Why I’m Writing About BJJ and Spirituality in 2025 (And Why You Should Ignore Imposter Syndrome Too)
I’ve been wrestling with a question lately: why am I writing about spiritualism and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
It’s not an obvious combination. I’m definitely a beginner in BJJ—just a blue belt who’s been training for about two years. I’ve been writing about jiu-jitsu for a while now, but I’ll be honest: I’ve struggled with serious imposter syndrome. Who wants to read anything from me as a beginner?
I started safe. I wrote about things I felt qualified to discuss—how to pick a school, common mistakes people make, my journey starting BJJ at 68, the older person’s perspective. Topics where my experience, not my belt rank, gave me something to offer.
But then something shifted.
When Two Worlds Collide
I began noticing aspects of jiu-jitsu that intersected with my spiritual practices. Breath control. Breathwork. The mental game. These connections felt natural but I wasn’t sure they warranted writing about.
Then I attended a plant medicine ceremony about a month ago.
I came back with profound insights about myself—who I am, how I think about myself, how I care about myself. During the integration process, as I was writing down thoughts and realizations, I found myself thinking and getting excited about getting back to BJJ practice.
Suddenly, it hit me: aspects of my jiu-jitsu training directly intersected with my spiritual practice. The concept of surrender was the most obvious one—it had been a big part of my ceremony and was a major takeaway for me. So I wrote about it, drawing directly from my ceremony notes and months of mat experience.
I shared it with a few people. The response surprised me. People connected with it. Several asked me if I had posted it yet. Immediately, imposter syndrome crept back in: “How many people are really out there interested in both BJJ and spiritualism? Who am I to bridge these worlds?”
The Realization
Then I realized something important: it doesn’t have to be someone who’s as deep as I am in both jiu-jitsu and spiritual practice.
Maybe it’s the BJJ examples that help someone struggling on the spiritual path who has no interest in BJJ “get it.” Maybe it’s someone in BJJ who’s looking for help to smooth out the ups and downs from all the challenges BJJ throws at us.
The list goes on, but the point is: I can draw those correlations because I’m living them.
Why Imposter Syndrome Is Missing the Point
Here’s what I’ve learned about imposter syndrome in writing: it makes us think we need to be the world’s foremost expert to share insights. But that’s not what people want.
We want authentic experience. We want someone who’s figuring things out in real time and sharing what they’re discovering. We want the connections that only come from being genuinely engaged in the messy, imperfect process of learning and growing.
My blue belt perspective isn’t a limitation—it’s an asset. I remember what it feels like to be overwhelmed by new concepts. I’m still close enough to the beginner’s mind to translate insights in accessible ways.
The Intersection Is Where the Magic Happens
The most valuable writing often comes from unexpected intersections. When someone from the business world writes about BJJ, or when a martial artist explores consciousness work, or when a 70-year-old blue belt connects ancient spiritual principles to modern grappling—that’s where fresh insights emerge.
These crossover perspectives offer something you can’t get from staying safely in your lane.
Permission to Be a Beginner
I’m going to continue writing. I’m going to continue publishing. I’m going to continue loving myself and being happy that the work I’m creating is just as much for me as it is for anyone else.
Because here’s the truth: the intersection of BJJ and spiritual practice has transformed both areas of my life. If writing about these connections helps even one person see their own practice differently, or gives someone permission to explore an unexpected path, then it’s worthwhile.
And if it doesn’t? Then I’ve still created something meaningful for myself, documented my own journey, and practiced the vulnerability that both spiritual work and martial arts require.
The Real Question
The question isn’t “Who am I to write about this?”
The question is “Who am I not to share what I’m learning?”
If you’re sitting on insights that bridge different worlds, if you’re seeing connections others might miss, if you’re worried you’re not expert enough—consider that your beginner’s perspective might be exactly what someone needs to hear.
The world has enough expert opinions.
What we need more of are authentic voices sharing real experience from the intersection of their interests and passions.
That’s where the good stuff lives.
