Maggie Moo Does Jiu Jitsu

If you know anything about me, you know I am morally opposed to "testing." As a teacher, as a human, on principle and especially in Jiu Jitsu. It is a topic I have heard furiously debated in the BJJ community. When I heard I would be taking a test for my Blue Belt, I turned to my boyfriend and said "Nope, no way. When the professor thinks I'm ready he will give it to me." In my mind, I had this magical Mr. Miyagi, "you have done well grasshopper" moment on replay. My boyfriend said "He would not let you test, if you weren't ready to do it. Stop complaining and get it done. I'm not going to let you sand bag forever." My previous motto was "white belt for life."

I begrudgingly and nervously, studied all of the moves and information I was supposed to know for the next few weeks. I was horrendous at the street defense aspect and figured that area is one, where I should fail just on principle.

By the time the test came around, you could feel the nerves. The school was packed with students assisting with our tests. We were to demonstrate our skills in front of the class. Every time I have ever been asked to answer a question in class or demo a move, I turn into a big ball of nerves and uselessness and typically end up giggling like an idiot while my professor corrects me, even if it something I know how to do. During this test our professor would call out a move and counter and one by one we would demonstrate with our partner. I've played rugby for years so I am no stranger to having crowds full of people watching my every move, including mistakes, but somehow this felt more personal. Having another partner, relying on me to not mess up was definitely added pressure. I had a rocky start and when the professor asked me "which sweep is that?" I responded "Ummm, an improvised one?" As the test went on, I actually surprised myself with how much I knew. There were so many things I had no idea that I knew. It was also pretty amazing seeing the other people I had worked so closely with demonstrate the things they knew. I felt proud watching each person show something they learned and it was awesome getting to see a bit of their personal style.

After we completed the testing portion we moved onto the live rolls. Arguably, the harder portion for me at least. The first section was a test of knowledge, but this tested our heart. We started in various positions, always in the inferior position as fresh legged training partners came in to either sweep or submit us. There were no breaks and it allowed very little time to think in between partners. It all came down instinct. Before the test, the other blue belts told me to conserve my energy, use my technique and trust it. The first few rounds were difficult and I soon forget about conserving my energy. By about the 10th person I stopped worrying about being tired and starting focusing on trying all of the things I have always wanted to try. It became less about survival and more about proving something to myself.

Honestly, I have never been more proud of myself and that certainly isn't something that I say often. My general go to mode is "humorously self deprecating." My professor knew I could do it, my boyfriend knew I could do it and afterwards I knew that I could to. I have changed my beliefs on testing. It isn't better or worse than being granted a promotion when your professor thinks you are ready. What it did do, however, was reassure me that I was on the right track, that I could defend myself if need be and that I could absolutely do the things that had previously seemed impossible.

When I attempt a takedown on one of the upperbelts...

When someone asks a "question." That isn't really a question but a demonstration of their "skills"

When our class learns an escape for a submission I use constantly....

How I feel with submissions that require me to feed a lapel through....

When my professor asks me if I understand why I got caught in a submission.......

When someone goes knee on belly and ask me how the pressure feels.....

When you underestimate someone smaller than you during a roll....

When I have to go to work after missing a week of training.....

My constant Jiu Jitsu thought process...

After rolling with someone who has a great top game......

I'm not huge on making new years resolutions mainly because I think we should strive to better all of the time and not just after January first. However, jiu jitsu seems to be a worthy cause for my goal setting, so without further ado...

1. Test for my blue belt.Who doesn't wish they could be a white belt forever?! It's so comfy there!

2. Do my first competition in the United States

3. Get down comfortably to the women's light weight class by April

4. Take a jiu jitsu vacation with Mike

Guam June 2014

5. Blog at least 3 times a month

6. Make my passing game solid!! I recently had a really fantastic bout of tennis elbow, making my spider guard pretty ineffective. To accommodate I have started working on making my passing game more solid and efficient. I want to have at least 3 passes as my "go to."

7. Make more time to study outside of class

What about you? What are you BJJ Goals and Resolutions for 2015?

Recently read a post about the Negatives to Training With Your Significant Other and thought I'd take a look at the positives.

1. It's an excuse to spend quality time together, even if it is beating each other up. You don't have to worry about a significant other who thinks you're training too much. I understand his obsession and he loves that I train as well.

