Black Belt Corner with Felicia Oh

07 Friday Nov 2014

Posted by fenomkimonos in Fenomenal Women, Women's BJJ

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felicia oh, female black belt, women's bjj, women's brazilian jiu jitsu

This edition of Black Belt Corner features Felicia Oh whom we tried to interview for a long time. Things got delayed, and postponed, and we thought it was not going to happen. Turns out that in the last 3 weeks a whole lot in Felicia’s life has changed, and her story did not want to go public without it! The wait was worthwhile. Please enjoy!

Can you tell us a little bit about how you found BJJ, and what you have been doing lately?

I started training when I was 33 years old. I had done lots of different sports growing up but I wasn’t really good at any of them. I was decent; I didn’t get cut from the JV Basketball team but I never actually got to play. I enjoyed gymnastics a lot, and made the team but I wasn’t really that good. I just really loved sports, and worked very hard at them.

In 2000, I had an unusually bad outdoor year. I did the LA Marathon, and it turned into an awful time. And then, in October, I went on a last-minute climb to Mt. Whitney, and that was also a terrible experience. We got caught in a horrible storm, and never made it to the top. My friend’s husband told me about BJJ on our drive up so on the unpleasant drive home, I decided that an indoor activity might be a good change. The following week I went to watch a class at Jean Jacques Machado’s Academy, and signed up. After 6 months I did my first tournament, and after that I just kept competing.

It’s funny because it wasn’t like I did my first class, and thought “Wow! I’ve found a great sport”. It was just a class that I signed up for, and went to go learn. I kept going back, and the 2 days a week turned into 3, into 4, and so on.

I received my black belt from Jean Jacques Machado after training for 4.5 years. In 2006, I won the ADCC North American Trials, and my spot at ADCC. I finished 2^nd after winning matches against two very seasoned women’s jiu- jitsu veterans.

Later that year, I got Epstein-Barr Virus, and have been plagued with health, and fatigue issues ever since. I competed a few times in the following years, and had started training for MMA but it was impossible to train at the high level necessary in order to compete. I’ve gone to different doctors but haven’t found any answers. This forced me to shift my focus more to teaching instead of training.

Now I’ve found myself having a great time teaching, and coaching kids! It was never something I was interested in doing! This year, I am helping to start the Valencia High School Wrestling program, the first one in the Santa Clarita Valley since they cut back their sports program in 1977.

For a while I’ve entertained the idea of getting back to competition. However, at 46, I’ve reluctantly come to accept that the body is no longer the same, and it has a mind of its own. There are increasingly more divisions, and competitors in the masters divisions so I decided to compete this year at the World Masters Jiu-Jitsu Championship, and took home a gold medal after just a few weeks of training!

Which belt level was the most challenging for you, and how did you overcome the challenges?

Wow! Every belt level has its own set of challenges, and then life has its own set of challenges on top of that. That would be a few books worth! There were times where jiu-jitsu was my safe cocoon, my escape, and made all my problems, all my worries disappear because the person on your back trying to choke you out was a little more pressing at that moment. It lets you have very focused attention; I love that, and the freedom that I feel in that space.

There were also times where jiu-jitsu was the source of my misery, and it has been very difficult. I would say my blue belt was a real emotional jiu-jitsu rollercoaster ride. After 2009 I was pretty much done with competing, and training. I only taught.

The fatigue made it really hard to train, so for 3 years I didn’t do anything. When I would try to get back to rolling or even running, some odd injury popped up, and it started to get very frustrating, and old after a couple of years. I was starting to think that I was done with training for good.

Then, just a few weeks ago, I started running again; felt pretty good, and didn’t get any injuries, and sort of decided to sign up for the 2014 IBJJF World Masters Championship. I didn’t think there would be anyone my age, and I did it more as something to make me commit to training again. But there was another woman, Sue Ausman, signed up so I put my gi on, and started training! The tournament is sometimes referred to as “Old Man Worlds” but being there this year was really amazing. It has grown so much! I got to see so many guys I used to watch, and whom I looked up to; they are back out there on the mat competing! There are also the brave men, and women that do both the regular Worlds, and the Masters because 30 isn’t really that old, and certainly doesn’t mean you are past your prime!

