When I first stepped onto the mats, I fell in love with the community and the physical challenge. I couldn’t have imagined willingly stepping away from training so early in my BJJ journey. Yet, here I am in the third trimester of my first pregnancy, navigating a different kind of endurance and learning experience.

It’s strange to be away from the grips, rolls, and camaraderie that made me feel fulfilled, but this pause has been as humbling as it’s been transformative. As I count down the days until I can train again, I’ve realized just how much my time on the mats has prepared me for this new chapter in unexpected ways.

It’s hard to articulate what it’s like to be away from something that has enriched your life so much. Training isn’t just a workout; it’s a way to focus, learn, and connect. I miss the physicality – drilling, the feeling of pushing my body to new limits, and the endorphins that follow an exhausting session.

I also miss the people. There’s a unique bond shared with teammates in BJJ, built through shared challenges, victories, and lessons. I work from home – or live at work as I like to joke –  and spending time at the academy has given me a great place to build community in addition to training. The mat is a place where you leave your ego at the door and work together, and that sense of community is something I feel deeply. 

Earlier in my pregnancy, I would pretty regularly go to lunch class and just take notes and observe. This was my way of staying connected to the community, and still being able to learn even if I couldn’t train. As I’ve progressed in my pregnancy, I’ve unfortunately lost that regularity in observing training. Even still, when I can make it, it’s like I never left. Everyone is happy to have me there and I always feel that sense of community that I love.

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Even though I’m away from training, I’m already envisioning what it will feel like to return – to put my gi back on, step onto the mats, and pick up where I left off (with the added challenges of navigating training post-partum). I know the road back will have its obstacles; rebuilding strength and technique will take time. But this time away has only strengthened my appreciation for the sport.

BJJ teaches us to respect our bodies. It teaches us to push hard but also to honor when it’s time to rest, adapt, and recover. Everyone’s journey is unique and oftentimes non-linear. This journey has been a reminder that life, much like BJJ, requires us to flow with whatever comes our way. 

Having that body awareness and philosophy of being okay with going with the flow has been a huge part of my pregnancy. These are tools that BJJ introduces that have made pregnancy – and the anticipation of motherhood – a little less daunting.

In BJJ, you quickly learn that things often don’t go according to plans. A roll doesn’t follow a script, and being flexible mentally and physically is key. The same goes for pregnancy. Each trimester has brought its own challenges, and I’ve had to let go of control and adapt along the way.

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Every pregnancy is different and I’ve learned a LOT through my own experience as I’ve faced challenges being high risk due to undergoing IVF and being diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 16 weeks pregnant. This has brought a litany of additional tests, appointments, medications, etc.

I am doing all the pre-natal care things: acupuncture, prenatal chiropractor care, pelvic floor therapy, seeing my midwife and a maternal fetal medicine doctor, along with tons of other specialists. It has NOT been an easy journey, but I’ve learned to let go of the anxiety of the unknown and just take it one day, or appointment, at a time.

By the way, can we just talk about how there is not enough education or resources on pregnancy and prenatal care out there? Wow. But I digress. BJJ has taught me to accept that change and the unexpected are constant and to let go of that which I cannot control (which is almost everything in pregnancy, maybe life too.)

BJJ requires you to be present in the moment, feeling your body and reading who you’re rolling with. Pregnancy has a way of grounding you in similar ways, demanding mindfulness about how you move and listen to your body. Training is tough and doesn’t always go your way. Mental resilience is a skill I’ve pulled from BJJ and relied heavily on to navigate the physical and emotional ups and downs of pregnancy too.

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If there’s one thing I’d say to other women who train, especially moms-to-be, it’s this: life sometimes requires a pause, but that doesn’t take away from the journey. It also doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to that part of your life.

BJJ has taught me that setbacks, breaks, and even challenges are all part of a bigger story. I look forward to returning to the mats with a new perspective and a deeper gratitude for both my body and the lessons BJJ teaches us.

Until then, I’ll continue to embrace this time, staying in the present and knowing that training has prepared me for life in ways I hadn’t expected when I signed up. I’m excited to return with a new training partner in tow next year!

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