14/05/2026
I came under attack this week by someone less than favourable. I received a barrage of abuse, among that they stated that I don't even compete, I just coach.
It hit a sore spot, I won't lie. Right now, I don't compete, but I want nothing more than to be competing. I don't "just coach" though.
I coach and empower a team of women who never in their wildest dreams imagined stepping out on competition mats to fight. I'm there for them through every question they have, I support them through things in their personal lives, I receive countless messages a day off women who are interested but don't fully know what BJJ is. I do the admin, I clean the gym, I stock the gym, I make sure all the bills are paid, I organise classes and coaches, I design apparel and training gear, I make adaptations to the gym to ensure its growth, I post content, I source suppliers. Then I decided to run a tournament, Irelands first all female tournament (aware female invitationals have previously happened but never a tournament).
That came with a whole new stress, contacting coaches, athletes, making matches, answering queries, organising the gym to host the event and being fearful of opening your little place that you single handedly created to scrutiny of all the bjj community, and I decided to fund raise for Womens Aid while I was at it. All while also single handedly sustaining a whole human *exclusively breastfeeding my 5 month old*.
I'm a single mum, running a business completely by myself. This sounds like a bit of a pity post, and it is to a certain extent because no one has a clue how difficult it is to "just coach" under these circumstances.
They were right that I'm not competing right now, but I will be soon. And Mark my words, I will top a podium at a major in my first year back.
That vile person won't even see this post because I blocked them, but I thought I'd post in case anyone else is thinking anything similar.
Anyway, the competition at the weekend was just a pilot. Big things to come.
That was a female that I received the abuse from this week.
Women, we need to remember that we're stronger together β€οΈ
β€οΈ
