09/14/2026
🥋 Back on the mats and back in competition!
Samantha is a wife, mother of two, and a blue belt who began her Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2012. After attending the police academy, dealing with an injury, and raising two children, she hasn’t been able to stay as active as she would have liked.
After five years away from competition, Samantha joined the XKM Jiu-Jitsu program and was excited to get back on the mats and test herself again. Her return took her to the AGF St. Louis Open, and we’re proud of her for embracing the challenge.
But what drove her to return to competition, and how did the experience go from her perspective? Check out her story to hear what motivated her to step back into the competitive Jiu-Jitsu world and how the day unfolded.
We’re proud of Samantha and all of our Jiu-Jitsu students who continue to challenge themselves, grow through the process, and represent XKM in the greater martial arts community.
Our next big local competition is the FUJI BJJ St. Louis Fall Classic on October 10! We’re looking forward to another strong showing and building on the momentum from last year’s Fall Classic.
Interested in developing your Jiu-Jitsu skills while continuing your personal growth? Visit xkmstl.com to learn more about training at XKM.