It seems like everyday a new celebrity is donning a gi and training BJJ. From Ashton Kutcher, Demi Lovato to Usher, Tom Hardy and Vince Vaughn Jiu Jitsu has truly captured Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Another celebrity that may have caught the BJJ bug is Wolf of Wall Street star Jonah Hill.
Does Jonah Hill Train BJJ?
Jonah Hill does train BJJ and started the sport in November, 2018. He trains regularly attending Jiu Jitsu class 4 to 5 times a week.
Jonah Hill has been chronicling his BJJ journey on his Instagram. With his first post in January, 2019 showing the actor sporting a fresh navy Shoyoroll Gi which matches nicely with his white belt (first rank in BJJ).
In the caption Hill detailed how he started first training Jiu Jitsu in November, 2018 and has quickly fallen in love with art, training 4 to 5 times a week. Hill said he always appreciated the beauty of the martial art.
The caption also celebrated Hill receiving the first stripe on his belt. Stripes are like mini promotions in BJJ. A practitioner will typically earn 3 or 4 stripes before being promoted to the next belt.
Why Does Jonah Hill Train BJJ?
Jonah Hill was first introduced to BJJ in high school and appreciated the beauty of the sport. However, he never trained as his bullies would use BJJ to torment the future actor. His appreciation of the sport remained and led to him starting Jiu Jitsu at 35.
Jonah Hill’s BJJ story is more interesting than the average celebrity training story. Hill explained on his Instagram account that during high school the kids who trained BJJ would use their skills to bully him.
He said even though he appreciated the sport and thought it was beautiful, the fact that his bullies trained BJJ prevented him from ever trying the sport.
Hill said as he has matured he has tried to overcome his insecurities and live a more fulfilled life. This has led to him trying things he thought he never would, such as BJJ.
Jonah Hill appears to be battling trauma from his childhood and it is great to see him getting out of his comfort zone and pursuing BJJ. Jiu Jitsu should help him lose weight and increase his confidence, two things the actor has publicly talked about struggling with.
Where Does Jonah Hill Train BJJ?
When in New York Jonah Hill trains at Clockwork BJJ under black belt Josh Griffiths and when in Los Angeles he trains at Meraki BJJ and is coached by UFC legend Kenny Florian.
Like many actors Jonah Hill splits his time between Los Angeles and New York. When in New York you can find Hill hitting the BJJ mats at Clockwork BJJ in NOHO, Manhattan. This is where Hill first started training Jiu Jitsu back in November, 2018.
When the superstar actor is in Los Angeles you can spot him training alongside UFC veteran Kenny Florian at Meraki BJJ in Santa Monica.
These are two great academies and Jonah Hill is sure to be getting some great instruction. If he keeps training consistently he will soon be a BJJ master.
Is Jonah Hill Good At BJJ?
Jonah Hill is a beginner in BJJ. The actor even talked about being submitted by a 12 year old his first week. However, his coach UFC veteran Kenny Florian is impressed with his skills and dedication. Hill has earned 2 stripes on his white belt, edging him closer to being an intermediate practitioner.
Jonah Hill may be a master at playing different roles on the big screen but when it comes to the BJJ the actor is still a novice.
BJJ is a difficult martial art and takes years of consistent practice. Jonah Hill detailed on his Instagram how during his first week of Jiu Jitsu he was submitted and beaten by a 12 year old.
As Hill has only been training for 2 years he is still a white belt and a beginner. But don’t let his white belt fool you. His former UFC fighter and high level black belt coach is impressed by the actor’s skills and dedication.
Jonah Hill has currently earned two stripes on his white belt which means he is proficient in the basics of Jiu Jitsu and has enough skills to handle an untrained attacker in a fight. So underestimate him at your own risk.
What BJJ Belt Is Jonah Hill?
Jonah Hill is currently a white belt under Kenny Florian and Josh Griffiths. He has been training BJJ for a little over 2 years now and if he stays consistent with his training he should receive his blue belt in the next year.
Jonah Hill is a white belt in Jiu Jitsu. White belt is the first belt that all BJJ students wear. It symbolises that the practitioner is new to the sport.
Typically BJJ students are whitebelts for 1 to 3 years. With most practitioners earning their blue belt after 2 years of consistent training.
As Jonah Hill has now been training BJJ for a little over 2 years (he started in November, 2018) he should receive his blue belt in a year or so.
A blue belt symbolises that a BJJ student is an intermediate practitioner and would be a very impressive feat for the star actor.
Conclusion
Jonah Hill is the latest big time celebrity to become obsessed with BJJ. Hill has been training consistently for over 2 years, attending gyms in both LA and NY as much as 4 or 5 times a week. While the actor is still a white belt if he keeps training hard he should receive his blue belt in under a year.