Team "Just a Girl"
Amelia Shakespeare
Amelia is an 8 year Old Jiu Jitsu Superstar! She sings, does jiu jitsu and enjoys performing.
But little would anyone know this lively 8-year-old underwent reconstructive
urologic surgery, improving her quality of life and allowing her to get back to
being a kid.
Feb of 2012 she started at Guerrilla JiuJitsu under Dave Camarillo. She is now a Grey Belt tearing it up on the competition scene! We're excited to see what the future holds for our newest JAG Team Member!
If you would like to read more on Amelia's story:http://www.childrenscentralcal.org/PressRoom/storyalbum/Pages/amelia.aspx
But little would anyone know this lively 8-year-old underwent reconstructive
urologic surgery, improving her quality of life and allowing her to get back to
being a kid.
Feb of 2012 she started at Guerrilla JiuJitsu under Dave Camarillo. She is now a Grey Belt tearing it up on the competition scene! We're excited to see what the future holds for our newest JAG Team Member!
If you would like to read more on Amelia's story:http://www.childrenscentralcal.org/PressRoom/storyalbum/Pages/amelia.aspx
Tarrah Baker
Tarrah is an extremely passionate jiu jitsu female practitioner, a wife of 14 yrs and a mother to two young men 18 and 13 and is a owner / operator with her husband at their own BJJ Academy as well as having certifications in a career in the medical field. Tarrah travels around the state of Michigan in many different communities to train with other practitioners. She started the Girlzilian Femjitsu group, which is an all female group she started a few years back to help support, and grow the jiu jitsu community in the tristate area that has 315 active members. She is the third highest ranked female in Michigan, a purple belt with three stripes under Master Joe Moreira.
Tarrah has made Michigan history on several occasions by bringing in the highest level BJJ Champion practitioners for ALL FEMALE JIU JITSU SEMINARS. She has trained in some form of martial arts since 2006, achieving a black belt in traditional martial arts in Tang Soo Do in 2011. She has also practiced the art of a hybrid style of Muay Thai , Krav Maga and Pankration and was the lead sparing partner to a female fighter and 5th Degree Master for all her cage fights .Tarrah started training Jiu Jitsu in the mixed martial art aspect in late 2008. It was not until 2009 that she began to take Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and achieve rank. She now competes at the local level around Michigan and is really leaving her mark!
Tarrah travels to train with the best that she can get her hands on, she has gone to Women's Grappling Camp several times, has taken private lessons from any female black belt that she could including Emily Kwok, Hannette Staack, Mackenzie Dern, and has worked one-on-one with many more names like Kris Shaw, Lana Stefanac, Val Worthington, Misty Shearer, and Lucianna Bassoli.
Tarrah is always willing to help all of her sisters in arms to get competition ready by putting in many hours on the mat on weekends and after hours, putting together closed door sessions to help them. We, at "Just a Girl" are excited to be able to give back to this amazing woman who does so much for others!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Girlzilian-Femjitsu/209122059249515?fref=photo
Tarrah has made Michigan history on several occasions by bringing in the highest level BJJ Champion practitioners for ALL FEMALE JIU JITSU SEMINARS. She has trained in some form of martial arts since 2006, achieving a black belt in traditional martial arts in Tang Soo Do in 2011. She has also practiced the art of a hybrid style of Muay Thai , Krav Maga and Pankration and was the lead sparing partner to a female fighter and 5th Degree Master for all her cage fights .Tarrah started training Jiu Jitsu in the mixed martial art aspect in late 2008. It was not until 2009 that she began to take Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and achieve rank. She now competes at the local level around Michigan and is really leaving her mark!
Tarrah travels to train with the best that she can get her hands on, she has gone to Women's Grappling Camp several times, has taken private lessons from any female black belt that she could including Emily Kwok, Hannette Staack, Mackenzie Dern, and has worked one-on-one with many more names like Kris Shaw, Lana Stefanac, Val Worthington, Misty Shearer, and Lucianna Bassoli.
Tarrah is always willing to help all of her sisters in arms to get competition ready by putting in many hours on the mat on weekends and after hours, putting together closed door sessions to help them. We, at "Just a Girl" are excited to be able to give back to this amazing woman who does so much for others!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Girlzilian-Femjitsu/209122059249515?fref=photo
Darby Gaspard AKA Dangerous Darby~2014 Kids Pan Ams Champion
"I love the sport of Jiu Jistsu. It is my passsion."
