Gabby is a passionate BJJ practitioner that has found many benefits from the sport. From new found confidence to patience and more, BJJ has become an important part of her personal development. In this interview, we learn more about her aspirations in the sport and what got her started in this wonderful martial art.

Submission Shark Community | Instagram: @gabz_bjj

Full Name: Gabriella AKA Gabby 

Age: 12 

Belt Colour: White 

Professor: Luiz Finocchio, Paulo Marmund, Hian Finocchio 

Short Term Goals: To continue my training, push myself to win my first Gold medal in competitions.  

How long have you been doing jiu-jitsu for? 

I have been training for 6 months.  

Where do you train out of? 

Southern Quarter in Amesbury.  

Do you prefer gi or no-gi? 

Gi 

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

BJJ has given me a new found confidence, and has taught me patience and commitment to something I want to get good at.  

How often do you train? 

On average I train 6 days a week but sometimes because of other stuff I only get 5 days a week.  

What made you want to start training? 

I have been looking for the right sports for me for sometime, although I’m very sporty and love all sports, BJJ has found a special place in my heart. I find a sense of calmness when training, I can focus and have more confidence. I struggle with school and Bjj has been somewhere I can escape to. 

Do you plan on training your whole life? 

Yes, absolutely! 

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

I love my friends, I love my coaches, it’s a hard sport and if I’m having a bad day, all I have to do is step on to the matts and my day is fixed. It’s given me a new family, and a sense of achievement. 

What has jiu-jitsu done for your physical health? 

It has made me stronger, has improved my endurance. 

Has jiu-jitsu benefited your mental health? 

Yes. Massively. It’s my run to whenever times are tough. I started this sport when life was a little tough, having moved home and schools and the mats were my calm space from day 1. 

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

No. My journey has only just started and I have really enjoyed my journey so far. I have already entered a few comptetions and although I have had very tough fights I have gained so much more. I just want to keep improving. 

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

Go for it, learn the basics and the rest will flow naturally. Enjoy the journey and personal growth. Don’t take it too seriously, it’s a huge thing to learn and you need to laugh through the learning! 

Do you have any aspirations in jiu-jitsu? 

I would like to one day become a jiu-jitsu coach. 

Gabby and her coaches

What’s your favourite move? 

2 leg takedowns 

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

Probably still trying to fit in. Struggling even more with school. 

Would you like to see the sport become more mainstream? 

Yes, I think schools should offer jui-jitsu as a sport. It teaches you so much. I think its very important for everyone to also learn self defence and jui-jitsu does just that. 

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

Yes my best friend Lilly, she has been doing jui-jitsu for 2 and half years. She really pushes me to become better. She is always there for me on my competitions and is my fave sparing partner. 

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

Memorising the moves. I found it difficult sometimes to recreate the techniques  shown. 

Gabby and Her Sister

If you had to describe Jiu-Jitsu to someone that's never heard of it before in under 5 words, what would those words be? 

Play fighting with skills 

What has been the most memorable moment you've had on the mats so far? 

All my competitions, they took lots of courage to go out and do them, but once the clock starts, I get super focused.  

Was there a difficult moment in your life where jiu-jitsu helped you get through it? If so, please explain. 

I really struggled to focus in school and a lot of self doubt. Jiu-Jitsu has helped me focus, and makes me feel part of a bigger purpose. It’s really nice to see me improving when I try and stick to something.  

What would you like to say to everyone that has supported you on your journey? 

Thank you for everything you guys have helped me achieve. You have helped me learn moves and use them in my competitions. Thank you for the confidence you all have given me when I didn’t believe in myself.  

Gabby at BJJ competition

When the journey is over, how would you like to be remembered? 

I hope it never ends, but if it does, I just hope people see me as someone who always smiled, never gave up and was a good person to fight against, win or lose. 

Final Thoughts

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