The experts always say that relationships and marriages are hard work, and that it takes both people making a conscious effort of participation to really ensure long lasting bonds. I remember in my last long term relationship, I was always wondering why it was supposed to be hard. And that’s because we didn’t really argue. […]
Read moreMy 2 Constants
Samantha Schell Adaptation, Anxiety, BJJ, Competing, Family, love Anxiety, bjj, competition anxiety, family, love, marriage, mental health 5
Everyone who has ever read my blogs can be 100% sure of at least 2 things. The first being that although I fight in a cage and grapple on the mats, I’m still a human being with a wide array of feelings, many correlating to those of anxiety, and I get sad and nervous just […]
Read moreCupid’s Chokehold
Samantha Schell Family, Friendship, love husband, husband and wife, love, marriage, valentine, wife 2
It’s the 6th Valentine’s Day together with my person, but the first one as husband and wife. And yes, while I think this is a dumb commercial holiday all meant for the greeting card companies and chocolate companies to make copious amounts of money, I can’t help but to feel somewhat sentimental and especially grateful […]
Read moreBeauty is in the Eye of the Gi Holder
Samantha Schell Adaptation, love, Perseverance, Positivity, self confidence beautiful, beauty, bjj, BJJ girls, confidence, jiujiteira, love, MMA, WMMA
I’m tired of society thinking you have to conform to one narrative to be beautiful. I have a half-shaved head, a muscular frame, gnarled fingers & toes, cauliflower ears, and am usually spotting some type of gi burn or bruising and when I tell you I have never in my life felt more beautiful than […]
Read moreGobble These Giblets
Samantha Schell Family, Positivity family, food, friendship, holiday, love, opinions, thanksgiving 1
I recently had a conversation with my partner about no longer seeking approval or validation from others, and instead, living life in a way you choose to that makes you happy. After all, if it is causing no harm to anyone at all, why give a pilgrim’s buckle what anyone else thinks. Living your life […]
Read moreTick, Tick, Tick
It’s crazy to me how these seconds turn into minutes, turn into hours, turn into days, turn into weeks, turn into months, then turn into years trickling on by. Before you know it, you blink and a decade has passed, then another. I have such a distinct memory of being in 4th grade, and it […]
Read moreReflections
Samantha Schell Adaptation, Anxiety, mental health happiness, love, positivity, self care, self love 1
What do I see when I look in the mirror? Am I happy with the woman staring back at me? Sometimes, but in different ways than I did when I was younger, and never content because I always strive to be better and do better. See, when I was younger I was incredibly self-conscious about […]
Read moreIn the End, the Love You Take, is Equal to the Love You Make
Samantha Schell Family, Friendship, love, Perseverance discipline, exhaustion, fighting, hard work, love, motivation, relationships 6
Sitting my run down, worn out, bedraggled booty on the couch, sipping my triple espresso ice coffee, and mustering up the energy to begin my trainings and fight prep for the day. You see, motivation is a bitch. It’s not always there when you need it, sometimes it refuses to rear its ugly head, no […]
Read moreLet Them Eat (Cinna)Cake
You know, the older I get, the more I realize I could give two shit’s about what others think of the way I live my life. I have the people in my life that I care about and that matter to me and everyone else can have whatever opinions of me that they would like […]
Read morePutting the ‘Pans’ in Panics
Woo lawd, I am busting my little rump over here trying to get ready for my first major IBJJF competition of the year, and lucky for me, it happens to be one week after my wedding. That was sarcasm by the way, in case you didn’t pick up on it. My brain and body definitely […]
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