It has taken me some time to come around to this, and I would not have done the tournament before, but now I’m so grateful that there is a venue for competitors when we …uh… advance in our years, and realize that the competition itch doesn’t fully go away. Coming back to training; learning to enjoy jiu-jitsu for the pure joy of it, without competition as the primary motivation. That is where I am now!

What advice would you give to women who have a hard time in training?

It’s the same in life, and in jiu-jitsu that you just have to keep going. Even though you will get lost or you are uncertain; you just keep going, and believing. Sometimes it is a really hard advice to follow when it seems like things keep getting worse and worse. It’s easier in jiu-jitsu because you can tap, and you get to start over. Life does not always let you start over or give you a second chance, and the boundaries are not always as clear. So I find this to be much easier in jiu-jitsu than in life.

Black Belt Corner with Sophia Drysdale

10 Wednesday Sep 2014

Posted by fenomkimonos in Fenomenal Women, Women's BJJ

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australian girls in gi, drysdale bjj, female black belt, sophia drysdale, women's bjj, women's brazilian jiu jitsu

Sophia Drysdale started jiu-jitsu in 2002 in Melbourne, Australia. She had been in gymnastics for about 10 years when a long-term injury forced her to retire. She was looking for something that was physically and mentally challenging, and her search stopped the day she found BJJ.

Sophia trained in Australia for 5 years, and after doing very well at local tournaments she decided to compete overseas. She won her first Pan American Championships as a blue belt and then again as a purple belt two years in a row. That is when she decided to move overseas to focus more on training.

Sophia moved to the US in 2007. For the next few years, however, she was dealing with a series of major injuries that halted her competition career temporarily. In 2009 Sophia started training in Las Vegas with Robert Drysdale, and received her black belt in 2010. Two years later she won a gold at the No-Gi Worlds right before becoming pregnant with her first child. A year and a half later she had another baby. This year Sophia has been busy teaching women’s jiu-jitsu seminars in Australia, Mexico and the US, and she is back on the competition scene. She added Pan Ams gold, and the Worlds bronze to her impressive list of achievements.

Although she still trains very hard and competes, her focus is a little different. She wants to teach more, and help inspire and empower women. She wants to show that you can be a mother, and an athlete at the same time. Even though she did not take home a gold this year at the Worlds, we are pretty sure she was the only mother on the black belt podium. Considering her youngest is only a year old, and she had stopped breastfeeding 6 months earlier, that is quite an achievement.

What was the most challenging belt level for you?

My brown belt was the most challenging belt because at the time I was overseas on my own searching for an academy that I could call home. I had suffered from some really bad injuries, such as torn cartilage in my ribs, complete shoulder separation, and herniated disc in my neck. Competing was also tough because brown and black belt were in the same division. Mentally it was tough to deal with being an up-and-comer, and knowing that I was competing against some of the most seasoned black belts who I had idolized throughout my journey.

What advice would you give to women who are struggling?

BJJ is always tougher for women since we are the minority on the mat. I would say that most women have dealt with sexual discrimination, being ostracized or bullying of some sort. But this is changing. Today the journey for women is much easier than it was back when I started.

There are so many more women who train now, and they have formed solid training groups which is a huge help. Additionally, there are more female black belts, so there are more role models who teach women’s classes and seminars.

This is important on so many levels because women see that it can be done. You can achieve your black belt, be a world champion, a teacher, and a mother! Seminars are an opportunity to pass on techniques that are better suited for women. I teach techniques that have taken me years to refine, and I know they work! Seminar, camps and open mats provide an opportunity for women to cross train, learn, share, and grow together and build lifelong friendships.

BJJ is a way of life. If things get rough, there is nothing wrong with taking a break, and getting back on the mats when the fire is strong again. Also, changing your attitude at certain times can help. If you are feeling bad, tired or weak, it is better to focus on having a great workout, and spending time with friends rather than focusing on winning all your matches. Having a strong support network helps tremendously. It is much easier to overcome obstacles if you have an empathetic coach, a friend or a partner who understands the sport and what you are going through.

