Fenomenal Woman Irena Preiss

03 Tuesday Sep 2013

Posted by fenomkimonos in Fenomenal Women

Tags

irena preiss, michelle nicolini, women's bjj, women's bjj poland, women's brazilian jiu jitsu

We are pleased to introduce you to our next fenomenal woman, Irena Preiss, a 26-year old brown belt from Krakow, Poland. She is a pedagogy student, follows vegetarian lifestyle, and loves art and cats. She is one of the few female referees in MMA and BJJ in Europe. Read more about what she has achieved so far, and what she wants to do next. Everyone meet Irena Preiss!

How long have you been training BJJ and where do you train now?

I started training in 2003 in my hometown Stargard under coach Tomasz Stasiak from Berserker’s Team. When I saw BJJ for the first time, I was shocked: two guys sweating and laying on top of each other! But then I saw someone tap to a choke, and I decided to try it. It was much different from what you see today. We did not have much knowledge but we loved training, and Tomasz was a super talented coach. After a while I moved to Szczecin and things started moving fast under Piotr Bagiński’s coaching. I won Polish Nationals in 2005, silver at ADCC European trials, and gold at the IBJJF Europeans in 2006 as a blue belt.

Unfortunately, in 2007, at the European Championship I suffered a serious back injury. I could not feel my legs for a few hours. I was forced to quit any kind of sports for two years.

I came back early in 2009 and had the honor of representing Poland at SportAccord Combat Games in Beijing in 2010 where I placed second. I had very successful 2010 and 2011: gold at FILA Europeans, gold at the 2011 Worlds, silver at IBJJF Europeans as a purple belt and qualified for World Pro in Abu Dhabi at Warsaw trials.

Since then I have had ups and downs, I’m recovering from an ACL injury and I focus more on refereeing. Now I live in Krakow, and train at Grappling Krakow under Maciej Szczudrawa.

Did you do another sport before jiu-jitsu and what does your family think of it?

I have always been a very active person. I ran, played basketball and volleyball but nothing as serious as jiu-jitsu. It was just for the pleasure of being active. My other great passion is sailing, probably because of my father who is one of the best sailors in Poland. Now I’m also starting to like CrossFit a lot.

This is actually funny, my parents didn’t know that I had started training. My mom was really scared and thought that BJJ was a hard combat sports and that I would get badly injured in training. I had to hide my training gear outside of the house. After a while she accepted my passion. Now my parents are my biggest fans, they even went to the European Championship with me.

What is your favorite tournament so far? Favorite submission?

The best tournament I competed at was SportAccord Combat Games in Bejing, in 2010. They had the whole show on the Olympic Arena and was very well-organized, it was 110% professionalism, truly outstanding! It was a pleasure to be invited to such a big event. I have never seen same level of organization and hosting again, not even IBJJF or Abu Dhabi World Pro. I did not have much experience back then, and I lacked a lot of confidence. Looking back I see the mistakes that cost me the gold medal.

Here in Poland I always compete against the same girls over and over. The good thing is that they are all very, very good. The bad thing is that sometimes at tournaments there is no-one in my category. I prepare for 3 months and then I have only one match with a much large opponent. I try to travel abroad to compete but it is expensive and depends on the sponsors.

My favorite submission is definitely the triangle. Since I started training, I’ve always tried to catch someone in a triangle. It’s for sure my strongest weapon!

Do you have a lot of female training partners? Do you have a female BJJ role model?

When I trained in Szczecin, I had the best Polish female competitors training with me, so I cannot complain about the lack of women on the mat. Sometimes I train with my good friend Marysia Malyjasiak. She is the best in Poland right now, a purple belt and a world champion. She is heavier than me but girls move differently and we always have good sparring sessions.

Like in tennis, women’s tennis and men’s tennis are two different sports. Same goes with BJJ, women move in a different way, different power. Of course the positions are the same (armbar, triangle, guard pass, etc) but it is still different.

If I have to choose one lady in women’s BJJ that I like to watch the most, I would have to say Michelle Nicolini. In my opinion, she has the best guard, nice leg locks, she can effortlessly move up and down in weight classes and still win gold medals. Luiza Monteiro has a nice style as well, beautiful tactical game, and a nice spider guard.

How did you get into refereeing? Is that something you want to do for a long time?

I consider refereeing as a duty. If you are a higher belt, refereeing is something of an obligation to your local BJJ community. I would like to believe that if some girls see me refereeing black belt finals match, they would think, if she can do it, I can also! Hopefully in the future we can see more women in the center of the mat. When guys see a woman referee, they hopefully start taking us more seriously. MMA is even harder, there are really just a few female referees, you can count them on one hand. I like it, even if it is hard. Exploring and learning new things is fun!

What are your plans for the rest of 2013 and next year?

Because of my injuries I cannot plan what will happen next year. I am trying to train and improve my game as much as I can day by day. My fiancée Maciej is helping me a lot. Even when I have a bad day, he keeps me motivated and drags me out of the bed straight to the gym :).

In October I will be in St. Petersburg, Russia, for SportAccord Combat Games but this time not as a competitor but as a referee. I will try to compete at the Polish Nationals in November and may-be sneak in some triangles!

I would like to organize open mats for girls only. The idea is to build a strong women’s BJJ community in Poland. Of course girls from other countries are welcome to join in! I will also try to find sponsors for 2014 IBJJF European Championship, and hopefully accomplish my ultimate goal – IBJJF World Championship in California.

Is there anyone special you would like to mention?

It would like to thank my sponsors DUEL Wear, MADDOG, and CrossFit Box Krakow. A big kiss to my fiancee Maciej “Sms” Kozak, my parents, and my sister Ewa. Special thanks to my coach Maciej Szczudrawa, Team Grappling Krakow, Berserker’s Team and Random Squad.

Greetings to girls all around the world who train BJJ! Girl power 🙂

Fenomenal Woman Tessa Simpson

02 Friday Aug 2013

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akatx, gracie humaita, leticia ribeiro, tessa simpson, women's bjj, women's brazilian jiu jitsu, women's mma

Our fenomenal woman for August is Tessa Simpson, a 26-year old Gracie Humaitá brown belt who grew up in Guam, and now resides in Austin, Texas. She is the proof that if you work hard and are nice, amazing things will happen. She is definitely a champion on and off the mat. Everyone meet Tessa Simpson!

Tell us about yourself.

