strength in solidarity


Humans of Martial Artist

Martial arts have been a part of human culture for thousands of years. From traditional to modern, self-defense to sport, meditation to combat, martial arts continue to evolve.  Two martial artists, Sunny Prosser and Tess Malpas of Humans of Martial arts, aim to deeply discover not only martial arts but also […]


Training With Your Significant Other

  Not everyone has trouble training with their significant other and that’s wonderful.  I’m genuinely happy for them. I am not one of them.  I am one of those, that no matter who wins or loses the match, or who is drilling the move while the other is the dummy, […]


The Last Belt

If you ask most people what their BJJ goals are not everyone will say that they want to be a world champion…but damn near most of them will say they want to get their black belts. But is there really anything special about getting your black belt?  Do we put […]


It’s Never Too Late To Embrace The Jiu Jitsu Addiction 3

On March 22nd, 2019, Sandi Duquette and Susan Gordon faced off in a monumental match. They were at the IBJJF Pans at UC-Irvine, and faced off in a Women’s Master 7 blue belt bout. Sandi and Susan began the match sizing each other up, each trying to take the other […]


It Was Never Going to Be About the Sparring…..

When I started jiu jitsu, I saw women’s cross training as a way to get better at competition (our bodies have a different center of gravity than guys, other women are less likely to “take it easy” on another woman, someone in the same weight class, etc).  I didn’t go […]


Inspired By The Next Generation 1

 

Once you become a parent your life is forever changed. You take on a life-long job of loving, protecting and supporting your kin. Our influence as parents encourages our children, but often they end up inspiring us as well. Christy Synan’s daughter Hailee did just that. Ten years ago Christy was motivated by watching her youngest daughter Hailee train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

“I remember thinking ‘Wow! She’s really a tough little lady!’” Christy said. “The more I educated myself about jiu jitsu, and watched a few other women train, I decided I must try it. Once I hit the mats, I never turned back.”

Fast forward 10 years later and Christy and her husband Kevin, who is a Roberto Traven black belt, now own Fighting Chance Fitness in St. Augustine, Florida. Jiu jitsu is a family affair. After taking some time off, her daughter Hailee returned to training regularly and competed for the first time in nine years at the Atlanta Winter International Open. Her other daughter, Aubrie, also trains occasionally to keep up on her self-defense skills. And her son Julian is a partner in the academy.

“I believe that people become complacent with their lives and accept limitations,” Christy said. “Jiu jitsu will open doors that most people don’t realize were even there — let alone closed. It allows a person of any age to push through and past the most difficult of mental and physical barriers.”

Christy says she has become healthier, happier, and more confident and focused through jiu jitsu. Although Christy is a firm believer in the benefits of jiu jitsu, she says the one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for all females. She believes that you have to listen and learn what each female is looking in their training.

“Everyone’s journey is different and a lot of the time people don’t even realize they are missing something until it is introduced to them,” she said. “I always address that the camaraderie of your fellow jiu jitsu family is unparalleled.”

 

Author:

shamako3

 Shama Ko

Girls in Gis staff writer

Shama Ko is a brown belt with Gracie Humaita out of Austin, TX.  She has been a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner since November of 2003.  She is a photographer, writer, community organizer and activist. She heads the Girls in Gis organization or as she calls it the “movement”. She describes herself as both a lover and a fighter. She loves to laugh and not take life too seriously.


The Further I Go, The More I Want to Keep Moving

There are many rising stars coming out of the Lone Star state. Among them are brown belt Chelsah’ Lyons of Marcelo Garcia Dallas. Chelsah’ is on the fast track to making a name for herself with in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community. Since her start in 2010 she has been […]


You Can’t Beat Me-Natalie Whitson 4

What will the story of your life reveal? In the end can you honestly say that you lived life to the fullest and grew from your experiences? Throughout our lives we all take on many roles and live through many adventures. We all go through the natural evolution of life […]


Don’t Be a Jiu Jitsu Hoarder 1

You think the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community is small, let’s go back 80 years and you’ll realize just how small it really was. If you trace all the lineages back you’ll find that it all started under one roof and with one family. At first there was one academy where […]


The Modern Day Wonder Woman-Jessica De La Garza 2

In this busy world we live in we can sometimes get lost in the chaos. We struggle with finding balance and keeping our heads above water. However among the chaos there is always a select few that manage to calmly juggle the world on their shoulders and never miss a […]