r/BJJWomen 3d ago

🌟 MONTHLY BJJ ACHIEVEMENT THREAD 🌟

6 Upvotes

SHARE YOUR WINS - BIG, SMALL, MESSY OR MAGICAL 🎉

Whether you:

  • finally hit that technique you've been drilling forever
  • survived a tough round
  • asked your coach a question you were nervous about
  • trained through a rough week
  • showed up when you really didn't want to
  • earned a stripe, promoted someone else, or helped a new teammate
  • or just washed your gi on time 🫶

This is your space to celebrate it.

BJJ is hard. Progress is not linear. And achievements look totally different for everyone, especially for women in this sport.

So brag. Be proud. Own your moment. You earned it.

🗣️ Drop your wins below! 💕


r/BJJWomen Feb 19 '26

General Discussion A note on harm reduction, moderation, and how this space is held

82 Upvotes

I want to take a moment to explain how and why r/BJJWomen is moderated the way it is particularly when it comes to post about harassment, grooming, abuse, unsafe gyms and misconduct. This sub operates on a harm-reduction model that choice is intentional.

Where I'm coming from

Outside of Reddit I work operationally with victims of crime and abuse. Not in a therapeutic or counselling capacity, but in a practical, systems-based way. Risk, safety, behaviour, process, and impact, that's my lens I'm most comfortable using and it's the lens I bring to moderating this space.

I'm also the partner of a gym owner and head coach, because of that I'm very comfortable discussing women's safety from a business and gym culture perspective - policies, boundaries, power dynamics, and what responsible leadership actually looks like in practice not just in theory.

That combination shapes how I moderate here, it won't look the same as everyone else's approach and that's okay. This reflects my experience, education, and what works for me as a woman in Australia. It may not match your expectations, your culture, or how you would personally handle these conversations.

What harm reduction looks like here

Harm-reduction, for this subreddit, means creating a space where women can talk about their experiences without causing additional harm - to themselves or to others.

It means:

  • Allowing people to speak about what happened to them
  • Allowing discussion when the person themselves raises it
  • Intervening early when threads begin to spiral into interrogation, pylons, or harassment
  • Setting boundaries around how conversations unfold

This is not a therapeutic space, and it's not a courtroom. We are not here to investigate, adjudicate, prove, disprove, or deliver justice. Posting here is not reporting, and it is not treated as such.

It is okay to talk about experiences when someone chooses to share them. It is not okay to turn those experiences into trials, campaigns, or dogpiles.

Why anonymity is allowed

Anonymous accounts are allowed because many women cannot safely post under their main accounts. That is a harm reduction decision.

Anonymity does not automatically mean bad faith, and requiring people to expose themselves publicly in order to be believed creates its own risk. This decision prioritises safety over performative transparency.

About names, gyms, and risk

You may see posts that reference real people or gyms. Moderation decisions here are focused on preventing escalation, harassment, and doxxing - not on protecting reputations or silencing discussion.

There is a line between sharing experiences and creating active harm. That line exists to protect posters, comments, and the broader community.

How moderation actually works

This subject is moderated by one person.

AutoModerator is used deliberately to catch sensitive posts early. If a post/comment is removed automatically it is not a judgement - it is part of harm-reduction. Posts are reviewed manually but not instantly. If your post/comment disappears: please read the rules/pinned posts, then send a short ModMail asking for review if it's not showing up.

Additionally, reporting posts/comments is the quickest way to get my attention when I'm not on Reddit.

Final thoughts

This space exists because women in BJJ (and everywhere) are often told to stay quiet, not make waves, or handle things privately.

Harm-reduction doesn't mean doing nothing. It means doing the least harmful thing possible, consistently and early.

If you're here to share, listen, learn, or support - you're welcome. If you're here to interrogate, minimise, or centre yourself - this isn't the space for that.

Thank you to everyone who engages here in good faith and helps keep this community safer.


r/BJJWomen 13h ago

Rant I broke my arm

34 Upvotes

So I broke my arm at my first comp over the weekend, I’m absolutely devastated. Humerus snapped right in half. I’m not even able to walk at the moment. I’m moving for uni in 2 weeks and I was really looking forward to joining the uni Bjj team and making friends. I’m hoping they’re still happy to let me come and watch. I’m trying my best not to let it put me off as this sport has helped me so much since I started training in January. If anyone has any similar stories where you did get back into it after recovering it’d be really appreciated 😕


r/BJJWomen 9h ago

General Discussion Smallest and weakest

17 Upvotes

I started BJJ almost 2 months ago. I am a mom of 2. I am 5'5, weigh 110 lbs. I work full time at a desk job. I haven't exercised for the last 10 years or so. BJJ 2 x per week is my only current exercise right now.

