real, raw motherhood
In August 2018, I was awarded my black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by my teacher-and husband– Burton Richardson. Noone was more surprised than me that day. It happened so much earlier than I had expected. When the first burst of shock and excitement had subsided, two questions crowded out every other thought in my…
Training doesn’t just happen. You must make it happen. Put it on the schedule. Go to bed at a decent hour. Wake up. Get ready and get on the mat at the appointed time. Training requires commitment, discipline, follow through, grit and… clean clothes. You can’t wait until you feel like it. You can’t do…
My husband and I own and operate a martial arts business together: he creates programs and teaches; I’m in charge of management. My office is a room in our home. No commute and flexible hours: it’s a good deal. When our daughter was born, I knew that I wanted to be home to raise her.…
I’m watching my daughter’s Capoeira teacher help the kids do back flips. There is not one child who is hesitant. Every single one of them trusts, respects and admires him so much that they either have no fear or are willing to push through it . They know he’s got their backs (literally). They know…
I am a very intentional parent (some would call it overbearing but I don’t let that distress me). I am intentional about what I feed my daughter’s body. We eat a very wholesome diet with very little processed foods. I breastfed her for five and half years (no, that is not a typo I do…
I just was awarded my brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu For The Street. For those of you who don’t know what that means, the ranking goes as follows: white, blue, purple, brown and black. With four stripes on each belt before you get to the next color. BJJ for The Street was developed by…