When I was a kid, I was obsessed with martial arts movies, totally convinced I'd one day pull off those awesome moves. But then something awful happened - a family member got badly hurt in an attack, and it really shook me up. I was just a little kid, barely starting to learn self-defense, and it hit me how easily I could've been hurt too. It scared me a lot.
In my early 30s, I finally got the nerve to email a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu place near me, asking how to start. They were like, "Come try a free class!" I was super nervous, imagining all sorts of wild stuff, but I went anyway. The instructors were awesome, and I stuck with it for 10 years, even getting my black belt in 2022 - one of the best days ever! I didn't stop there, though; I kept training because I loved it.
Now, I'm really focused on teaching not only everyone, but especially women's self-defense, showing them how Jiu-Jitsu can make them feel stronger and safer. It's awesome to help women gain confidence, learn to protect themselves, and grow as people. Jiu-Jitsu changed my life, giving me strength and purpose, and I want to share that with others, especially women who want to feel empowered.