Well, I would summarize myself as a well-rounded, and goal-oriented person. I work full-time as a web developer, and I just opened a kickboxing academy with my fiancée in December. I teach private lessons, I am a photographer, a step-mom, and spend the rest of my time training.

I am very passionate about training, and I have the same drive for being an entrepreneur. Being a business owner has been such a rewarding experience. I also find that owning a business is a lot like jiu-jitsu. It’s a constant learning and challenge, and I’ve discovered that I am really happy when I am being challenged.

How did you get into BJJ and where do you train now?

Growing up I was really close to my older brother, and usually tagged along with him. He started training jiu-jitsu, and I asked if I could try it as well. I really enjoyed it and started training consistently. This was 9 1/2 years ago, but after about 6 months of training, I tore my ACL playing basketball, so I had to take about a year off before getting back on the mat.

Now I train at Gracie Humaitá Austin. I don’t get to go as often since starting up our own business, and it depends on what I’m training for at the time. I would like to go to BJJ 4-5 times a week. I do Muay Thai and boxing at my gym, as well as crossfit with Fortitude Fitness who shares our space. So in total, I train at least 5-6 days a week and squeeze most of it in back to back in the evenings.

Did you do any other sports before BJJ?

I really enjoyed playing sports growing up, and tried as many different sports as I could. I played basketball, volleyball, soccer, ran cross-country and 5K’s, and at the time I discovered jiu-jitsu, I was a competitive paddler in outrigger canoeing. I would go from paddling practice straight to BJJ. However, jiu-jitsu was the first martial art that I practiced.

You grew up Guam, how did you end up in Austin?

I lived in Guam until I was 17, then I moved out to Texas for college. My brother lives in Austin and I had visited a university here before my senior year of high-school. We learned that by making him my legal guardian, I would be able to pay in-state tuition without having to have lived here for a year or more like in any other state. I didn’t have too much of a choice of where to go knowing that, so I ended up in Texas. Fortunately, Austin is a great place 🙂

What are the biggest challenges for you? How do you manage to stay motivated to keep training?

The biggest challenge for me is not having enough time to train and the ability to travel to bigger tournaments to compete.

I don’t ever really think about quitting. I plan on training until I physically cannot train any more. I love jiu-jitsu for so many reasons, and even if I am not competing I would still train for fun. I keep myself motivated in training by setting either small or big goals, both short and long-term. Training for competition is one goal but it’s more about just getting better, and learning a little bit each time I train.

What is your favorite tournament so far? Favorite submission?

The Worlds has definitely been my favorite tournament so far. I’ve wanted to compete at that level for so long but it was always difficult to make the trip to California. Being at the Worlds, alongside the best in the world was very inspiring. It’s funny getting a little star struck seeing people whose game you admire and study on YouTube, let alone warming up right next to them. Ultimately, having a big goal like winning the Worlds was a great motivator to train as much, and as hard as I could. I learned so much training for it, so it was still a win even though I didn’t bring home a medal.

It’s hard to say what my favorite submission is. I like catching armbars from different positions. It was nice catching a toe-hold at the Worlds for the first time in competition.

Women’s jiu-jitsu scene has changed dramatically in the past 4-5 years. What do you think of all the women’s open mats and camps?

I think women only camps and seminars are a great way to open up opportunities for girls to learn, and seek knowledge outside of normal classes. You know you can go and get good technique, and hard training without the fear of getting hurt due to the size, and strength differences. It also opens up the opportunity for girls that may not want to compete to get to see where they stand among other women at the same level from other academies. It is an excellent way to help inspire those who just started training to stick with it. Texas is a great place for women’s jiu-jitsu, almost every month there is an open mat or a seminar with a world-class athlete.

I admire Leticia Ribeiro for everything she has given to the sport, being a multiple time world champion, and creating women’s bjj camps, giving us the chance to train with her and other world champions.

Tell us a little bit about your gym in Austin. What are your plans for the rest of 2013?

We are called Austin Kickboxing Academy – AKATX and are located in East Austin, less than 10 minutes from downtown. We have a huge 6000 square feet warehouse that sits on about an acre of property, so there is plenty of parking and room for outdoor training. We offer Muay Thai Kickboxing, boxing and kids MMA. We also share some space with a crossfit program called Fortitude Fitness. We’ve been open little over 7 months, and have already built a great team and really positive atmosphere for training. We have people of all levels, including families who train together, people who have never trained any sports or martial art before, and both amateur and professional fighters for competition.

At the end of June, four of our fighters competed in a local amateur MMA event called Belts of Honorious. Next we have fighters getting ready for MMA and boxing events in fall. I will be getting back in the cage in September as well. It has been four years since my last MMA fight, so I’m very excited to be back out there and test myself!

What are your plans as a black belt?

I have not put too much thought into it as I’m more focused on getting better and becoming more of an active competitor again. I expect to be doing the same thing which is training, working, and competing when I can. I would love to teach jiu-jitsu someday but I know the opportunity will come at the right time if it were meant to happen. For now, I am focused on the learning process, and helping others when I can, even if it is on a smaller scale or indirectly through being an example of someone who works hard to achieve their goals, not only in training but also in life general.

Sue Ausman and Tessa Simpson battling it out. These ladies have had many epic battles and are always fun to watch.

Thank you, Tessa!

Fenomenal Woman Heejin Lee

08 Monday Jul 2013

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heejin lee, queen of jiu-jitsu, women's bjj, women's brazilian jiu jitsu

Our fenomenal woman series continues with Heejin Lee from Seoul, South Korea. She is the first and only female brown belt in South Korea. Heejin talks about her jiu-jitsu journey, her struggles and joys, and future plans. This is the first time we used an interpreter, and we hope nothing got lost in translation. Everyone meet Heejin Lee!

How did you get started in BJJ?

About 10 years ago I was training Hapkido but decided to quit for a little while. When I went back to the gym to train Hapkido again, I saw some people training jiu-jitsu. I met my instructor, master Suyong Lee, and asked a lot of questions. I wanted to find out more about jiu-jitsu, and try it out. This is pretty much how I got started in BJJ. Now I train 5-6 days a week, 2 hours a day. I usually do 30 minutes warm-up, 30 minutes of drilling, 30 min sparring. After that I do some more drilling or sparring.

There are not a lot of women in South Korea training BJJ? How did you manage to stay on track and not quit?

