If you have been living under a rock you wouldn’t be aware that last weekend a jiu jitsu camp happened. Jess Fraser from Australian Girls In Gi organised 135 women to train, roll, learn and hang together for 3 whole days. It was a mammoth task and as far as I’m aware it’s by far the biggest event of it’s kind in the world.

A few months ago Jess approached me with an offer of a teaching position at the camp. I was a little sceptical at first, as in the past it was the likes of a black belt World Champion Sophia Mcdermott who taught, but I slowly warmed up to the idea. And I’m glad I did.

The coaching team comprised of Australian home grown black and brown belt women. Maryanne Mullahy is my team mate, a multiple time World Champion and one of the nicest people you will ever meet. Esther Tavares-Tutida is Australia’s 2nd female black belt, a mother of 3, my training partner and one of my favourite people ever. Hope Douglass is a brown belt, who is a pioneer for women’s BJJ in Sydney and a wonderful teacher. Jess Fraser needs to introduction, she is just badass. And then there was me. We all agreed to teach different parts of our game to both beginners and advanced women.

During the introduction speeches, I didn’t quite expect how proud I would feel of myself, of us, and especially of Jess. Just 5 years ago, Jess, I and maybe 3 others used to get together to roll on yoga mats, in a dingy yoga studio, because it was a neutral space. We were all blue belts, and not very good ones at that. The first camp that Jess organised was taught by a purple belt and had 30 ladies, which we thought was incredible.

Fast forward 5 years and my competitors have become some of my best friends. I have no words to how much I look up to the women I got to teach with. Putting aside the 6 World Titles and 10 World Championship medals we share between us, these ladies are simply amazing. Each has a different story, various achievements, careers, and paths we took to get to where we are. So when I sat alongside these legends and realised that 2.5 years ago, I was just another blue belt, I felt freaking proud of myself and of us. I certainly didn’t have to look far for inspiration last weekend…

I kicked off the camp off by teaching my favourite guard – single x, x guard and it’s variations. Even though I prefer passing, I think everyone should know single x – it’s basic, simple and very high percentage. It was certainly a challenge to cater for so many women, all of different experience and skill level. Whilst not wanting to bore the advanced girls, I couldn’t make things too complicated for more novice participants. Those who know my teaching style, know that I pay a great amount of attention to details. I am a perfectionist, but even more so, being 52kg I cannot afford to rely on size or strength, so I have to get the details right for things to work. Over the last year, I have grown to really enjoy teaching and it was a pleasure to see people grasp the concept at the end of the session. I am forever thankful to Jess for entrusting me to share some of my knowledge during her camp.

It was also fantastic to see the other coaches’ styles, games and details over the weekend. What a wonderful way to showcase the Aussie women to the world.

I didn’t sit out of a single roll for the 3 days and I’m so excited for the future of Australian women. So many up and coming blue belts and teenagers, whom will be kicking my butt sooner than later.

Apart from lots and lots of BJJ, I enjoyed socialising, making new and diverse friends and letting loose on the dance floor. I met ladies who will go on to become World Champions and women who taught me more than I ever imagined about balance, peace and pure joy of training.

In all, the camp was such a positive and empowering experience. Australia is so far removed from the rest of the world that I think we cannot afford to not stick together. Proof is in the pudding – just look at the coaching team. We all train together at times and support the shit out of one another and get results on the international stage.

I think Jess deserves a giant medal. And lots of recognition.  And copious amounts of wine.

I am so proud of you!

Check out the preview to Darran Petty’s AGIG Camp documentary:

If you would like to learn more of my tricks, come to a Women’s Only Class each friday at Absolute South Yarra. All affiliations welcome!

The beautiful photos are by Fiona Gumboots. You can purchase your own copies here.

Special thanks to AGIG Camp sponsors:

Grappling Industries

Jess Fraser

Atlas Brand

GRRRL Clothing

2015 was a busy and a fabulous year… can’t believe it’s already over.

Photo by Richard Whetton

The biggest surprise happened to me only 2 weeks ago, when Lachie awarded me my brown belt. I feel like I literally just started BJJ and not so long ago brown belt had a magic ring to it. Now it’s my reality and I can’t wait for the challenge.

This belt is the first coming from Lachie, which means the world to me. I know he has high expectations and it’s an amazing feeling that the Raptor thinks I’m worthy of a poo coloured belt. I don’t often think about belts or stripes when training, as it’s never been my motivating factor or a goal, so it took me by surprise how emotional I got and how much it meant to me as he tied the belt around my waist.

It has been a little over a year since opening doors to Absolute South Yarra and what a journey it has been. I love and value every single member – the community we are creating is what Lachie and I have always wanted. The training is hard, we have so many technical and accomplished fighters, the competition squad is the strongest in Australia, but most of all, it feels like family. I am personally super proud of having around 20 ladies training regularly, compared to just me this time last year. (PS. Come back to Australia Laura, we miss you!)

When I had to look for inspiration this year, I didn’t have to go far. Lachie has had major breakthroughs and led the team like a boss. Competing at his first ADCC, beating Edwin Najmi, competing at EBI and arm barring Rani Yahya are just a few of his accomplishments. What’s worth mentioning is that Lachie not only trains and coaches full time, but is also writing his PhD, presents at conferences, does physiotherapy research and works as a physio for the Australian Judo Team.

I had some massive ups and downs this year. I finally won a trip to Abu Dhabi, only to lose my first fight on the big stage. From there I flew to Japan to compete at the ADCC Trials in Tokyo. The excitement of beating a black belt rooster 2014 World Champion was quickly squashed by the disappointment of losing to Rikako Yuasa (2015 black belt World Champion) in the final.

I won a silver medal at the World Championships, which was extremely bitter sweet for me. I fought well and dominated first 3 rounds, and then made a lot of mistakes in the final, which resulted in me getting choked. I have fought Thamires many times in Brazil and each time there was nothing separating us. Coming second has fuelled my fire even more though, and I feel like I have come a long way in the last 6 months.

I finished the year off winning 4 gold medals at Pan Pacific Championships, winning all my fights by submission and 3 golds at the Melbourne Open. I made mistakes, but I took risks and tried new things I’ve been working hard on.

I overcame a few injuries this year and managed to stay somewhat sane. It’s crazy to think I competed with a hand fracture at the Abu Dhabi Trials, Abu Dhabi Pro, ADCC Trials and Worlds, only taking my splint off as I stepped on the mats. I’m happy to say I am now healthy, strong and ready to kick butt.

Professionally, I have enjoyed being a physio, teaching pilates and treating combat sports athletes. Teaching BJJ has been an amazing personal journey for me, as it took me a little while to believe in my skill and knowledge. I absolutely love coaching our women’s squad as well as mixed classes and I find it extremely rewarding.

To top it off I got to do fun things such as make a fool of myself translating live at the UFC Melbourne, training with Joanna Jedrzejczyk, doing a few photo shoots and having a camera follow Lachie and I around for a documentary due to be released mid -year!

2016 is already promising to be an adventurous, competition jam-packed year. I am so excited to see our club develop further and to start competing at brown belt, where things get a little more serious.

Thank you to my sponsors who supported me this year – MA1 Apparel, Musashi and Core Tactics.

Thanks to every single person who made this year as fantastic as it was. I am very lucky to have family, friends and business partners who are honest, smart, fun and keep me in check.

Bring on 2016!

Photo by Richard Whetton