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It’s something you can learn forever. It feels like every time I train I’m trying something new, sometimes it works and a lot of times it doesn’t.
Its intense but peaceful at the same time, like learning how to relax when someone is trying to kill you. -Christian
Jul 7, 2025
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Consistency in the sport requires maintenance like yoga lifting and supplements which really keeps me in check regarding my health. In the most healthy way I’ve learned more about my body without the pressure of counting calories & protein intake. Growth is slow & steady but very tangible which I respect the most. When the general public thinks of martial arts everyone tends to stereotype the sport as a sort of Karate or Taekwando. This used to drive me up the wall but recently I’ve adapted the mentality of the girls that get it, get it! (Lol) I’m definitely a part of the minority within the sport as a brown woman but I view it as a safe space to navigate my confidence, my ability to ask questions & learn amongst a multitude of other things that are directly applicable to my outside of gym life. Everyone is both friendly and competitive in the same breath which I found very refreshing.
May 21, 2024
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I signed up for an MMA gym membership in March, and showing up is honestly the best part of my day.
Of course, training is excellent and fun physical exercise. Classes start with 10-15 minutes of warming up which can include rounds of jump rope, calisthenics, and shadowboxing. Then for the remainder of the hour, it's partnered drills. What can I say, it's fun to punch and kick lol.
The drills are an excellent mental exercise as well, especially if you are new. It feels like learning how to walk or ride a bike all over again. I remember feeling so lost and like a fish out of water for a couple weeks, but you just keep showing up, you keep getting those reps in, and you get better. Noticing and feeling that improvement is such a goddamn high, oh my goodness. There's nothing like practicing a new drill or combination that the coach demonstrated, and finally nailing it when it feels natural. Even better when you get approval from the coach!
I haven't done full sparring sessions yet, but in the few short technical spars I've done, the importance of fight IQ and making the right decisions and reads is so evident.
This is just my experience with my gym, but it has been incredibly positive, supportive, chill (but not TOO chill), and judgement-free. Everyone is there to become better versions of themselves, and you can just feel that energy in the gym. I always feel incredible when I walk out after a session.
May 15, 2025
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Back in the day (aka like 4 years ago), I used to wake up early on Sunday mornings to lifeguard the Aqua Tai chi class at the Indianapolis JCC for a ripe $12/hr. I hope i can’t get in trouble for this now but i must admit that I occasionally fell asleep while i ought to have been diligently at my post. It was sooo warm in there, and the instructor would put on this nice flute meditation music, so there was really no way I was gonna make it out of that pool as a star employee.
Anyways, I have to take a PE class now to graduate college, and I have had the delight of taking Tai chi this semester (inspired, of course, by that very JCC Aqua Tai chi class). It’s a physical and mental meditation, but also a fr workout. Some things I think it helps with: balance, flexibility, bodily awareness, reflexes, mindfulness. Also, low-impact and modifiable to suit different levels of mobility, meaning it lends (or rather, suggests) itself well to long term practice 😌
Feb 13, 2024
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Jul 7, 2025
My favorite anime, the story, the soundtrack. I love the way it blends fantasy with reality. I rewatch it once a year and it inspires me in many ways. -Christian
Jul 7, 2025