Memphis-Area BJJ Blog
Straight-talk articles on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training, getting started as a beginner, choosing a gym in the Memphis metro, and what to expect on the mat.
Coach JD and the Shackelford's team publish practical guides for Memphis-area adults, parents, and women considering their first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class. Every article is written for real people from East Memphis to Olive Branch — no jargon, no upsell.
Latest Articles
Where to Train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Near Memphis, TN
A no-fluff guide to finding a real BJJ gym in the Memphis metro — what to look for, what to avoid, and how to spot a school worth your time.
April 12, 2025
BJJ for Beginners: What Memphis-Area Newcomers Should Know
Everything a Memphis-area beginner needs to know about starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — what to wear, what to expect, and how to survive your first month.
May 3, 2025
Junior Warriors: Kids Jiu-Jitsu in the Memphis Area — A Parent's Guide
Junior Warriors: our Memphis-area kids BJJ program for ages 9–15. How jiu-jitsu builds discipline, focus, and bully-proof confidence.
May 28, 2025
BJJ vs Krav Maga: Which is Better for Memphis Self-Defense?
Comparing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Krav Maga for real self-defense in the Memphis area — why live-resistance training beats choreographed drills when it counts.
June 15, 2025
Adult Jiu-Jitsu in Memphis: Why More Beginners Are Choosing BJJ Over the Gym
Thinking about starting BJJ? Learn why more adults are choosing jiu-jitsu in Memphis instead of a traditional gym membership, and why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a great fit for beginners.
June 24, 2026
Top 5 Benefits of Training Jiu-Jitsu in Memphis for Adults Over 30
Five reasons jiu-jitsu is one of the best fitness, self-defense, and stress-relief pursuits for Memphis-area adults over 30 — and why age isn't the barrier most people think.
July 6, 2026
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Memphis: What to Expect in Your First Class
A walk-through of your first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class in Memphis — what to wear, class structure, tapping, rolling, and what instructors wish beginners knew.
July 7, 2026
About This Blog
Real BJJ Answers For Memphis-Area Adults, Parents & Women
Every article on this blog is written for someone in the Memphis metro who is actually thinking about stepping onto a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu mat for the first time — not for the algorithm. Coach JD and the Shackelford's MMA Center team publish straight-talk guides on what BJJ training really looks like, how to pick a gym you'll stick with, what to expect as a complete beginner, how kids' BJJ builds confidence and bullying defense, and why so many local women are choosing Jiu-Jitsu over a traditional gym or self-defense seminar.
We cover the questions we hear most from parents in Germantown and Collierville, working adults in East Memphis and Southaven, and beginners driving in from Olive Branch and Horn Lake. No jargon, no upsell, no "secret techniques" — just clear answers from a head coach who has been on the mat full-time since 2008.
Start Here
New To BJJ?
If you've never stepped on a mat, start with our beginner's guide and then look at the adult program. Most readers go from "curious" to a free trial inside a week.
Parents
Researching Kids' BJJ?
Our articles on kids' training pair well with the Junior Warriors program page — what it costs, what kids actually learn, and what to look for in a coach.
Women
Self-Defense That Works
Read why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the most effective self-defense art for women, then compare with our women's BJJ page for class times and what to wear.
Fitness
Tired Of The Gym?
A lot of our blog readers used to be globo-gym members. See BJJ for fitness for why grappling builds real-world conditioning the treadmill can't.
Blog FAQ
Who writes these articles?
Coach JD and the Shackelford's coaching staff. Every post is reviewed by a working BJJ instructor — no outsourced content, no AI-generated filler.
How often do you publish?
We aim for one practical, in-depth article per month. We'd rather write one useful guide than ten thin ones.
Can I ask for an article on a specific topic?
Absolutely — message us through the contact page with what you'd like to read about. Reader questions drive most of our editorial calendar.
Do you cover other martial arts?
Mostly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but we'll sometimes compare BJJ to Krav Maga, boxing, or other arts so readers can make an informed choice for themselves or their kids.
Ready to train?
Ready to Step on the Mat?
Your first class is on us. Real Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, taught well, minutes from the Memphis metro.