Jiu jitsu gives you the challenge you need, not the challenge you want. One reason it provides so much personal growth is because we cannot hide from ourselves, jiu jitsu’s demands, and the truth BJJ mirrors. For true change and true growth, we must clearly see who we are in […]
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 […]
Not all women want to learn jiu jitsu, but it would be safe to say that a large percentage of women want to learn self-defense. The great thing is, not all self-defense is physical. In fact, self-defense starts as a mind-set, not on the mats . You don’t need to […]
This is a phrase that is often heard among jiu-jitsu practitioners implying that their participation in jiu-jitsu has similar effects to going to therapy. While these effects can definitely be experienced, it is important to clarify the distinction between something being therapeutic, which is when something has a healing or […]
“Why didn’t I do better?” “I should have done this instead of that.” “…not good enough.” “Why am I even doing this?” Chances are, if you compete, you have said something along these lines to yourself. The more invested you are in competition the higher the stakes feel, so the […]
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 […]
If you have been training in this sport for a while, grinding away at improvement, chances are you’ve felt burnt out from time to time. As much fun as this sport is, sometimes working so hard with such intensity can leave us feeling frustrated, tired, and thinking of quitting. If […]
As I write this, I am an experienced purple belt making my way to brown. I highlight this to ensure that I am keenly aware that I have much to learn and that my thoughts and growth in the future may differ from present thoughts. Additionally, if you read […]
My first journal was a yellow legal pad that I stole off my dad’s desk, which I wrote on with the Bic pen from my mom’s checkbook. I still remember her digging around in her purse for it a few days later when it was time to pay the mortgage. […]
They say that age isn’t a number, but an attitude. If that’s the case, then Elaine Beiersdoerfer knows how to age well. At 72, and a grandmother of seven, this blue belt may be better known as the Jiu-Jitsu Grandma. Elaine started jiu jitsu at the age of 69. […]