ladies grappling – Coach's Killer

The Patch Dilemma

November 6, 2014November 6, 20143 Comments

I really don’t like patches on my gi. Maybe it’s because I like to fly under the radar and be invisible, but I just don’t like them. Growing up, I preferred to wear black, long sleeved Tshirts with no markings on them – and I still prefer darker less noticeable clothing.

However, there are a lot of people who have invested in me and in my training. I want people to know who has helped me with my achievements I have reached so far! So here are the patches I currently have on my competition Gis, along with why.

Team Patches

Firstly, I always wear my coach’s patch on my back. My coach, Shawn Hammonds, has taught me since the first day I stepped on the mat and I fully intend to some day receive my black belt from him.
I have only have one TAC Team affiliation patch that I swiped from the office and I currently have it on the front of a white competition gi. I’ve moved it between a couple different gis and really need to get some more if I ever make it to Philly again!

Sponsor Patches

I have been proud to represent and support Raijin Fight Wear since I was just a two stripe white belt! I was brand new then, and so were they. They seemed different than all the other start up companies in their designs, quality, and vision for the future and I wanted to be a part of their growth! Some days when I need a little extra push, knowing they are backing me up has been just what I needed! I always will be wearing their patch, rashguard, and/or super secret still-in-development Gi. “Respect All. Fear None.”

“Just Because” Patches

All of the photographers I have had opportunity to meet during events are just amazing! I always try to support by buying photos whenever I can. I won a photo package offered by Mike Calimbas and I just decided I would keep his patches on my comp Gis because of his awesomeness!

Girl-Jitsu has been an amazing supporter for ladies Jiu Jitsu and I really want to see them grow over the next few years!

Scar Tissue MMA makes an appearance as well. They are a local company that has been growing and has been very supportive of my school as a whole, even helping out with fundraisers and designing a team gi for us.

Circuits, Weight Classes, and… Mexico?

January 11, 2014January 11, 2014Leave a comment

Well I introduced the ladies in my Saturday morning class to circuit training today! We started off with just a three minute circuit with three minutes to recover in between – we will eventually work it up to a five minute circuit with a minute rest in between.

Today we drilled loop chokes from half guard. Our position this week has been guard, but one of my ladies has sore ribs and a bum wrist – so we worked around it!

Mexico City Training Camp:

I just registered for a training camp in Mexico City with Mackenzie Dern and Sophia Drysdale. It will be at the end of July, and I am EXTREMELY excited for it already! Get your registration in now to reserve a spot!

Weight Classes:

In other news, I talked with my coach yesterday about my weight cut. He decided he wants me to stick with light weight instead of continuing my drop to feather weight. Not gonna lie, I’m kind of happy about that!

Size wise, I fit in the feather division better. Problem being, my doc says I have very dense muscle, so I weigh a lot more than I look. I’d have to lose a substantial amount of muscle to make featherweight, and that isn’t safe for me because of my hypermobility.

Meaning: I’m currently 132, so coach wants me back up to 137-138. I’m not just gonna fluff up though. I’m sticking with eating really clean, upping my caloric intake, and adding more strength training into my routine. I will confess, I’m going out for Italian food tomorrow for dinner with friends – but i’ll burn through that in no time flat!

See what Tournaments I’ll be at next! I love to meet people!

Hello 2014!!!!

January 9, 2014Leave a comment

New year, and new look for my blog!

I started my year off with circuit training followed by an hour of drilling the morning of the 1st. Did three massages, and then another circuit. Oh, and I did a cool video of it!

Kudos to you if you watched the whole thing!

My awesome sponsors at Raijin Fightwear liked this video so much that they have requested I start a “move of the week” video series. I’ll be filming some of that this Sunday after circuit training – They are even designing me a cool custom video intro! I’m so excited to get started with that! I am of course just a blue belt, so I definitely still have a lot to learn – but I have learned some good things in the last two years that are worth sharing.