2. It makes you closer: sweat in your eyes, in your mouth, in your nose- everywhere. Awww how sweet. But seriously, jiu jitsu has helped to make us a great team when we work together.

3. You have a constant jiu jitsu dummy to test your moves on around the house. Mike can expect to wake up to some glorious shoulder pressure in the morning.This can also fit under the negative, but all in all I see it as a positive.

4. Hugs turn into battles for under hooks and that's just pretty awesome.

5. You have consistent training partner with your best needs in mind. I spend most classes working with someone else, but whenever I work with him I know he's got my back.

6. It builds trust. My boyfriend has put me in a headlock, guillotine, arm bar, triangle chocke, s mount, anything uncomfortable- you name it. When your boyfriend spends a significant amount of time putting you in vulnerable positions, but never injures you, there is a level of comfort and trust that develops.

7. Mutual benefits from our different styles. When he rolls with me he uses very little strength, and I, in turn, am also forced to focus on my technique. I love open guard and Mike is much more diverse in his approach, so he has been invaluable in helping me develop like I have.

8. Supporting and seeing your partner thrive.Watching Mike train has given me an appreciation for how skilled and talented he really is. When I watch him compete, I find myself in awe of him. He is the person I want in my corner and the one person who's advice I always take to heart. He is also my greatest supporter at tournaments and one of the only people who can keep me focused and grounded.

9. Understanding your partners frustrations/injuries. Training gives you perspective on the frustrations that many practitioners face, even if you do not face them yourself. When Mike is tired and has a back injury, I'm less likely to be upset that he doesn't want to make a 50000000 mile journey on a camel with a packet of jerky and a backpack full of stones! Honestly, It makes you more patient and epsom salt baths with mutual complaining sessions are a plus!

10. Three Words: Jiu Jitsu Vacation! Much easier to convince a significant other who trains, than a friend who doesn't, that you should pack your bags and go train in some tropical place!

Guam- Purebred

Guam- Figo

Laying on the beach is hard work.....

Onda is a Kimono company that was founded by Jessy and Matty Printz in 2012, both purple belts under Tony Passos in Sterling,Virginia. They are husband and wife, self described serial entrepreneurs who both love the beach and draw inspiration from it. Jessy was born in Hawaii and her earliest memories are there, watching her mom surf with the locals on the North Shore. Together, they have made it their goal to visit as many beautiful beaches as possible and soak in the sun and the sound of the waves.

What does Onda Mean?

In the most literal translation, Onda is Portuguese for “wave.” Our motto, “you cannot stop the wave but you can learn to surf,” is an extension of the flow with the go mentality to which many jiu jitsu practitioners subscribe. The tide goes in and the tide goes out, everything in balance. Instead of fighting the current, move through it with grace. Live life in the moment.

What’s the inspiration behind your kimonos?
our inspiration is 100% born on the beach. We’ve never met an island we didn’t love :) Couple that vibe with our desire to capture comfort, durability, and quality workmanship that can take a beating on the mat, and you’ve you got yourself an ONDA kimono.

Yours are the most unique Gi’s I have ever owned. What do you think makes Onda Unique or different from other gi manufacturers?

There is truly a story behind every single model that we produce, nothing willy nilly or trendy for the sake of what someone says might sell. The Kaimu? Named for the black lava beaches in Hawaii where Jessy was born. Recife? Beloved Brazilian beach hometown of our professor Tony Passos. The Guana and Jost Van Dyke models were inspired by our incredible, life changing catamaran sail around the British Virgin Islands last year. Not just the place but the story and the feeling behind it – it’s almost like writing a song for us to capture those moments in time. The colors of the Guana were inspired by three kayaks we spotted under a palm while snorkeling on the island of Guana, BVI. The other models have similar stories and inspirations as well.

Any exciting new products?

We are going to be offering “long” size models moving forward and, after much demand, KID sized gis starting with the Jeju! We have a host of new t-shirts, rash guards and hoodies planned and a couple of other unique ideas up our sleeve that we are working on as well.

Do you have any athletes you sponsor?

