Finding the Right Gym with Sarah Bloss
From Small Man Jiu Jitsu · 00:58:02
Show by Robin Fujimura
Sarah Bloss joins Rob for a conversation about finding a jiu-jitsu gym where you can feel welcome, respected, and supported as you grow.Sarah’s martial arts journey began with Taekwondo as a young student. She found Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while attending West Virginia University, then returned to the mats after college, work, graduate school, and several life changes. Her path included training in Egypt, competing as a white and blue belt, and earning her blue belt after years of starts and pauses.Sarah also talks about how an injury led her to Olympic weightlifting. What began as a way to build strength and support her jiu-jitsu became another sport she enjoys competing in. She shares how she thinks about competition, why she values personal progress, and her goals of returning to BJJ competition and working toward her purple belt.A major part of the conversation is Sarah’s advice for anyone looking for a jiu-jitsu school. She discusses the importance of good instruction, class availability, affordability, women in upper belt ranks, and a private place to change. She also shares gym red flags, including an unwelcoming attitude toward women, and explains why being able to cross-train can help students and the sport continue to grow.For women considering jiu-jitsu, Sarah encourages asking questions, being clear about what you hope to get from training, and starting at a gym where you feel comfortable. She also has advice for men on what it means to be a safe and respectful training partner.Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbloss1/Thanks for listening to the Small Man Jiu Jitsu Podcast. If you enjoyed the conversation, follow the show and share this episode with someone who might find it helpful.
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