People who train: Stories from the Mat with Marie
In our exclusive interview series, we delve deep into the hearts and minds of students at Gracie Barra. Get ready to be inspired, challenged, and uplifted as we uncover the untold stories behind the belts.
"Since I've been doing this, I just feel a lot more comfortable and confident in my own skin."
Meet marie
Marie has been training for 2.5 years. She is a single mom with two kids and works as a private mental health and addiction counselor with her own practice. Despite her busy life she still finds time to come in and train about four times a week. How? Marie says she really enjoys Jiu-Jitsu, but it also helps with her mental and physical health.
Not only Marie has found joy in training her kids also started a couple months after she did. Marie says in the interview. Her son helps coach classes and supports the younger kids in their practice as well.
"I've seen tremendous change in both of them since they've been doing this. They are much more confident, and their leadership ability has grown."
watch the full interview here:
how jiu-jitsu has helped marie
I'm a different person then before I started. It helped with my confidence a lot. I used to be really really timid my whole life I was always like the quiet timid person. Since I've been doing this, I just feel a lot more comfortable and confident in my own skin."
Marie also underscores how Jiu-Jitsu has been instrumental in helping her embrace discomfort and develop resilience in navigating challenging emotions. Initially, the physical intimacy of training, with close contact and being thrown onto the mat, was something that was challenging. However, she recognized that confronting and overcoming discomfort is an integral part of personal growth.
At the outset, Marie experienced anxiety before classes, often waiting outside in the parking lot. Despite these initial hurdles, she courageously pushed herself beyond her comfort zone and committed to regular training sessions. Through this persistence, she gradually acclimated to the demands of Jiu-Jitsu, ultimately emerging as a stronger individual.
Marie's journey illustrates how confronting discomfort head-on can lead to personal transformation and increased resilience. By persisting through initial anxieties and challenges, she not only adapted to the physical aspects of Jiu-Jitsu but also cultivated a mindset of perseverance and inner strength.
women training with men
Marie shared her experience of initially being the only woman in her Jiu-Jitsu class, where she had to train exclusively with men. Despite this initial challenge, she found the atmosphere at Gracie Barra to be incredibly welcoming, with supportive and respectful male training partners who made her feel comfortable and confident.
She stressed the importance of being a good training partner, advocating for respect and attentive listening during Jiu-Jitsu sessions. Instead of relying solely on strength or overpowering techniques, she highlighted the value of focusing on technique and mutual learning. Marie's decision to train with both men and women stems from her desire to prioritize self-defense skills, recognizing that real-life situations don't discriminate based on gender.
Marie believes that women are just as capable as men in Jiu-Jitsu and that segregating training based on gender sends the wrong message. Marie advocates for inclusivity and breaking down barriers, emphasizing that training partners should be chosen based on skill level and compatibility rather than gender stereotypes.
overcoming setbacks
Marie experienced a setback when she broke her foot a few months ago, a result of her engagement in Jiu-Jitsu. However, amidst this challenge, she found immense support within the gym community. The camaraderie and encouragement from her fellow practitioners played a crucial role in her recovery journey.
Despite Jiu-Jitsu being the cause of her injury, it also served as a catalyst for her comeback. The sense of belonging to a team and the shared motivation to return to training fueled her determination to heal quickly. Moreover, the resilience and problem-solving skills she honed through her Jiu-Jitsu practice proved invaluable in overcoming the obstacles posed by her injury.
If you would like to share your story as well reach out to info@gbgreensboro.com
