tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513570835936857343.post4427957777806476870..comments2023-04-16T05:02:25.570-07:00Comments on The Worst Possible Idea: The Atos AttitudeLisa Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07104369331070551782noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513570835936857343.post-2219767012056603012015-08-30T11:54:39.077-07:002015-08-30T11:54:39.077-07:00Genius. Genius. Jon McNamarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07006444574891544005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513570835936857343.post-81161673265507759652015-08-30T11:54:13.458-07:002015-08-30T11:54:13.458-07:00Genius. Genius. Jon McNamarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07006444574891544005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513570835936857343.post-50740317077535647992015-08-04T17:49:46.084-07:002015-08-04T17:49:46.084-07:00Nice article! Nice article! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03759109218398671536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513570835936857343.post-27091561452441758072015-08-04T17:45:15.965-07:002015-08-04T17:45:15.965-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03759109218398671536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513570835936857343.post-6852426919098804802015-08-04T17:44:51.942-07:002015-08-04T17:44:51.942-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03759109218398671536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513570835936857343.post-19025057410689374782013-07-01T23:08:41.171-07:002013-07-01T23:08:41.171-07:00Hi Quincy (and sorry for taking so long to get bac...Hi Quincy (and sorry for taking so long to get back to you!)<br /><br />I know exactly what you mean, when you're getting smashed it's so easy to feel like you don't 'deserve' your belt. I don't know if I have a tried and tested formula for those times, other than it really does happen to everyone. I know blue belts, purple belts, brown belts...right up to black belt world champions, and everyone sometimes get squashed by big meatheads. It's probably the number one frustration of the smaller grappler.<br /><br />At the end of the day, I think the only thing you can do is ride it out till you hit another confident period. If you are actually getting hurt, politely stop, tell your teacher and don't roll with those guys again (I've learnt that it's good to be selective with my training partners). If not, use it as an opportunity to practice your defence, and don't put pressure on yourself that you should be 'able' to submit them. Setting yourself smaller targets (I'm going to avoid getting armbarred, I'm going to try and practice my back defence etc) can help too.<br /><br />Rest assured that your teacher would not have given you a blue belt if they didn't think you are a blue belt (and every graduation generally comes with a 'I'm not sure I'm there yet' feeling whilst you get used to it).<br /><br />It might help if you joined some facebook groups so you can compare your experience with other lady grapplers (where I am, there's often only one or two women per club). Where are you based? If UK/Europe I would be happy to recommend some for you.<br /><br />Stick with it! xLisa Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07104369331070551782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5513570835936857343.post-70586671463481358072013-06-18T19:06:05.628-07:002013-06-18T19:06:05.628-07:00Loved the article! You are an inspiration!
I know...Loved the article! You are an inspiration! <br />I know exactly what you mean about being a woman on the mats. I am young, only 18, small, a new blue belt, and an instructor at the gym (kids' classes). There may as well be a massive target painted on the back of my gi. Some days it doesn't matter how big the guy is, I can still handle him just fine... but others I get smashed by huge muscle heads on their first day and wish I could just put a white belt back on to save myself the embarrassment, because surely I don't deserve my blue. It's tough, really tough, and I try to remind myself that there comes a point where strength can overpower technique, but I can't stop thinking that that's NOT what the sport is about, I SHOULD be able to do better.<br />It sucks.<br />Anyways, great article, brilliant writing, I will most definitely be following along on your blog! <br />If you get a chance I would love to hear how you deal with that feeling because sometimes it makes me want to quit. Sometimes I think I'm chasing an impossible dream.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04218774485311504977noreply@blogger.com