Joey ‘Coco’ Diaz is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blue belt under Alberto Crane in 2016. However, he is best known for his comedy, acting and funny stories. Being a regular guest and friend of the Joe Rogan podcast, he has something of a cult podcast and people who love his stories and humor.
For those wondering, Diaz overcame a life of drug addiction and BJJ is his favorite form of exercise. With this said, whilst he may not be the best practitioner ever, he is proof that anyone can do it and benefit from the mental and physical aspects of the art.
In a podcast conversation with MMA fighter Mickey Gall, Diaz professed his love for BJJ and said “I love it. I’m so bad at it and I love it. I am hooked like a drug addict, I think that if I don’t go I can tell the difference on stage and at home. I go and get choked out. Let’s say I do a good thing, but get kicked five times. I focus on what I did good, man. I leave there feeling great. I don’t focus on when I get choked out by a 26 year old kid.”
He also talked about his introduction to martial arts after a life without grappling where he had to learn from scratch, saying “I never wrestled before, so it was from scratch. All those muscles that you developed, so the first year was getting my elbow strong, learning to get up on my knee. I had panic attacks being on the bottom”
Not only this, but Diaz is a big fan of warm ups which is common among older, less athletic hobbyists, he stated “I’m 54. The warm up is as long as the workout now. If you don’t warm up you’re going to pop something. I’ll stay in this fundamental class until I’m 90…I’m an old man” he continued “When I go I dread it, but when a come out if a car hits me god forbid he’ll bounce off me, that’s how you feel because you overcame the hardest part of the day”.
With this said, it’s clear that to Diaz, BJJ is more than a physical workout. To him, it represents a place where he can go and enjoy. Not only good for his body, but BJJ also helps calm his dread at bay. This prompts the question which is often posed by BJJ practitioners, that if everyone practiced BJJ then the world may be a more happy and calm place.