"I train 6 days a week . I like to take Sundays off to rest. My goal is to go to the world games and even the Olympics. In school, I was awarded "Athlete of the Year" for the girls. I have received this award 4 years in a row. I have been running since I was 18 months old and run cross country. I also play soccer. Last soccer season, I received the "Player of the Tournament," and this made me very happy."
This is what I believe in: "I never lose, I learn."
"I have a smile on my face when I do what I love to do."
For more on Darby check out her FB https://www.facebook.com/#!/dangerousdarbydoo
"I train 6 days a week . I like to take Sundays off to rest. My goal is to go to the world games and even the Olympics. In school, I was awarded "Athlete of the Year" for the girls. I have received this award 4 years in a row. I have been running since I was 18 months old and run cross country. I also play soccer. Last soccer season, I received the "Player of the Tournament," and this made me very happy."
This is what I believe in: "I never lose, I learn."
"I have a smile on my face when I do what I love to do."
For more on Darby check out her FB https://www.facebook.com/#!/dangerousdarbydoo
Lacey Schuckman~Pro MMA Fighter
"My name is Lacey Schuckman. I am a 25 year old Professional Mixed Martial
Artist, Boxer, Muay Thai Fighter, and I am a Purple belt under Professor
Joaquin Baca, a Dean Lister black belt. I also co-own a small grassroots gym,
The S.H.O.P. MMA & Fitness Center out of Denver, Co with my husband Randall.
I have been training since 2004 and competing since 2006. I currently hold the
RMBB 110lbs. Professional Women's MMA Title as well as the ROF 125lbs.Young Gunz
Title."
PRETTY IMPRESSIVE!! and she still makes time to go Bowling (and averages about a 160), Gardening (She grows all of her own produce) Lacey also loves spending time with her two dogs, a Miniature Dachshund named Fenway and an American Pitbull Terrier named Keeva. She and her Hubby do a little bit of anti-breed specific legislation protesting. (Several cities in Colorado have made it illegal or nearly impossible to own a Pitbull.) When she's not training for herself, Lacey and Randall run adult and kids classes. The kids will always be
hands down her most fun and biggest challenge. They have 2 little kids teams right now, Team Mohawk and The Lil' Goonies. They all learn Boxing, Wrestling, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
They also have an adult team, Team Goonies and the numbers are flip flopped, they actually have more gals then guys!
"Teaching is so amazing and it gives me hope that I can still do what I love even when I can't compete anymore." ~Lacey
For more on Lacey check her out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theladielacey
Artist, Boxer, Muay Thai Fighter, and I am a Purple belt under Professor
Joaquin Baca, a Dean Lister black belt. I also co-own a small grassroots gym,
The S.H.O.P. MMA & Fitness Center out of Denver, Co with my husband Randall.
I have been training since 2004 and competing since 2006. I currently hold the
RMBB 110lbs. Professional Women's MMA Title as well as the ROF 125lbs.Young Gunz
Title."
PRETTY IMPRESSIVE!! and she still makes time to go Bowling (and averages about a 160), Gardening (She grows all of her own produce) Lacey also loves spending time with her two dogs, a Miniature Dachshund named Fenway and an American Pitbull Terrier named Keeva. She and her Hubby do a little bit of anti-breed specific legislation protesting. (Several cities in Colorado have made it illegal or nearly impossible to own a Pitbull.) When she's not training for herself, Lacey and Randall run adult and kids classes. The kids will always be
hands down her most fun and biggest challenge. They have 2 little kids teams right now, Team Mohawk and The Lil' Goonies. They all learn Boxing, Wrestling, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
They also have an adult team, Team Goonies and the numbers are flip flopped, they actually have more gals then guys!
"Teaching is so amazing and it gives me hope that I can still do what I love even when I can't compete anymore." ~Lacey
For more on Lacey check her out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theladielacey
Hannah "The Cheetah" Ripper~2013 KIDS WORLDS CHAMPION
Hannah "The Cheetah" Ripper is an 8 year old Brazilian Jiu Jitsu phenom who has been training since the age of 5 with the Cesar Gracie "Gracie Fighter" team. "My favorite positions are Spider Guard, De La Riva, and my favorite submissions are arm bars and bow and arrow chokes.
Hannah is the 3x consecutive Pan American Kids Champ!
