I did not have an easy childhood, I remember I would always hide from my dad because, he used to come home shouting and wrecking the place, totally out of control. Don’t get me wrong, My father was always a good person he was a judo athlete but the alcohol affected his life badly. I was a hyperactive child with a lot of energy so much so that my mother always let me do the sports since then. I was part of the basketball team in high school, I had swum for 3 years and competed in chess for 1 year. (I believe that`s where my competitive side came from). What I am trying to say here is everything that makes me move physically or think strategically to move forward, I really like.  

``My mother said that I used to say that I wanted to be a coach or a teacher and a fighter just like my father was.``

Years later, my friend and I had joined the gym to workout and that is where my Jiu Jitsu journey began. And, we all know when you start in a new gym you want to do all the classes, don’t you? That was us and one of these classes was Jiu Jitsu which my friend at the time begged me to do with him. Believe it or not I did not want because it is a full contact sport, I could not have a long nails and people were sweating all over. However, He got me to do one class and it was enough, I found it very interesting to be able to choke or take somebody down without much strength at all. By that time I was working, going to the college, partying all the time and smoking cigarettes. 

I knew there were something special in that (DOJO) mat , that stopped me going out and going to train. I wanted to know how to defend myself, how to be able to be in control and how to not be struggling when someone IS fighting you. After so many classes I realised that JIU JITSU is my thing and the people there were a family to me. 

Everything made sense for me, I did not want to hide myself behind someone else as used to. I had started to change my routine, my lifestyle, started to create new goals and be determined. I wanted to fight, compete and still, this feeling is in my soul. 

Jiu Jitsu brought me huge benefits, friends and a good life, I am so happy to be part of this amazing environment and to be able to pass it on.