My Personal Pans recap

by Jen

I am still coming down from my high from the Pans.  It was a blessing to enjoy such an amazing trip. Proudly I am the first student under Marcelo Meleiro to bring home Pan gold.  I won the female masters blue belt middle weight division, winning two matches by armbar submission.

I am working hard to keep this win in perspective.  In some ways I believe it can be the luck of the draw - how you’re bracketed, how you feel that day, how many competitors in your division and so much more. What matters the most (in my book anyway) is doing all that you can to prepare, leaving everything you have on the mat, and proudly representing your team with good sportsmanship.  Every single person that has the courage to step foot on the competition mat should be celebrated.  So while I take a moment to step back and enjoy the success, I focus on future competitions.   My goals are set for these 6 months before the Miami Open. 

My Pan medal belongs to Marcelo, RFLX Training Center and all of the students.  All that I did to win it was follow what my coach told me to do.  From incessantly training guard, to how and when I warmed up that day, to my game plan for the matches – I followed his leadership.  

My teammates never let up on me in training, even on those nights when I cried from frustration.  Thank you guys! It is because of the hard training and the tips that they shared with me that I showed up feeling confident and ready.  Marcelo thanks for the right words on those nights when the tears rolled.  And John, thank you for helping to make this trip possible.

Lastly, I am humbled by the incredible support I received from my coach, my team, the Crossfit ATP team, my community of friends and my family.  I was blown away by the love.  I cannot forget my number one supporter, Tom.  He put up with my tears and my anxiety induced bad moods.  I love you baby! 

The trip itself was amazing.  I will never forget the energy at the competition, being around jiu jitsu greats, seeing old friends (Congrats to Allie – gold in her division & open!) and meeting new ones.  Spending time with John, Marcelo, out teammate Adam, and Tom was probably the best part of the trip.  RFLX is filled with the best guys around – I’m sure of it.

My advice to anyone who's on the fence about competing - Do It! You won't be sorry.

Our trip to Newport Beach the day before we competed

 

Crystal Cove State Park - Breathtaking!

One of my happiest moments ever!

RFLX Team - Adam, Marcelo, me, Tom & John!

Marcelo and John -I couldn't ask for better coaches!

This little guy was begging for food by the Newport Beach pier

Crystal Cove State Park

Tom's match - unfortunately he lost by points

One of my two matches

Thanks to Elias Diamond Cutting for being a great supporter of our school!