For more on Hannah: http://hannahcheetahripper.wordpress.com/about/
or you can check out her Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hannahcheetahripper?fref=ts
Hannah is the 3x consecutive Pan American Kids Champ!
For more on Hannah: http://hannahcheetahripper.wordpress.com/about/
or you can check out her Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hannahcheetahripper?fref=ts
Kelly Crouch~Adult Female Blue Belt
Kelly Crouch, 22 years old from Orlando , FL. Kelly currently attends
University of Central Florida studying to get a degree in sport and exercise science to
help jiu jitsu athletes. She began jiu jitsu two years and three months ago,
training out of Orlando, FL under the instruction of Julius Mobley. Kelly trains hard and has plans compete at worlds!
Being a full time student, she has only been able to compete at local tournaments due to
cost and school. However, she has big dreams and plans to achieve them!
We are excited to welcome Kelly to Team JAG!
Kelly's Story:
"I began martial arts at the age of 9, and it didn't take long for it to become
all I wanted to do. I trained 5 days a week up until the age of 15. When I turned 15 I was offered a job as an assistant instructor. I am still currently instructing and love what I do. Over the years, however I felt that I needed something new to spark my interest in training again. My brother in law
introduced me to the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I have now been training for a little over two years and could not imagine spending my time doing anything
other than training. there is a saying "Jiu Jitsu changed my life," and I a true representation of that! I suffered from severe anxiety attacks for over three years. I was put on antidepressant medications that altered my personality. I wanted a way out from the pills, but did not have the ability to mentally calm myself down when I was stressed or in a bad situation. Within only six months of training Jiu Jitsu , I was able to rely of jiu jitsu instead of my antidepressant medication. Jiu Jitsu has taught me more than just self defense, it has taught me to mentally control my mind, breathing and body when I am in a bad situation, assess the situation and reverse it a better one. Learning this within jiu jitsu has translated into my personal day to day life."
*Kelly has 12 years Martial arts experience!
University of Central Florida studying to get a degree in sport and exercise science to
help jiu jitsu athletes. She began jiu jitsu two years and three months ago,
training out of Orlando, FL under the instruction of Julius Mobley. Kelly trains hard and has plans compete at worlds!
Being a full time student, she has only been able to compete at local tournaments due to
cost and school. However, she has big dreams and plans to achieve them!
We are excited to welcome Kelly to Team JAG!
Kelly's Story:
"I began martial arts at the age of 9, and it didn't take long for it to become
all I wanted to do. I trained 5 days a week up until the age of 15. When I turned 15 I was offered a job as an assistant instructor. I am still currently instructing and love what I do. Over the years, however I felt that I needed something new to spark my interest in training again. My brother in law
introduced me to the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I have now been training for a little over two years and could not imagine spending my time doing anything
other than training. there is a saying "Jiu Jitsu changed my life," and I a true representation of that! I suffered from severe anxiety attacks for over three years. I was put on antidepressant medications that altered my personality. I wanted a way out from the pills, but did not have the ability to mentally calm myself down when I was stressed or in a bad situation. Within only six months of training Jiu Jitsu , I was able to rely of jiu jitsu instead of my antidepressant medication. Jiu Jitsu has taught me more than just self defense, it has taught me to mentally control my mind, breathing and body when I am in a bad situation, assess the situation and reverse it a better one. Learning this within jiu jitsu has translated into my personal day to day life."
*Kelly has 12 years Martial arts experience!
Kayla Ruepenny~2013 AZ State Champion
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Kayla is a 17 year old Purple Belt from Relson Gracie Jiu Jitsu in
Arizona. She has been training for 6 years and is a very active competitor. Kayla took double Gold this past weekend at the 2nd Copa Bella ALL female tournament in Phoenix adding 2 more Gold Medals to the large collection she has already earned. Not only is Kayla a SUPER star in Jiu Jitsu, an Honor Roll student, an amazing singer and song writer, an aspiring artist she is great roll model for her 5 siblings (3 younger sisters & 2 brothers) who also are jiu jitsu phenoms :) She does come by being incredible in Jiu Jitsu honestly though, she is following in her Moms footsteps.... "Seta", who is also Purple Belt, also is a great competitor and an incredible role model and inspiration to her girls and her Dad "Miller" is a Purple Belt as-well. I am very happy to have Kayla on board! Keep an eye out! Kayla is going to do big things! |