When I first saw jiu-jitsu, I just knew that I wanted to do it, and I was going to do it for the rest of my life. It was the feeling that I had when I saw it. Of course, it was really hard as the only woman training with big guys. When I was a white and blue belt, a lot of the guys were ignoring me, or trying to beat me up. But that really helped me to improve my defense, and escapes. During the last 10 years, I was off the mats for only 2-3 months because of a car accident. I have never wanted to quit 🙂

Do you compete? Do you teach?

While I was working full-time as a therapist, I would teach sometimes. Now, as I’m opening my own gym (Queen of Jiu-Jitsu), I’m going to work full-time as an instructor. I have not been able to compete a lot in Korea. There are no competitors in my category. Also, since I usually roll with lower belts, my moves are more focused on teaching, and not competing. That is the problem I have. My plan is to become an active competitor next year, when my gym is stable and running smoothly.

What are the biggest challenges for you?

As I mentioned previously, training jiu-jitsu as the only and first woman has had lots of obstacles. So many guys tried to beat me up using their strength. They even tried to slam me in sparring, especially in the beginning. These days, the biggest problem is that I don’t have any female training partners that can help me get ready for the tournaments. However, regardless of the problems I had, jiu-jitsu is a big joy of my life. I’ve always enjoyed learning and sparring, and I’m still growing!

You are the first female brown (and soon to be black belt) belt in Korea. How significant is that for you and what would you tell other ladies who are hesitant to start or continue training?

I’ve never thought of it as something special to be the first female brown belt in Korea. In the beginning, I already knew that it was my destiny to become the pioneer of women’s BJJ in Korea. As the very first woman jiu-jitsu instructor, I think I have to show that in jiu-jitsu smaller people and women can fight with bigger guys. I want people to have the courage to train jiu-jitsu by watching me.

For women who hesitate to start jiu-jitsu, I would tell them to try it! If you want to learn to protect yourself, you’d better train jiu-jitsu since it gives you the experience of the real-life situations. I don’t think solitary training can help you to improve your self-defense. Some women don’t like it because of the physical contact. I understand how they think, but once you start you don’t have any room to think about it. Try it, and you’ll realize how much fun it is.

What are your plans as a black belt?

I am opening my own gym, Queen of Jiu-Jitsu. BJJ in Korea, especially women’s jiu-jitsu is not popular. As the first female instructor, I strongly believe I can be a part of spreading and growing women’s BJJ. It’s nothing different if I become a black belt. I’ll keep working on growing women’s jiu-jitsu and changing the prejudiced views. In the United States, Europe, and Brazil there are a lot of classes, camps, and seminars for women. My dream is to make something like that in Korea. I also want to make my gym a must-visit-gym for female BJJ practitioners when they visit Seoul. Come visit my gym!

Thank you Heejin for your time, thank you Julia Johansen for the lead, and thank you Inseung Hwang for helping out with the translation!

Fenomenal Woman Kristin Mikkelson

14 Tuesday May 2013

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brazil 021, competition, hannette staack, kristin mikkelson, women's bjj, women's brazilian jiu jitsu

Our fenomenal woman for May is Kristin Mikkelson, a 24-year old blue belt to watch out for at the Worlds this year. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BBA in 2010. After working in the financial sector for a couple of years, she decided to do some soul-searching and focuses on training for now. She talks about training at Brazil-021, competing, and coming back from serious injuries. Everyone meet Kristin Mikkelson!

How did you find BJJ?

I found BJJ after I moved to Chicago in 2011. I moved here from Cincinnati for a job, analyzing real estate funds. In Cincinnati I had trained Taekwondo for a little over 9 years, and was looking to explore a different martial art. I had seen some Brazilian jiu-jitsu before and thought it would be fun. I found some places in Chicago and decided to try a class at each of them, but as soon as I visited Brazil-021 and met Hannette Staack and Andre Terencio, that was it – I was in. Training and learning kept getting more interesting and I felt the desire to compete. Soon it was all I wanted to do! Now I train 5 days a week, some days I stay for two classes, and some days I stay for one.

Do you do any other sports? Were you athletic all your life growing up?

As a little kid I was only allowed to do soccer because it was the cheapest sport and my family was a soccer family. I wasn’t that good at it, nor very excited about it but my mom’s rule was that everyone in the family had to play a sport.

I wanted to try independent sports like gymnastics or karate but was unable to until I turned 12 and convinced my mom to let me do taekwondo. I earned my black belt at 16 and my 2nd degree black belt with the World Taekwondo Federation when I was 19. I haven’t trained it since I started BJJ but would like to start again eventually.

What does your family think of BJJ?

At first my parents were a little wary of BJJ because they knew it was physically demanding, and were worried I was going to get seriously injured or ache for the rest of my life. They were also getting worried about how much I was training because they saw it taking up a lot of my time. However, now they are really supportive since they have seen how passionate I am about it. My siblings were always incredibly supportive and my little brother even started training recently back home.

How often do you compete? What’s your biggest accomplishment so far? Most memorable match?

Last year I did 3 competitions and this year have done 2. There would be more but my time out due to injury left me unable to compete as much as I would have liked. My biggest accomplishment so far in competition was winning my division at the 2012 Rio Open. It was my first IBJJF Gold, but the most important thing I took away was that I finally realized where my mind needed to be if I wanted to win.

My most memorable matches for myself are the ones that I have lost because I always think about what little things I should have done differently. My favorite one however, was the first one I won in Rio with an armbar.

Have you been seriously injured? If yes, how did you overcome the fear of coming back to the mats? Did you want to quit at any point?

In August 2012, 2 weeks after I won in Rio, I broke my clavicle in 3 places. I had to get a piece removed and the rest plated, and screwed back together. I was preparing for another tournament and got swept with my arms trapped at practice. It was painful, but more so, I was a little heartbroken because it meant 6 months of absolutely no BJJ right after I had my biggest victory.

I was very eager to get back on the mats but hesitant to do anything that would jar my arm or shoulder. A couple of times I would fall on it and immediately get stressed and afraid that I might have hurt myself. The only way to get over the fear was to keep training, focus on my goals, and try to ignore the pain and stress. Coming back was hard because I had to retrain my body and instincts just to feel normal again.

I felt hopeless and embarrassed several times, but I never wanted to quit. In the few months that I’ve been back I have won two competitions: the Chicago Winter Open and the New York Open. My teammates’ and coaches’ support are really what made those achievements possible.

You are lucky to have a great female coach, Hannette Staack. What do you like about her and training at the school?

