joke with my partner about his social abilities and extroverted abilities while I’m often perfectly content in my solitude and the quiet. While this can be perceived as stand off-ish, it’s honestly just because my mind needs time to recharge and my emotional state to recuperate
Read moreKnow Better, Do Better, Be Better
Samantha Schell BJJ, Perseverance assault, bjj, Jiu Jitsu, sexual assault, solidarity, speak up, violence 1
the Jiu Jitsu community. Talks of sexual assault and rape of minors as the higher-ups in these prominent organizations are getting lambasted (and rightfully so), for sweeping these charges under the rug. Even worse, many of those accused and even found guilty of such disgusting charges have not only not been punished or ostracized from their affiliations, they have been allowed to retain their instructor positions, even still being in an authoritative role involving children.
Read moreDon’t Take it so Personally
Samantha Schell Adaptation, Anxiety, BJJ, Family, Friendship, mental health, Perseverance, self confidence alone, bjj, Depression, mental health, resiliency, therapy
Interesting. I started this blog primarily to write and document my experiences training and competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA, and then I find myself relating it to my emotions and personal life experiences more often than not. It has become a therapeutic outlet in a safe space I can air out my grievances […]
Read moreStarve Your Distractions, Feed Your Focus
Samantha Schell Anxiety, BJJ, Competing, Perseverance, winners Anxiety, bjj, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, competing, Competition, doubt, expectations, focus, Jiu Jitsu 1
Many times, when you ask people what their greatest fear is, they will immediately reply back with the fear of failure. But often times, this is not the case. It is not the actuality of failure that we fear, it is the fear of disappointing others in our lives or even ourselves. Everyone fails, that’s […]
Read moreWalk Tall & Carry a Big Stick
Samantha Schell BJJ, Competing, Overcoming Adversity, Perseverance, Positivity, self confidence atomweight, fight, MMA, perseverance, positivity, weightcut
The title is kind of ironic for a 5’0 tall woman banking on her BDE ways of thinking, no? But that was exactly my mindset this past weekend as I ventured out into the biggest career opportunity I was presented with to date. I received a call on 15 days notice about a vacant slot […]
Read moreLife is Tough, but Darling, So Are You
Samantha Schell Adaptation, BJJ, mental health, Overcoming Adversity, Perseverance, Positivity perseverance, positivity, power, quit, strength, strong
Sometimes, I am simply amazed at all the fantastic feats the human body and mind is capable of. It is the driving force that keeps me going even through my toughest challenges in life. I refuse to accept quit, failure, or defeat because I constantly bombard myself with the stories and images of those who […]
Read moreJust the Dumb Girlfriend
Samantha Schell BJJ, Competing, Perseverance badass, bjj, Competition, female empowerment, feminism, Jiu Jitsu, women 2
Traveling to no gi pans this past weekend was full of a wide variety of emotions. Namely, feelings of inequality, unworthiness, shunted aside, and like the sidekick. Traveling to Texas through numerous airports, my fiancé and I wearing similar outfits all bedecked and emblazoned with our gym and Jiu Jitsu logos and identical gym bags. […]
Read moreAlways Forward
Samantha Schell Anxiety, BJJ, Competing, self confidence, Teaching, winners bjj, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Competition, Jiu Jitsu, learning, losses, opportunity, wins
There is no one alive out there who is keeping a track record of our successes and our failures and detailing every step in our journeys. Even our most loathsome “enemy” isn’t tallying all that we do, from our greatest opponent and adversary to what may very well be just a bitter ex dating partner. […]
Read morePenny Whistle
Samantha Schell Adaptation, BJJ, Family, Friendship, Teaching boundaries, happiness, Jiu Jitsu, relationships, safety
I’m tired of being too fearful to establish boundaries in my life. Whether that be everyday happenstances, personal or professional relationships, or even everyday meet and greets. I also owe zero explanation for my reasonings for establishing said boundaries and hard fixed points that will never relent or waver, ever. It is important to stand […]
Read moreI Am Not Your Enemy
There are no gold medals to be won in our gym, our teammates are not our adversaries, there is no financial gain or televised viewing of any championship while we are in the gym training. These are practices meant to push us to prepare us for the arduous battles to come when we do decide […]
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