I speak about mental health awareness to #SubmitTheStigma of mental illness within the jiu jitsu community

The #SubmitTheStigma movement made its debut in late 2015 on the podium of the 2015 IBJJF Pan Nogi Championship. It was an opportunity to make a statement with a handwritten sign that I had scribbled using a borrowed piece of paper and pen from the admin table. I asked some peers to hold the sign on the podium as well, and it created a buzz. It made its statement.

A month later I won the 2015 IBJJF Nogi World title and proudly created a new sign, this time in black permanent marker, to tell people to "#SUBMITTHESTIGMA OF MENTAL ILLNESS". Even more people held the same sign when they were on the podium as well. And later, in early 2016 I held another scribbled sign on the first place of the 2016 IBJJF European Championship podium. It made people ask questions, and take notice. After all, it was an awareness campaign and I just wanted people to take notice.

The idea to create the movement, which is now a registered 501(c)3 non-profit, was initiated by the passing of my dad, who died by suicide July 2015. Coupled with my experiences on the jiu jitsu mats alleviating my depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Jiu jitsu, I found, was a great way to deal with mental illness along with professional help.

Nowadays we hold charity seminars and I share my story any chance I can get. By talking about it, facing it, acknowledging our struggles, we can end the taboo that surrounds mental health. Getting treatment should not be embarrassing or seen as weakness. That's my goal.

In March 2018 I was the keynote speaker at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln Women's Week Banquet. It was an opportunity to speak to a non-jiu jitsu audience about my journey of mental health and how training jiu jitsu has been a major benefit in my treatment.

I look forward to more opportunities to speak in the future.

Contact me for details on how we can work together to #SubmitTheStigma.