Can you share what initially drew you to jiu-jitsu and what kept you motivated to stick with it?

I had always wanted to learn a martial art, but was a bit intimidated and unsure of where to start. One day friend of mine invited me to his gym for a trial class and I was immediately hooked. The first time you step on the mat is definitely a very humbling experience, but what kept me coming back was how encouraging and inviting everyone was.

How has your perspective on jiu-jitsu evolved since you first started training?

I would say that the biggest difference would be my approach to training. When you’re first starting out it’s very easy to see everything as a competition and compare yourself to everyone else. I’ve been fortunate enough to have nothing but amazing training partners, and it helped me realize that everyone learns at their own pace. Everyone has their own journey and it’s okay to take your time and really absorb everything.

Can you describe a particularly memorable experience or achievement you’ve had in your training so far?

I have two training partners, both blue belts, who I really respect. They’re both very passionate and technical when it comes to Jiu Jitsu, and they really made me feel at home when I joined Ukiyo. One day after doing my best to survive rolling with them, they both told me that they were no longer going to take it easy on me. It’s a very small thing but at that moment I felt really proud of the progress that I had made.

How has jiu-jitsu influenced other areas of your life, such as your personal relationships or professional endeavors?

I would say that it has definitely given me more confidence in my everyday life. You meet people from all walks of life on the mats. You talk nothing and everything, you make connections, and you learn from them. I would say that it has made me much more open to experience new things and to try to be more open minded when meeting new people

What role does the community and camaraderie within the academy play in your experience and development as a practitioner?

I feel that I’ve leaned more in the few short months since the academy has opened, than I have anywhere else. I fully credit my amazing training partners at Ukiyo for that. The community that has been nurtured here is really something special. Everyone is always ready and willing to share their knowledge, to encourage you when you’re down, and to push you when you need it. The friendships that I’ve made here are something that I will always cherish.

How do you balance your jiu-jitsu training with other responsibilities or interests in your life?

I do my best to stay consistent. Sometimes it’s simply not possible to train as many times a week as I would like, life is full of unexpected surprises, but I do my best to make time to show up even if it’s just once a week.

Have you had any mentors or role models in your jiu-jitsu journey? If so, how have they influenced you?

I have someone I consider a mentor, black belt and my good friend Wilton Rezende. I was unable to train for a long time due to an injury, I was frustrated, and for a long while I was afraid to get injured again. Wilton was a big part of the reason I was finally able to work through my mental block towards Jiu Jitsu. Whether it was discussing technique, taking the time to train with me one on one, or even just talking to me about what was going on in my life, Wilton has always been an invaluable friend and teacher. The most important lesson he imparted was to not be so hard on myself.

What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in jiu-jitsu or considering joining an academy?

In my the hardest part is stepping through the door and showing up consistently. If you’re feeling self conscious or unsure, just remember that everyone has felt the same way at some point. Keep training, don’t get discouraged, and most importantly remember to have fun!