2013 has turned out to be one of the best years of my life!
Those of you who are close to me, know that I had a very rough 2012. Maybe its true that good things come to those who wait.
My 2013 started on New Years Day with the 1st "I love you" from my boyfriend Andrew. (Andrew is not a big fan of PDA so I'm sure I will get a hard time for posting this, sorry Babe ;) But, it was just the 1st of many thing that made my 2013 a great one!
March 22nd, 2013, I went to CA to compete in Pan Ams, with the intent to just compete to say "I did Pan Ams" and ended up bringing home the Gold!
April 2013, my company "Just a Girl in a Jiu Jitsu World" started to take off, with daily sales of t-shirts and Just a Girl items, we later introduced "Eminence Kimono", a gear company for ALL (not just girls) which is starting to do very good as-well.
October 2013, after swearing off competing (I get severe anxiety when competing) I went to Master/Seniors Worlds and again was able to secure the Gold. This competition season was very good to me and I feel very blessed to have had such great training partners and coaches to help me and push me on a daily basis.
Last night was the icing on the cake of my 2013. The night started off with my son Tyson receiving his Purple Belt, Tyson has been a blue Belt since I started Jiu Jitsu and has trained very hard and done amazing in tournaments, winning several Gold medals and facing some of the best in the toughest weight division in this sport (typically having at least 20 opponents locally and well over 100 nationally) I'm so proud of Tyson and being able to live this journey with him is unexplainable!
I also received my Purple Belt last night! I have to say, this was the biggest accomplishment of my adult life. I don't typically put my age out there but, for those of you who don't know, I'm 40 something, so training 5 plus days a week sometimes twice a day is rough on the body! I won't say I don't feel it (or pay for it) later but, I try my best to push through and train my hardest. I'm not sure if this accomplishment has set in completely yet considering it was an emotionally draining night and I still haven't came out of the fog yet.
The evening was topped of with my boyfriend Andrew receiving his Black Belt! Andrew has been a Brown Belt since we 1st met. He is so dedicated, not only to his own training but to his students! Going above and beyond just teaching classes. Andrew LIVES Jiu Jitsu! I feel really lucky to be his "side-kick" and experience this lifestyle with him. Seeing Andrew receive his Black Belt last night, along side of my 2 other instructors Jesus Jose and Andrew Brittin, was such a great moment, very emotional for all who attended and know how hard these 3 work and all they do for us! VERY PROUD of you all!!!
Also receiving new belts last night: JT Tores, a guy who has been doing no-gi for quite awhile and has transitioned to gi, which he took to very easily, JT is the most polite and respectful guy, always calling me ma'am, received his Blue Belt. Yesenya Villafuerte, one of my favorite training partners who has also become a great friend, received her Orange/ Black Belt. Bobby Torres (who will surely grow into another great training partner) received his Grey Belt. Andre Rodriquez, a "kid" who gives me a run for my money daily, received his Green Belt. Noah Briggs and Brandon Wade, two guys who very consistently put in hard work and dedication on a daily basis received their Purple Belts!
The Journey to Purple has been a whirlwind of hard work, pain, fun, anxiety but, most of all GOOD times with people who have made an impact on my life on and off the mats! Thank you to everyone who has been part of this great experience!