JM28601x2's blog

Since childhood I’ve checked out wrestling matches and imagined myself as one of the fighters… whether pro, ufc, or matchups on Watchfighters. Yet I never pursued that dream.

At 54, 270lbs I started training BJJ. No experience no sports training at all… just years and years of moving furniture. Pretty clear a pro or UFC career wasn’t in my future, but some fun grappling was for sure. Sweaty man to man grappling and fun matches was my goal. Watchfighters??? While I don’t mind filming matches and love pictures … I’m not a content creator. I wrestle for sport. Not as a competitor but competitive. My matches are for fun no matter the style. I can go more rough and intense or just horseplay, down and dirty or learning and teaching. It’s about finding myself and fulfilling that childhood wrestling dream.

But there’s a catch… stop chasing artificial highs. Understand that you are valuable and worthwhile. Know the difference between “can’t” (let’s wrestle IF we can work out a meeting) and “won’t” (I would never wrestle someone your size. Etc Etc Etc).

When all you see are muscle studs wrestling and getting matches over and over. New videos almost weekly, or traveling from city to city like they’re on a wrestling tour. You can’t help but want that too. Who wouldn’t… they’re handsome, sweaty, and wrestling! WOOF! But if you don’t fit into their business model or want to contribute financially… don’t expect much. In fact don’t expect anything. Are they all like this? No… some are genuinely good guys.

Over the last year I’ve had some incredible matches and opportunities… private local matches, limited travel to nearby cities and hosting friends, even a trip to Wrestlefest NYC. I’m very fortunate to have connected with some great friends who believe in sharing their good fortune in the wrestling community. Plus new friendships and tons of incredible matches and memories. 

So what’s my point? Know your worth! 

Now 64, 230lbs still training BJJ, still grappling with limited travel. What’s changed? I’m still old and overweight (and plan on getting older and continuing to work on myself) I believe in myself, and my abilities. I’m fun, enough, and worthy. Understanding my value, my values, that I’m good enough, and not chasing those artificial highs.