Weight Cutting:
I’m in the process of cutting down to feather weight. I did 2013 at light weight, walking around at about 145 and cutting to 138 for competitions. It was recommended to me that I try feather based on my body size. Currently I’m weighing in at 130 and am shooting for 126 to make 129 in my Gi. Coach says I am pretty close to my limit of what my body will allow me to do, so it’s slow going at this time. I’ll probably post more about this later (maybe a few angry posts).

Ladies Team:
I love my ladies team! It’s slowly starting to pick up a bit, and I am now teaching a Saturday morning class as well as the Friday evening one. Coach says he will eventually have me take over the program – I’m being groomed it appears. I’m very excited that this year we have a confirmed 4 ladies from our school going to the Pan Ams, as opposed to last year being just me.

Training:
I’ve been drilling a lot lately – one good thing about the ladies is that they love to drill! Getting in at least an hour a day on top of class time.
I’m finally starting to feel competent as a blue belt, it took me a few months to get in the swing of it but I’m good now!

Competition:
My first competition of the year will be the IBJJF San Francisco Open on Feb 9. It will be my debut as a featherweight. It’s a bit of a distance to travel, but since the Chicago tournament falls after Pan Ams this year, this is my chance to test my new weight class out before Pans.
NAGA is going to be in Nashville on Feb 22nd so I think I’ll try out the expert and intermediate divisions if they will let me do both – otherwise I may just go to coach and save the money for my Pan Ams trip.

Hmmm I think that is about it for now. I’ll probably think up some other things to say tomorrow. It’s almost drilling time again!

Lloyd Irvin Mixed Martial Arts Academy

October 9, 2013Leave a comment

Last week I had the awesome opportunity to train with the crew at Team Lloyd Irvin HQ just outside of DC! Best two days of training ever!

Day 1

10:00 am I got to enjoy my first ever wrestling class! Warm up of jogging, sprints, shots, and… Cartwheels. I haven’t even attempted a cartwheel since I flunked out of gymnastics at the age of 8 (for not being able to do a cartwheel!) I had momentum and went for it though, and was actually able to do it! Yea!
Next up we did sprawls/shots on command while just moving around in stance. I was informed that if I went out of my stance it’d be 25 push-ups… I asked “what’s my stance?” And saw the instructor take a step back to “basics” and showed me proper wrestling stance – which I then stayed in!
We did takedown drills for probably 45 mins – which I needed desperately! My arm drag is already showing improvement! The rest of the 90 min class was technique drilling, and I got a REALLY awesome takedown from it which I have already hit a few times live!

11:30 am Jiu Jitsu time! Warm ups, then pairing off to do positional drilling. I liked the format of each person getting a set amount of time to drill before switching – as opposed to keeping count, which I’m not that great at. (I get lost after 2!)
After drilling guard passing a few times, Master Lloyd emphasized the importance of blocking the hip, post-pass, for at least 4 seconds before moving on. Then he had us all line up on the wall while he called out pairs to move to the center of the mat and attempt to pass and stabilize position. Good times!
After this, he started pairing us off to roll. I have no idea how long the rounds were, but they were longer that I normally do. Again, awesome!
Time really flew by fast, and before I knew it, it was 2:00 pm and class was over!

Went out to grab a bite and then was dropped off at my hotel to nap for a couple of hours.

7:00 pm Sarj picked me up from my hotel and dropped me off for the evening class times. More drilling, more sparring – until it was 10:00 pm and I was dropped back off again! I slept REALLY well that night!

Day 2

11:30 more Jiu Jitsu! They had MMA sparring at 10 that morning, and I haven’t learned enough Muay Thai to be of any use in that class whatsoever – so I slept in a bit!

6:00 pm Nijah teaches a ladies “Cage Fitness” class and I asked to watch so as to get some ideas for our ladies program. It seems to have a completely different approach and feel than our ladies classes – I am going to see about integrating some ideas, or even talking with coach about a totally new program!

