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Decades ago - which, for many of you, means before you were born - it was hard to find someone who knew exactly what Brazilian jiu-jitsu was. You'd mention it, and they'd look at you like you spoke a different language (well, you did) or you had just sneezed. Then you'd have to explain it, then answer any number of follow-up questions. 

These days, it's hard to find someone who doesn't know. Your barista? Has a cousin who trains. Your taxi driver. That's the thing that Joe Rogan guy does. The police officer who gives you a warning for getting a little loud leaving the pub? She does it, too. 

Both the number of practitioners and the knowledge of BJJ has spread far and wide. But the knowledge of BJJ's roots? Not so much. At least not beyond some cursory understanding that the Graice family had something to do with it. Well, we're here to fix that... 

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In the world of jiu-jitsu, promotions aren't governed by a strict calendar, and even the IBJJF ranking guidelines are merely that... guidelines. Ranking up in BJJ can happen anytime, reflecting individual progress and academy preferences, rather than some universal timeline. However, many academies tend to organize promotions semi-annually, typically once during the summer and once during the winter, with organized celebrations to commemorate those who were deemed "ready for the next level." 

As we approach the summer promotion season, we figured we'd give a little insight in how to keep on track toward your next belt. Here are some practical tips: 

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If you've been training for any amount of time, you should know the big four of the IBJJF: Euros, Brasileiros, Pans and Worlds. Last weekend we saw some of the sports top athletes battle it out in the third of those: the Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championships. 

If you missed it, you better catch up on FloGrappling, because it was jam-packed with excellent jiu-jitsu. We saw crazy scrambles, beautiful technique, emotional victories - and defeats - and a mat full of shared love for the gentle art. 

For us, the most exciting part was seeing some of our Kingz athletes hit the top of the podium! Here's who did it... 

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Jiu-jitsu burnout is an unavoidable part of the jiu-jitsu journey. At some point in your progress - multiple times even - you will get burned out.

Jiu-jitsu burnout can be just mental, or it can be both physical and mental. Maybe you've had one too many successive injuries and you fear getting another one. Maybe you find yourself looking down at your keys, trying to convince yourself that you need to go. Maybe it's become too easy to find an excuse to "go tomorrow." Whatever the case, it's a loss of passion, and it's a scary feeling... especially if you've invested all this time, energy and money into it. 

The good news is that you can manage it. What's important is that you catch it early and know how. Here are three considerations that should help...

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Competing can be stressful. But do you know what's even more stressful? Figuring out where and when to compete... and trying to cram it into your already busy work and social calendar. 

However, it's the planning part that will eventually make the competing part less stressful. Trust me, I know. 

If you're already an avid competitor, you know how it goes... you set out at the beginning of the year with all these goals, but then, somehow, things don't happen as you had envisioned. If you're not already a regular competitor, maybe you don't even have the first idea about where to start in planning your jiu-jitsu competition season. 

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