I Am A Champion?

Posted by Jen

Most of my training partners are men of all ages who are heavier and stronger than me. And most have been training much longer than I have.

Marcelo has been encouraging me in my progress, but pointing out that many of the moves I’m missing and mistakes I’m making are a result of a mental block. I need to stop telling myself that I can’t win against these guys. I’m so thankful that when my confidence is lacking, he helps me to believe that I deserve to be here.

A couple of weeks ago he posted a you tube clip called I Am a Champion –it’s a coach preparing his team for a battle on the football field through a powerful speech. I told him that I needed to pump it into my ear guards.

For days after, he kept asking me “Who are you,” but I just couldn’t utter those four words out loud. He told me that I need to think it in my head, even if I can’t say it.

This week, I decided it was time to try it out. My workout started Monday with a CrossFit Work Out of the Day (WOD) at CrossFit ATP, where my bjj school is located. It’s always a bad sign when the previous class is working up to the final minutes of the hour and then, lying motionless on the floor from exhaustion once it’s over.

The warm up was a 1-mile timed run and the WOD was three rounds for time of: 30 Wallball shots, with a 14 pound ball (10.5 foot target) breaking parallel and 35 pound Squat snatches, 30 reps (from floor). The last round of Squat snatches was tough –especially with trainers Juan and Christine yelling to me “Jen, you need to squat lower!”

I decided it was time! I stared at the bar and said those four words in my head, and powered through the work out in just under 17 minutes!

Next, it was time for BJJ. The warm up was tough - especially after just finishing the WOD, but I did it. When it was time to roll, again, I played those words in my head. And guess what, it worked! I felt like I had my best night in weeks! I got tired, the guys got super heavy, but I found the strength to sweep, to go forward, and do whatever it took to get on top!

What will next week bring? Will these 4 little words still work? And will they work for me at IBJFF in October? I guess we’ll have to wait and see!