“Why don’t you train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?”, was a question I got asked almost daily. I am married to a black belt, Cody Donovan, (together for 10 years, married for 6 years), we own a martial arts academy (High Altitude Martial Arts/Easton Aurora) and my sister, Bobbie, is a bad ass blue belt.
I am very much a part of the gym in other aspects; I run the social media, I order supplies, I plan the internal and external events, I write the blogs, I generate leads, I support the culture, and am the students biggest cheerleader. Over the years, Cody and I have strived to create a special culture in the gym. We wanted to create a giant Yeti family who welcomes all and supports one another on and off the mat. I would go to tournaments and cheer on our students and while I had no idea what they were doing, I was supporting them none the less.
My list of reasons for not trying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is long.
- I have zero athletic ability.
- I have no hand, eye coordination.
- My brain does not process quickly enough.
- I don’t like being touched.
- I don’t like stinky people.
- I don’t want people to sweat all over me.
- I don’t want to embarrass Cody or Bobbie.
- I couldn’t even do the ladders in Sport Fit for gosh sake.
- I took one kickboxing class and was terrible at it.
- I don’t have time.
- I’m not borrowing a used, stinky gi.
- I don’t want people watching me.
- I’m terrified.
Deep down, I did wish, that I had at least started training when Bobbie did. But now she’s a 3 stripe blue belt and I can’t even shrimp. I can’t compare myself to Bobbie though, cause she is good at life.
I thought about trying a class with Professor Rossie Snow. We messaged back and forth for awhile and she was very supportive. I watched some YouTube videos and even recorded myself trying to front roll and shrimp…it was not pretty haha. I told Bobbie to come over and to demonstrate, and she was so graceful. I could already feel the embarrassment building. But I still borrowed her gi, got a babysitter, and planned to attend an all women’s class at Easton Centennial but…boom, I found out I was pregnant with number two. We had suffered 2 miscarriages and could not chance anything. Thus, my BJJ journey never started.
Fast forward two years, Bobbie and I were playing each other in fantasy football and we decided to make a side bet. She said if I lost, I would have to take three BJJ classes and if she lost, she would have to compete in the next BJJ tournament. Game on. The anxiety those NFL players caused me was unreal. It was a close game, but I lost.
The following Wednesday, I borrowed Bobbie’s gi (again) and showed up to Professor Cody’s class. It was interesting. I didn’t hate it and it wasn’t so bad! Everyone was super nice, Professor Cody and my sister are great teachers, the girls were so patient with me, assistant and Brown belt Scott Russell was so encouraging. As we circled up, I thought to myself…I HAVE to do this. It means so much to Cody and Bobbie. It will mean so much to my daughters. Cody and Bobbie were so proud of me and so was the rest of the World Wide Web. It only took losing a bet and TEN YEARS for me to take my first BJJ class.
I really enjoyed my second class and actually had fun! My first real test was taking class without my protector, Bobbie. But it was fine. The other girls were great. I just finished my fifth class and intend to keep going. What’s really cool, is that I have been empowered with just enough to get myself out of a sticky situation.
Some things I’ve learned as I start my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey…
- Everyone at my gym IS really nice and we ARE a family.
- Don’t feel like you are hindering the other students or your partner…they were once you.
- Your partner can actually learn something from teaching you.
- Teaching is part of the journey to Purple, Brown, and Black belts.
- I have a Black belt to protect me, a Blue belt at my disposal, and a gym full of people to support me.
If it took me a decade to start and if I could do it…anyone and I mean ANYONE can do it. There is nothing like conquering your own fears and being proud of yourself.
Written by: Julie N Donovan