8:30 last Jiu Jitsu class! Again, more drilling and rolling! When we finished, I said all my goodbyes and dragged myself back to bed to prepare for my trip home early the next morning.

I just thrive off pushing myself, so I had an amazing time! I’ve never had a chance to roll with any high ranking ladies before, and getting to roll with Sijara and Nyjah was the highlight of the experience. Also, the effort everyone puts into their training very inspiring as well – there is a reason why they are as good as they are. It’s called hard work!

I’ve visited other schools before, and always felt some level of awkwardness walking in the door. This felt like visiting my hometown and seeing those awesome family members that I’ve missed! Thank you everyone!

The Mental Battle

September 23, 2013September 24, 2013Leave a comment

Before every major tournament, I have my mental battle. I win or lose in my mind every time – before I step into the venue. Here is my open book, mental war I face each time. I don’t think I’m the only one here… If I am, oh well. At least you know I’m human!

I have straight up, irrational self-doubt. The kind that ignores reality and works to sabotage everything I try to put effort into. It’s one of those “I know better” kind of things – but easier said than done.

I’ve done so much in the very short time that I have been practicing Jiu Jitsu – as a white belt I got up to ranked #1 in my weight division! I took home a second place team award – as a sole competitor! I’ve placed at all but one of the 14-16 competitions I’ve entered in!

Does this make a difference? Nope. Instead of focusing on making excuses for why I “lost”, I make excuses for how I “won”. I just believe that every achievement was a fluke and at any moment people will realize what a poser I am.

Again, I know better…

I’ve got 4 big tournaments coming up in the next few weeks:
Sept 28 – No Gi Pan Ams
Oct 12 – Chicago Open
Oct 19 -Abu Dhabi Pro Trials
Nov 2,3 – No Gi Worlds

For me, my hardest competitor will be the one inside my head. I always have to fight the “You can’t. You’re a fake. You’re a failure.” I don’t win or lose the battle with my opponent. I win or lose the battle with myself.

I’m flying out on Friday for the No Gi Pan Ams. I’m going to prove the “you can’t” wrong so that, in the future, I can refer back to this point. I’m calling it out now…

1st Ladies Open Mat

July 6, 2013September 24, 2013Leave a comment

Well we just got done with my first Ladies Open Mat hosted at my gym!

I was hoping for more people to show up, but it ended up being about right I think. We had 6 total, which was enough to get some decent rolling in, but without overwhelming me with the need for organization.

We started out with some light warm ups and then asked each person to show a favorite move or two of theirs for us to drill. After about 30-45 mins we moved on to sparring some rounds. There were varying levels of experience, and I was so happy how awesome everyone was! My big concern was keeping this a non-competitive environment, where we could just have fun and learn from one another – and I didn’t need to worry a bit! Everyone was so cool and there to just have fun, experience, and learn!

I stink at marketing and promotion, but I’m hoping that I can get word out better for the next time around! I’m tentatively saying either August 10, or 24th for our next meet up – depends on availability at the gym.

For anyone who is wanting to stay updated on Facebook, I have put together a group for keeping people updated. Here is a link to it, feel free to join! https://www.facebook.com/groups/407696842682321/

New Belt and New Training

June 13, 2013September 24, 2013Leave a comment

Well, I’ve had a few days to let the promotion sink in, and I’ve come to a conclusion: It doesn’t really make a difference. No magical powers bestowed or sudden increase in technique, or any hulk-like capabilities. I still consider black belts to be magical, but blue seems to just be a matter of fact thing.

That being said, It is AWESOME! It’s nice to know that after a year and a half of butt busting, I’m no longer recognized as an entry level beginner – I’ve got a little validation in my life!

