Celebrities who train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are a hot topic. Many believe that their training sessions are not up to par with even the most lenient of academies and that they don’t engage in live rolling at all. This has put a target on the backs of some BJJ celebrities – most notably those who have attained higher belts without any social proof.
One common target is Ashton Kutcher, who has attained the rank of brown belt and was once quoted by his coach, Rigan Machado, as being able to ‘defeat Conor McGregor.’ Recently, there’s also been talk in the news about Gisele Bündchen, who allegedly earned her purple belt in a staggering two years under her rumored new love interest, Joaquim Valente.
Anthony Kiedis is the legendary frontman of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He is known for his energetic performances and commitment to fitness. However, one physical discipline he ultimately walked away from was Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
In a recent podcast appearance on Joe Rogan Experience, Kiedis revealed that he tried BJJ three times in his life but eventually quit due to the intense physical demands and his overly competitive nature. Despite admiring the philosophy of the Gracie family, who emphasize a “playful” approach to learning the martial art, Kiedis found himself unable to fully embrace that mindset.
“I was so competitive that I got home and realized there is no skin on my feet from the mats,” he admitted, describing his tendency to rely on brute force rather than technique. This muscular approach not only led to injuries but also hindered his ability to truly learn and improve.
The key to mastering BJJ, according to Kiedis, is to adopt a more relaxed and playful mentality, acknowledging that tapping out or being submitted is part of the learning process. However, his intense drive to win every exchange prevented him from fully opening up and taking the necessary risks to progress.
“If you just always try to win every time, you’re not going to learn. You’re going to be too tense. You’re not going to open yourself up. So you’re not going to take chances or you’re not going to learn as much,” he explained.
While Kiedis respects the art of BJJ and acknowledges the benefits of a more playful approach, his competitive nature ultimately proved incompatible with the mindset required to excel in the discipline.
Instead, he has chosen to channel his physical energies into other pursuits, such as surfing, cycling, and his high-energy performances on stage.
