#femalegrappling

[me-mindfulexistence]

Do One Thing Everyday That Scares You.

Why do we say...I can’t?  Many times it’s because we are scared.  It’s based on an irrational fear of the unknown. 

After being contacted by numerous women about being interested in "wanting to try jiu-jitsu" but they aren't sure if it's "right for them" bc of excuses x, y and z...I figured I'd write this short blog about my own challenges.  

In 1997 (shortly after the birth of my first child) I was ridden with body pain. Everywhere. All my joints hurt all the time.  I went from being extremely active and working out 5 out of 7 days of the week pre-pregnancy to having trouble standing up.  After much testing it was decided by an endocrinologist that I had hypothyroidism and “fibromyalgia”.  Having worked in healthcare I knew the black mark that would be on my medical record (this was a time when they knew almost NOTHING about this disease). I would be “that patient”.  Every symptom or complaint from that moment on would be chalked up to “it’s just the fibromyalgia” and all of my problems would be disregarded.  So, after hearing that diagnosis I never returned to that Dr.  It was at that time I began experimenting with what would help improve my symptoms naturally....and exercise (as difficult and almost near impossible as it felt) was the one thing that did. It was shortly after this when my karate and then jiu-jitsu journey began and never ended (and your’s can as well). 

Fast forward to 2019....I write this as a I lay in bed on a Sunday afternoon in a bathrobe (with Breaking Bad on TV).  I feel like a big slug.  Many people who follow me on social media (and don’t know me personally) tend to assume I’m this super active individual who just “doesn’t stop” and has a plethora of energy.  I mean, doesn’t the grass always look greener when we post pretty “happy” pictures all the time?  Well, as much as I’d like that to be the truth- it just isn’t.  I can’t function at that level with any consistency bc my body physically will not let me. Why? I don’t feel good.  I struggle with chronic migraines (and have for the past 7 years) and many days I feel “flu like” and just barely have enough vigor to perform BASIC everyday tasks.  Today it was waking up, going to lunch, doing some wash, tending to the animals and maybe a few other little things (and camping out in my room)….but that’s it.  My migraine clusters go in waves. The past few weeks have been bad.  I’ve had more days where I feel like crap than not (and I will rarely let anyone outside the house know b/c to complain about it is useless. And in all honestly- I feel like a weak person admitting to these short comings).  “Rest” doesn’t alleviate my discomfort, nausea or lack of energy.  More rest causes more fatigue.  More activity can cause more discomfort.  The nausea is daily….the worst is always in the morning and many times kicks up again in the late evening before bedtime.  The increase in symptoms usually means that I need to increase my medication dosage (which I save a last resort b/c it decreases my appetite and makes me dopey; Seizure medication does that).  My medical marijuana is a life saver as it helps me sleep and is an immediate relief for severe head pain and nausea(But obviously I’m limited when I can use it).  There is no “fix” to my problem.  It’s just finding ways to manage it.

 The purpose to me writing this blog is to encourage females from all walks of life to give jiu-jitsu a try if it’s something that you are curious about.  You don’t have to be in great shape, have experience or have a full tank of energy to participate.  You just have to be willing to toss aside all the B.S. excuses and say “I can, I will, I’ll try”.   Listen, if I can do this….you certainly can.

 This Friday will be the first all female class (March 1st) from 6:30-7:30pm.  You only need to wear comfortable workout clothes and come with an “I can” attitude.  First 2 weeks of training are FREE.  

https://graciepa.com/contact-us/

I just can’t….

I’m too busy

The kids have me running everywhere…

I’m too fat

Not athletic enough

Don’t have any experience

It’s probably too much money

I have old injuries

I’m not strong enough

It’s too difficult to coordinate around my family’s schedule

I’m afraid of getting hurt

I have these piercing and nails I’m afraid of ruining

But

What if….

What if I tried it?

It would allow me to muster through the anxiety induced “Excuse list” (which is a win already).

It would force me to live outside of my “comfort zone”

It would allow me to be with other females in similar circumstances (maybe they feel the same way as me?)