I don’t know if this free feeling I have is due to the belt, or the fact that Worlds are done and over with – and I don’t have to be too serious anymore. At any rate, I am having a blast! My first roll as a new blue belt was on Tuesday morning. I went with my white belt buddy who has a “little” bit of size/weight on me. He’s really cool to roll with though – I’m on his hit list, but he says tapping me doesn’t count if he uses muscle. Highlight of the roll was choking him with my new (still tied) belt, from side control bottom. I also got a wrist lock in there too. Thankfully he was fairly good-natured about it! He could squash me like a bug if he chose to…

My car has been on the fritz so I have been riding my awesome pink bike to the gym in the mornings lately. It’s a nice 3 miles each way up and down hills, so I feel fairly warmed up by the time I arrive. The guys are calling it the “Pee Wee Herman” bike – and I think it looks awesome in the front office!

Due to my doctor’s nudging, I have started a weight training routing, geared toward building muscle and stabilizing my major joints.

So far it’s working great! After just 2 weeks, I have visible biceps and no more grinding sensations in my shoulders! Yay! I’ve had chronic shoulder instability for years… amazing how easily that is resolving when I stop ignoring it.

I do gain muscle very easily so it’s very possible I may end up in the middle weight class instead of light. I’m okay with that though. If I’m feeling healthy and strong, I have no problems.

Jiu Jitsu Birthday!

June 10, 2013September 24, 2013Leave a comment

Well, I got my blue belt today. I’m sure I’ll come up with something awesome and inspiring to post tomorrow… But after getting tag teamed in the big circle by this crew – I’m a bit tired.

I didn’t post an update about Worlds, because I’m unhappy with how it went down and didn’t know how to post without making it a rant. I’ll figure that one out eventually!

Anyhow, I’ll be breaking the new belt in at the IBJJF Atlanta Open in August. So excited!

Now… Sleeeeeeeeep!

Off To Worlds!

May 28, 2013September 24, 2013Leave a comment

Well I’m on the plane to L.A. right now. I’ve already had my nap, so now seems a good time to compose something amazing.

I have standby tickets and managed to get the last seat on a non-stop flight. As an added bonus, it’s in business class! Yay leg room!

I’m ready for this. So ready! I’ll be competing on Thursday at about 5:20. Javier will be up at 11:45 Friday morning.

So yea, I’m kinda pumped! And I have 4 dinners planned for Thursday night – no joke, they are mapped out.

That is all I feel like sharing at this time. My next update will likely be results!

Worlds Preparation – I’m Freaking Stressed!

May 23, 2013September 24, 2013Leave a comment

So I’m gonna admit it. I’m stressed out over Worlds.

I’m trying to show a calm demeanor, anyone who asks “are you nervous?”, receives a shrug and “nah” response from me.

Yea, I lie.

During the day, I’m training and working hard – so I don’t really have time to worry. But at night… Well, i am writing this at 1 AM.

So I’m going to go through everything I’m nervous about, and hopefully talk myself down enough to sleep.

1. I’ve gotta get everything organized for the trip! Got so much to do and not enough time!
– there is plenty of time, and I have a list. Everything is already taken care of actually. Plane, housing, transportation, etc.

2. Making weight!
– I stress every time over this. Sometimes it’s even more stressful than worrying about my matches! But I’ve never NOT made weight. Closest I’ve come is 1.5lbs under. I’m already several under – if I avoid pigging out on pizza in the next few days I’ll be just fine.

3. My shoulder is torn up. Really bad biceps tendinitis is making quite a few shoulder motions excruciating. Doc told me I need 4-6 weeks of rest. It’s making training difficult.
– ok, a legit worry. Doc doesn’t seem to think I’m in danger of it tearing in half though. I’ll have time to rest after, and I’ve proven in the past that pain actually helps me focus and do better in matches.

Oddly enough, none of my worry is about how I’ll do in my matches. I’ve put in my time, and I don’t know of anything I could do to be more ready. I’ve been giving everyone at my gym more trouble than I ever have before. I’ve drilled my moves until I catch myself trying to strangle my poor dog in his sleep.

It is ON!

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