I really am very lucky to be training with Hannette. She is a superstar women’s jiu-jitsu competitor, an amazing coach, a great person, and a good friend. The best part about Hannette’s coaching is that she knows how to teach each individual.

She knows what I need to do to make my strengths their strongest and my weaknesses better. She always knows what to say and do to keep me motivated and confident.

Each student is different and Hannette has the intuition to see exactly what we need. When I was injured, she was always there telling me that it was just a bump on the road, and I would be able to successfully compete again. Before the injury was healed, she would help me review what techniques that I could do and help me with my limitations. It’s the kind of thing that shows how much she cares about her students and I know she would do that for anyone in that situation. She and Professor Andre also promote a family and team environment where our goal is not only to get better but to see our teammates get better as well. I can’t say enough how lucky I am to have ended up with them!

What are your plans for this year?

I plan to try and compete at least once a month or every other month this year. My biggest plan is 2013 IBJJF Worlds which is at the end of May.

Thank you Kristin!

Love Mom

13 Monday May 2013

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jiu-jitsu mom, Love, Mother's Day

There is nothing like the joy of motherhood, especially when all the children are in bed. – Anonymous

Happy Mother’s Day!

Fenomenal Woman Linford Murao

17 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by fenomkimonos in Fenomenal Women

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Tags

hawaii, women's bjj, women's brazilian jiu jitsu

Our Fenomenal Woman for April is Linford Murao. She represents jiu-jitsu ladies in their 50s and proves that anyone can do it. It’s not how old you are, but how you are old. Everyone meet Linford Murao!

First of all, you have a very unique name. What’s the story behind it?

My dad’s name is Stanford, so he named my three brothers Daneford, Bradford and Hartford. When they had me, they did not know what to call me. One day my mom was cleaning out the lint trap for the dryer and had the idea, Lintford! My dad said that it did not sound girly enough, and suggested Linford. And that is how I got my name!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am 50 years old, and live in Waipahu, Hawaii. I am a wife of 28 years, and a mother of three awesome young men. I have a 26-year-old who is getting his PhD in Clinical Psychology, a 22-year-old who is in the Air Force and is completing his BA in Business & Marketing, and a 21-year-old who will be entering medical school next year to become a neurosurgeon.

I taught kindergarten for 15 years at a Catholic Elementary School and now I take care of a sweetie pie 97-year-old woman at a convent for nuns.

Where do you train?

I currently train at the Alliance Academy of Hawaii. My professor is Rex Barum who is an awesome teacher who treats all his students as equals, no matter male or female. I first started in the women’s jiu-jitsu class with 5 other women who had been training for a year or so before me, and were much lighter than me. After class I didn’t really feel comfortable and felt out of place. That’s when I decided to try the mens’ class over thirty. The only problem: everyone was 30 and under. I thought to myself, I can do this! I got my courage up and joined the class.

On the first day, my professor introduced me to the class, and everyone looked at me with a smirk. At that moment I said to myself, what in the world are you thinking, fighting with not only men, but men half your age! Being 50 and female, one would think that training with a bunch of guys would either intimidate me or they would have an attitude having to train with me, but not these guys. They are the best bunch of braddahs (local name for brothers) anyone could ask for. Now 18 months later, I’m proud to say that I am a first degree blue belt. I have the best teammates who treat me with such awesome respect and never patronize me because I’m an old lady. They really kick my butt and I love it!

How did you get started in BJJ and how often do you train?

I started jiu-jitsu after watching UFC and MMA fights. I fell so in love with the art that I started watching it on YouTube. I watched and learned lots of moves and wondered if at my age could do this. I looked around for a school in my area and found one 2 blocks from my house. So I went down to the academy, walked in, and watched for a bit before professor Rex noticed me. He asked me if I wanted to come to a free class to see if I liked it. I was so excited and agreed. After the first class I was hooked!

I try to train at least three times a week, but with my crazy life I mostly get a good twice a week training. I would love to compete but my hubby is afraid that at my age I’ll get seriously hurt. I haven’t given up on the idea that one day I’ll be there on the mat to represent all the women 50 and over!

Do you do any other sports?

Yes, I play competitive racquetball twice a week, and again my partners are men. I guess being a woman and competing against men gives me the drive to win and better myself. I also hike every Thursday with a group that started with just me and 2 others. Now it is a group of 128 members and growing. We hike all over Hawaii’s beautiful lush islands, some hikes are so extreme that I really don’t know how I do it!

What does your family think about your hobby?

Nuts! My boys just think it’s awesome that I train. They tell all their friends how proud they are of me. My husband on the other hand is so afraid that I’ll get seriously hurt and won’t be able to take care of the family. I have had an ACL replacement a few years back and about 5 months ago I tore my MCL during a racquetball tournament. I know the surgery will take me out of training for 6 months and I don’t want to stop, so I wear a knee brace and just suck it up and ice it on the bad days.

What’s your biggest frustration with BJJ and what do you like the most about it?

My biggest frustration is my knee injury. It limits me to trying only certain moves and getting a submission is not always possible. Also trying to remember the lessons that were taught the week before is frustrating, it keeps me up some nights replaying over and over in my head.

What I like about jiu-jitsu is the competitiveness, the workout, the sense of power it gives me, but mostly my teammates. They are so good to me, and I am blessed to be able to train with such awesome guys and girls.

If money were not an object, which camp or seminar would you want to attend?

I would love to go to an Inspire women’s open mat, hosted by Kristina Barlaan. I so admire her drive as a fighter of women’s jiu-jitsu and yet she is so humble. Also, I would love to go to a camp hosted by Hannette Staack or Leticia Ribeiro, they are my superheros of the 21st century, representing all the women and girls in the world of jiu-jitsu.

Is life in Hawaii really as fabulous and easy-going as we all think it is?

Well, life in Hawaii is more fabulous than you can imagine. We have lush green mountains to hike in, with the most spectacular waterfalls to swim in. We have beautiful beaches with crystal clear water and white glistening sand. We have the most breathtaking million dollar homes with beaches as their backyards. We have thousands of restaurants that serve food from anywhere on this planet.

Really, it is a paradise and I am truly lucky to live here, but with every paradise, there comes a price tag. The cost of living here is way too expensive, homes, gas, food, and clothing are 3 times higher than on the mainland. The jobs are limited and the wages are very low. So yes, it’s true, Hawaii is wonderful if you have the money. Aloha!

Thanks Linford!

