In a candid conversation with Bernardo Faria, legendary jiu-jitsu coach John Danaher addresses one of the sport’s most pressing concerns: the long-term physical toll of training. Speaking just eight weeks after his second hip replacement surgery, Danaher offers a unique perspective on the relationship between jiu-jitsu and bodily wear.
The Reality of Physical Consequences
Danaher’s situation is particularly complex due to a pre-existing condition—a crippled leg that hasn’t extended properly since he was 18-19 years old. This disability created uneven stress on his body throughout his life, ultimately leading to severe osteoarthritis in both hips.
“When one part of a machine is broken it throws a lot of stress on the total machine,”
Danaher explains, noting how his lifelong limp contributed to his hip problems.
His first hip procedure at age 50 was a resurfacing operation followed by a full replacement on the opposite hip years later. Remarkably, all of his instructional videos were filmed with his first hip replacement, demonstrating that surgical intervention doesn’t necessarily end an active jiu-jitsu career.
Navigating Training with Hip Issues
When asked about moves to avoid, Danaher identifies specific problematic techniques. Takedowns involving shooting to the knees such as double legs and movements like drop seoi nage that require dropping body weight onto knees and exploding upward were particularly challenging. Interestingly, guard play was generally comfortable as long as opponents remained close though unexpected movements like cartwheels could cause discomfort.
For those facing similar issues, Danaher tried various non-surgical interventions including stem cells and PRP injections but found them ineffective for bone-on-bone arthritis.
“When it’s just bone on bone arthritis, there’s not much they can do,”
he states matter-of-factly.
Joao Miyao previously went viral for showcasing the defects in his body that came as a repercussion of longtime BJJ training.
The Honest Assessment
Danaher doesn’t sugarcoat the reality:
“I think it’s fair to say if you spend a lifetime in jiu-jitsu, by the time you’ve come off the mats at the end, you’ll definitely have some stories to tell your grandkids about what happened to you along the way.”
He acknowledges that serious practitioners will accumulate “mileage” over their careers.
However, he maintains perspective noting that heavy commitment to any activity comes with costs.
“Like everything in life, if it’s worth it, there it comes at a heavy price,”
Danaher concludes, ultimately affirming that despite the physical toll the journey remains worthwhile.
His experience demonstrates that while jiu-jitsu may indeed challenge your body over time, proper medical intervention can allow dedicated practitioners to continue their passion even after significant procedures.
