Blue Belt Energy, Mum Strength

Between school runs, responsibilities and everything else that comes with being a mum, finding time for yourself can be rare. Let alone committing to something as demanding as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. But for some, the mats become more than just training, they become a space to grow and prove something to themselves.

This Mother’s Day, I wanted to spotlight our blue belt mums who have done exactly that, earning their blue belt through quiet (or not so quiet) consistency and relentless effort. I spoke to them about the reality behind their BJJ journeys.

Working through the physical and mental challenges that come with both motherhood and training, Amy and Jaydee have proven they are a force to be reckoned with. What started as a way to reclaim time for themselves, grew into a beautiful journey of resilience, discipline and quiet determination.

Q: Question

A: Amy

J: Jaydee

Q: Tell us a bit about your life outside of Jiu-Jitsu?

A: Outside of Jiu-Jitsu, I am a mum! I have looked after my son full-time for 5 years now, so pretty much the same amount of time I have been training.

J: I am a mum of two boys, and outside of the gym I work as a builders labourer with my partner in our own building business.

Q: What was your biggest challenge when you first started?

A: My biggest challenge when I first started, I think, was definitely my stamina and not being able to finish the whole class. I wasn’t really active during my pregnancy, so the warm ups were actually difficult for me, especially being someone who had just given birth. 

J: My biggest challenge when I first started was definitely overcoming that fight-or-flight feeling. At the start it’s really overwhelming, but over time you learn to stay calm and think through it. It literally took me 2 years to confidently perform a forward roll without freaking out.

Q: How has your training impacted your life and confidence since starting?

A: I actually didn’t need to build confidence prior to starting, I am already quite a bubbly person which is something I found to be a positive going into such new territory.Training has made a positive impact on how active I am with my child, being able to go through the whole day without feeling so tired all the time is certainly a plus. I also love having shared interests with others who are also focusing on the same target. It has brought new people into my life that I may not have met had I not started Jiu-Jitsu.  

J: BJJ has shown me that I can do hard things. That even when I feel uncomfortable, I am actually still very capable of overcoming it.

This just proves that mums can literally do anything. They are the backbone to a family unit. Amy’s recent promotion to Purple Belt is a perfect reminder of that. Congratulations, Amy!

These journeys aren’t about perfection or being the strongest in the room. They’re about the “I almost didn’t come today” moments that turn into “I’m glad I did.” They’re about learning to breathe under pressure on the mats, and somehow taking that same calm into everyday life chaos too.

There’s something really special about the mums that train. Not because they need to prove anything, but because they already carry so much and still choose to carve out something just for themselves. That alone is powerful.

To Amy, Jaydee, and all the mums on the mats, whether you are a white belt or seasoned belt tying up for another round, you set the tone in ways you probably don’t even realise. You show up, you try again, you laugh through the tough rounds, and you keep going. And in doing that, you’re teaching far more than Jiu-Jitsu. You’re showing resilience to your kids, you’re modelling self-respect, and you’re proving that strength doesn’t disappear when you become a mum, it evolves.

So this Mother’s Day, here’s to the mums who roll, who wrestle, who survive the chaos of life and still make it to class. The ones who are building something quietly powerful every single time they step on the mats.

We see you, we’re cheering for you, and we’re lucky to have you on the team. 💙

Jaydee recieving her 3rd stripe!

Amy's Purple Belt Grading!