Maggie Moo Does Jiu Jitsu: Competition Time

With my training Partner, Natlie (Left) and Professor Kris Kim (Center)

So as promised I signed up for my first competition under United Forces BJJ on March 8th. I consider it a late birthday gift to myself.

I didn't really know what to expect going into it. All I know is that I was a mess leading up to it. I was nervous, my stomach hurt and just the mention of someone saying "hey when is your first competition" made me feel queasy. I have been an athlete for as long as I can remember, actively involved in team sports (rugby, basketball, relay track). Anyone who says the transition from team to individual sports is easy, clearly hasn't tried Jiu Jitsu.

The morning of the competition I anxiously peeled myself out of bed, tried to eat some bananas, listen to some reggae and get a pep talk from my boyfriend on the hour long ride to our venue. When we arrived I put on my Gi, went to get weighed in and found out no one had entered in my weight class (woot, one gold fatty medal for me) and that I would be competing in absolute (open weight).

My first absolute match was a blur. The second I hit the mat I felt like I was in a tunnel. I rushed in for the take down, knee on belly, worked my way to mount and started chipping away at her shoulders. My range of sight was so small and I was more exhausted than I have ever felt in my life. 1 minute honestly felt like I had been rolling for an hour. When the ref called us to our feet and my arm was raised for the win, I was just grateful to be finished.

My next match was more controlled and a lot more fun, as I got to try things I had learned in training. Including one hysterical attempt at an arm bar that I later decided to abort in favor of an Americana. This is the point where I realized how important it is to have a corner or a coach there to help you. It began to feel less like an individual sport and more like I was part of a larger team, the same way I feel when I'm playing rugby. My training partner and good friend, Jes, was amazing in helping me out along the way and making sure I could hear her and that I knew what to do. My rugby team showed up to support, my training partner Natalie was yelling from the side and my boyfriend was right along with Jes, guiding me through the match. Having that support really does make a massive difference.

(Jes, Center)

 I won the second match and advanced to take on my team mate, Natalie, immediately afterwards. I was absolutely exhausted and she was quite kind to me, giving me time to catch my breath before jumping my guard! It's always difficult to compete against a team mate and was a bit hard to take seriously but we had an awesome time and I lost on points as she advanced to the finals, where she dominated and was promoted to blue belt on the podium. It was pretty special to be able to compete against the woman who got me into Jiu Jitsu in the first place and has helped  (along with my coach Kris Kim) to make me feel so passionate about the sport.

                 

The most well deserved promotion ever!

   

Telling my team mate I could see her cleavage Haha!

I didn't expect to win my matches, let alone come in third place overall. Not too shabby for a first tournament!

My amazing team mates!

All in All, it was an awesome experience. I'm down ten pounds and really looking forward to competing in a new weight class for my next tournament :)

Maggie Moo Does...Jiu Jitsu?

On September 5th, 2013 I made one of the best decisions I have ever made. I decided to try Jiu Jitsu. I know! I can hardly believe it myself. My whole life I have been surrounded by people who say "I can't believe you don't do any martial arts" or "you should try Jiu Jitsu," my father included. It wasn't until a team mate of mine (who had been pestering me for months to try it) used a little reverse psychology and told me "yeah you might not be right for it anyway." And there I was.

My first class was terrifying and exciting, a bit like rolling with my brother as a kid, but less swearing, more focused and restrained and no crying this time. I felt so out of my element. I was used to rugby where I knew exactly what to do. I understood my body and how it worked. I could crash, pass, kick and catch like it was second nature but being aware of all of my limbs and what they were doing as well as my training partner was quite the challenge. "You mean I have to know what my upper half and lower half are doing at the same time?" The struggle was real. Quite early on I was injured and questioned whether I even wanted to continue. Playing rugby, I am no stranger to injuries, but the idea of participating in a sport where people actively try to submit you, causing enough pain to injure you was really nerve wrecking for me. My father promptly reminded me that he hadn't raised a quitter and the higher belts around me, who had been in these same situations before encouraged me to continue. I am so glad that I did.

My first class: The struggle was real....

Just recently I discovered my first (for lack of a better term) asshole on the mat. A person who was way more concerned about looking cool and not being embarrassed by a girl than actually progressing as an athlete. I was able to keep calm and put myself in a place where I didn't feel that I was in any type of danger. This was a huge deal for me. It made me realize that the majority of people I train with are just so ridiculously positive, supportive and genuinely concerned about me, not only as a training partner, but as a person. I never thought I would have the same level of trust or enjoyment with another team, that I experience with my own rugby team. It's refreshing.

Jiu Jitsu has definitely given me much more in the short time I have been training than I ever imagined:

1. Solid training partners and supportive folks who help me progress on my journey.

2. Excellent instructors, particularly, Kris Kim, who is a talented as he is kind and patient.

3. More faith in myself

4. A sense of accomplishment when I finally stick a move I have been working on for weeks.

5. A challenge of trying a sport I am not inherently good at. Rugby has always come rather easy to me and regardless I worked my butt off, but Jiu Jitsu isn't natural for me in the slightest. It takes me longer to learn moves, I forget easily and often can't remember everything I've just learned...which leads me to..

6. Patience with myself.

7. Excellent training for the off season.

8. A constant desire to be better.

9. Proving to myself that I am capable of doing the things that terrify me.

10. Confidence that I can keep myself safe and the feeling that I am in control.

Just recently I took my first Jiu- Jitsu- Cation to Guam where I was able to train at 3 different gyms. In each gym, I discovered the spirit of Jiu Jitsu was so much greater than many other sports I've been involved in. I was never made to feel like an outsider or as if there was an "us" and "them." I was welcomed with open arms and had some of the most successful training sessions to date!

Training with Stephen Roberto at Purebred. Too bad I clearly missed the "Belt Tying" tutorial! Haha

Spike 22 Outdoor Gym

Training at Figo in Guam

In February I will be heading to Madison & Dubai to train and I genuinely cannot wait. I think I may have found something I love just as much as rugby and more importantly, something that constantly challenges me to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be. Interested in BJJ in Seoul? Here are a few links!

Korea Jiu Jitsu Facebook Group
Kris Kim BJJ