Kristina Barlaan: Mental Health and Women in Jiu-Jitsu | Ep. 71

Elbows Tight Podcast: The Beginners Journey Through Jiu-Jitsu

Today we have the incredible pleasure of speaking with Kristina Barlaan, a second-degree black belt under Caio Terra.

Kristina initially did not find jiu-jitsu interesting after starting to train Muay Thai at Cesar Gracie's Gracie Fighter Academy. Her first experience with training jiu-jitsu was during a NoGi class; she did not initially enjoy it. A couple of months later, a friend convinced her to try jiu-jitsu a second time, and it stuck.

It would be hard to tell from her infectious personality, but Kristina is very candid about her struggles with mental health, and she overcomes it for BJJ. Her perseverance in fighting her mental battles is inspiring; what she has accomplished adds to it. Even as a high-level competitor with a list of accolades anyone would be proud of doesn't stop Kristina's imposter syndrome from rearing its ugly face once in a while.

Kristina mentions that no one should go through their struggles alone, and that is why so many people gravitate towards BJJ to help with their mental health. Everyone must have a circle of people who can support and help them.

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