Was talking with a couple students the other day and one of them asked me:
“Where did you even train when you started?”
Funny thing is… my first 3-4 years was probably 75% on grass and the other 25% on an army base.
I started around 14 back in 2006. This was way before BJJFanatics, YouTube instructionals and all that stuff. My brother and I basically learned from the old Gracie Combatives DVDs with the 36 techniques and did the online blue belt test thing they had back then. Looking back at it now, total scam hahaha.
My brother passed it. I failed one chapter.
You had to do all 5 perfectly.
I did my first tournament only knowing those techniques. Half of them were basically self defense against punches, but somehow I still won all 3 matches by RNC.
Later my brother started working full time in the army and I kinda hit a crossroads in life. Ended up going to the US to train and learn from different coaches like Kyle Watson, Scott Ross, Eddie Bravo and Marcel Louzada.
That was honestly the first time I experienced what real gym culture was. Proper warmups, breakfalls, shrimping, structure, all that. Before that I was just figuring things out as I went.
But I was always kinda nomadic with training. I liked moving around, visiting gyms, learning different styles from different people.
At the same time I was a huge gamer. Still am honestly. Back in the early WoW days I was insanely competitive and I actually think gaming helped my jiu jitsu a lot. Learning metas, studying systems, trying weird stuff before everyone else. I still approach jiu jitsu like that today.
After the US I moved to Copenhagen and started training at Siam, where I’ve been for 12 years now. Been head coach there for the last 8.
Honestly it felt weird settling down somewhere after moving around so much. Teaching people felt even weirder at first.
I just kept training and studying the same way I always had.
From like age 21-27 I barely competed. Coaching took most of my energy and I didn’t really care much about competing at the time either.
Then after my first knee problem I kinda had this feeling of “fuck it, I should really try.”
By then I was already a brown belt. Winning NAGAs felt huge to me at the time. Then later after I got my black belt I realized I had never done ADCC Trials or an IBJJF major even though I always wanted to.
I think doubt held me back a lot honestly. Never really having a coach or mentor guiding me made it hard to believe I belonged at that level.
But eventually I ended up winning IBJJF Europeans No Gi Adult and taking 2nd at ADCC Trials in 2024.
Just felt like ranting a little this Thursday.
Just because your gym hasn’t produced champions yet doesn’t mean you can’t be the first one.
What made you guys start jiu jitsu?
Many hugs
Kasper