guard sweeps I started using successfully from this low Half Guard position I’ve shown in this series.

I say Half Guard Sweep / Position because I have numerous attacks from the Toe Tuck. So even if these sweep options stop. I have lots of other techniques I can use for my Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

In this video I also share why I use this style of Half Guard for Brazilian Jiujitsu.

One reason is that I’m able to fight against the Knee Cut Pass which is a fantastic option when faced against a Half Guard position.

Another tip is that when I come up for these sweeps. I make sure to come up on my elbows in a particular way that makes this sweep effective for my Brazilian Jiujitsu game.

So if you’re trying to develop a better BJJ Half Guard game. I hope this latest BJJ sweep addition of one of my favorites is helpful to you!

Thanks!
-Chewy

—————–
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Do you like curriculums for BJJ? I personally have a love hate relationship with curriculums in relation to Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.

In some ways a BJJ curriculum can be incredibly as a guide to lead the way and to ensure that the bases are covered and maintaining a standard.

The negatives that I associate with a curriculum if forced on the students to rigidly is the fact that the focus then moves from exploration, discovery and the expression of the art and can move towards more memorization.

I also believe that one of the best benefits of Brazilian Jiujitsu is the ability to learn the love of practice and the grind. To do something, not because of what you will eventually achieve. But instead because you just enjoy doing it. And finding reasons why you love the day to day training. This lesson that I learned from Wrestling and BJJ has helped me in so many areas of my life. Because I’ve learned to grind out through difficult situations and learned to enjoy the struggle and challenge of tough situations.

What are your opinions on BJJ curriculums? Do you like them or dislike them? Do you think a hard curriculum should be imposed or should students be able to go off in different directions?

Thanks for watching.
-Chewy

—————–
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From my experience as a White Belt and from what I’ve seen with my students. Often after the initial survival phase that begins at the start of someone’s Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training.

The Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioner often then enters a point where they begin to find an ability to maintain offensive positions for longer and longer durations. And while in these BJJ positions, opportunities begin to present themselves. But because of the inexperience of the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioner and potential fear of letting go of the recently acquired comfort of the offensive position. They either miss the opportunity to secure the secure the submission or they are too afraid to pull the trigger and go for it.

This is the question I received from a Brazilian Jiujitsu White Belt, Jake, who is running into this very issue.

He’s finding that his defense has become good enough to afford him some comfort. But he is unable to really go after the submissions he see’s because of the fear of failing.

He believes that he needs for aggression to fill the gap in his Brazilian Jiu-jitsu abilities.

In this video I share how I don’t believe that added aggression is necessarily the issue. I believe it’s more of a problem with fear than sheer aggression that is hindering his growth and abilities.

I also attribute this point in his BJJ training to the natural progression of most White Belts who are trying to progress and “win.”

I hope the video is helpful to you with your training and being able to go after submissions or any technique for that matter, more effectively and without the encumbrance of fear or worry. Or at least, if it’s there you learn to cope with it better.

Thanks!
-Chewy

—————–
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Do you keep a BJJ journal? Do you think a Jiujitsu journal is a good idea?

If so what style of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu journal do you keep?

For me personally, I’m an avid journal keeper. I’ve had some ongoing journal since I was 18 years old. Both personal and Jiujitsu related. And over the years I’ve tried different styles of journals to document my experiences, training and just life in general. And the styles of journals I’ve had related to training have changed over the years through my journey from White Belt to Black Belt.

In this video I share some of the journals that I use currently use in my training and discuss some ways that might be useful for you in your own training.

One of the big things I discuss in this BJJ video is how I dislike keeping a Jiujitsu journal solely for BJJ techniques. Often over the years when I look back at these journals. I don’t really remember what I was talking about.

So one of the more important aspects I document in my BJJ journal is the experiences I have during situations like tournaments and competitions, great training sessions, and really any big experience that’s happening in my life related to Brazilian Jiujitsu.

I also use a journal to write down what BJJ drills I plan to drill during a practice. This helps me stay on task and make sure I hit my goals.

Anyways, you can watch the rest in the video. I hope it helps!
-Chewy

—————–
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Comment and possibly win a Free Chewjitsu T Shirt.

Also, if you’re interested in getting a Grey Chewjitsu BJJ Gi when I have them made. Sign up to my email list. I’ll also give you a Free BJJ Ebook and Video.

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The 2 main questions I answered in this video are:

Have I ever been in a Steet Fight? / Have I ever used my BJJ in a Street Fight?

What’s my opinion on the Belt Gauntlet in BJJ?

I rambled on pretty long about these two. But I found them interesting. I know that Brazilian Jiu-jitsu being used in street fight situations is always an interesting topic.

And the Gauntlet in Brazilian Jiujitsu is a bit controversial. Some people claim it’s brutal, barbaric, awful, etc etc. I tried to touch on my idea about it and share the reasons why I like it and why I continue to do it.

If you have thoughts on the gauntlet, list them below and share your ideas.

I hope you guys enjoyed this sort of random question video. It’s a different format that the typical ones. But hopefully it’s entertaining.

Thanks for watching!
-Chewy

—————–
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