Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is the “gentle art,” you say? Ask anyone who has trained for a bit and they probably have an injury story to tell you. What happens after that injury? How do you get back in the saddle after getting sidelined? While I’m no expert, I’ve learned […]
When I first started BJJ, I was fairly thin, mostly because I was always on a diet, always trying to lose weight, and always adding workouts to my week or minutes to my workouts. When my first coach suggested that I try to cut some weight for a competition, […]
The women’s movement in Jiu Jitsu has grown tremendously. We’ve gone from having “a women’s division” to having close to the same divisions as men when it comes to belt, weight and age. There are more and more women’s organizations offering open mats, seminars and camps. More and more academies […]
In any sport having a phenomenal instructors and coaches can make all the difference. An athlete with just raw talent can only get so far without guidance. Having someone that believes in you can shape the course of your entire life. A strong support system builds confidence and will create […]
If you don’t know Professor Kristina Barlaan, allow me to introduce you. Quick BJJ stats: she is a decorated world champion, a Caio Terra black belt, and Jiu-Jitsu instructor who travels tirelessly 2 hours per day in traffic to teach her classes and run Inspire: All Female Open Mats. But […]
When we open our minds and our hearts it will lead us on adventures that allow us to have experiences that can sometimes change us. We can learn things about ourselves and others. It can alter who we are, our values and make us reexamine our priorities. Allowing ourselves to […]
In Western society we are taught that failure isn’t an option. Often times our value is measured by the level of our success. We must succeed at everything we do and accept nothing less. The pressure to succeed can often times be catastrophic. In cultures like Japan where failure is […]
Many turn to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the physical benefits, but what we don’t discuss openly is the benefits it has for helping those with mental health ailments. Up until now the fight has been fought alone silently. But thanks to movements like Submit the Stigma, headed by Erin Herle, […]
The effects of bullying is not something that can be outgrown.The abuse and torment can cause deep rooted issues leaving scars that carry over to adulthood. Learning to build confidence and self esteem are two of the biggest bully deterrents. But easier said than done, right? The trick to learning […]
Even in this big world we live in it is easy to feel alone in our struggles. The challenges of life can often cripple us, make us frustrated and sad. Reaching out and finding others that have or are going through the same experience won’t take away the pain, but […]