Author: Julie Cheung

  • Sometimes You Just Have to Jump

    Sometimes You Just Have to Jump

    There’s something terrifying and strangely freeing about walking away from a situation without a fully formed plan. Most people will call it reckless. Unwise. “Not very practical”.

    But sometimes, that’s exactly what you need to do to shake loose the inertia. Because comfort can become a cage. And the longer you sit in a space that doesn’t serve you – a job, a relationship, a city – the harder it is to see how stuck you really are.

    I’ve taken a few big leaps in my life. None of them were easy. None of them had guaranteed outcomes. But all of them, in their own way, have helped me build a life I’m proud of – one that’s truer to who I am.

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  • Beginner’s Guide to Supplements for BJJ Recovery (From a Woman Who Trains)

    Beginner’s Guide to Supplements for BJJ Recovery (From a Woman Who Trains)

    BJJ is tough on the body. Between rolling, drilling, and lifting, recovery becomes just as important as the training itself. Whilst nothing replaces sound sleep, solid nutrition, and consistent healthy habits, certain supplements can help support your recovery, sleep, and overall performance.

    Do You Even Need Supplements?

    Not everyone does! But for me and many others juggling work, training, and the tribulations of life, using supplements can help fill the gaps and support the body and mind’s recovery process.

    While most of these supplements apply to anyone training hard, I’m a smaller woman rolling with heavier training partners and found recovery can feel different, especially with energy levels and joint stress when compared with weightlifting alone. Iron, for instance, is something I supplement because it’s more commonly needed by women.

    Top 3 Recovery Supplements (Worth Considering First)

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  • Lessons from John Will: Two Days of Jiu-Jitsu, Humour & Lightbulb Moments

    Lessons from John Will: Two Days of Jiu-Jitsu, Humour & Lightbulb Moments

    When my club, Factory BJJ announced that John Will would be back for another two-day seminar this year, I didn’t hesitate to put my name down. I’d attended one of his seminars a couple of years ago and found it incredibly memorable. I knew from experience that it would be intense, full of insights, and worth every minute. This year, my better half Jesse joined me for Day 1, while I stayed on for both sessions despite both days being unusually hot and humid (for Manchester), making gi training feel that extra bit sticky.

    I haven’t trained with many big-name instructors, so learning from someone like John Will – one of the first non-Brasilians (part of the original ‘Jiu Jitsu Dirty Dozen‘) to earn a black belt in BJJ and a pioneer of the art in his home Australia, always feels like a rare opportunity. He’s been coaching for decades, and his teaching style is so unique and impactful that even if you retain just one idea from attending his seminar, it can really level up your game.

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