Jiujitsu is for Everyone…. Or is it ?

Hey Team,

You’ve probably heard that saying a million times: “Jiujitsu is for everyone.” Posters, social media, self-proclaimed gurus… it’s everywhere. And on the surface, it sounds great. It’s inclusive, it’s inviting, it’s motivational. But let me be real with you for a second: I don’t think that’s completely true.

Don’t get me wrong—everyone can do Jiujitsu. People of all shapes, sizes, ages, and fitness levels rolling on the mat, learning techniques, and getting tapped out over and over again. I’ve seen different social groups train and mould together that wouldn’t necessarily would in normal social circles. I’ve seen adults start in their forties and still absolutely crush it in ways they never imagined.

But here’s the catch: not everyone wants to do it.

And that, I think, is a more accurate statement.

Jiujitsu is demanding. It’s mentally exhausting. It’s physically taxing. It asks things of you that most people aren’t prepared to give—time, effort, humility, resilience, and yes, a fair bit of ego checking. You get choked, you get armbarred, you feel like you’re failing constantly, and yet, somehow, you keep coming back. That’s not “for everyone” in the sense of easy or effortless. It’s for the people willing to do the work. The people who are willing to fail repeatedly in order to grow. The people who realize that a 10-second armbar today is just the start of a journey that could take months, even years, to escape consistently.

Let’s break this down a bit.

1. Physical readiness isn’t the barrier.

I’ve trained with people who were overweight, underweight, tall, short, weak, strong, flexible, inflexible… and they all found ways to make Jiujitsu work for them. Adaptations, technique tweaks, strength-building exercises—there are solutions for almost every physical challenge. If you’re worried that you’re “not athletic enough” or “too out of shape” to train, let me be clear: that’s a mental block, not a physical one. Your body will catch up to your commitment; your mindset will dictate how far you go.

2. Mental readiness is everything.

This is where “Jiujitsu isn’t for everyone” really starts to show its teeth. You have to deal with frustration, failure, and constant learning. You will get tapped. A lot. You will roll with someone who seems 100 steps ahead of you. And if you’re not ready to manage that, if you’re not willing to embrace discomfort, Jiujitsu can feel brutal. But—and this is key—if you are ready to embrace it, the rewards are incredible. Confidence, mental toughness, problem-solving, focus, and even a kind of joy that comes from figuring out a puzzle with your body in real-time.

3. Ego is the real enemy.

Everyone walks in thinking they’re going to dominate, only to discover very quickly that they’re at the bottom of the food chain. Ego gets bruised every day on the mats. But here’s the beautiful part: learning to deal with that ego, to check it at the door, to accept being vulnerable and making mistakes… that’s not just Jiu Jitsu—it’s life. If you’re unwilling to humble yourself, Jiujitsu will be frustrating. But if you can, it becomes a journey of personal growth unlike any other.

4. The community makes the difference.

You’ll hear people say, “It’s just a martial art,” but it’s really a social experience too. You train with people, you help each other, you push each other, you celebrate each other’s successes, and you commiserate over failures. That camaraderie is one of the hidden gems of this sport. And honestly? It’s one of the things that keeps people coming back even when the mats have kicked their ass.

Now, why am I telling you all this?

Because I want you to understand the truth: Jiujitsu is not magical. It won’t change your life if you half-ass it. It won’t suddenly make you stronger, fitter, or more confident just because you show up once a week and hope for the best. But if you put in the work, embrace the challenge, and keep showing up, the transformation is real—and it’s profound.

So when you hear people saying, “Jiujitsu is for everyone,” remember this: it can be for everyone, but it won’t be for everyone. Some people will try it, decide it’s not for them, and that’s okay. And some people—like you—will dig in, wrestle with the discomfort, and discover a version of themselves they didn’t know existed.

And here’s the kicker: the people who stick with it, the people who show up consistently, who tap out and get back up, who ask questions, experiment, and embrace the grind… they’re the ones who find that it’s more than just a martial art. It’s a teacher, a challenge, a playground, a life coach, and a therapist all rolled into one.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Yeah, I want that,” then keep showing up.

Keep rolling. Keep learning. And if you’ve had days where you think about skipping class, remember: growth happens outside your comfort zone. The mats are waiting for you, and every class is a new opportunity to push a little further.

Finally, a quick reminder: whether you’re a kid starting out in the beginners’ program, a weekend warrior in the adult Gi classes, or an advanced student exploring the finer details of technique, Mahara Jiujitsu is a place where effort, curiosity, and persistence matter more than anything else.

Your journey is yours—no one else’s—but every single person here is on the same path of growth and discovery. And that’s what makes this place special.

So, the next time someone tells you, “Jiujitsu is for everyone,” smile, nod, and think to yourself: “Yes, it can be… if you’re willing to do the work.”

See you on the mats,

Adz