Brain says no, knees say yes.

No one gets out of this alive. Live your life.

54 and almost had my shoulder ripped out by my training partner as he didn't hear my verbal tap while in kimura lock.  Makes me question my life choices.  Back to training on Monday!!!

I'm 49 and I only roll with technique in mind and don't force anything if I don't have a real answer for the position. Tap frequently. And make sure I'm not rolling with new white belts who haven't learned to relax

Started when I came out of er for kidney failure. That was 5years ago and now my kidney got to stage5 failure. I am on dialysis but still trains. When I don’t train I am always over weight and my blood pressure is high. Weeks I do train I am always under weight and feels great. Downside is shoulder pain/knee pain and some injuries once in while

For me it's been a fountain of youth.  I started just shy of my 50th birthday, and I ramped up very slowly.  I also took up yoga informally.  I practice basic movement drills and stretching every day.  I give myself time to recover after a hard class.  When I did get hurt, I didn't stint on the physical therapy.  As a result all my joints are in much better shape than when I started.  I tap early.  I leave my ego off the mats.  I don't care if it's a white belt on his first roll, I would rather tap then get an injury I carry for the rest of my life.

If your school doesn't respect your desire to preserve your body, find a new school that does.   My school is very technically demanding, and top notch.  Yet it has a healthy culture that doesn't eat the old.

Coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, follicular lymphoma…. I’m still on the mats!!!

Good video/ make a video on hygiene before and after rolling and washing long hair also recommended products

My motto, as an old man, tap early tap often

Depends on how you train

well said - i started 46 yo - after 4 weeks my chest was busted on 5 different  places - not getting used anyone sitting on my chest... had to stop rebuild chest and get stronger... now at 48 I managed without serious injury 4 months 4x a week.

I told agree with this and think it is great advice.

After mma grappling classes my back hurts evan the next day 😂

In the old days, we fought hard and full contact.  That adds up. As a 50 year old with 30 years of Jujutsu, 14 in BJJ…. It’s rough on the body.  If you’re super gentle, never compete and are lucky enough not to have a single brutal partner or training accident, will you be fine…sure.  Most of us old guys have lots of injuries if I’m honest. Look at the best of us with clean technique and zero ego who have been practicing for decades, like Pedro Sauer.  He’s always in a new surgery for joint issues.  It’s not that he doesn’t train clean or smart.  If you do a martial art that is based on destroying joints for enough years, the results are manageable but unavoidable.  I appreciate where you’re coming from, but there is a reason we minimize mat time or leave altogether after a certain point.  The benefit to cost ratio doesn’t work the same for me anymore.   I still love it, but very little mat time now.   I’m not suggesting training is bad, but know it takes a toll and damage is expected.

The answer, without hesitation, is NO.  I've been training for almost 14 years and am a black belt.  My health from when I started to now...despite the increased age...is miles apart.  I am often embarrassed to even look at old pics of me as a white belt.

Appreciate the perspective, Dr. Diana, but I have to respectfully disagree based on long-term reality. I practiced BJJ for over 10 years, competed, and also boxed. Over the years, I trained across different gyms around the world, and despite staying in shape and understanding preparation, the wear and tear along with injuries accumulated.
About 5 to 6 years ago, I made the conscious decision to completely stop live sparring. Honestly, it was the best decision I ever made for my body and longevity.
We are all built differently, with different biomechanics and recovery thresholds. Good load management sounds great in theory, but high-intensity combat sports carry inherent joint, spine, and tissue costs over decades. My story doesn't mean it will be everyone's, but longevity sometimes means admitting when live sparring is taking away more from your body than it give back.

Of all the practitioners you've seen what % would you say follow these 3 rules? Having the strength base, properly rehabbing their injuries and doing RTS protocols, and having good long-term planning

I got into practice jiujitsu were 17 years old and now I'm 55 years old and practicing every single day. Obviously I have some injuries but I can handle it. Oss

I seem to have an issue where my knees will lock in certain positions. Already had 2 surgeries on the right: a simple meniscus shave and later a bucket handle repair. Neither fixed the locking. I had to quit because it’s threatening my career.

Doctors don’t know why my knees are locking. Any tips or advice? Would an in person consult maybe help? I’m willing to fly there.