Fenomenal Woman Liz Sussan

12 Tuesday Mar 2013

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liz sussan, RAINN, richmond bjj, women's brazilian jiu jitsu

Our fenomenal woman this month is Liz Sussan. She is a BJJ purple belt, vinyasa yoga instructor, manages Richmond BJJ Academy and also teaches jiu-jitsu at the academy. A few weeks ago she started a fundraising project called UNITED that benefits RAINN, and brings awareness to sexual assault. Everyone meet Liz Sussan!

How did you get into jiu-jitsu?

When I met my long-time boyfriend Eric Burdo in 2006, he was a brown belt and running his school, Richmond BJJ Academy, a BJJ Revolution Team school in Richmond, VA. Within 3 weeks of us starting to date, I attended a tournament where he was part of a 4-man super fight division. When I saw it, I really thought it was one of the coolest things to do as a sport, and I loved the idea that at a high level, these guys were constantly countering each other and trying to beat each other.

I had never played an individual sport, only team sports, and learning something that really used my whole body with detailed, precise movement intrigued me. The fact that BJJ also had serious self-defense applications in addition to being a wicked cool sport seemed radical for me as a person. I had no clue how much Eric or jiu-jitsu would change my life. At first I was taking classes 3-4 times per week, and within 3 months I had been sucked in, and have been training 6-7 days per week for 6 years.

My first experience with jiu-jitsu was actually not that positive. Eric showed me a mata-leao, but it was just the two of us, so he had to lightly choke me to show it to me. I hated it, the feeling of being choked and especially not knowing how to defend or what to do, and started thinking, “Why would people spend so much time rolling around on mats trying to choke each other?” Honestly, it’s funny to think back to now, because chokes are my favorite submissions and I think technically they are often the best choice in self-defense and sport jiu-jitsu.

How did the Midatlantic Grappling Girls start? Do you have a lot of women training at your school?

I teach a women’s BJJ class at my school twice a month and anywhere between 3-8 women come to the class. It’s not a huge program yet, but it’s growing. The MAGG started in January 2013 because of a perceived need for regular women’s training opportunities. Women’s open mats have been happening on the east coast for years, but not with regular frequency, and I thought why not pick a name and create a regular event to encourage women to train together. Through MAGG I’ve met so many new jiu-jitsu women and honestly had my mind blown by the growth of women’s BJJ. We’re trying to hold one women’s event every month and we’ve been lucky to pick up some sponsors like Amazing Grass, Fenom Kimonos, Cageside MMA, and Gi Soap!

Do you compete regularly? What is your most memorable tournament or match? Favorite submission?

I try to compete as regularly as I can. Over the years I’ve had my share of injuries and some of them have kept me from competing for long periods of time. A barrier I’ve learned to overcome is that local competition at my size and skill level is hard to find, so I had to travel more to compete. Through traveling I’ve really grown to love competing. I thrive in the preparation, and like the challenge of hard training and conditioning leading up to competition. I believe that most of the growth in my jiu-jitsu has occurred in the 4-8 week prep time before a tournament. It creates focus that is often lost when I don’t have a goal or a tournament looming.

My favorite tournament was NY Open where I competed as a blue belt. That was a transformational moment for me personally, to travel to a big tournament, do well, and have such a positive experience. That tournament sticks out to me the most because my boyfriend Eric was there to coach me and support me, and it’s the time that I decided that I really liked competing.

My favorite submissions are gi chokes. I like to play around with grips and angles, and really find them from every position. I believe the choke is superior positionally, and from a self-defense perspective, it has the ability to end a confrontation with a minimal physical damage to the other person and make it so that they can no longer attack you.

Do you go to women’s training camps or other open mats? Which one has stood out the most and why?

I’ve attend many women’s open mats, seminars, and camps over the years. I try to attend nearly every one that I can. My very first women’s seminar was Kyra Gracie seminar in 2007, and at the time it seemed like the coolest thing ever. I was a 6 month white belt and knew that what I was attending was special, and maybe a once in a lifetime chance.

I attended the very first Women’s Grappling Camp hosted by Felicia Oh, Valerie Worthington, Emily Kwok, and Alaina Hardie in Los Angeles. That was an amazing experience. I loved being surrounded by women who were as passionate about jiu-jitsu as I was. Those kind of events can be really inspirational and afterward I always return to my training with an enthusiasm and fire to train hard.

The women’s training that has stuck out the most for me was a Hannette Staack seminar at my school. We often host Hannette Staack at our school for seminars, and at her second seminar, toward the end, she pulled me to the middle of the room and told me it was my purple belt test and I needed to show everyone EVERY technique that she had taught us in that 2-3 hour seminar. My first thought “Wait, PURPLE BELT?!” and my nerves shot up, and then Hannette said she was going to be my uke for the demo! Somehow I pulled it off like a champ, going through a review of the entire seminar from position to position, and then Hannette told me she was just kidding about the purple belt and thanked me. That was a crazy mix of emotions to go through in 10 minutes.

Who is your role model in jiu-jitsu and in life general?

My instructor and boyfriend Eric Burdo is a huge inspiration to me in life and BJJ. Eric has life experience that amazes me and has created so much depth to him as a person. He works to bring that to the mats and his students every day.

Julio Fernandez, head of BJJ Revolution Team, is also an inspiration to me. He is a legend in our sport and is a 6th degree Black Belt under Carlson Gracie. Julio has a way about him that makes everyone feel special and he spreads an infectious love for BJJ. I love to roll with him because he flows and moves like a cat yet still has constant pressure.

Hannette Staack’s work ethic and dedication to BJJ is an inspiration to me. I love her focus and her desire to help students learn. I also love her style of teaching where she puts you in positions of pressure and sweat to drill the techniques over and over.

Did you ever want to quit jiu-jitsu because of an injury, frustration or lack of motivation? How do you keep going?

Injuries have been the most frustrating part of jiu-jitsu for me. Because I run our school and am surrounded by BJJ constantly, when I am injured, my injury is compounded by the fact that I can’t escape being at the school and being reminded that I can’t train. To get through this, I go out onto the mats for class, sometimes dressed out, sometimes not, and I actively participate in learning even though I can’t drill the moves.

There have been two instances where I came back to the mats better than before my injury simply because observing class and other people drilling helped me to see what I was missing in the movements or understand something from a different perspective. I think this is one of the biggest lessons I can convey to people reading.

