Submission Shark Community | Instagram: @sundi_bjj

Full Name: Sundi Bear

Age: 32

Belt Colour: Blue 1 stripe

Professor: Lucian Phillips

Short Term Goals: Attend more local tournaments

Submission Shark:

Learning how to defend yourself is an important lesson for anyone. You never know when you will need to use those tools to potentially save your life or the life of a loved one. Having the confidence and peace of mind of knowing you can be safe on your own is a tremendous perk to have. Jiu-Jitsu and other martial arts have empowered millions of people to live a life without fear. Here's a story of someone that preserved through a terrible experience and proved that past victims can find their form of happiness once again.

This is a very inspiring article from a passionate practitioner and we can all learn something from her story. Make sure to share this with your friends and family. As the domestic abuse problem grows, so should the awareness and actionable steps needed in both prevention and recovery. 

How long have you been doing jiu-jitsu for?

It will be 3 years this March

Where do you train out of?

LDP Martial Arts

Do you prefer gi or no-gi?

I love both gi and no-gi...I find if a person trains in gi more often it gives you an edge in no gi.

Have your instructors helped you in other aspects of life other than jiu-jitsu?

My instructor, his wife, and children are family friends of ours so we spend lots of time together off the mats as well.

Well, today Coach surprised me at the end of open mat with a #bluebelt 😃 I can't believe I've made it this far in Jiu Jitsu. 

It will only push me to try harder and commit even more. This was one of my best days. Thanks, @ldpcoach, the team #ldpmartialarts, my big tough hunny @b.thompson99_martial.artist who missed it today.

What are some lessons you learned from jiu-jitsu that apply to everyday life?

1. To Listen 
2. To Be Humble
3. To Watch and Be Aware

How often do you train?

I try to train 4 days a week if I can

What made you want to start training?

My fiancee was really into MMA and Bjj for years. I was working at the gym and wanted more than just lifting weights, I told him I wanted to fight and he brought me to my first Jiu-jitsu and kickboxing classes at LDP. 

Do you plan on training your whole life?

I plan on training and teaching until my body won't let me. So that could be a long time!!

What’s it about jiu-jitsu that makes it so addicting?

For me its the constant progression, learning counter moves for every attack. It's like a game of chess with the body

What has jiu-jitsu done for your physical health?

Training BJJ has increased my cardio so much. I am no runner so this is a big one for me. Also, my core is pretty strong thanks to all of the knee on belly drills and transitions.

Has jiu-jitsu benefited your mental health?

Absolutely, thanks to that intense training I walk out of class feeling euphoric. I also look forward to going to the next class so that gives me a positive forward-thinking process.

 

If you could restart your jiu-jitsu journey, would you do anything differently?

I would have started yoga and been more careful tending to and recovering from injuries. 

A pic of my wonderful weekend 💖 
Yoga Teacher Education

What’s your advice for someone that’s never tried jiu-jitsu before but is interested in trying it?

Come try it, leave the ego at the door and have fun!

Do you have any aspirations in jiu-jitsu?

I would like to have more women come and not feel intimidated. I am currently co-teaching a women's class and it is finally gaining momentum. I Have been one of the only women in my community who has kept on training. I also teach the kids classes twice a week. My daughter is a 3 stripe grey belt and I am so lucky to watch her grow. 

As for myself, I just want to gain more knowledge. There was a time when all I wanted was more stripes and color on my belt. Now that I have my color I feel a bit more humbled, its a whole new world when Leg locks, Heel hooks and toeholds are a daily attack. 

What’s your favorite move?

Triangle from mount or omoplata

If you didn’t discover jiu-jitsu, where do you think you’d be now?

Doing some boring workouts at an overpriced gym.

Would you like to see the sport become more mainstream?

I honestly think BJJ should be an Olympic Sport. I have done Judo, TKD, and wrestling in the past and nothing really compares.  

Have any of your training partners pushed you to reach your full potential?

I had a stretch where I didn't want to go after recovering from a knee injury, my friend called me up and told me to get my ass back in the gym.

Also, my fiancee is a great training partner. When I get lazy and heavy he keeps pushing me during class. He has cornered me in tournaments and really knows what to say and when to say it.

When you were first starting, what was the most difficult concept of jiu-jitsu that you had trouble getting?

When I was new to Jiu-Jitsu I thought I was tough... I had a lot of muscle and endurance. However, getting arm-barred and choked left and right sure made me frustrated. So I had to leave my tough girl attitude behind. 

As a yoga teacher, do you feel like it helps with your jiu-jitsu? If so, in what way?

Yoga is incredible for not only flexibility but training your breathing. Slowing down and controlling the breathing is so important to have a quality roll.

 

What makes you want to inspire and motivate others?

I just want to see more women on the mats, Self defence builds so much confidence and is invaluable.

Do your kids practice Jiu-Jitsu as well? Do you think other parents should put their kids into a self-defense program?

My oldest daughter Leah Is a three-stripe grey bet and my youngest daughter is just starting to float in and out of classes. I think all children should be bullyproofed and taught respect from martial arts.  

I honestly wish I knew how to defend myself that night... It only ever happened once but it was awful. Even if a person is in a safe relationship there are still some scary people out there and you just never know when or if you will need to protect yourself

.

 

No, I never went back. 

 

Yes, If they can overcome the physical closeness and find a gentle and understanding partner to train with.

 

Your time will come, Karma never stops and I hope you can get the help you need as well.

 

Here's the shocking statistic of domestic violence:

• 85% of domestic violence victims are women.

• 1/4 of women worldwide will experience domestic/dating violence in their lifetime. Women between the ages of 20 to 24 are at greatest risk of becoming victims of domestic violence.

• Domestic violence is most likely to take place between 6 pm and 6 am.

• The costs of domestic violence amount to more than $37 billion a year in law enforcement involvement, legal work, medical and mental health treatment, and lost productivity at companies.

• As many as 324,000 women each year experience intimate partner violence during their pregnancy.

• Boys who witness domestic violence are 2 times as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults.

• Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women – more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined.

• 1/2 of all homeless women and children in the U.S. are fleeing from domestic violence.

• Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten.

• In 60% to 80% of intimate partner homicides, no matter which partner was killed, the man physically abused the woman before the murder.

Often, attackers will go completely unnoticed by the general public but a large number of cases are unreported because others aren't willing to step up and talk with authorities about suspicious activity. It's up to all of us to protect the ones that can't protect themselves but what if you don't know what an abusive relationship looks like? Abusive people can be hidden in plain sight.

Do you know the warning signs? Learn More Below!

A Crime Shrouded In Shame and Secrecy | The Growing Domestic Abuse Problem

As a friend who loves her family, teammates and helping people on and off the mats.