I started BJJ at 12 and at first it was just a fun way to get out of the house, but it has quickly become one of the most meaningful parts of my life. Not only is the exercise incredibly important, the self defense helpful, and the sport naturally confidence building, I have found my most significant relationships because of it. The community within my gym is something truly special. All of my favorite people are there. I am incredibly blessed to belong to that community and train with those amazing people. BJJ and grappling has also changed the way I view challenges. I believe I can do hard things because I CAN. That confidence is something I never had before and it follows me everywhere I go. As a woman, i think grappling is so incredibly special. The nature of grappling is completely different from any other sport. It’s just you on the mat while competing, but you are never alone. You can’t blame the losses on anyone but yourself. Losing is hard. You leave your dignity on those mats. Getting tapped out in front of your friends and family is humiliating and I think these factors are what make the sport so good for your brain. You have to learn to deal with loss all the time. You have to learn to roll with the punches and stand back up. You have to rewire your brain to compete. The confidence gained is unmatched. Training BJJ and wrestling and competing has made me a better, more confident, more ambitious, more grateful, and more functional person. It is truly unlike any other sport (except wrestling and mma and other combat sports). I recommend it for everyone especially women and children