Al Bundy Got a Black Belt (No, Seriously)

It took Ed O'Neill 16 years to achieve the BJJ black belt.

Hey there,

You probably know Ed O’Neill as Al Bundy from Married with Children.
You might even know him as the dad from Modern Family.

But here’s something you probably didn’t know...

And he didn’t get it because he’s famous. He earned it the hard way—just like the rest of us.

It all started with a free trial class back in the late ‘80s.

He walks into the Gracie gym.
Rorion Gracie says, “Try to escape mount.”
Ed—230 lbs—thinks it’ll be easy.

It wasn’t.

That moment humbled him.
But instead of quitting, Ed came back the next day.
Then again. And again.

age 58, Rorion tied a black belt around Ed’s waist.

Now he’s in his 70s and still training. Still rolling. Still learning.

His advice?

"Leave your ego at the door. Rest when you need it. And don’t try to keep up with the 20-year-olds."

Started at 42. Black belt by 58.
Still showing up today.

If Ed O’Neill can do that? So can you.

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