The stockings are hung, the presents are wrapped, the tree is decorated, and the Jameson has been opened. From the outside looking in, my house now resembles the ideal pinterest image, but if people only knew the truth lurking just below the surface, instead of sugar plum fairies dancing in my head, I am personally […]
Read moreI’m Doing the Best That I Can
All I can do in life is try, and I promise I am out here doing the best that I can. Oh do I stumble more frequently than an elf drudged up on too much eggnog, but still I continue to try. And I enjoy recognizing the efforts of those who are out here trying […]
Read moreThe Hammer & the Nail
There are days where regardless of what’s going on, I’m a positive ray of sunshine, and then there are days far too often where no matter what the circumstances surrounding me are, I can’t seem to shake the feeling of overcast clouds encroaching upon me. There’s a pretty common saying in Jiu Jitsu; sometimes you’re […]
Read moreWho Run the World?
Women. The bearers of the children, the maternal figure, the estrogen fueled gentle warrior. A vast multitude of adjectives can be used to describe her role, but what I never want the word ‘woman’ to be synonymous with is ‘victim’ or ‘weak’. This past weekend, I hosted a 2 hour free women’s self defense seminar […]
Read moreLand of the Free, Because of the Brave
Very few times in life am I privileged enough to be part of an experience so truly humbling, that it takes my brain time to process everything that went down. As any of you who read my blog know, I am a huge advocate for mental health care, and I wanted to shine a light […]
Read moreDon’t Stop Me Now
One life on this Earth. Just the one. Imagine just sitting idly by, watching the minutes pass to hours, then days, then weeks, and then years, never knowing what you are fully capable of. Sure, it might be a risk to put ourselves out there, but isn’t our happiness a risk worth taking? Hard work […]
Read moreThe Children of Today; the Leaders of Tomorrow
You never know who is watching you; how your thoughts and actions are impacting others until you see it come to fruition. The more I put myself out there, the more vulnerable I become but the more raw and relatable I seem. With as often as I compete and my presence on social media, I […]
Read moreRecovery; Good for the Body, Good for the Soul
Buckle your seat belts boys and girls, it’s time for another blog day Tuesday! I know I’ve talked before about the importance of self care (not only in Jiu Jitsu, but in life as well), and of the bonds we form in this sport that are incomparable to anything I can really explain, but I’d […]
Read moreIt’s Okay to Not be Okay
Lately, I’ve been seeing more and more posts on social media in regards to mental health and my friend’s persistent struggles with bouts of sadness and depression. These feelings impact more people than we could possibly imagine, but since mental health is seen as a “weakness” or taboo subject, many end up suffering in silence, […]
Read moreLaugh Until it Hurts
In case anyone reading these blogs hasn’t figured it out yet, I often use comedy as a coping medicine. They say laughter is the best medicine, and often times, I find myself cracking jokes to alleviate the tensions and stressors brought on by life. I laugh to diffuse awkward situations, I laugh to spark up […]
Read more