Black Belt Corner with Cindy Omatsu

07 Thursday Aug 2014

Posted by fenomkimonos in Fenomenal Women, Women's BJJ

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cindy omatsu, female black belt, first american female black belt, jocelyn chang, leka vieira, let's roll bjj academy, women's bjj, women's brazilian jiu jitsu

Cindy Omatsu was born on January 19, 1961, and started training in July of 1994 at Redondo Beach, California. She walked by the aerobic room at Gold’s Gym, and saw a bunch of guys rolling around on a big mat. At that time a lot of women in South Bay area were being attacked, so she thought it would be a great idea to learn some self-defense. She was hoping to find another woman in class but there were none. The one thing that really got her attention was when her training partner grabbed her wrist. The strength and force of a man’s grip was hard to deal with, and she realized why women would just give up when attacked. She was hooked after the first class. At the same time Cindy’s family was going through a rough time because her dad was battling cancer. Every class helped Cindy deal with her dad’s sickness, and gave her strength to help her mom care for him. Sadly, Cindy’s dad passed away.

After training for a year at Gold’s Gym under Renato Magna, she switched to the Machado Academy at Redondo Beach. Cindy received her black belt from Rigan Machado and Leka Vieira in 2002, making her the first American, as well as the first woman outside of Brazil to receive a black belt in BJJ. Cindy is currently teaching at Let’s Roll Academy in Torrence, and at The Brentwood Club in West LA. She is the OG of women’s BJJ in the US, and her contribution to the sport is invaluable.

What was the most challenging belt level for you?

I feel that my purple belt was one of my toughest belts. This is the belt where you learn which techniques really work for you, and your body type. Your game is really developing here, and you are learning to perfect your moves. I have had many purple belts tell me that they feel stuck or plateau at this belt. At purple belt level it feels like you advance five steps, and then get knocked back down ten. As an instructor, purple belt is where I see a lot of improvement, and growth in my students. With a lot of mat time, and consistent training the rewards will pay off!

What advice would you give to women?

Women who are at white or blue belt level, ask your instructor to watch out for you so that you are training with students who won’t injure you. If you can train with upper belts, do so because they will give you pointers as you roll with them.

I also tell jiu-jitsu women to give yourself kudos if you pass a guy’s guard or hold them in side control or mount. Sometimes you aren’t going to get the tap but you are getting dominant positions, and stabilizing them. Take it as a compliment when a guy starts putting more pressure on you or starts using more strength. It means he is getting frustrated, and your technique is working!

Injuries can happen at any belt level. It is important to let your injuries heal, and be very, very, very patient. I have had my share of injuries with strained MCLs, torn ACL, and shoulder. If you don’t take care of them or let them heal, they will definitely come back, and bite cha in the butt!

Enjoy the experience and journey that each belt level brings. Have fun! If you aren’t learning, and having fun then it is time to quit!

Black Belt Corner with Michelle Wagner

23 Friday May 2014

Posted by fenomkimonos in Fenomenal Women, Women's BJJ

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brazilian jiu jitsu, female black belt, foster bjj, lotus club bjj, michelle wagner, women's bjj, women's brazilian jiu jitsu

Michelle Wagner is one of the first American female black belts in the Pacific Northwest. She is a second degree black belt under the infamous Giva “The Arm Collector” Santana. Michelle started training in April 1998 to keep herself busy after ending a 7-year relationship. She was headed to a karate class when a friend derailed her plans, and took her to jiu-jitsu class instead. Jiu-jitsu became a big part of her life even though the instructors were hard to find. Her biggest influencers over the years were Marcelo Alonso, Juliano Prado, and Giva Santana.

She received her black belt from Marcio “Mamazinho” Laudier in 2007, and currently trains, and teaches part-time at Foster BJJ in Kent, Washington. Michelle focuses on helping her female students, and has been teaching women’s jiu-jitsu camps in Seattle area for the past couple of years. She has also hinted that a comeback to the competition scene is not out of the question.

What was the most challenging belt level for you?

