The Comeback Kid

The feeling you get when your kid goes to train without you.  You are under the weather and can't train. She packs up, gets ready and drives herself to class without you bugging or begging.  I can't tell you how good that makes me feel.  She's transitioning to a new phase in her life.  She's in college and in charge of her own time.  I'm starting to see that spark again.  As much as we want them to love jiu jitsu as much as we do, it has to be their own journey.  For a while now she has supported me and encouraged me and pushed when needed.  I'm glad for that.  I will be content to fan the embers of her tiny little spark.  Help that flame grow.  I hope one day she sees what I see when I look at her.  She's a fighter.  A survivor.  Beautiful.  Strong.  She's my Tasmanian Devil Girl.  And for you guys at Combat Nation who haven't been introduced to her, you will soon know why I call her that.  ;)

Pink

It's October folks. Time to get out your pink and honor those breast cancer survivors. To pay homage to those who fought a valiant battle and lost. To comfort those left behind.  Do a self breast exam. Get that mammogram you've been putting off. Wear pink and wear it with pride. I know some amazing survivors. They inspire me. They gave meaning to the words "fight like a girl".  I have that inked on my left shoulder. Whenever I get down or think I can't go on in my training, I remember them. Real warriors. In their darkest hour, all they could do was "Fight like a Girl". This post is for you. 

Grace

I have been feeling horrible lately. Feels like my body is betraying me.  Chronic joint pain. Pinched nerves in my neck giving me grief. Shoulder, well we won't speak of it.  What's an old gal to do?  Go train. Stay home and rest. Go and watch. Hmmmm.  It's a tough one for me. Last week I opted out. Now I'm thinking that was a mistake because I feel worse. So tonight I will dust off my pride and suck it up and go train. I know there is not a magic pill that will make all my aches and pains go away. Jiu jitsu has helped me survive the last 5 plus years. I fear that had I not started training I would have just given in to the pain. Jiu jitsu saved me. That's the thing I have to cling to. It's grace keeps me from ever going back to that girl I was before. Peace. Love. Beautiful Jiu Jitsu. 

Passive Aggressive Bears

I had the honor to learn and train with three of the Machado brothers last weekend at RCJ Machado Farmers Branch. Affiliate instructors and students from all over were there along with my coach and I. I don't think I've ever seen so many black belts in one place. It was just a tiny bit intimidating. But these guys were here to learn just like me. If I could sum up the message I got from training with Carlos Machado and his two brothers, John and Roger, it would be to work smarter, not harder. Simple, low impact takedowns. Disengaging from guard. I'm going to nickname this the passive aggressive bear guard pass. These were the two key elements I walked away with. Not to mention opening my eyes to deep half guard and hook flips. The longer I train the more I realize that I can conserve my energy, use less effort, make gravity work for me. So, basically, work smarter, not harder. Peace. Love. Beautiful Jiu Jitsu. 

Purple Passion

It's just a color. Purple. That belt that I never thought I'd get. Never thought I'd get there. After the euphoria wore off and reality set in...I'm still trying to wrap my head around what it really means. For me. For my coach. For my team. I hope that I can live up to it. I want to be the best I can be at jiu jitsu. I remind myself when I pull out that belt and tie it around my waist, it's just a color. Purple. There's no magic. Just hard work.