I actually started with kickboxing after I had some issues with safety in college. I had a few negative experiences and felt like I needed to learn how to defend myself in some capacity. Eventually I had some of my friends in kickboxing ask me why I didn’t do BJJ. I couldn’t answer so I gave it a shot and I was soooo uncomfortable at first because it’s so opposite of how you usually interact with people. Every instinct I initially had was opposite of what the sport was. But for some reason I stuck to it and for the past 6 years it’s been the one constant in my life.

For me it turned into more than self defense or a good workout. It’s a community where I have met some of my closest friends and people from all walks of life who I probably would never have had the chance to know if I didn’t do jiu jitsu. When I have a bad day, or I’m stressed or sad or upset, I know I can go to my gym and be with people who feel like a second home. It’s also a challenge physically and mentally. In jiu jitsu you have to push yourself and there are so many reasons people find to quit. It has made my confidence grow, it’s helped made me mentally stronger, and physically stronger too. I could go on and on about how much I love it and how I think every woman should try it at least once! I guess in short it’s just become my favorite thing and what gets me thru the bad times