Pan Ams 2016 – Mike Anderson Photography

I actually joined Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by chance in January of 2015. I walked into my first gym, Paragon of Dallas, after seeing an ad on Groupon for a month long kickboxing class. This started by chance on the Monday after I watched my first UFC fight, UFC 168, Silva versus Weidman. That fight was one hell of a way to become an MMA and UFC fan. Throughout the prelims and the fights leading up to the Silva/Weidman fight, one of my best friends explained the sport to me, and more specifically shared his passion for jiu jitsu. I already knew it was something I wanted to learn more about. Before and during my kickboxing class I saw the ongoing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu class, and I knew I had to try it.

The Beginning

Dallas Open 2015 – MMAWIN

The next day, I tried jiu jitsu for the first time. They actually didn’t have a gi that fit me, so I used a way too large gi top and sweat pants I had worn to the gym to my first class. As ridiculous as I felt I was still excited to try it. I learned my first sweep (one I still use to this day), and from that moment on I was completely hooked; there wasn’t another kickboxing class in my future. I then started going to jiu jitsu classes every evening, and for a while multiple times a day. During my lunch break I would drive over to the gym, get 5 rolls in, and then head back to work. I had the BJJ bug, and could not possibly get enough of jiu jitsu. After a rotator cuff injury 3 months in, I took 9 months off and restarted jiujitsu in December 2014. Since then I haven’t stopped training.

For the first three years I trained under Alex Martins at Alex Martins Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Dallas, TX at Oakfit. I followed my main coach, Alex Martins do Nascimento from Paragon of Dallas when he started his own gym in February of 2015. I also trained under Vin Abadie and Lucas Pinhiero while training under Alex Martins. In October of 2017 I moved to the Seattle, Washington area and joined Foster Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and I currently train under multiple Master World Champion, James “300” Foster in Kent, Washington.

For more information about my gym, see the My Gym page.

The Next Step on my

Purple Belt Promotion – June 2018

Journey 

I was promoted to the rank of purple belt by James “300” Foster on June 6th, 2018.  I am unbelievably humbled and honored to achieve this next step along my lifelong journey, and see this as a stepping stone and growing phase. Under James Foster I teach both the kids classes and fundamentals class, starting to really push myself to give back to others during this journey. I have also started to ref for different organizations to help represent women in a different way on the mats.

I try to compete about once a month to truly assess my progression. For me, I find tournaments give me the motivation I need to progress with my short-term goals while maintaining realistic long term goals. I believe that having short term goals and long term goals in Jiu Jitsu help maintain positivity and direction in achieving your dreams.

Growing Up  

2011 Wisconsin Waterski & Wakeboard Team

Throughout all of my life I have been very active, growing up a sort of a tomboy and starting both team and individual sports at a very young age. With this, I have always had an ultra competitive side, which I like to think as a positive characteristic. Growing up, I tried numerous sports from gymnastics, swimming and diving, basketball, tae kwon do, softball, competitive figure skating, tennis and anything and everything in between.

During high school I was on the swim and dive team and softball team, along with snowboarding in the winters and wakeboarding in the summers. During college I was on the University of Wisconsin Waterski and Wakeboarding team along with intramural court and sand volleyball teams. Each year I still find time to snowboard in Colorado; some passions you never let go. Looking back, it’s no wonder I felt so drawn to jiu jitsu, it holds a lot of aspects of the sports I had grown to love so many years ago.

WBJJF Southern Regionals 2015 – Mike Calimbas Photography

Family

Jiu jitsu has become an integral part of my life. When I’m not training, I’m writing about it, journaling what I learned in class or looking at youtube videos. When I’m not writing, I’m thinking about it, and even dreaming about it at night. It has not only become important to me, but also my family. I am a proud mother, and my daughter is starting to love jiu jitsu as much as me. She comes with me to class, and is starting to train with Coach Foster. In fact there’s are times she keeps me honest and will tell me I have to go train.  She is an integral part of why jiu jitsu means so much to me. The changes I saw in myself both physically, emotionally, and mentally are indescribable. If she has a chance to experience even a fraction of that, I know it will help her grow and succeed in life.

Why Women Who Roll

The very first time I rolled with a girl, was during my first tournament after three months of training. For the majority of my training, I have been the only adult female who trained. Even now, there are days where I am the only woman in attendance.  I was lucky enough to find an incredible coach and gym, that encouraged me and pushed me to stay in Jiu Jitsu and helped protect me from those who don’t have my best interest at heart, but I know everyone does not have that. Through Women Who Roll I want to help promote and encourage more women to step on the mats, and stay on the mats. By fostering friendships and creating a forum just for jiu jitsu women, I am hopeful that we can continue to see an increase in female practitioners and competitors. One of my long term goals, is to have a sponsorship program, to try to help women be able to afford to train and compete.

Contact us at: contact@womenwhoroll.com

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