I’m writing this for all those who have been struggling… stay strong Mentally!

I made It! This is my third year to say I’m going to Worlds (and/or Masters) and the first time that it actually happened. Year after year had plagued me financial and/or medical/injury. The first year was a shredded shoulder which resulted in a surgical labral repair that followed a surgery to remove my gallbladder. The next year was a damaged foot along with other health and financial issues… and then there was this year, I actually made it! But I’m writing to say that it did not come without trials and tribulations as well. I suffer from an array of autoimmune ailments. I have an internal battle every day. I’m a single mother who works full-time and just started a 501 (c)3 organization. My daughter is a part of every activity under the sun and I am an athlete. I couldn’t do this alone. I have a few REALLY great friends and an awesome Jiu Jitsu family.

This year started with a bad bout of asthma that was aggressively treated. I competed in January and had a few micro Heart Attacks during my fights that were induced by the prescribed asthma medications. I recovered after a few months but there went Adult Worlds. It was May before I could jog down the block without keeling over – I kept at it though. I refused to quit! I started a new lifting regimen to build my body naturally and added a few new cardio workouts. (Special thanks to my coaches for staying on me about conditioning) New health problems continued to plague me. I found out that I’m allergic to dairy and had to change my entire eating habits. The inflammation in my body was too much and it was severely slowing me down (internally and externally) My other shoulder started to give me problems and in fact it feels like it’s falling off me as I type this message. So Physical Therapy will have to commence soon.

A myriad of other issues continued to be thrown my way. My daughter turned 16 and I planned on giving her my car then going to buy a new one. Well, that car left me on the side of the road 2 months before I was ready to buy a new car and now my daughter’s car is not operable. (And believe me, l’m excited for this kid to drive herself to her activities, LOL) so I get a new car, make the first car payment on a Friday and on Sunday, two days before flying out to World Masters, a teenager slams into the back of me sending me into the backend of the car in front of me. My new car was smashed and all I could do was be THANKFUL that I was in one piece. I went home, kissed Babygirl and thanked God for all my blessings. I boarded my flight on Wednesday and as soon I got off the plane I struggled with severe leg and foot cramps. Wednesday thru Friday in Vegas was a serious struggle for my body. My joints locked up and my legs didn’t want to work right. I went to buy vitamins and minerals to help as well as a new TENS unit to revive my body. Saturday morning, competition day… I could walk a little better and nothing else mattered. That day I was going on the mats to represent Master Women and give it all I had. The trip was paid for, I was registered, and I was in Vegas. It was not my best display of Jiu Jitsu but it was the best I had for that day.
I had a million reasons to quit before Saturday but I had a million and One reasons to push forward.

If you read this far, thank you. I’m writing to those individuals who continually struggle. I’m writing to the ones who think they can’t do it. I’m writing to those who mentally take a shortcut. This is a marathon and something I plan to do for the rest of my life. I am so thankful to have found Jiu Jitsu I can only say that I wished that I found it sooner. This BJJ lifestyle will mold you to be a better person but the price is steep (meaning sacrifices) and it takes a lot of time. You may not be the professional athlete but you will find your TRUE riches in life.

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. ~ Charles R. Swindoll

Don’t quit on yourself! Find your strength in your higher power. Surround yourself with great company…And improve yourself 1% at a time. Give love freely and show love to yourself. You can have Whatever it is you want in life. You just have to be willing to work and make sacrifices for it. Change your mindset to change your ways. I have to hit the reset button more often than I’d like to admit but I’m getting better at it.

I wish everyone the best.

Signing out now and sending all of you LOVE.