Would you wear a white belt again after been promoted as black belt in another martial art? 
 
Why do I ask this question? Because I’ve witnessed many times in which an advanced martial artist from a different art refuses to wear a white belt during jiu-jitsu class!
 
In my opinion, if you don’t do one type of martial art, you aren’t a black belt in that martial art yet, even if you have already earned your black belt in something else. Just because you earn a black belt in one thing, doesn't make you a black belt in everything! For example, you may have some special knowledge in Tae-Kwon-Do, but that doesn't give you advanced level knowledge in judo, and vice-versa. 
 
This is the case even when the art is “similar”. For example, judo and jiu-jitsu. Both are grappling, and in both you wear gi, but they are very different martial arts. The gis, the rules, and the mentality are all very different from each other. 
 
Wearing a white belt demonstrates that you are humble, especially if you already earned a black belt in a different art. I believe it also helps you to open your mind/heart to learn new skills. 
 
Many of those who refuse to wear a white belt in a new martial art are often very cocky, and are not willing to learn anything new. They are often just on the mat to show everyone that they are a “black belt”. I think this is not the right way to think and act.


The white belt mentality is important. Understanding that you can never know everything helps you to keep your mind open to absorb new techniques and skills.


Here are 7 important rules about maintaining a positive white belt mentality: 
* White belts show up on time;
* White belts always listen;
* White belts are always willing to learn;

* White belts ask questions when they want to understand things better;
* White belts are passionate and fascinated about every single aspect of the class;
* White belts are motivated everyday because they know they will learn something new and special;
* White belts recognize their mistakes. 

"White Belt Mindset = Motivation & Power of Will"


Just pay attention during the warm up... watch the white belts doing it and then take a look at the higher belts. Who has more desire to train & learn? 



What are YOUR thoughts??

I’ve cross trained multiple arts over the last decade. When I started Judo specifically, I was already familiar w/ many techniques as they are utilized in many other arts. I started as a white belt. I was familiar, but learned so many key tiny details from dedicated judoka’s. Approaching each new art you train in my opinion it is essential to go in with an open mind to learn.

Of course! I signed up for Atos Online during the lock down so I could continue to learn while the schools were shut down. Now, that we are back on the mats at my school, I continue to use your online platform to help me get a better understanding of positions & techniques.

Andre, Personally I think I wouldn't want a colored belt, especially a black belt until I earned the position. I don't think you can demonstrate the moves until you reached that skill level but this brings up another situation that I am curious about. What if a new student came in from a school that taught old school moves and he didn't know the newer moves? Do you move him down to a lower level until he knows the material or do you just let him earn his position as a black belt?

I respect that. Humility is the key to growth and seems to separate the people that move forward from those that get stuck in the past. Thanks for the quick reply, Andre. Have a good one!

I think, that if some black belt in another martial art refuses to wear a white belt again,actually shows what kind of person he/she really is. If you can not accept the fact, that in some other martial art you have no skills, you are missing the whole point of enjoying to learn a new art. Then its only about ego!
But really? How stupid one have to feel/be, standing in front of a class with a black belt on, when you have no clue what to do.