Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Rogers.
Hi Molly, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am sixteen years old. I was born and raised in a small country town in Georgia called Jakin with a population of around 200 people. I started training Mixed Martial Arts / Jiu-Jitsu around the age of ten because my parents wanted me to be able to defend myself. I ended up falling in love with jiu-jitsu and did my first tournament in 2017, which over the past six years has turned into me competing at some of the biggest tournaments in the world including the Pan American Championship multiple times. I’ve opened my own kid’s academy named Rogers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Jakin Georgia and I currently train under Dylan & Jim Whyte at Positive Balance Jiu Jitsu in Tallahassee Florida. With the help of my incredible family and team, I look to further my career and goals by expanding what Rogers Jiu Jitsu has to offer, competing at more of the IBJJF Major Tournaments (Europeans, Brasilieros, Pan Ams, Worlds), and helping improve and fight alongside our growing competition team at Positive Balance.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve had a few obstacles along the way. Earning some people’s respect as a young teenage girl has been sometimes challenging. I’ve experienced a lot of competition anxiety which has been a lot to overcome considering how the opponents and events become harder each year. Growing up in such a rural area as well, it’s hard to find a lot of training partners and places to train at especially when you’re trying to prepare to fight the best of the best in your category. But to me, it adds all the more reason for me to work harder and prove that I can stand with the best, and I’m grateful to stand alongside such a great team and family.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m very proud to represent where I come from and show that a small-town country girl can do big things in this world. I lost a very important person to me three years ago, which was my grandpa. So to honor him, my family, and our southern culture, I wear his cowboy hat to all of my fights. It’s like my good luck charm, and to always reminds me where I’m from and to be grateful from everyone and everything I have. If you look at the Rogers Jiu Jitsu logo his hat is included in there too. I want to show everyone my pride for my family and home no matter where jiu-jitsu takes me.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me is defined by how much of a positive impact you make on this world. I want to encourage as many people in this life as I possibly can and spread love in our community and beyond. This world can be such a dark, lonely place and we need to bring light to it especially for the next generation. Healthy encouragement and education is so important to improve our society as a whole. So don’t waste any of the time you have only dreaming about what you could do. Instead, spend what time you do have on making yourself and others better every day.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @mollyrogerzzz
- Facebook: Molly Rogers
Image Credits
Carlos Diaz