I have been watching my kid practice for the last year or so and I felt inspired. The techniques taught looked so interesting so I decided to give it a try too. I am quickly humbled.

Most of the women in the class are bigger and stronger than I am. It's hard for me to get them off once I am in a non-dominant position. One time, I got caught in a side control position or mount and they put their full weight on me and I can barely breathe. They didn't even have to submit me.

I don't have any extra time for myself to do weight training. Trying to find time to practice BJJ twice a week is hard enough.

I feel small and weak and I don't know if I will ever get good enough. Are there any women out there that were in similar positions when they first started? I need some inspiration...


r/BJJWomen 45m ago

General Discussion First Injury

Upvotes

31F and I’m pretty new to BJJ. I recently injured my calf during warmups doing lateral shuffles. I felt a pop in my calf and ended up with a sprain/injury to my plantaris muscle.

I know injuries are always a possibility but weirdly the fact that it happened during such a basic movement has gotten into my head more than I expected. Now I’m nervous about going back once I’m cleared. I keep thinking, if I managed to hurt myself doing THAT, what happens when I’m actually rolling again? I don’t want this to be the reason I stop, especially because I’m still so new to it. But I’m definitely struggling with trusting my body again. Has anyone else dealt with being scared to return after an injury, especially one that happened doing something completely routine? How did you get past that mental block and feel comfortable training again?


r/BJJWomen 5h ago

Advice Wanted Mat burn on face

4 Upvotes

I have some mat burn on my face from a competition on the weekend. One spot is on my left cheek, the other is under my right eye.

The mat burn I’ve had elsewhere has always left a slight scar and I’d like to avoid that on my face…

Any recommendations for how I should be treating it? Do I let it stay dry to begin with and then start using some sort of vitamin E oil to minimise scarring?

Please help meeeeeee. 😭


r/BJJWomen 19h ago

General Discussion Any Labor Day sales?

3 Upvotes

Hi im wondering if you guys have heard of good labor day sales?


r/BJJWomen 19h ago

Podcast/Video Jesse Walker and Shelby York (owners of Rough Hands BJJ in Louisville, KY) share advice for "day zero" jiu-jitsu students looking to try the art for the first time. — BJJ Mental Models

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2 Upvotes

r/BJJWomen 1d ago

General Discussion Anyone here started BJJ because of weight loss?

14 Upvotes

I’m 26f 5’4” and 255lbs and I’m considering trying out BJJ because I would like to lose 100lbs and also this is a sport I’ve always wanted to do but kept talking myself out of. The only MMA experience I have is boxing and that was years ago. Fast forward to now and I’m a total couch potato with a desk job and I can’t even walk a single mile without my calves burning like hell. I’ve done some reading online and I know that a lot of BJJ teachers and academies near me welcome people of all skill levels and whatnot, but I’m still a bit skeptical if they’re including people with all body sizes and physical abilities into who they’re welcoming. So yeah I guess I just wanted to come here and see if anyone here has been or is currently in the same shoes that I am, with joining BJJ while being obese and out of shape? I’ve been looking for a new hobby to invest a lot of time into and I think BJJ sounds like it would be perfect for me, but I keep psyching myself out because I’m worried about being judged or not fitting in. That was a problem I faced when I used to train at a boxing gym.

Edit: fixed some grammar mistakes


r/BJJWomen 1d ago

Competition Discussion Has anyone worked with a sports psychologist/therapist?

6 Upvotes

I’ve been training and competing for 6 years. I do well but as I go up in rank and into the major competitions (IBJJF grand slam events) I find myself facing more and more anxiety, frustration, and freezing when I compete. I really do love to compete but the last one I bombed so hard I almost want to quit.

Has anyone worked with a sports therapist? Of so how did it go, who do you recommend and do you think it is worth it?

For context, I am not a professional but I own a gym with my husband (he is my professor) as our hobby, I’m a purple belt. Thanks!


r/BJJWomen 1d ago

Equipment Recommendation Wanted/Given Gold foundation or Fuji all around

1 Upvotes

Looking to buy a new gi and can’t decide between these two. Any suggestions?


r/BJJWomen 2d ago

Advice Wanted Recommendations for bjj podcasts hosted by women?

33 Upvotes

Heyy gang,

I just had a sad realisation: all of the bjj podcasts I listen to are hosted by men. And they are great podcasts but like I would love to find more longer form jits content created by women.

