By Isabelle Winslow
My name is Isabelle Winslow and I am a part of the Newaza BJJ Club/GFT Jiu Jitsu Team.
Growing up I experimented with different sports, like basketball and soccer and softball and other activities, but I found that I never really clicked with any of them.
I was perceived by many people as shy and anxious, to top it off I was also diagnosed with ADD.
When I started Jiu Jitsu, my life completely changed. Within the first few months of attending Jiu Jitsu, I was not as reserved in conversation with people, and I learned how to manage my emotions. I found that I was able to work out stress on the mat.
But I do believe that it was not just the sport, but also the people that you are with while learning Jiu Jitsu that makes the sport as amazing as it is. You find a family that you can always rely on and trust to help you reach your goals in Jiu Jitsu and life in general.
I feel that the practice of focusing and giving your full attention to the move and position you are learning at the moment helped me learn the discipline of concentrating and paying attention, not only to what I am doing, but to my surroundings.
This awareness transfers over to safety issues. As a growing young woman, I don’t have to feel powerless when confronted with dangerous situations. I can use the tactics of self-defense that I’ve learned and stay calm as I analyze my plan of action.
We all set our own goals and we all must strive to meet them. Jiu Jitsu emphasizes mental and emotional strength. You’re done not when you feel you can’t go on, you’re done, when you finish the race. No one can make those goals and meet them but yourself.
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