Crosley Gracie
Yesterday at 10:41am · Edited ·
Came across this article this am and felt like sharing a bit of what I think on the subject. First off, great insight, whoever wrote it. Thanks for contributing to the success of others in our loved art.
When I was on my 20's, I used to think that I had a tremendous advantage over guys who were 30+. I used to see them as "old" (respectfully) and probably not as physically gifted or hungry as I was. Now that I'm on the other side, although most of what the article mentions might be perceived as we are at an disadvantage, I believe not (and again, it's always about perspective and what you believe and don't believe, anyway). I always believe in myself over anyone else, regardless of age difference, but facts are facts and having a good understanding of it will definitely maximize our successes.
The approach has to change. Training smarter, not harder, became a cliché phrase. But if you know what you are doing as a 30+ year old, I don't see a 20 year old having any advantage over me these days. Keeping healthy is key. I've taken maintaining my health with the ingestion of healthier foods and supplements a lot more serious now. Same with sleep and how to train in comparison to just rolling without warming up, although I catch myself doing this occasionally, still.
Except for a herniated disc I acquired 5 years ago, I haven't had any serious injuries to my body and joints. Ever since that injury, though, I changed my approach to supplementing my training with weight lifting. I no longer feel the necessity to do squats or deadlifts with anything but my body weight. Despite it not affecting me at all these days, my routine now consists of 4, 5 sets of 45 reps, low weight, to strengthen my tissues and joints, not to just build muscle. Everything I do for myself and teach in my classes has a more functional approach than before. And I'll continue implementing more of those as I learn.
I would have never had this perspective on my 20's. Back then it was all about working out to get stronger, which was great for that time. But we must ADAPT, and that's a key word to not only extend the lifespan of your Jiu-Jitsu training, but to life overall (ask Charles Darwin).
It's about education and discipline to implement what you know, even when you don't feel like. Jiu-Jitsu training isn't only about over lasting your opponent, Jiu-Jitsu is much bigger that that. It's a bible for the human body, mind and soul. Too bad the vast majority of practitioners will not train long enough to be exposed to the deeper meanings of it, and some who do, won't learn how to apply it.
With that, I'll leave a comment that I tell of our students who say they wish they had come across Jiu-Jitsu 15, 20 years ago:
"Be thankful that your came across this (Jiu-Jitsu) in your (life) path at all. Many people out there could learn and apply the teachings of the classes into their lives even more than you or I, but was, or never will be lucky enough to know anyone who knows or come across this information on their own, their entire lifetime."
Enjoy each day from here on out and be appreciative of every lesson learned about yourself, good or bad. At the end of the day, it all about self-improvement as learning is a lifelong pursuit. - Crosley Gracie Ac
8 Tips For Grappling After 30 | Jiu-Jitsu BrotherhoodAn article describing how to make the most of your training in grappling after 30.
http://www.jiujitsubrotherhood.com