The most challenging time for me in jiu-jitsu was during my years as a blue belt. Our academy was unexpectedly shut down, and that left us wondering what we were going to do next. There were not many choices for us because jiu-jitsu was new to the Pacific Northwest, and academies were few and far between. Eventually some of my team mates were able to find a garage where we could train. That grew into a new location, and into a new BJJ school. Although we still had challenges keeping instructors at the new location, we made do with who we were, and what we knew until we finally had someone to stay and teach for 6-7 years.

What advice would you give to women who have a hard time in training?

Don’t give up! Find one reason that will make the difference for you. If BJJ is your passion, you will find a way to prevail, and make it past even the toughest challenges. Don’t be afraid to say NO to the person who doesn’t get what rolling with technique means. In all my years of training, my biggest pet peeve is rolling with people who just have to win at all cost. They are not worth your time or energy. Don’t be afraid to be straight up about it either. They are going to realize it some day on their own so you might as well be the first one to let them know.

Black Belt Corner with Kris Shaw

01 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by fenomkimonos in Fenomenal Women

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bjj, bjj legends, female black belt, kris shaw, leka vieira, rigan machado, women's bjj, women's brazilian jiu jitsu

Our Black Belt Corner series continues with Kris Shaw. She started training in 1997 in Texas but soon moved to Manhattan Beach, California, for work. In California Kris continued her training under Rigan Machado, and received her blue belt, and purple belt from him. In 2000, Leka Vieira came to Rigan Machado’s, and founded the legendary womens jiu-jitsu team. Despite not speaking any English, Leka built a very successful team, and the ladies won some major trophies. Kris was an active competitor at that time, and won several championships in Brazil, and the US. In 2004, Leka established her own academy, which was the first all female academy anywhere. Kris followed her instructor to the new academy, and received her black belt from Leka in May of 2005.

Currently she trains under Mauricio “Tinguinha” Mariano, and a few months ago was promoted to 2nd degree black belt. Kris is a mother of four young daughters, the owner of BJJ Legends Magazine, and on top of that teaches kids’ BJJ classes.

Which belt level has been the most challenging for you, and how did you overcome the challenges?

Black, black, black! Definitely black belt! My ortho is telling me that I have to quit training forever! I have a bad knee, and I need a knee replacement but I’m too young for the surgery, so it’s a catch 22. I feel my game slipping away. I want to feel the glory days, and run through everybody but now everybody runs through me. I have family commitments that I try to balance. The other weekend I was at a kid’s birthday party but I really wanted to check out Five Tournament. I don’t compete anymore, and I don’t own an academy. I’m getting older, and the white belts are getting younger.

You don’t really overcome getting older but I do make up for it by networking. I reached deep down, and figured out that the reason I still do jiu-jitsu is because of the people. We have a special, magic bond. Fight someone and you know that person. You can’t lie while you’re sparring. The pretenses are stripped away, and pretty much if you hang through a competition class, I like you!

What advice would you give to women who a have hard time in training?

Is it your inner defeatist monologue? If you have an hour to get to class, and you’ve planned to go to all day, and that voice starts, you can’t go because if you leave now you will be late. You can’t go now because the couch is so comfortable. You can’t go now because the dog will miss you. Recognize it, turn it off, and go to class. Don’t argue with it, just turn it off! Everything else is out of your control, whether or not you get to class is within your control.

Self-doubt is horrible, and it affects us all. It still creeps up on me. Again, you have to recognize it to stop it. Here’s where a BJJ BFF (best friend) is the helpful. My BJJ BFF has gone through the same things I have, and vice versa. It’s funny because it’s like a script. I tell her, “My instructor didn’t even LOOK at me today!” And a week or a month later, she will tell me that her instructor doesn’t even know if she is alive. So if you can, get yourself a BJJ BFF.

Retail therapy. Buy some new gear. You have to go to class if you just dropped $180 on a new gi! Now counter that with some philanthropy. Give an old gi, give a new gi, go to a grapplethon, and roll for charity. Go to a women’s open mat and help a white belt.

I definitely don’t have all the answers but I hope you stay on the mats and reach your goals!