Quote: (06-14-2014 10:13 AM)pt8498 Wrote:
Quote: (06-14-2014 04:50 AM)RioNomad Wrote:
What belt are you and how long have you been training?
You'd be surprised at how quickly your feelings towards things can change. It's a long ways to black belt. Be sure you actually love it and have trained for several years before you start planning on making it your life and source of income. Lots of white and blue belts are 100% convinced bjj will be their life, and a year later drop out of the sport.
I am an upper blue belt and traveled to train with some top competitors. So I have an outlook of what the lifestyle of a coach, teacher, and competitor is. Of course before I start I will want a good skill set in my craft. Before I provide value for the public I am working towards proving my skills in competition and my teaching methodologies through mentoring a fellow teammate.
Yes, I realize lots of people say and want to do all these things when they're feeling the high side of the roller coaster ride but does otherwise when they're feeling the low side. I have been contemplating if jiu jitsu is more of a hobby or a lifestyle/passion through college. As much as I want to tell you its more than a recreational hobby, I understand you and other forum members can't take my word 100% seriously because you guys don't know me personally and can't see if my day to day thoughts/emotions/actions are aligned with my goals. You can only take my word for what it is.
I believe anyone is capable of mastery in any craft they desire disregarding a slight talent advantage. All it takes is work ethic, continuous studying, and practice. At this point I don't doubt if I can be any good at jiu jitsu. But what I do want to prove and look for in myself is if my passion is real enough to make me persist through the ups and downs in the market place. I understand business is not easy, especially in the martial arts market.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is growing so fast these days. A blue belt used to be a commodity, maybe 15 years ago. Nowadays there are more black belts than ever out there opening up gyms in major areas.
Where do you live?
The only areas you'd have a chance of attracting people would be small towns where there is zero MMA/BJJ presence.
Working part-time at a BJJ gym as an assistant instructor, maybe teaching kids or something would be a good idea. You'd be in the industry in a semi intern-level. I've heard of blues teaching in a gym for free tuition. It's win-win and you can see a lot more about how the business side works. Deal with the billing/marketing parts of the business as well.
That way you can continue to grow your BJJ game and marketability.
I know a guy who opened a BJJ/fitness gym as a purple belt. The BJJ program grew like wildfire over the years but a huge component of the school was the "MMA Fitness" program. Basically circuit training with heavy bags, kettlebells, battling ropes etc for an hour in a group session. Moms, dads, fighters, grapplers, tons of different people attend this class and tell their friends about it, more people sign up...Now I go to his gym and it's a straight-up army of homegrown purples and MMA fitness addicts.
Best of luck. If I were you I'd focus on getting my CPA and valuable pieces of paper while getting better at BJJ, earning rank and working in the industry in ANY WAY you possibly can.