Getting that first stripe on their white belt is a tremendous feeling for many BJJ students. It may even feel better in some ways than getting a blue belt, but that could be my opinion.

The first stripe is just a piece of tape, but it, in many ways, validates a person’s effort, time, and participation in the art. It may come as a result of a first competition or attending a seminar. The stripe may indicate knowledge of a set of criteria and passage from the fundamentals class to the next level.  

For myriad reasons, the first stripe lets us know we are moving forward, progressing, if you will.

I recently received my first stripe on my black belt. The first stripe indicates three years as a black belt. For me, though, it felt eerily like getting the first stripe on my white belt.  

The black belt is called “shodan” in Judo because it is the “beginner” rank. In many ways, I thought of getting my black belt in jiu-jitsu as a culmination. I have now come to see it as a new beginning. That is why I see this first stripe as progress. It does not indicate knowledge, a bunch of techniques, or gold medals.  

For me, it means continuing to learn and perfect the art. Since closing my academy and returning to being a student in the room at another academy, I’ve seen more growth in my own training. I’ve also enjoyed just being a student again. I’ve said it several times, but “ever be the student.”

On one hand, I feel like I owe my black belt to my former students who helped me get there. On the other hand, I’m thankful to my teachers and training partners in recent years. The first stripe on my black belt is for them, for continuing to push me as a student, even after thinking I had arrived or peaked. Keep growing, learning, and enjoying the process. See you on the mats.