BJJ Blue Belt!!!

Last night was a big day for me - I received my blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Tony Passos BJJ!  It has been almost a year and a half of training, with a two month break back in February and March.  I honestly did not expect I would get my blue belt so soon, but nonetheless I was so happy I teared up a bit :)  I think each person is their own worst critic though, and it is no different here.  I don't see myself as being that good.  The few times that I rolled with girls from other schools, I did not do so well.  Their experience level was around the same as mine, or maybe a little more.  Still, I remind myself though that everyone is different.  I think each of those girls have competed.  I think those that like to compete are also the same ones that go around visiting other gyms to roll with new people.  I can think of million other excuses for myself on why I don't roll well other girls (they're bigger, I'm older, wasn't feeling so well, etc. etc.) but you know what... fuck that.  I don't suck.  I trained my ass off since day one.  My techniques are about as solid as they should be for where I am in my training.  Also, there will always be people who will be faster, stronger, and better than me.  I can't compare myself to others.  I am doing my best, and that is all that matters.  My coach said, there will be a day when a white belt will beat me.  That's just how it is.  He knows, and he would not have promoted me if I did not deserve this.  

One thing that has really helped though is having new girls at the school.  They really could not have shown up at a more opportune time for me.  I was at a point where I was debating whether to continue with my training.  Rolling with guys, big ones at that, all the time was exhausting and felt a little limiting.  Plus, I really could not tell how well I'd do against people my size.  Rolling with the new girls though made me realize, hey, I do know things.  I did learn a lot in the past year.  They might beat me in an all out brawl (I hope not, but you never know), but in class, using Jiu Jitsu, I clearly have the advantage.  Best part of it all is that they are really great bunch of gals.  They are nice and fun to be around. I really needed more female friends in the area so I am ecstatic.  We have all been talking a lot outside of class.  Last Sunday we all went to see Cirque Italia together.  We may do a paddle boarding outing in couple weeks.  I am just really glad they are training with me at the school now and hope that our friendship will continue to grow.