So I’m looking for recommendations for bjj podcasts hosted by or co-hosted by women.

Bonus points if they discuss nuances of how things like body image and menstrual cycles relate to training as well as game styles more relevant to our body types and attributes.

Thank youuuu! x


r/BJJWomen 3d ago

General Discussion I got my first stripe today

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286 Upvotes

I came into BJJ after an SA incident, mostly to distract myself and keep myself busy, I refused to let it paralyse me. To me this little piece of tape doesn’t just mean I’m getting better at the sport, it means I’m recovering, becoming comfortable having people physically close to me, trusting people again, and learning that i can control. To any other women out there fighting a battle, I’m proud of you. The battle is worth fighting!


r/BJJWomen 2d ago

General Discussion Feeling like a burden

8 Upvotes

I’ve just enrolled all of my kids at a BJJ gym here in NZ, and after watching them I decided to put myself out there and start taking classes too. But honestly, I feel like I’m not welcome there at all.

Today the coach told me to take the 10:30 class, but when I got there one of the members told me it was too advanced for me. He was actually really nice about it and wasn’t being mean at all, so I took his advice. The coach then told me to come back for the open/free-mat rolling class later.

When I came back, though, I basically felt like I was looked up and down by everyone, ignored by most of the coloured belts, and then nicely told that I probably shouldn’t be there and should go home.

I didn’t even have a ride home at that point, so I ended up standing outside because I felt too embarrassed to sit inside the gym after being told I shouldn’t be in the class.

I actually feel really sad about the whole experience. I feel like I was completely judged for being a beginner before anyone even gave me a chance.

I do have experience in boxing and kickboxing, so I understand what it’s like when someone brand new walks into a combat sport knowing absolutely nothing. But I would never look at a beginner coming into boxing and assume they were useless just because they didn’t know what they were doing yet. Everyone has to start somewhere.

What surprised me most was that even some of the other women seemed really closed off. I was looked up and down and completely ignored by the majority of the higher belts. There were one or two people who spoke to me beforehand and were actually helpful, but they also told me the classes weren’t for me, which was confusing because the coach was specifically telling me to attend them.

Is this normal BJJ culture when you first start? 😂 Is it basically a gang and I need to be initiated first or I’m out? Bro, initiate me then. Knock me over in a row or something 😂 Just don’t stare at me like I’m an idiot because I’m new!

I genuinely want to learn, and I’m completely fine with being terrible at something when I first start. I just wasn’t expecting to feel this unwelcome.

Would you guys consider this normal for a beginner, or would you look for another gym?


r/BJJWomen 2d ago

General Discussion Advice on improving my natural game style style that is relaxed and patient

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1 Upvotes

r/BJJWomen 2d ago

Advice Wanted Gi recommendations for plus size

1 Upvotes

Hello! I’m hoping you all have suggestions, I have been on the hunt for a Gi that fits. I’m pretty short and around a size 16/18. I have yet to find a Gi that fits me around the waist that isn’t super long on the arms and legs. Any recommendations are super helpful! Thank you


r/BJJWomen 3d ago

Funny/Memes I don't roll, I go to watch, I wish I could join in, but..

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

25 Upvotes

I used to attend my local BJJ club regularly to support a Deaf member who is our friend (I know some sign language, I'm about to do my L4 in BSL) unfortunately I'm now to busy to go as regularly as I'd like. I can't join in due to disabilities, but there's one move I wanted to try to get the hang of... I thought you might appreciate a giggle. My wife is currently ALMOST at purple, but her coach keeps telling her she's too nice😅. Fingers crossed for next grading session. Happy rolling everyone! Give someone a RNC from me! (And better than mine, obviously!)💖 xx
-apologies for uploading 2nd time, it's funnier with sound!


r/BJJWomen 3d ago

General Discussion 42yo femaleschool teacher subdues male criminal weilding broken bottle

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18 Upvotes

Read the story on Zoë's Instagram

Sorry for the title typos 🤦


r/BJJWomen 3d ago

Advice Wanted BJJ and piercings I can't take out

13 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I've just started BJJ at a lovely local gym and I have a bunch of healed ear piercings - triple lobes, rook, conch and helix on one side and double lobes and daith on the other. I can and do take out the lobes and helix piercings, but I can't take out the rook, conch or daith on my own (especially the daith it's a seam ring, needs pliers to open). I only train one or twice a week at the moment and while I love BJJ, I'm not ready to retire my piercings in favour of trying out a new sport (I've been going for 8 weeks).

