What the BJJ culture is like

What’s BJJ Culture Really Like? It All Starts with You

If you’re totally new to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), it can feel like stepping into a different world—full of strange rituals, intense training, and an unspoken code of conduct that everyone seems to know... except you.

That’s why we created a new video to break down one of the most important parts of BJJ culture, especially for people coming in fresh: it’s not just about techniques and submissions—it’s about you.

In the video, we explore how your attitude, your preparation, and the way you approach the mat shape your experience more than anything else.

It’s Not a Spectator Sport—It’s a Culture You Help Create

In a lot of sports, you can just show up, follow directions, and blend in. In BJJ, it's different. This art is deeply personal. It’s a culture of respect, growth, and shared struggle. And the energy you bring into class doesn’t just affect your own journey—it affects the whole room.

• Show up prepared: Not just physically, but mentally. Are you ready to learn? Ready to lose with grace? Ready to tap and smile?

• Be humble: Everyone taps. Everyone struggles. What matters is how you carry yourself through it.

• Support others: Jiu-Jitsu isn’t about dominating—it’s about elevating the people around you, even the ones trying to choke you.

The Mat Reflects You Back

One of the biggest takeaways from the video is this: your experience in BJJ culture is shaped by what you bring into it. If you come in open, curious, and ready to grow, you’ll find a community that wants the same. If you come in rigid, closed off, or ego-driven... well, that’ll show too.

BJJ has a way of revealing the best—and sometimes the rough edges—of who we are. And that’s kind of the point.

Watch the Video

Whether you're thinking about trying BJJ for the first time or you've been training a few months and still feel like an outsider, this video will help you understand how to fit into the culture—and more importantly, how to contribute to it.