Today we’d like to introduce you to Joanie Chamberland.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started martial arts when I was four years old. I began my journey with Kempo Karate. I later earned my black belt in Taekwondo and my level two in Krav Maga. At the age of 16, I started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). I fell in love with it and became a coach at 19. I continued training and earned my black belt at 26. The positive impact BJJ had on my life is remarkable. It became my dream to own my own school and create an environment for others to thrive and grow.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a very physically and mentally demanding sport. One day, you’re on top of the world beating everyone, and the next day you are getting your butt handed to you. You have to learn to be okay with that and just keep growing. We can always get better. It’s the same thing in life. I opened my gym a few months before COVID and had to shut down like everyone else and figure out how to keep my (full-contact) gym alive. Now we are in a bigger gym with a better location. We just had to adapt!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Rise Up Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
We help people find a physical outlet that also challenges them to grow to benefit all areas of their lives. Most people base their self-worth on what other people think, because of that, they stay stuck in their comfort zone and are afraid to push themselves. They don’t have anyone to challenge them and help them grow. By training people in BJJ, we help them learn that everyone has unique strengths and weaknesses and that we need interdependence. We have a clean and organized environment. Our expectations are set from the beginning. We created the right culture for people to feel accepted and thrive in. We rebel against the idea of normal gyms.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Be YOU. I started under the umbrella of another martial art and always advertised as if I were them. I am not them. I am me. I opened my own gym for a reason and I need to advertise that!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.riseupbjj.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riseupbjj/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiseUpBJJ/
Image Credits
@SpearmanStudios
