5 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Judo (at 40)

I didn’t grow up doing judo. I stepped on the mat at 40—already a parent, already tired, and already wondering if I’d made a mistake.

Spoiler: I didn’t. But I did learn some things the hard way.

If you’re new to judo—or just wondering if it’s “too late”—this one’s for you.

1. It’s not just hard—it’s awkward.

I expected hard. I didn’t expect to feel like a giraffe trying to wrestle underwater. Judo is weird at first. The grips, the closeness, the rules, the bowing. It takes time to stop feeling like you’re doing it wrong.

But awkward is part of the path. Embrace it.

2. Your body will freak out—and then adapt.

My wrists hurt. My neck hurt. My shins looked like a judo-themed crime scene.

No one told me that learning judo meant moving in ways I hadn’t moved in 20 years - or maybe never.

But eventually, your body catches up. Strength builds. Grip improves. Falls hurt less. Just don’t expect instant results. This is earned adaptation.

3. Progress isn’t always visible.

Sometimes you throw better. Sometimes you just panic less. Sometimes the only progress is that you still showed up.

Judo doesn’t hand out gold stars every week. Progress is quiet, messy, and often internal.

4. You don’t have to be invisible to be respectful.

For a while, I thought being a “good student” meant staying quiet, staying small, bowing often, and never speaking up.

But silence doesn’t equal respect. Good questions, effort, and presence do.

Don’t shrink to fit someone else’s idea of humility.

5. You’re not behind—you’re just on your own path.

If you started late, you’re not the only one. If you took time off, you’re not broken. If you feel like everyone else is ahead of you, they’re probably feeling the same.

There is no race. There’s just the decision to stay in the fight.

I don’t wish I started earlier anymore. I’m just glad I started. And if you’re here, wondering if you should, too—this is your sign.

You’re not too late.

You’re just getting started.

Welcome to GGG.

You belong here. You grow here.