Lex Fridman is an AI researcher and host of the Lex Fridman Podcast, is known for his proficiency in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ).
He is a black belt in BJJ and has competed against some of the best in the sport.
However, according to Fridman himself, the black belt was not the most challenging belt for him to earn. It was, in fact, the brown belt.
Fridman told Andrew Huberman brown belt was the biggest promotion of his life.
Fridman’s Journey to the Brown Belt
Fridman earned his blue and purple belts through hard work and dedication. He competed in tournaments regularly and won several matches against black and brown belts. However, when he reached the brown belt level, the competition became much tougher.
Why the Brown Belt was So Challenging for Fridman
According to Fridman, the brown belt was the most challenging belt for him to earn because of the level of competition he faced. In BJJ, there are several weight divisions, and the number of competitors in each division can vary greatly.
When Fridman competed in the World Championships as a blue and purple belt, there were around 140 people in his division. This meant that he had to win multiple matches in a row to earn a medal.
However, at the brown belt level, the competition became even more intense. Fridman had to compete against other purple belts who were young, hungry, and had no other commitments in life.
They were typically in their mid-twenties, shredded, and had incredible cardio. They could dedicate themselves to their training two or three times a day and maintain a strict diet. These competitors were usually taller and bigger than Fridman, making it harder for him to take them down.
Fridman had to go through through many tough matches to earn his brown belt.
He was up against some of the best young competitors in the world who were eager to make a name for themselves in the sport. Fridman had to rely on his technique, skill, and experience to come out on top.
