Roberto Atalla is one of the finest Jiu Jitsu black belts teaching in Europe today. This legendary BJJ instructor and former World Champion is one of the founders of the Rio Grappling Club, an academy that has been producing some of the best European grapplers for the passed few years (more info on Atalla on BJJheroes.com). In 2014, Roberto Atalla dropped an interesting statement on his Facebook account about Jiu Jitsu not being for everyone which is something worth reflecting on. This statement is still very much relevant. Here it is:

“No, Jiu-Jitsu is not for everyone. It is for anyone that is serious about doing things right, but not for the faint hearted. It is a perfect sport for older people if they understand their limitations and work around them. It is perfect for unfit people if they just commit to improve their atributes at their own pace, it is also perfect for anyone that can be humble enough to take punishment and come back next day. But most people give up and the World is full of people looking for quick fixes and shortcuts. Listen to me, if you do not understand commitment and perseverance, regardless of what people told you, BJJ is not for you.

Selling watered programs of our sport is just a way to make quick money for some bastards, but coaches with integrity know that to be taken seriously, BJJ needs sparring and more sparring, putting yourself out of your comfort zone, accepting defeat and learn to win, respect and persistence, and we all know that most people will quit in the first months or year. No, BJJ is for all those who are not shy of working hard and again for the rest of their lives, and the rest of you can stay lazy watching TV on their couches.”