Trivium's Matt Heafy is now a Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt

Trivium vocalist Matt Heafy began his journey in Brazilian jiu-jitsu a decade ago, and as of this weekend, he has earned the sport's blackbelt honor. Indicative of advanced technical and practical proficiency, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu recognizes its black belt holders as "professor" or "coach" within the discipline.

Heafy laid out his journey in an Instagram post saying:

03-13-13 was the first day for me in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. BJJ did not come easy for me… in fact - it was one of the most difficult undertakings I'd ever started in my life. For the first year - I wanted to quit - but despite that. I'd go 5+ days a week - multiple hours a day.

It didn't make sense for the first 3 years. I didn't retain what I needed to for the first 5 years. But still - I stuck with it and put in the time. Year 6/7 - it started to make sense. Year 8/9 - I felt I started finding my groove (finally).

Year 10. The black belt is not the end. It's the beginning.

Thank you to every person I've ever trained with, learned from, lost to; my family and friends for their support; my teammates; my academy… but most importantly: my professor Gutty. Gutty, you changed my life; you've made every one of your students' lives better.

Here's to the next 10 years.

My advice to all of you. Start BJJ. Now.

🎥 @blackcardfilms