For many people, the first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class can be overwhelming. New positions, unfamiliar pressure, and the feeling of being trapped underneath another person can quickly trigger panic.
For actor and comedian Kevin James, his introduction to BJJ was no different.
Now a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt, James recently spoke about one of his earliest training experiences during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience. What he described was far from a comfortable introduction to the sport.
During one of his first classes at Beverly Hills Jiu-Jitsu, James found himself underneath a training partner who was controlling him chest-to-chest. His face was pressed into the other person’s gi and chest, making it difficult for him to breathe.
James explained that he had no idea how to respond.
“I couldn’t breathe. I didn’t know what to do so I reached up and I was like grabbing his throat… I was panicking.”
Even though he tried to play it cool afterward, James admitted that the panic was real. He felt trapped, unable to breathe, and close to tapping simply because of the pressure.
That feeling is something many people experience when they first begin Jiu-Jitsu.
Learning to Stay Calm Under Pressure
One of the biggest lessons BJJ teaches is how to remain calm when you are uncomfortable.
A beginner may feel that being pinned underneath someone means there is no escape. Breathing becomes faster, muscles tighten, and instinct tells you to fight as hard as possible.
But as students continue training, they begin to understand the positions.
They learn when they are actually in danger, when they can relax, how to create space, and how to escape using technique instead of panic.
Joe Rogan pointed out during the conversation that even experienced competitors can tap from heavy pressure or smothering positions.
James summed up the sensation very simply:
“I feel like I’m drowning. It’s scary.”
And for a beginner who doesn't yet understand what is happening, it absolutely can feel that way.
From a Difficult First Class to Blue Belt
What makes Kevin James' story especially relatable is what happened afterward:
He kept training.
That uncomfortable first experience didn't stop him from continuing Jiu-Jitsu, and today he has progressed to the level of blue belt.
That's an important reminder for anyone considering trying BJJ.
Your first class doesn't need to be perfect.
You may feel uncomfortable.
You may get tired quickly.
You may not understand the positions.
You may even panic.
That's part of learning something completely new.
Over time, the same situations that once felt overwhelming become familiar. You learn to breathe, think, defend yourself, and make better decisions even while someone is putting you under pressure.
That’s One of the Real Benefits of Jiu-Jitsu
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu isn't only about submissions and techniques.
It teaches you how to become comfortable in uncomfortable situations.
Kevin James' first experience may have started with panic, but his journey shows what can happen when someone stays with the process.
From feeling like he couldn't breathe during one of his first classes to becoming a BJJ blue belt — that's progress.
And sometimes, the person who feels the most uncomfortable on Day 1 is the same person who eventually discovers just how much Jiu-Jitsu can change them.
Thinking about trying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? Don't judge the experience by your first few minutes on the mat. Give yourself time to learn, breathe, and enjoy the process.
See the interview here: "Joe Rogan and Kevin James"