I am just starting too. I find it pretty damn scary but I have been digging deep in the feelings department and doing amazing work. I have uncovered some really big feelings I have been suppressing. With each day of emotional progress my sciatica subsides.
Just an observation based off my own experience but I know a lot of powerlifters and a lot of BJJ/MMA folks. All of us, very kind people who know how to turn on the aggression and then theoretically how to turn it off when we are off the platform and the mat. But in my case, I wasn't turning off the aggression, I was just squashing it down until the next time I lifted or got on my own (karate) mat. Now that I am taking a lot of time to quietly tap into my feelings I am unmasking all sorts of stuff and actually dealing with it. When you tap into it for sport you are using it, maybe releasing some of it, but not addressing it.
I also know athletes who have addressed the raw emotions and they are even better competitors for it. They are tapping into a positive competitive energy and the natural strength and agility of the human body.
You will get back on the mat and it will be amazing!!! I am off to the gym to do some modified weightlifting (I know Sarno would advocate for me to just jump right in but one thing I am learning to listen to my own authentic self and what feels right for me is to get back into it slowly.) I am not afraid I will not lift again. I will be lifting by November 11/24. I went from no sports to competitive lifter and karate at 35 years old. One year. No one is taking that away from me. I just feel like I need to get back to it at my own pace. One day at a time. Let's keep touching base with each other. We started the program at the same time and we both have an intense love of a pretty aggressive sport.
Keep on keeping on.