Since blue belt, I’ve chased jiu-jitsu’s soul—not with a dedicated coach invested in me, but mostly on my own. I studied everyone from the Mendes Brothers to Chris, blending new and old. Unfortunately, politics and a messy fallout with my previous coach stalled me at brown. So, I built my own academy and gave my all to my students. Chris promoting me was a truly humbling moment. He wasn’t always my coach, but he’s become a meaningful part of my jiu-jitsu story. Now, tied to him, Melissa, and Combat Base, I’m all in again with a new, profound purpose.