I think jiu-jitsu enthusiasm can lead to burnout and I try to check in with myself every week on this. When you’re competing a lot, or even just serious about BJJ, it’s easy to overdo it. First, I definitely listen to my body. If I’m too tired or banged up, I take a day off. That’s about injury prevention. Second, if I get sucked into some kind of negative thought loop, I ask myself if I have balance in my life. Is it maybe time to take a class off and have lunch with a friend, hit up a yoga class instead, or maybe even fly somewhere warm for a few days? Third, I think longevity in BJJ is helped when you’re surrounded by friends on the mats. So if my regular training partners are slacking off, I work to get them back into class, or I travel to train with friends to make training more fun.

Tell us about your most recent project called UNITED.

Most jiu-jitsu practitioners have had serious reactions to the abuse and assaults being reported within our community. It has created a lot of discussion around rape and what kind of culture we want to create in our grappling community and greater world. People want a way to speak out and also a way to come together. I felt like we needed a symbol to show that we feel outraged and thoughtful about what has transpired.

I worked with my friends to design a gi patch that would allow BJJ community to express being united against rape and abuse. The patches say UNITED with a teal ribbon and the ribbon has been turned into a BJJ belt. It’s been a collective effort between NHB Gear, Da Firma Kimonos and IngenuiTek who generously have donated their services making it possible to donate 80-90% of the sales proceeds to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network).

I’ve gotten sincere and amazing feedback from people. In just 2 weeks we’ve raised over $1,000.00 for RAINN. April is sexual assault awareness month and that adds to the importance of these patches. The patches sell for $ 10-12 each and can be ordered by emailing to Liz@RichmondBJJ.com.

Is there anything else interesting you want our readers to know about you?

I helped to found the local roller derby league here in Richmond, VA. My roller derby name is Nikki Stitch, a play on the Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx’s name. I love music and the name reflects that. I stopped playing roller derby after I fell in love with BJJ, but I’m still a fan! And I am vegan, oh wait, everyone already knows that about me! 🙂

Fenomenal Woman Debra Ibarra

07 Thursday Feb 2013

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Fenomenal Women series for 2013 starts with a very special lady. She is one of our favorite bloggers, has two kids and a full-time career. Anyone doubting if they belong on the mat should read what Debra has to say. Everyone meet Debra Ibarra!

How did you get started in BJJ? Do you do any other sports?

My kids are the reason I started BJJ in the first place. We had spent years playing baseball and softball and they needed a change. I spent a good nine months watching them train, and was mesmerized by everything I saw, wondering if it were something I could ever possibly do. Then all the jiu-jitsu stars and planets aligned and my gym started offering women only class on Fridays. I spent 3 months doing that, then transferred to the regular adult class and I’ve been hooked ever since.

I also train Muay Thai kickboxing and I’ve been known to do a CrossFit class or two. They are great for cardio and conditioning, and help me improve my jiu-jitsu game. But jiu-jitsu is my first love!

You recently received your blue belt. How does it feel and has it changed anything for you?

I’m not going to lie, it feels really good! It was the culmination of 27 months of hard work, buckets of sweat and a few tears. I still have those days when I question whether I’m worthy, and what was my coach thinking giving me this belt, but at the end of the day I know, that he believed in me and in my abilities. I feel more confident on the mats because of it, silly I know, but it was the validation I needed from my coach that I have a place in this sport, that I belong on the mats.

In the first half of last year, I really went through a period of non-growth, not knowing what to do to get better, questioning whether I deserved to train, whether I belonged on the mats with all these youngsters. That little piece of blue cloth squashed all my doubts and insecurities. Now there’s no looking back!

What has been or is your biggest frustration when it comes to training? What’s your biggest joy?

I would definitely have to say that my physical limitations are one of my biggest frustrations when training. Wanting desperately to be faster, lighter, more fluid, more flexible, wishing I could grow an extra 4-6 inches (since I’m only 4’11”) and realizing that all of that will come in time (not the growing an extra 4-6 inches since I’m 45 years old and I won’t be growing anymore!). In the beginning I was so out of shape that most things were near impossible for me to do. I’m slowly learning that those things that frustrated me the most can be changed – I will get lighter, I will get faster, more fluid, more flexible.

The biggest struggle is on the inside, in my mind – questioning myself, second guessing my abilities, holding back. That can be more frustrating than my physical limitations. The body can be changed, but our minds are much harder to change. My biggest joy comes from watching the success of my daughter and my teammates. There is no better feeling than seeing your teammate have a breakthrough on the mat or win at a competition or get a belt promotion and know that you were a part of that journey.

The feeling you get when you are rolling with your teammate in class, and you are both pushing, and pushing each other trying to make the other one better. At the end of the roll you hug, and smile, and you know that you made a difference. That is a feeling of pure joy!

You are a big supporter of women’s seminars and Girls in Gis. What do you like about them?

I absolutely love Girls in Gis and women’s seminars. I think because I got my start in a women’s only class, it brings me back to a place of comfort and security. The atmosphere at these events is always supportive and encouraging. I especially love the women only seminars. You get the chance to meet world champions like Leticia Ribeiro and Hannette Staack. At a seminar you get the opportunity for them to personally help you, show you technique and even roll with you.

I don’t know any other sport where you get that kind of access to athletes at that level. It is absolutely amazing! Girls in Gis gives me the opportunity to learn, train and network with ladies from all over Texas and the United States. It’s very special to me because so many of the women I’ve met at Girls in Gis’ events have become an important part of my journey. They encouraged me to keep training, told me that it would get better, didn’t let me give up. I don’t think I could have made it this far without all that support and encouragement.

Many women have the same crazy, busy schedule like you and it’s so easy not to work out. How do you find the time and motivation to train? What can you recommend to other women?

For me, the most important thing, was to make training a part of my daily routine. I can only train in the evenings, so I do my best to keep my schedule clear. Plus, a lot of credit has to go to my husband. He does not train but he supports me 100%. He takes care of all the little details in the evenings so that I can go train. Without his support I could not do what I do.

Motivation, now that is something entirely different. Staying motivated can be difficult at times, especially when you are having a tough time with your training and feeling like you are not progressing. During those times I really have to lean on my support network, my family, my friends, my teammates, my coaches, my jiu-jitsu brothers and sisters. All of those people keep me motivated. On the deepest level I just love jiu jitsu. When you love something, you figure out a way to make it all work.