It would give me an experience that I’ve never had before

It doesn’t cost ANYTHING

If I have any physical deficits, I can just let my instructor know ahead of time what they are and work within my own limitations (no shame in that)

If I have body jewelry or nails I’ll make accommodations to adjust my nail length and borrow “head gear” so I protect myself and the others I work with

It would give me the confidence to know that “I CAN do it”.  

The bottom line-The anxiety and excuses didn’t win.  

I can overcome the mental adversity of “the excuse list”.  

[mccaffertyt]

Big congrats to @kimura_queen who picked up triple gold on Saturday #northamericangrapplingassociation event in Dublin representing @teamtorresderry #bjj #oss #jiujitsu #jiujitsugirls #bjjgirls #bjjlifestyle #bjjmotivation #athleteportrait #combatsportsphotography #bjjphotography #derrytopteam #grappler #femalegrapplers #bjjqueens #alphafemale #derry #strabane #letterkenny #irishfitfam #irishfitspo #gymphotography #fitnessphotography #irishbjj (at Team Torres - Derry) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnS4QJ2gSX5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=v073mvnvgkwj

[sankakuarts]

My video captions from the #nogipans2017 #nogi #femalegrapplers #girlsingis #submissiongrappling #womenswrestling @babyguppyfornow

[monroe-jamison]

I did some competitive wrestling falls and a bit of training with Buffy Ellington, @callistostrike and Johnny Ringo - here is an *in action* shot during my fall with Buffy. * * * #femalewrestler #femalewrestlers #femalewrestling #competitivewrestling #grappling #matwrestling #femalegrapplers #FWC #training #teammonroe #teambuffy #teamcallisto #toughwomenwrestle #fitness #pinwrestling #submissionwrestling #mixedwrestling #malevsfemale #femalevsfemale **See this match up plus a lot more female vs female wrestling at this link - https://femalewrestlingchannel.com/product/fwc-extra-monroe-callisto-buffy-johnny-behind-the-scenes-w-wrestling/

[sankakuarts]

My video captions from the #nogipans2017 #nogi #femalegrapplers #girlsingis #submissiongrappling #womenswrestling @babyguppyfornow

[sankakuarts]

My video captions from the #nogipans2017 #nogi #femalegrapplers #girlsingis #submissiongrappling #womenswrestling @babyguppyfornow

[sankakuarts]

My video captions from the #nogipans2017 #nogi #femalegrapplers #girlsingis #submissiongrappling #womenswrestling @babyguppyfornow

[sankakuarts]

Video captions from the #nogipans2017 #nogi #femalegrapplers #girlsingis #submissiongrappling #womenswrestling @brynn_bjj

[sankakuarts]

My video captions from the #nogipans2017 #nogi #femalegrapplers #girlsingis #submissiongrappling #womenswrestling @babyguppyfornow

[sankakuarts]

My video captions from the #nogipans2017 #nogi #femalegrapplers #girlsingis #submissiongrappling #womenswrestling @babyguppyfornow

[sankakuarts]

My video captions from the #nogipans2017 #nogi #femalegrapplers #girlsingis #submissiongrappling #womenswrestling @babyguppyfornow

[sankakuarts]

My video captions from the #nogipans2017 #nogi #femalegrapplers #girlsingis #submissiongrappling #womenswrestling @babyguppyfornow

[sankakuarts]

My video captions from the #nogipans2017 #nogi #femalegrapplers #girlsingis #submissiongrappling #womenswrestling @babyguppyfornow

[sankakuarts]

Video captions from the #nogipans2017 #nogi #femalegrapplers #girlsingis #submissiongrappling #womenswrestlingmatters Rebecca Faris win

[sankakuarts]

Video captions from the #nogipans2017 #nogi #femalegrapplers #girlsingis #submissiongrappling #womenswrestlingmatters Rebecca Faris win

[sankakuarts]

Video captions from the #nogipans2017 #nogi #femalegrapplers #girlsingis #submissiongrappling #womenswrestlingmatters Rebecca Faris win