Kris Kim (Seoul, SK) and Tony Passos (Sterling, VA)

While we are grateful to sponsor such talented Athletes such as Tony Passos, Kris Kim, and a host of other black belts and competitors, we genuinely enjoy forming relationships with budding, hardworking, dedicated athletes who are working their way up the ranks as well. To us, there is great joy in working with someone from their foundations and then it just so happens that they’re wearing an ONDA gi when they're standing on an IBJJF medal podium, versus actively seeking out an athlete who is already at the top of their game for the sole purpose of our kimono being on the podium.

Sarah McMann rocking the Jost Van Dyke

Describe ONDA in three words

(I’m cheating and need to use phrases!)

-“Jiu jitsu’s a beach”

-“Live life in the moment, on and off the mat”

-“Allow the flow”

Thanks for your time! :)

Onda makes my favorite Gi's.The Bavaro (left) is a clean, classic 550 GRM pearl weave with updated silver and grey accent and embroidary. Honestly, it's simple, comfortable and rolls like a dream!

The Guana (right) is singe handedly my favorite gi I own....and believe me, I have plenty! Inspired by the Guana British Islands, it's a very lightweight, competition friendly and extremely durable gi. On more than one occasion I have caught someone in a compromising position only to have them stop and admire my gi. "Wow, clean lines. This is beautiful" a training partner said before promptly being guillotined.

These really are fantastic gis, made by a brilliant new company with a sincere love for what they do. You can find them here on facebook or checkout their online store.

I received an email recently from a girl who *gasp* started crying during training. It said:

I've trained for 8 months. The first gym I was at had lots of female training partners, but now I am one of the only women. I don't mind rolling with men and I'm really a strong girl but recently I cannot deal. I don't want people to baby me but sometimes they roll me too hard. Last training I rolled with a guy who slammed me, not enough that the blackbelt saw but enough that it really shook me and it was obvious he didn't know his own strength. Then he rolled me into a wall and seems to target me every time we roll. I walked off of the mat crying and that's not normally something I do. There are a few guys who go really hard on me and I have cried a couple of times. It seems like once I started crying I couldn't stop. I really am serious about jiu jitsu and I swear I'm not a pussy, but it's stressful. Have you cried? Is that normal? I don't want people to not take me seriously or my professor to think I'm a baby.

First, let me say you are not a baby because you are crying. We have strong emotions about things that we really care about. Sometimes the things that I love the most are also the things that frustrate me the most. That being said, I have cried, actually in a very similar situation. There was a man I used to roll with, who would shove me all over the place- he'd throw me, roll extra hard and one day I just left the room and cried...and I felt really stupid. I had to step back, re-evaluate the situation and realize, he was going so hard because maybe he saw me as a threat. I was good enough that his ego felt fragile and threatened and for me that was very powerful. Now whether this was true or not, I'll really never know, but it helped me keep calm when I rolled with him, assured me that my ability was where it needed to be, made me focus on the skills I did have and allowed me to do more than just survive the roll.

Second. What is your relationship like with your professor? Is it someone you are close with? Is this person a problem only for you? Is it all of the time? Ask your professor to keep an eye on the roll and he or she can probably give you their insight on the situation.

Next, if you are rolling with someone who constantly makes you feel unsafe-simple- stop rolling with them. You can usually tell the difference between a person who is a little spastic and nervous and a person who is spastic, out of control and likely to injure you. There is a good possibility that you are not the only person who feels that way. There is no shame in stopping a roll if a person has no control. Ever heard the saying "you are not the most important person on the mat, your training partner is?" Maybe he has forgotten this. If he is constantly injuring or making you feel unsafe feel free to tell your professor you'd prefer not to roll with him.

Also, I cried a few times when I felt I reached a plateau. In fact, around 8 or 9 months I felt like I was constantly peaking and plateauing and then I stayed stagnant for a long time. This created tons of frustration which manifested itself in different ways- one was being a cry baby (although I made sure to leave the mat because honestly no one wants to be the crying kid. HAHA!) If it happens occasionally don't worry about it, Jiu Jitsu is hard. It is designed to make you quit, but there is a reason that you have not. Focus on your strengths and develop on your weaknesses. A friend and training partner of mine, Jes, suggested writing down 2-3 things you want to improve on monthly.Figure out new ways to do things. If it were easy everyone would do it. Take comfort in that. I would say you are just passionate about what you're doing. You will figure it out. You will roll and you won't lose, you'll only learn.