You're Never Too Old to Be the Worst Guy in the Room: Why I Started BJJ at 43
I've spent most of my adult life in the fitness industry.
Coaching people. Building workouts. Teaching strength training. Helping busy adults get stronger, leaner, healthier, and more confident.
I'm comfortable in a gym.
I know how to train. I know how to coach. I know how to push myself.
Then I walked into a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy at 43 years old and realized something pretty quickly.
I didn't know a damn thing.
And honestly, that's been one of the best parts of the entire experience.
Why I Decided to Start Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu After 40
As we get older, it's easy to get comfortable doing the things we're already good at.
We stick to familiar workouts, routines, hobbies, and environments.
Nothing wrong with that.
But I think there's something incredibly valuable about putting yourself in a situation where you're a complete beginner again.
For me, that was Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
I wanted to learn a new skill, challenge myself mentally and physically, and experience something completely outside my normal fitness routine.
Not because I needed another workout.
I already train plenty.
I wanted to learn something that I couldn't just muscle my way through.
And BJJ will humble you pretty quickly.
What Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, commonly called BJJ, is a grappling-based martial art that emphasizes technique, leverage, positioning, control, and submissions.
Unlike traditional weight training, you're constantly responding to another person.
You have to think, react, adjust, and problem-solve.
And when you're brand new, you spend a lot of time realizing how much you don't know.
That's a good thing.
BJJ challenges your coordination, body awareness, endurance, and ability to stay calm while learning something difficult.
It's also a skill that takes time.
There aren't many shortcuts.
My Experience at Alliance Jiu-Jitsu North Scottsdale
I started training at Alliance Jiu-Jitsu North Scottsdale, and it's been an awesome experience.
My coach, Gio, has been incredible.
And I don't say that just because he's my coach.
He's knowledgeable, patient, detail-oriented, and genuinely good at teaching.
There's a huge difference between being great at something and being able to teach it to someone who has absolutely no idea what they're doing.
Gio can do both.
As someone who coaches people professionally, I appreciate that more than most.
He's able to explain the little details that make a huge difference, correct mistakes without making you feel like an idiot, and create an environment where you're comfortable asking questions.
The entire experience has reminded me how important good coaching really is.
Alliance also offers adult Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes in North Scottsdale, making it a local option for people who want to learn martial arts, develop new skills, and become part of a training community.
Learn more about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Alliance Scottsdale.
Being a Beginner Is Good for You
Here's something I wish more adults understood.
You don't have to be good at everything.
You don't have to walk into every room knowing what you're doing.
You don't have to protect your ego every time you try something new.
In fact, being willing to look inexperienced is one of the best ways to keep growing.
At 43, I'm perfectly comfortable being the least skilled guy on the mat.
I'm there to learn.
I'm there to improve.
I'm there to get a little better every time I show up.
That mindset applies to just about everything in life.
Your career. Your relationships. Your health. Your fitness.
Nobody starts as an expert.
What BJJ Has Taught Me About Fitness
One of the biggest things I've noticed is how different being strong is from knowing how to use your body in a completely unfamiliar environment.
You can lift weights, have great conditioning, and still get absolutely worked by someone who understands positioning, leverage, and technique.
Strength matters.
Conditioning matters.
But skill matters too.
And that's been a fun reminder that there's always another level of learning.
It's also reinforced how valuable strength training, mobility, and recovery are when you're participating in a physically demanding activity.
At Jeremy Scott Fitness, we help busy adults build strength, conditioning, and healthier habits that support the activities they actually enjoy.
For some people that's hiking.
For others it's golf, basketball, running, or playing with their kids.
For me, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has become another reason to keep building a strong, capable body.
Is 40 Too Old to Start BJJ?
Absolutely not.
You can start learning a new skill at 40, 50, or beyond, provided the activity is appropriate for your health and physical abilities.
But you need to approach it intelligently.
You're not trying to prove you're the toughest person in the room.
You're trying to learn.
That means listening to your instructors, communicating with training partners, respecting your limitations, and understanding that recovery matters.
BJJ is a contact sport and injuries can happen, so good instruction, controlled practice, and appropriate training intensity are important.
You don't need to be in elite shape before trying a beginner class.
You do need to be willing to learn and start at a level that makes sense for you.
Why Every Adult Should Try Something They're Bad At
I think a lot of adults stop challenging themselves because they don't want to look inexperienced.
They don't want to be uncomfortable.
They don't want to fail.
But there's real value in doing something difficult where the reward isn't immediate.
You learn patience.
You learn humility.
You learn how to take coaching.
You learn that progress comes from showing up repeatedly, even when you're not very good yet.
That's a lesson that carries over into the gym and just about every other area of life.
Want to Try Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in North Scottsdale?
If you've been thinking about trying BJJ, I'd encourage you to check out Alliance Jiu-Jitsu North Scottsdale.
Ask about their beginner-friendly adult classes and current introductory trial.
And if you meet Gio, tell him Jeremy sent you.
Just don't expect to walk in and be good at it on day one.
That's part of the fun.
Want to Get Stronger for Whatever Life Throws at You?
If your goal is to build strength, improve conditioning, lose body fat, or simply become a healthier and more capable human, that's what we do at Jeremy Scott Fitness.
Our Scottsdale group training and personal training programs are designed for busy adults who want real results without spending hours in the gym.
Whether you're getting ready to try a new sport or simply want to feel better in everyday life, having a solid fitness foundation matters.
Explore our Scottsdale group training and personal training programs.
You don't need to be the best guy in the room.
You just need to be willing to walk into the room.
Make Success Mandatory.
Jeremy Scott
Jeremy Scott Fitness
7750 E. Redfield Road, Unit D106
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
