They say you can’t teach heart.
I wonder if you can teach smart?
Hands up who wants to talk about weight classes?
Hands up who wants to talk about weight classes? Most specifically, some weighty issues that are hiding in their shadows. No, I’m not talking about PEDs (though you’d be hard pressed to be involved in BJJ without noticing them and for sure they’re a big topic to discuss with regard to both weight gain and…
I wish I knew then…
Just over a year ago I was asked to appear at an inspiring event for young women held in Melbourne. The presentation I was to give was an hour in duration and pitched to 100+ seventeen year old girls attending a summit style event for called “Girls And Their Inner Strength“. The initiative was created by the…
Dealing with injury
Most of you know that I messed up my knee recently at this past Pan Pacific Championships. Yep. Fun stuff. Before I begin, it’s important to note that this was like my 100 and somethingkth competition fight and the very first time I’ve ever come away with anything worse than the good ol‘ Jess Fraser…
Dear Jess, I just entered my first comp
Dear Jess, I just entered my first comp and I’m freaking out. Do you have any ideas about how to prepare? Also, I’m 60kg, should I cut weight or fight at my weight? Thanks. Thanks for the email. Firstly, congratulations on taking this massive step in your journey. Many people choose not to compete…
Girls in Gigs
I grew up in Canberra. I didn’t not fit in. It wasn’t exactly that. It was more a feeling that nothing around me ever fit me. Sometime around maybe 1992?, I was introduced to the punk and hardcore scene by my sister and some new friends, friends I still have now over 20 years later. The…
#Road to Abu Dhabi
Follow my journey to Abu Dhabi and the World Pro held in April 2017. This year I will prepare for my 4th time appearing as an Australian representative after successfully winning the opens at our regional trials. This will be my first Abu Dhabi Pro at black belt and with it I will become the…
Dear Jess, my coach is making me crazy.
Dear Jess, I’m keen for a bit of advice. My gym is great. My team are outta this world – but my coach is making me crazy. Recently he made changes to our schedule and removed some classes due to a lack of attendance. I look on facebook, and though the class was removed, he…
Female Inclusive Academies – build it and they will come.
Tips to building a welcoming training facility for female students.
#R2AD, Weeks later. The final chapter.
It has been almost a month since I felt the happiest I have ever in my entire life and even now when I recall it, I can revisit the feeling just by thinking of that one moment in time. TLDR: I trained really hard and set my focus and got a result that I never…
#R2AD, Week 8: Should I be anxious about not being anxious?
Laying on the floor of the Etihad gate in Melbourne’s airport is about the best place I can think of to write my final instalment in the Road to Abu Dhabi. The road indeed ends here and it’s time to hit the skies. I just ordered my coffee where Meagan Green (Sydney International Open trials…
#R2AD, Week 7: Vanity and tantrums
Hanging with my good friend Jimmy tonight after training. She asked me how the past week went and how I was feeling. I’m about to be as honest with you all as I was with her when she asked. Don’t judge me…or do. I’m too tired to feels either way. Honestly?…. I feel like I have…
#R2AD, Week 6: The Heartbreaker
I made a tough decision a few weeks back regarding work and training. This meant I have put my career on hold (temporarily) while I chase this dream of competing as a black belt. I wrote about this a little in #R2AD, Week 1. My plan was to give this year everything I had to…
#R2AD, Week 5: Same same but different
I’ma ’bout to throw my scales out a window. Tantrum styles. Who’s with me? How about directly at a wall instead? No? Just me? I’ve always struggled with weight cuts, most people do I guess. ‘Shit is HARD. Weight loss hasn’t been the worst journey for me because I focused on making it enjoyable and…
#R2AD, Week 4: Adapting to change
Following on from a successful week of training, diet & routine I was challenged with change. I LOVE routine when prepping for a goal. I lean on it heavily, just as anyone would. Dodgy excel spreadsheet of training week? Check. Meal prep and plan and favourites and things I can’t feel flexible about? Check. Routine:…
KOALA JIU JITSU 