Balancing Jiu Jitsu, Work, and Family Life

Jiu-Jitsu isn't just a hobby. For many of us, it's a passion, a lifestyle, and a crucial outlet. The mats offer physical challenge and mental escape, however, life outside the academy doesn't pause. We still have demanding jobs, family commitments, and an endless to-do list. So, how do you manage to pursue your passion for BJJ without feeling like you're constantly dropping balls?

As someone training for 17 years, I'll give my best advice. This wisdom is not because I did, or still do it perfectly. It's advice given from my successes and failures alike.

1. Realistic Scheduling: Quality Over Quantity
One of the biggest pitfalls is trying to train too much too soon, especially when you’re already stretched thin.

• Assess Your Actual Availability: Look at your week truthfully, and see what hours work best for you and your family, and other commitments. 
• Start Small, but Stay Consistent: If you can only commit to two days a week consistently, that’s far better than aiming for five and burning out after two weeks.

2. Communicate and Coordinate with Your Support System
Your family (and sometimes even your boss) needs to be on board for this to work.

• Talk to Your Partner/Family: Explain why BJJ is important to you. Discuss your training schedule and how it might impact family time. Maybe you train while your partner has their hobby, or you take turns with childcare. My wife recently got into TRX, and Mobility Training, so we are both thinking alike, and finding ways to compromise our own time.
• Calendar Everything: Use a shared family calendar (we use google) to mark your training times, work deadlines, and family events. This transparency helps avoid conflicts and fosters understanding. We've been doing this for as long as I can remember.

3. Maximize Your Time on the Mat
When you have limited mat time, make every second count.

• Arrive Early, Stay Focused: Get to class a few minutes early to warm up and mentally prepare. During class, minimize distractions and fully engage in drilling and rolling.
• Have a Goal: Even if it’s just one thing, try to focus on a specific technique or concept during rolling. This deliberate practice yields better results than just showing up. What I always say is "roll with a purpose."
• Active Recovery: Utilize your rest days for active recovery like stretching, yoga, or light cardio to keep your body loose and ready for your next session.

4. Embrace the "Off-Mat" Learning
You don't always need to be on the mats to improve your Jiu Jitsu.

• Watch Instructionals (If your brain woks this way): Utilize your downtime to watch BJJ instructionals, or even quick IG videos. Visualize the movements and scenarios.
• Journal Your Rolls: After a training session, take a few minutes to jot down what worked, what didn't, and what you want to focus on next. This isn't a list of people you tapped, but a list of what you can improve on, and how you're improving.
• Read BJJ Content: Blogs, articles, and books about Jiu Jitsu strategy or philosophy can keep your mind engaged and deepen your understanding. Which is what you're doing right now.
• Mental Drills: Spend 5-10 minutes visualizing techniques or common positions. This "mental rolling" can be surprisingly effective. It's hard to grasp this concept right away, but as time goes on and you pick up more skills, this becomes easy. I probably do this 100 times a day. Ok, maybe 50. But still, I drill and even roll in my head.

5. Be Kind to Yourself
Life happens. There will be weeks where work projects are intense, kids get sick, or unexpected events throw off your schedule.

• Don't Beat Yourself Up: Missing a class (or even a few) isn't the end of your BJJ journey. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Even taking off weeks at a time is OK. The journey doesn't have to be linear. As long as you enjoy training, it doesn't matter what belt you are or how long it takes to earn the next one. 
• Listen to Your Body: Overtraining or pushing through severe fatigue can lead to injury or burnout. Sometimes, a rest day is the most productive thing you can do.
• Re-evaluate Periodically: Your life circumstances will change, and so should your schedule. What worked last year might not work now. Adjust, but keep moving forward. 

Balancing Jiu Jitsu, work, and family is an ongoing challenge, but it's one that many successful practitioners navigate. By being intentional with your time, communicating openly, and staying flexible, you can continue to pursue your passion for Jiu-Jitsu and enjoy a fulfilling life both on and off the mats.

Our team name, Team Balance, is a constant reminder that my identity is not that of a Jiu Jitsu black belt. I'm a family man, a real estate agent, a coach, a business owner, and a black belt. 

​-Greg

---