My advice to other women is to pick a schedule that works best for you and your family. Stick to your schedule. Be consistent. Be present in mind and body when you are training. Ask questions. Ask for help. Surround yourself with people who support you and your goals. Lastly, find the right gym for you. Not all gyms are created equal. Find that place where you feel safe and empowered and encouraged. If you are happy when you train, you are at the right place!

You and your daughter train together and she’s earned a “Tasmanian Devil” nickname. Tell us a little bit about her and training with her.

Emily is a sophomore in high school and a member of the high school marching band. She recently turned sixteen and is learning to drive (which I am currently in denial about, my baby girl is not old enough to drive). She’s a typical teenage girl, loves music, dancing, and socializing with her friends. She hates homework, and cleaning her room, and she is a self-proclaimed band nerd.

Jiu-jitsu is the thing that makes her unique. I love the fact that we train together. She has a completely different style from me. She’s fast and crazy and not afraid to be aggressive on the mats…all the things I’m not. In the past we would do warm-ups and drills together, but on the advice of our coach, we have made an effort to train with other people. All those day-to-day frustrations we have with each other had a tendency to come out on the mats. It was good advice. It gave her the opportunity and the space to develop her own game. She also trains Muay Thai kickboxing.

I am so very proud of her. It’s not easy to train with a high school schedule, homework and marching band, but she makes it work. Training together has given us a unique mother-daughter bond. It’s not every day that you get to choke your mom or give your daughter a kick in the head! At the heart of it all though, it’s something that brings us together, no matter what may be going on in our personal lives, on the mats we can let go of it all and just train. We always leave exhausted and happy, smiling and talking about the things we learned that night.

And if you folks out there were wondering about her nickname, I gave that to her. When I first started jiu-jitsu she had already been training for quite some time. I was still new and so very slow and did not know anything. When she moved up to the adult class and I would roll with her, she was like a blur of arms and legs, spinning around me so fast I could not do anything. In that instant she became the “Tasmanian Devil.

We enjoy reading your blog. Have you always liked writing and do you have favorite blogs you browse through every week?

I have loved to write for as long as I can remember. In high school I developed a real passion for it thanks to some amazing English teachers (Ms. Clark and Mr. Gordon – thank you!). I sort of let it go for a while. Marriage, work and motherhood took the front seat and I did not feel the urge to write for a very long time.

Then I started jiu-jitsu and all that energy, emotion, and excitement that came from training had to go somewhere, and my blog was born. I thoroughly enjoy writing. It can be very therapeutic for me. I don’t write about technique very much, my writing is usually always going to be from the heart and personal. It’s about my journey to beautiful jiu-jitsu.

I have a lot of blogs that I read regularly: Ginger Snaps, Georgette’s Jiu Jitsu World, Tangled Triangle, BJJ Grrl, Shark Girl BJJ, Dagney’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training, The Teacher Mom Donut-Eating MMA Lady, Jiu-Jiu’s BJJ Blog, Jiu Jitsu Family…to name just a few. You can check out my blog to see the full list. If those folks are posting, I’m reading.

Thank you, Debra!

Fenomenal Woman Jill Baker

31 Monday Dec 2012

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jill baker, socal wbjj, women's brazilian jiu jitsu

We finish the 2012 Fenomenal Woman series with Jill Baker from Bakersfield, CA. She is a mom of 3, a world champion, a teacher, a coach, and the driving force behind SoCal Women’s BJJ. She does a lot and does it well. Everyone meet Jill Baker!

You have been in jiu-jitsu for a long time. How did it all started?

I’ve actually been training jiu-jitsu for 6 years although I have been involved and watched my husband for about 16 years! I started training after he opened his gym in Bakersfield in 2002. He was teaching every night and I was working days. We barely saw each other and I decided to start training. I took may-be two classes and found out I was pregnant with my second child Roman, so I had to put it on the back burner. After my third child was born, I was determined to get back on the mat and stick with it and I have been completely hooked ever since.

Your husband is a black belt, you’re a brown belt, do you both work at the academy? Do your kids train as well?

Kylie, our oldest, is 13 and an orange belt. She is also my favorite training partner. Roman, 9, is a yellow belt and Kieran, 5, trains sometimes when he is not busy being a superhero. Matt, my husband, teaches all the classes at Bakersfield BJJ, I help with the kids classes and run our women’s program. It is a family affair, we all work there. I also have a day job, I’m a second grade teacher at Horace Mann Elementary School in Bakersfield.

Is it hard to train and work with your husband?

My husband is amazing, he is my coach, my mentor, and my best friend. We are both easy-going, so working together goes pretty smoothly. We don’t fight until about a week before a tournament. Stress levels go up especially when we are both hungry! Immediately after the competition and some pasta and dessert, everything is good again. We are at the point now that we have become used to the competition cycle and the mood swings it brings.

How did the Riveters ladies BJJ group start?

The Riveters was actually my way of introducing women to the awesome sport of jiu-jitsu. Many times I had witnessed women walk into the academy wanting to learn self-defense or sport jiu-jitsu but the number of women who stuck around was very small because of the overwhelmingly large male population. Many women were intimidated to roll with men especially when they had no idea what they were doing.

We try to make women feel comfortable and gain exposure to jiu-jitsu techniques and practice. After a few months, many of the women who started in the women only program, switch over and train with men and do quite well. When they know what to do, it is not quite so scary! Rosie the Riveter seemed the perfect icon for this type of group, one that empowers women to do something that is traditionally male dominated.

How often do you compete?

At the blue and purple belt level I tried to compete once a month. I got promoted in October and just did my first tournament as a brown belt. I will continue to compete as often as possible. Competing makes me stretch my limits and makes me stronger emotionally and physically. It’s not about winning necessarily but about challenging myself. I want to improve as a competitor and a coach. Each time I compete I gain a new experience I can share with others. I learn lessons about jiu-jitsu but more about life, about committing to something, about reaching for goals, and about preserving through seemingly impossible situations.

I am many times torn between being a mom and a competitor. I’ve had to listen to my baby screaming for me while it was my turn to walk onto the mat, which was heartbreaking. But I’ve also gotten to see the looks on the faces of my kids after winning. They are there with me through this all and I’m hoping to teach them to follow their dreams and jump in with both feet.

Any tips for busy moms who say there is not enough time for training or working out?

There is always time! The time we take for ourselves, even if it’s only an hour a day, helps us to be better parents, better spouses and better employees. Working out is not an option for a busy mom, it’s a necessity. Work out at home after the kids are in bed, get up 30 minutes early, whatever you need to do but do it, so that you are capable of giving to the others. The hardest part is the first five minutes and

You are also the organizer of SoCal women open mats that have grown tremendously in the past year. How did you get into it and how do you come up with all the fun names for each event?

