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I started in Jiu-jitsu because of bullying at my school. At that time, it was not called
bullying but I was always bigger than other children and that would make me a target to
prejudice. I discovered Jiu-Jitsu through an uncle and started training and it was there
that I released all my stress and energy.
I got to a point where I was in college, working and wanted to compete.
I was able to work all together but one year I decided to stop my college and turn into a competitor.
It was very hard. It's hard for women because we suffer a lot of prejudice from our family,
friends, sponsors, with the audience. I think i was one of the pioneers in turning female
Jiu-Jitsu more visible to people because of my size and my aggressiveness.
I believe Jiu-Jitsu brought to my life was the acceptance of defeat and victory in
all things in life. On the mat, one day you loose, the other day you win. And in life
it's the same, we win, we loose and we get used to it on the mat that when it happens
in life we know that in the future we can turn things around and there's always good
things waiting for us. Everything is moments, the moment of defeat, the moment of victory.
That comes from inside us.
For women, Jiu-Jitsu is very important for self defense. It also changes our body.
You will be more fit and will relieve the daily stress.
You will learn to defend yourself. It's very important to all girls. I recommend to all women.
It's very hard for you to first walk into an academy and take classes with men.
A lot of girls have husbands that don't like it because of the contact
This is normal in the beginning. It comes a time in our life that we see that on the mat we are all the same.
Don't matter if we are men, women, which race we are, the weight, jiu-Jitsu is for everyone.
It was really hard for me. I was someone nobody liked.
I didn't have the proper technique to be a champion.
I turned things around and decided that this was what I wanted for my life. Today I am someone liked by all
People come talk to me about my training routine.
I don't train to be a champion, i train because i love. I learned that this is my life.
Jiu-Jitsu gave all I have, not only medals but gave the opportunity to know places and wonderful people.
Jiu-Jitsu made me new friends and made lose the fear of losing and the fear of people.
It made me stop being a shy person and made me accept who I am. I like the fact that I 'm a big girl. I like my size.
The tip I give to all the girls is don't give up. It's hard. the beginning was hard for me.
Up until my 24 years of age, my parents paid for my trips.
After I started winning, I got sponsors and I was able to live out of Jiu-Jitsu.
Today I can say that I live out of Jiu-Jitsu. I live out of sponsors, seminars.
I have sponsors that men don't have. I have things that men don't have.
So it only depends of ourselves.
I don't fight anymore only to be a champion. I fight for my spirit.
So girls, fight for your spirits, for yourselves. Never fight for others.
The biggest secret to be a champion and to be a multi-champion is not having the fear of loosing.
Defeat comes to everyone but it passes and victory arrives too.
Never fear. Go into the mat and give your best. Never come out of it thinking that you could have done something different.
This is my biggest secret. I have no fear of losing.