As a parent we all want what is best for our children. We want to provide them with as many opportunities to learn, grow, and develop into their best possible selves. By exposing them to a wide variety of activities they can find outlets that will aid them in living […]
It takes a certain type of woman to forge her path in what is considered to be a man’s world, but when it comes to the business world and being on the mats, Ann-Marie Bernitt is boss. Her petite structure and sweet demeanor will have you fooled. But make no […]
Brazilian jiu jitsu (hereafter bjj) has become a wildly popular and fun, competitive sport. While the origins of Jiu Jitsu date back to Japan centuries ago, its integration and evolution have drastically changed to what it is today. While it may be a male-dominated sport, there’s several reasons to suggest […]
I don’t do it for the patch on my back, I don’t do it for my professor, and I don’t do it for my teammates. I don’t do it for the podium, I don’t do it for the medals, and I don’t do it for the fans. I don’t do […]
If you are part of the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community, it is most likely that you have heard the name Yvone Duarte. Yvone made history in 1990 as the first female to earn a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt. In 2021, after training for 43 years and being a black belt […]
Well, you did it! You put your hand to the plow and didn’t look back. You got your ribs popped and your knuckles swollen, and you survived. You passed the tests, calmed your nerves, and although you’re exhausted, you earned your new belt!. If you are like me, the first […]
Training with a chronic illness can be a challenge, a challenge I am familiar with. I live with two chronic illnesses — endometriosis and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Both of these illnesses make training BJJ hard at times. Neither of them are curable. There are treatments that make both […]
When I was training BJJ, Muay Thai, and also boxing competitively, I never felt like there was time for cross-training. I was already at the gym six days a week. How could I possibly fit another workout into my day? My time as a competitive jiujiteira, Muay Thai fighter, and […]
Wondering what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is all about? Curious to give it a try, but know next to nothing about it? Don’t panic. We all start somewhere! This article will give you a tiny peek into the world of Jiu Jitsu and why so many women are growing to […]
We all know the cliche. Those who do not learn from the past… So in that vein, here are two scenarios I was totally clueless about when I was less experienced, and the lessons I have learned from them. It was not about me. Here’s a shocker. The big white […]