If you rest...You Rust!

6/9/2014

Up until about a year ago I didn't really want to share my age publicly.
Maybe because I don't feel that old
or maybe because I didn't want to "look good for my age"
or I guess it could be because my fiancé is a little younger than I ;)
Tomorrow I will be 44 and I am ok with it!

I have started to feel really good about the things I have been able to accomplish these
past few years and not just for someone "my age".
I'm happy to be able to
make it through 5-7 BJJ classes a week, sometimes 2 in 1 day.

I'm proud of myself to have earned my
Purple Belt at 43 years old,
along side of
my 20 year old son.

I'm proud to have competed in several tournaments as an
adult (not Senior 2) including IBJJF Worlds this year,
I didn't win but, I also didn't
"break a hip".

I'm happy to say that I'm the Mom of 3 great kids
(one that is 26 years old and still likes having
me as her best friend)
and I'm a Grandma to the most awesome Grandson,
who will be 6 in 2 weeks.

And....I'm pretty lucky that this amazing
(and VERY good looking)
30 year old man
can't wait to
marry me this August!

People tell me all the time "age is just a number"
I agree for the most part.
But, I have to say
that after 3-4 nights in a row of training I feel
like I got hit by a truck and injuries seem to take
a lot longer to heal (and tend to happen more frequently)
and I do have a few more wrinkles then when I was 34 and
a few more grey hairs (but I don't
let anyone see that problem).
I do have some bonuses available to me in
the near future: senior living is a little
cheaper, discounts on food, movies etc.
and I'm hoping the excuse "I'm
old" will be excepted by my teammates at some point!
I have no intention of slowing down
even though sometimes my body tries to force me to,
I will fight it if I have to!
I have had plenty of though matches
and I'm up for the challenge!

12 Comments

Onewildorange

6/9/2014 01:25:04 pm

I'm 39 and started Jiu jitsu at 38 after watching my husband and kids do it for years...of course I regret not starting sooner but I always thought I was too old (and I thought people would think I was crazy)! After reading your blog and seeing all you've done for ladies in the Jiu Jitsu world, you've completely changed my mind. Your positive attitude and outlook on life is more than inspiring. Keep it up! It's women like you that encourage other women to be themselves and succeed! Rock on girlfriend!

Leslie Rials

6/9/2014 01:35:20 pm

Thank you so much! That means a lot to me! It's great seeing so many "women" starting Jiu jitsu!

Mom

6/9/2014 01:45:07 pm

Leslie that was a wonderful blog!!! It is funny as we start to grow older, age is really just a number. You are who you are and not how many years you are!!! I'm glad you have come to that conclusion my sweet, young daughter!!! You are absolutely amazing and I am so very proud of you. I'm so glad you and Andrew found each other!!! I wish you the happiest ever after ever!!! Love you both so much!!!
And remember no matter how old you are, you will always be my precious baby girl!!!
Love mom XXOO

6/9/2014 01:48:28 pm

Thanks Mom!
You made me who I am :)
Love you lots!!!
XXOO

Seta

6/9/2014 02:30:40 pm

You're amazing Leslie and I mean it!! I love this! You are a true inspiration to all women! Don't ever change :)

Leslie

6/9/2014 02:36:01 pm

Aww Thank you Seta!
You are such an inspiration too! You are one of the BJJ girls I inspired to be like when I started training! And an amazing Mom too! ♥

Candace Daher

6/9/2014 09:58:54 pm

Yay Leslie! Although we don't know each other personally,, we are sisters in BJJ. I will. Be 45 shortly and I completely agree with you. Just yesterday I had a brand new student tell me she wants to be me when she is 45.. That reminded me that being strong, competitive and fit isn't something reserved for younger people and it isn't unladylike or innappropriate

I teach at a high school with a lot of lost young women. I love to show them women who take charge of their own lives and make things happen. Thanks for being one of those ladies.

6/9/2014 11:08:39 pm

Thank you Candace! Another inspiring woman!!!

Meatbaol

6/10/2014 03:23:45 pm

Such a well written blog mom! Love you!!! Happy birthday!!!

6/10/2014 11:48:38 pm

Thanks Tori! It was an easy one to write :)
Love you!

Brook

6/11/2014 02:45:32 pm

Leslie,
You are an amazing women. Kadena and I are blessed to be able to call you a friend, a training partner and she even refers to you a coach. To me age only tells us one thing. How much younger you are than dirt.

Keep up all the amazing things you to and here is to 44 more years.

6/11/2014 02:49:57 pm

Thanks Brook! So glad I met you guys! You have been such a big help to me and you've been great supporters of JAG! So glad to have you as my friends :)

If you rest...You Rust!

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