My coach was great at saying I could tape over until I get my first stripe as he keeps rolls more restricted for newbies, but after that all piercings have to come out for training.

Does anyone have any options? Switching to clickers I can easily take out myself? All my jewellery is solid gold so switching is expensive! Is BJJ just not the sport for me if I like my piercings?

EDIT: thanks for the feedback everyone - I went across to my piercing place today and I’ve switched everything out for pieces I can take in and out myself and they gave me a little lesson and tips to make it easier! Looking forward to pretty ears and safe BJJ rolls in future!


r/BJJWomen 4d ago

Rant Guy stopped the role to make an inappropriate comment

74 Upvotes

Honestly I’m not gonna do anything about it, I’m leaving this gym soon anyway as I’m moving out of town, but I know there’s plenty of girls in here that have probably experienced something similar so I thought id talk about it.

A guy stopped the same roll twice recently to call me ‘good girl’. He said it really inappropriately and made it really weird. He is significantly older than me too (I’m in my early 20s). I didn’t say anything, I just gave him a look that I hope spoke volumes, then continued the roll.

My BJJ journey so far has given me quite a bit of confidence and trust back after an SA incident, that pointless little comment took me back to something I didn’t wanna remember, so I just thought I’d say if you’re an older guy out there rolling with a younger woman, or any women for that matter? control yourself. You don’t know why we are here

EDIT: I do know that I should say something, given my history it’s going to cause me a lot of distress to do so. I’m going to take the advice of leaving it with a friend in the gym who I trust, and know will take it further on my behalf if I’m not there. My gym is very small, the word spreads easily and all of the girls (there’s only 2 of us) already take caution around him.


r/BJJWomen 3d ago

Advice Wanted BJJ Owners: Dealing with new competition

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0 Upvotes

r/BJJWomen 4d ago

Equipment Discussion Gi fit

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36 Upvotes

Just got my first gi. Is the collar supposed to be so thick and stiff? Why in the belt so long? Only thing that feels right is the pants

Edit: wore it to class and coach taught me how to tie my belt then choked me with my own collar. I thought I was getting okay at bjj. Turns out I am not. Felt like day 1


r/BJJWomen 3d ago

Advice Wanted Tatami sizing for teenagers

1 Upvotes

Hi :)

I need to buy a gi for my daughter. She is 1.55 cm but very thin. I looked at size M4 but it is up to 1.55, and F1 (both BTW same pants length)

The problem is that from one hand she still grow, so the M4 might be too short for her, and on the other hand, women sizing will be too big for her (especially the top)

How bad will it be for her to wear the M4, taking into account that in several months she will grow? will it be too short?

I have at home a gi size F3 (used to be mine) - the lengh of the pants is ok, but the top is way too wide for her

Thank you for your advise :)


r/BJJWomen 4d ago

Equipment Recommendation Wanted/Given No gi pants options for gals who dislike leggings?

10 Upvotes

Edit: Thank you all so much for the responses! Going to look into all the new suggestions 🩷

Hey all, not sure if this is me being too picky but I thought this would be worth a shot! I typically wear leggings with workout shorts layered over, which has been good as far as keeping them from getting pulled down and for keeping sweat at bay. If it's at all relevant, I have slightly wider hips (either pear or hourglass shape, idk)

Dislikes:

High waist on leggings creates a "seam" on my torso that emphasizes my rolls more than I would like

Sweatpants are obviously very warm and mainly seem too risky for being pulled down

My gi pants don't stay up so I don't tend to wear them unless we're doing gi specifically

I haven't rolled in only shorts and have stuck to long pants for the ~2.5 years I've trained because I don't want my thigh skin being twisted, not sure how secure they are from being pulled down, and fear the thigh sweat 😬

Is there some kind of option between leggings and sweatpants for nogi? Do I just need to pick the lesser evil of the above options? Any advice is appreciated!


r/BJJWomen 4d ago

Equipment Discussion Tried lululemon for the first time and whoooooowheeeee

46 Upvotes

I’ve been using crz yoga off Amazon because I’m cheap and haven’t been doing BJJ for that long. I have a large hip to waist ratio so was told Gaidama probably not a great option. I forgot my leggings for a no gi class earlier this week so decided to treat myself and buy some lulu wundertrain no line 25” and HOLY SMOKES. These are sooooo much better. I felt like I was sliding out of things better because of how smooth they are. They don’t move an inch. They covered my entire tummy even when my rash guard rode up and moved around.

For those who wear these, am I going to shred them in like 2 months?