06/19/2026
•STUDENT HIGHLIGHT•
Joo has been training for 2 years and has become a consistent presence on the mats. His journey is a reminder that progress often comes from simply showing up and staying the course.
We spoke with Joo about his experience and these are some of his thoughts:
One of his proudest moments came early on:
“That time I survived my first roll against a blue belt without tapping out.”
Before Jiu-Jitsu, Joo was already active, playing sports and working out regularly. Since starting, he’s developed a passion for combat sports and enjoys watching UFC, ADCC, and wrestling.
When asked how Jiu-Jitsu has affected his life off the mats, he summed it up with two words:
“It gave me two values: courage and humility.”
“Knowing I can defend myself has been a huge confidence boost in everyday life… At the same time, being regularly submitted by people better than me has kept me humbled.”
Joo’s favorite submission is the Zipper Choke, he prefers the Gi, and on tough days he reminds himself:
“I don’t like feeling lazy and sluggish. BJJ burns so many calories and coming back consistently is how I stay in shape.”
Looking back, his biggest lesson is simple:
“Honestly, not much — I’m still a white belt figuring it all out!”
And his advice for anyone thinking about starting?
“Just keep training.”
We asked Joo simply, “Why do you train?”
“Every now and then, I pull off a move I learned from Javi or picked up from YouTube — and in that moment, I know I’m getting better. That feeling of measurable progress is what keeps me going.”
That’s what it’s all about. 💪