Recent Articles
What to expect on your first day of training at a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school
Most Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) schools offer free trials. Consider this a heads up for what to expect on your first day of training. The training facility is usually called a dojo, gym or school. The training area is referred to as the mat. Some schools require you to bow before stepping on the mat [...]
I Won’t Back Down
My opponent outweighed me by 53 lbs, and was built like a brick house. A few weeks ago we competed in a new tournament called JiuJitsu4Life. I weighed in at 157 lbs ready to fight in the Masters lightweight division. I heard my name over the loud-speaker directing me to ring 3. As I approached the [...]
Digging Deep
by Jen Whether I am battling wills with my opponent to finish the armbar, finding the strength to power through the WOD, preparing to make a dynamic presentation in the board room, or dealing with a personal crisis, I am digging from the same source. The physical fitness is only a byproduct of the mental [...]
Open Mat
Amazonian Women’s Jiu Jitsu Growing Strong in South Florida! by Jen After learning of the women’s open mats in London and Girls in Gis in Texas, I hoped for the day when we would have something similar in Florida. Thank you Stephanie Dodge for making it happen. Stephanie created the Amazonian [...]
Respect the Bar. Respect the Submission.
by Jen Annie Thorisdottir, one of my heroes Time and time again I hear people say that they don’t want to try CrossFit or jiu jitsu because they are too old, too overweight or are afraid that they will get hurt. While I understand that neither sport may be right for everyone, none of [...]
My Personal Pans recap
by Jen I am still coming down from my high from the Pans. It was a blessing to enjoy such an amazing trip. Proudly I am the first student under Marcelo Meleiro to bring home Pan gold. I won the female masters blue belt middle weight division, winning two matches by armbar submission. I am [...]
The Subtleties
by Jen Someone recently commented to me that their child is getting bored with jiu jitsu because they feel like they are learning the same moves over and over again. After more thought I wish I would have explained to her that there are many nuances of the moves. Those subtleties make the difference between [...]
I am Eating Primal ( and my open letter of apology to Tom)
Dear Tom, I should have known. You’ve done it before. Years ago you suggested we take up running. I threw a tantrum every time it was time to run the track at the Y. But one day, like Forrest Gump, I wanted to keep running, keep running, and keep running. I found it therapeutic and [...]
Logan Gets a New Belt
by Jen We were so happy to see Logan get promoted to a green belt this week. Keeping up with her training while balancing a freshman year filled with honors classes, extracurricular activities and a social life, has not been easy, but she has been doing it with grace! Yes, I am one proud Mommy.
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