2022-June-16

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The Gentle Art of Jiu Jitsu

BY HAZEL CALAIRO · ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT · UNITED STATES

3 MINUTE READ · 5 MINUTE LISTEN

I am a mother, stepmother, wife to a Coast Guard chief, and proud Cisconian on the CX Lifecycle Solutions Portfolio team. We are your blended modern-day Brady Bunch family.

I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area from Honolulu, Hawaii back in July 2017. I first came to Sabre Jiu Jitsu Academy in Concord, California as a well-decorated purple belt competitor. I later become my instructor’s first promoted female black belt.

I competed all over the world, volunteered my time to teach on base for military and dependents overseas, and enjoyed — and continue to enjoy — sharing my passion and experience with everyone.

My husband, who is also a Jiu Jitsu black belt, and his business partner opened the East Bay Jiu Jitsu gym in Martinez, California in 2019 as an affiliate to the Sabre Jiu Jitsu Academy. Since then, I have assisted them with teaching classes at the gym.

When I started training back in 2012, I thought all odds were against me.

I was always the smallest person in the room and usually the only woman at the gym.

Entering a male-dominated space — even a positive one like Jiu Jitsu — was intimidating. I didn’t possess an athletic bone in my body, I didn’t consider myself “tough,” and I’ve never stuck to anything long enough to become proficient in it.

I thought learning Jiu Jitsu wasn’t important and that I’d never have to use it. But I realized that this mentality of “it will never happen to me,” was dangerous and made me vulnerable.

That’s why I decided to stick with Jiu Jitsu.

I wanted to push past my limitations and learn how to safely defend myself.

Helio Gracie once said, “Always assume that your opponent is going to be bigger, stronger and faster than you so you can rely on technique, timing, and leverage rather than brute strength.”

Jiu Jitsu translates to “the gentle art.”

It is a modified form of Judo and wrestling. And unlike other martial arts which revolve around striking, Jiu Jitsu uses grappling techniques to restrain, secure, and submit your opponent.

Because these techniques can be effective against opponents who are larger and stronger than you, they can be applicable for women who want to learn self-defense. 

This was enough for me to thrive in the sport by allowing myself to overcome my limitations and find the courage to go after the challenges I will face over time.

One thing I am very proud of is the ever-growing Sabre All-Female class I co-lead and teach with my fellow black belt instructor.

It started with just five women in 2017. But now, there are 30 who train every week and compete.

My main goal was to create a safe environment for women of all levels to train and learn the “gentle art.” Over time, and with more programs and representation like this all-female class, more women will be encouraged to learn and train to defend themselves.

Using the gentle art at Cisco

The mat is powerful, and it teaches humility.

We spend our lives trying to make ourselves comfortable at work, home, and with our families and friends. But Jiu Jitsu is about familiarizing yourself with being stuck in uncomfortable situations.

At work, this has given me the right mentality to keep myself from giving up when it comes to managing projects, carrying out Inclusion and Collaboration priorities, and staying flexible throughout business challenges.

Jiu Jitsu gave me the edge to never quit even when things get tough or during change.

As I often tell my class, change starts with those who persevere.

Don’t be afraid to put in the work, help others, and never stop learning.

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