In the Jocko Podcast, Willink’s talk show, the ex-SEAL discusses his journey from white belt to black belt. Despite his natural talent and athleticism, Willink trained for approximately ten years before he attained his black belt. Still, the sport of BJJ prioritzes personal growth over comparative technical ability, which means it takes a long time to attain the different belt ranks in BJJ. Willink rose through the BJJ belt ranks steadily, no doubt because of his military training and steadfast discipline. Willink credits Jeff Higgs with reintroducing him to BJJ after military retirement.Willink began his BJJ studies under Fabio Santos.Willink began BJJ during his military service in Iraq.

At the gym, Willink would resume his BJJ training, honing the arts of mounts, grapples, and submissions. Willink’s frustration with his inabilities led him to join the BJJ gym that Higgs was attending. Jeff Higgs, also a San Diego resident, had found a BJJ gym and was training regularly. Willink recalls sparring with Higgs a number of times and losing every match. Seemingly by chance, an old friend from the SEALS, Jeff Higgs, visited Willink and asked him to spar. Willink’s appreciation for BJJ never diminished, but his active training in the martial art stopped with his military service. In October 2010, Jocko Willink retired from military service and returned home to San Diego, California. Willink remained a blue belt for five years. During his service, Willink would earn his blue belt under Santos. Willink continued to practice BJJ during his multiple tours of duty in Iraq. Under the tutelage of Santos, Willink began to learn the tenets of BJJ and hone his craft.

The master chief’s grace, finesse, and brutality captivated Willink who was still fresh to active combat and viewed BJJ as a way to maintain his mental and physical fitness. In 1992, Willink was introduced to the sport of BJJ by a SEAL master chief. Fabio Santos trained under Rolls and Rickson Gracie, two of the most revered disciples in the sport. Willink became a student of BJJ under Fabio Santos during his military service in Iraq. John ‘Jocko’ Willink is a retired Navy SEAL officer, author, entrepreneur, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) black belt.

Jeff higgs