02/12/2025
My first week on the mat training BJJ. Damn, it feels good to be a beginner.
For the last six years, I’ve been discovering who I am as an “athlete.” Growing up, I wasn’t one.
I didn’t come from an athletic household. Fitness wasn’t a priority. Instead, my parents fostered my creativity—dance, music, photography, you name it. I was the tall, lanky creative girl with good genetics that weren’t used, teased for not playing sports.
To my core, I’m clumsy and hesitant when it comes to anything physical.
But when I met , everything changed. I found myself in weightlifting. I gained confidence—not just physically, but mentally. I realized that an athlete’s mindset isn’t something you’re born with. It’s built. More importantly, it’s earned.
Your time spent training, in any sport, is a reflection of your discipline and dedication.
Over time, my husband (a saint, truly) has introduced me to running, bodybuilding, powerlifting, and MMA. I’ve developed a deep admiration for pushing limits, going one more, and being the strongest/fastest/nastiest at what you do. Or as we call it—big dog s**t.
I may not have been raised an “athlete,” but I’ve always been driven by results. And I’m my own biggest competitor.
After years of lifting and watching my body change—paired with a long-standing love for UFC—I knew it was time to pursue something new. Something that would push me, challenge me, and teach me lessons I could carry beyond the gym.
(Reflection continued in comments)…