Finding my own place on the mats…read more
I've been a TFI member for more than a month only, so I'm still new--but I'm not exactly new to the BJJ community. My husband has been doing jiu-jitsu for 18 years, and for years he's been encouraging me to try it.
Last December, when he earned his black belt under Sensei Brian, I really felt the sense of belonging among the members. So one Saturday, I finally decided to give it a try. By the end of my free session, I had already decided to enroll.
Training with my husband every Saturday has strengthened our bond. We now have something we can do together to improve our health, have fun, and learn from each other.
I also signed up for the Women's Class every Tuesday from 6-7 PM, even driving from Vernon to San Pedro for it. Despite being new to the family, I immediately felt welcomed and comfortable. Tuesdays are fun--we learn self-defense and the fundamentals of BJJ, and even the higher belts are always accommodating and willing to help.
Last July was my first time to join the open mats with people from different locations coming to San Pedro. Seeing so many higher belts was a little overwhelming, and I had already told myself I would just sit on the side, watch, and learn. Then a black belt invited me to drill with her. I told her, "I've only been doing this for seven weeks," and she simply said, "It's okay."
She gave me tips along the way, and it became such a respectful teaching moment that I didn't feel as intimidated as I thought I would.
My hubby has been very supportive of my new journey, and I'm learning so much from Sensei Brian and Coach Tara. It's also inspiring to see their partnership--not just as husband and wife, but on the mats and within the BJJ community.
At almost 50 years old, TFI has never made me feel like I'm too old to start. Instead, it has become a safe place for me to learn self-defense, discover the art of BJJ, work out, gain strength, and build confidence. It's teaching me to tap into my inner strength and become more comfortable with my body and what it is capable of.
And now that my hubby and I have even more to talk about and learn together, I'm beginning to understand what he has known for all these years: that Jiu-jitsu is more than a sport. It really can become a way of life.
Not all academies are the same. If you're looking for a new sport, want to learn self-defense, or simply want to discover your own strength and capacity, come visit TFI San Pedro.
You won't feel like an outsider. No power-tripping on the mats--just respect, learning, and a genuine love for grappling.