About 2 years ago I met an amazing girl named Cecily Garcia Fischmann at a tournament. We competed together and then a mutual friend got us talking. Cecily had a plan to organize open mats in southern California because she wanted more female training partners. She explained her idea and I was excited to start working with her in making the open mats a reality. Word got out and women were eager to come and train in a non-threatening environment. We started with about 20 ladies at the first open mat in June 2011, and this year we’ve had over 50 participants at several of our events. It is an amazing sight to see such a number of women rolling under one roof!

Cecily has moved back to the East coast now leaving SoCal WOM in my hands. Each open mat brings its own flavor and experience, but never fails to provide good training opportunities for women who love to roll, whether they are a brand new white belt or a black belt. The open mats are always fun, always free, and sure to provide meaningful relationships in the world of women’s jiu-jitsu. The funny monthly names are a group effort. Sometimes the hosting school gives me ideas, sometimes my thirteen year old daughter or my husband share their brilliance, and other times I just think of a move that I have been working and put it with the month: Darcember, Septarmbar!

You won Masters 2012 purple belt double gold this year. What are your plans as a brown belt in 2013? What are the plans for Riveters and SoCal open mat for 2013?

2012 was an amazing competition year for me! I never dreamed that it would be possible for me to win PANs and Masters Worlds in the same year. Both of these experiences were once in a lifetime gifts from God and I was so lucky to have been able to share them with my family. This year I’m going to continue to train, and compete, and see what happens. This is a sport, it is not life. It is what allows me to be the best person I can be and manage my many responsibilities. I like to keep things in perspective. If I win, but sacrifice too much, then it’s not really winning. If I lose, and my family is still healthy, then who cares? It is all a balance game.

SoCal Women’s BJJ will continue to host open mats for females of all ages and experience levels. We are always looking for new academies to host in the pursuit of keeping SoCal WBJJ open and welcoming to girls from any school or team.

The Riveters will continue to build a solid foundation of knowledge in jiu-jitsu. We will use the sport to gain confidence in life and to better play the roles we have inherited. Whether we are doctors, teachers, secretaries, stay at home moms, or teenage girls, jiu-jitsu and our involvement in the sport will help us give our best to those whom we spend our time with.

Thanks Jill and Happy New Year!

Fenomenal Woman Margaret Aase

28 Wednesday Nov 2012

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gracie humaita, leticia ribeiro, margaret aase, women's brazilian jiu jitsu, women's mma

Our fenomenal woman this month is Margaret Aase. Friends call her Magga, she a Norwegian professional MMA fighter and 2012 purple belt light weight world champion. She just celebrated her first professional MMA victory over Lina Eklund at the Rumble of the Kings in Sweden. Everyone meet Margaret Aase!

You are a huge celebrity in Norway, tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get started in BJJ and MMA?

I’ve always trained a lot and been a competitor. I started training self-defense when I was 8 years old, by the time I was 14, I wanted to compete more and focused on soccer for couple of years. Soccer was fun but I missed the martial arts and decided to go into sport jujutsu, which is a mix between karate and judo, and became the junior world champion in 2007.

Judo part of the training was always my favorite, in fact, I hated the ground game. So when I went to college in Oslo, I began training with the national judo team. Unfortunately soon after that I got sick with mononucleosis and had to stay off the mats.

I didn’t really get into jiu-jitsu until I went to Leticia Ribeiro‘s seminar in Norway, in winter of 2010. I had gone to Brazil with a friend a year before the seminar for some training and relaxing but I got the BJJ bug after seeing the finesse of Leticia’s technique. I was so amazed at the possibility of being that good and it really motivated me. I began to understand the basics a little bit more, and now I feel that the more I learn, the more fun it is.

BJJ opened the door for me to MMA. I was invited to audition for Norges Beste Fighter, which is Norwegian version of the Ultimate Fighter. I won my three fights and earned my first professional MMA contract.

You spend a lot of time now in the San Diego. What’s your typical day here?

I train every day and I train a lot! I’m so happy to have the opportunity to live a life like this. Usually I wake up around 8:30, do some cardio for 30 minutes, then have a quick breakfast. From 10-11:30 I work on my striking and kicks, after that I have lunch and relax for couple of hours before the evening training sessions. In the evening I do an hour of drills, MMA from 5:30-6:30 and finish my day with BJJ training from 7:30-9:00. After that I rest and do it all over again the next day. 🙂

Before tournaments and fights my schedule is a little bit different, depending on if I need to cut weight or not. Sundays are usually my rest days, but if I need to cut weight, I go for a run or do some drilling.

You’ve traveled around the world thanks to BJJ and MMA. What is your favorite place?

San Diego! It’s my home now, I love it. Rio de Janeiro is a beautiful place to visit but for girls who are serious about BJJ, nothing compares to training with Leticia Ribeiro and all the amazing Gracie Humaitá girls. And of course, Norway is a special place for me, I try to spend summers and Christmas time there.

What do you like the most, BJJ, no-gi or MMA?

BJJ for sure! It’s my heart. I like MMA as well, it gives me opportunities to make a living fighting. Both BJJ and MMA amaze me because it does not matter if you are young, old, short, tall, flexible, inflexible, skinny or chubby. You can make it your own sport where you make adjustments, make your own positions. There is no right or wrong as long as you have an answer as to why you are doing it, and both BJJ and MMA keep developing more and more.

What is your favorite submission in BJJ and no-gi?

My favorite submissions are bow and arrow choke and triangle.

What are your most memorable matches so far?

In MMA, in the final of Norway’s Best Fighter this year, I armbared the Muay Thai world champion Fatima Pinto.

In BJJ my most memorable matches were the semi-final and final at the 2012 Worlds. I had all my coaches and team mates cheering for me like crazy. Felt so good to win! And as a bonus, three out of the four girls on the podium where from Gracie Humaitá team!

Who are your role models?

My mom and Leticia Ribeiro! My mom is such a great lady, first she didn’t like MMA but when the Norwegian Best Fighter auditions started, she was the one pushing me to go. She even flew to Sweden to watch my first professional MMA fight! I wear a special patch on my gis to show the love for my mom.

Leticia is my coach, mentor and idol. She believes in me, she’s taught me so much and made me a world champion! Without her I would not be where I am now. She is a great instructor and friend!