In a dusty lot a group of us stood around after the third day of ECQC in Fuquay-Varina, NC about 12 years ago, while Craig Douglas (Southnarc) talked about what we had covered over the preceding days. One of the things he mentioned was that a goal should be to earn at least a blue belt in Brazilian jujitsu. So after returning home, I began to seek out a place to learn. My first gym that I was at for about a year closed and a fellow member asked me to join a group training in his garage. That's where I met and began to train under Professor Sharon. There I earned a blue belt about 5 years ago. A pandemic happened. We kept on training. We moved to another garage, and then a teammate asked if I wanted to come and train in nearby Jonesville, less than 10 minutes from my retail store.
September 14 I was deeply humbled and amply blessed to be awarded my purple belt by Professor Sharon Schleif(Rigan Machado 2nd degree black belt).

I'm 66 years old, 142 pounds. I get crushed regularly by teammates that are a third my age. I keep coming back, week after week because I love jujitsu. I honestly never thought I'd be able to train long enough to get here. New belt means new goals. Now comes the long road but now seemingly not impossible journey to brown.

My Professor and I
Purple Belt cropped by Brad Benzing, on Flickr

My teammate Kira earned her blue belt the same day.

Brad and Kira favorite by Brad Benzing, on Flickr

Big congrats! A very difficult art to rank in, I'm told.

Congrats Brad, much respect.

That’s quite an achievement - congratulations! All your hard work is being rewarded!

Congratulations on your excellent achievement!!

Wow what an incredible accomplishment. Congratulations!

Dedication, determination and perseverance. Big congratulations to you, sir.

Congratulations Brad. Tell those young dudes you have a 239 under that outfit.

Well done Brad! Very impressive.

Congrats, Brad! I'm very happy for you.

Congratulations, Brad. That's a real accomplishment.

Congrats! (don't mess with Brad)

I now dub you Bradzilian jiu-jitsu.

Well done to you both!

Congrats man! Just got my first stripe on my purple not long ago. I'm 5.5 years in and 43. I spend around probably 7-8 hours on the mats every week.

I absolutely SUCK at BJJ. But god do I love it. Study of mechanics, frames, levers, angles, and timing is really all it is. But god it's the hardest thing i've ever tried to learn.

That’s an amazing accomplishment! It is keeping you flexible as well.

Congrats Brad. You are not just another pretty face. Really, good on you.
Rod

Congratulations sir. Well done.

Well done. A great accomplishment.

Congrats!