The Feeling I Didn’t Know I Missed.

How our son’s courage...

made way for our family’s journey.

It Started With Levi

In June 2024, my husband Anthony and I decided we should sign our 7-year-old son Levi up for jiu-jitsu.

Levi is a kindhearted, gentle soul. He had no ounce of aggression and not much self-confidence. Other kids would bully his friends, and he would step in and take the bullying on himself to shield them, but he wouldn’t stand up and shut the bullying down. We wanted to put him in something that would build his self-confidence, give him ground to stand on when others around him were acting unkind, and get him active in a sport. He had tried a few, but nothing had gained his interest enough.

Then Anthony Stepped on the Mat

After just two days of watching Levi’s classes, Anthony decided to join. He had been active in sports his whole life, and he hoped his involvement would also help Levi remain committed to the sport and attending classes.

The Feeling I Didn’t Know I Missed

Levi and Anthony signed up for their first competition in October 2024, just four months into training. Walking into that competition, I felt the buzz of excitement, adrenaline, and all the nerves from the athletes getting ready for their matches. It was a familiar buzz, one I had grown accustomed to and so comfortable with from decades of competitive horseback riding and years of playing field hockey. That buzz was something I so deeply missed and didn’t even know it until I walked into that competition.

Way Outside My Comfort Zone

For the next month, I spent a lot of time discussing with Anthony and our coach Jack how I could get comfortable enough to join. I didn’t want to roll with other people; that wasn’t something I was remotely comfortable with. Anthony offered to be my training partner and roll with me for every class. Knowing I could jump into this sport, which was way out of my element, and have my husband and best friend as my training partner is the sole reason I am here as an active competitor in jiu-jitsu today. I joined one month after Anthony and Levi’s first competition.

From Their Sport to Our Sport

Now, Levi trains three to four days a week. He has made several close friendships, including with his best friend Cullen. The two of them have helped each other get better in this sport and in life. They lean on each other when they’re having tough times, laugh together and act like goofballs, and bicker and battle on the mat.

Anthony and I train together five days a week. Those training sessions have helped us both progress in the sport and grow in our marriage. We have been best friends since I was 18 (I’m now 38). There truly is nothing better than having your best friend as your biggest supporter, training partner, and cheerleader.

As a family, we have now done four competitions together. Levi has done eight competitions to date. Anthony and I have completed 11 competitions together, and each of us has done 18 competitions total.

Growing on the Mat and Off It

Jiu-jitsu has truly helped us grow and develop as individuals while deepening and strengthening our family bond.

We have seen Levi grow not just in his jiu-jitsu, but also in his self-confidence and bravery. That kid has the absolute best sportsmanship, and it makes us so proud!

For me, now going on 10 years into motherhood, I have truly found myself, my strength, and my self-confidence. I have surprised myself with how much I have stepped out of my comfort zone and continue to push through the discomfort to achieve things I never thought possible.

I’ve watched Anthony grow stronger (which I didn’t think he could get any stronger), both mentally and physically. He has become a strong, technical grappler while being the kind of support others are so lucky to have. At every competition, I can count on him smiling and chatting with his opponent while actively trying to submit each other. This man will do whatever he can to ensure those he cares about are taken care of and have what they need to succeed in their dreams. If you’re lucky enough to have him on your side, you know exactly what I mean.

The Routine We Share

Sharing a sport as a family is truly something so special. We all understand how much it takes to show up to class each and every day. Sometimes we may not want to get up and go, whether we’ve had a hard day or just aren’t feeling it. But we hold each other accountable and walk through those doors with the support of one another each night. We leave class together, tired and feeling accomplished, get home, clean up, and eat dinner together. It’s our routine, and a routine the three of us get to share every day.

Cheer Louder for Those Around You

Who knows where this will take us, together and individually? But seeing my guys win—whether it’s winning against themselves by pushing through a difficult time, winning by just stepping onto the competition mat, or winning a match—means more to me than anything else.

We each have our own things we want to work toward and achieve. We can focus on those goals individually while being a strong family team and encouraging each other with a true understanding of what each of us is working on.

Cheer louder for those around you 🫶🏼