My Jiu-Jitsu Journey at Lira Jiu-Jitsu | Growth, Confidence & Community in Miami

My Jiu-Jitsu Journey: Finding the Right Place to Grow

Jiu-jitsu has been part of my life for a long time — just not always my practice.

My husband has trained for over a decade and recently earned his black belt. My girls have been on the mats since they were three and are now turning nine. So the world of jiu-jitsu was never foreign to me. It always felt familiar.

What was missing wasn’t the sport — it was the right place.

About a year ago, I found that place at Lira Jiu-Jitsu here in Miami!

From the beginning, I felt something different — not just community and growth, but safety.

And as a woman stepping into a contact sport, that matters more than people realize.

I felt supported. I felt like my coaches were looking out for me — not just pushing me to improve, but genuinely caring about my well-being. That environment changed everything. It’s the reason jiu-jitsu didn’t become just another hobby I picked up for a few weeks. It’s why it stuck.

Feeling safe on the mats allowed me to actually grow.

Choosing to Step Outside My Comfort Zone

After about a year of training consistently, I decided to sign up for my first competition.

The uncomfortable part wasn’t jiu-jitsu itself — it was the visibility of competition. Putting myself out there. Allowing myself to be seen trying something hard at 43. Being willing to stretch beyond what feels familiar.

I didn’t grow up playing competitive sports. This wasn’t about proving anything. It was about recognizing how much I’ve grown — and being willing to take that growth one step further.

And that growth is absolutely because of jiu-jitsu.

Competition Day (Without the Match)

On competition day, my opponent didn’t show up. There was no match.

I didn’t get to test myself physically. I didn’t get to review footage or analyze mistakes. I was disappointed — of course.

But I also realized something important:

I still showed up.

I trained.
I weighed in.
I put on the gi.
I warmed up.
I sat in the bullpen and waited.

I didn’t back out. I didn’t make excuses. I didn’t talk myself out of it.

And that mattered more than the match itself.

What Jiu-Jitsu Has Given Me (On and Off the Mats)

Jiu-jitsu has given me confidence far beyond technique.

It has taught me to stay calm when things feel overwhelming. To breathe when my body wants to panic. To trust that there is always a solution — even when I feel stuck or uncomfortable.

Life feels steady and balanced right now, and I’m grateful for that. But I’m also realistic. Hard seasons come for all of us.

Jiu-jitsu has quietly built a belief in myself that says: you can handle hard things.

Why It Matters for Our Family

Jiu-jitsu isn’t just something I do. It’s something we share.

It’s a bond between me and my husband. It’s something I do alongside my girls. As they grow — into middle school, high school, and beyond — the self-defense aspect matters deeply to us. But so does the community.

Strong women. Confident girls. Discipline. Respect. Role models.

Having a space where my daughters are surrounded by women who are capable, grounded, and supportive is invaluable. It’s a place where they can build confidence, move their bodies, work through emotions, and learn resilience.

That community — especially the female presence within it — is something I’m incredibly grateful for.

Showing Up Was the Win

I didn’t get the match.
I did get the growth.

I’m grateful to my coaches, my family, my teammates, and everyone at Lira Jiu-Jitsu who has shaped this journey in one way or another.

Whether I compete again or not, jiu-jitsu is here to stay. What it’s given me — confidence, calm, connection, and trust in myself — matters far beyond the mats.