Charles Gregory, Author

I recently had the privilege of interviewing my teammate Yoko Kowaas, a remarkable female Brazilian Jiu-jitsu practitioner, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athlete, and overall well-rounded Martial Artist who trains out of Cincinnati MMA Academy in Westchester, OH. Over the past eight years, Yoko has not only been an exceptional training partner but also an inspiring figure and senior member of our team. Known for her positive attitude, dedication, and exceptional work ethic in the gym, Yoko’s journey offers valuable lessons in personal empowerment that anyone can learn from. As of this writing, Yoko is a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and holds an MMA fight record of 4-3 as an amateur and 0-1 as a pro. She also has ranks in Jeet Kune Do (JKD), Battlefield Kali, and Tae Kwon Do. As you read this article, I believe you’ll find her experiences both enlightening, motivating, and empowering.

 

Yoko after winning her Premier MMA Championship Belt in 2018

 

Sean Sutton, our Head Coach at Cincinnati MMA Academy had this to say about Yoko, “When I think of all of Yoko’s fights and competitions, there is one common variable that sticks out. Win or lose, she was ALWAYS MOVING FORWARD! Whether with punishing leg kicks, aggressive clinch fighting, or driving her opponent towards the cage, due to the confidence gained in her training she would always move towards contact. That’s why I felt it was my job as her coach to equip her with the strategy and purpose for once contact was made, and she used that to great effect.”

 

THE INTERVIEW

Me:  What initially drew you to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and martial arts in general?

 

Yoko: I wouldn’t say I was drawn to it at first.  I was intimidated by how difficult it looked.  After the first class I wasn’t sure if I could do it at all, it was far more difficult than I imagined.  I knew what an arm bar was, but I didn’t know there were so many ways to get to it, so many other factors to consider.  It was a bit overwhelming, I kept thinking that I would never figure it out. Looking back, these were the things that kept pulling me back to it.  I refused to believe that it was too tough for me. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it.  I just knew I would look back and feel proud of myself for sticking with something as difficult as jiu-jitsu.

 

Me: How has training in martial arts empowered you both physically and mentally?

 

Yoko: Physically there’s so many benefits.  Training is a full body workout that has improved my endurance, mobility and overall health.  I’m constantly finding that my body is capable of more than I thought, I’m tiny but mighty.

Mentally, martial arts forces me to stay in the moment and taught me to remain calm in the chaos.  I’ve learned how to persevere and look at obstacles as means to improve instead of something put in my path to stop me.

 

Yoko at a recent BJJ Tournament on top of her opponent going for a North-South Choke

 

Me: Can you share any specific moments where your martial arts training positively impacted your life outside of the gym?

 

Yoko: I don’t think I could narrow this down to one specific moment. The time I spent training and competing has carried over to how I changed my approach to life outside of the gym.  Training has pushed me physically and mentally which has given me confidence that I can handle anything off the mat.  On the flip side of that, training/competing has humbled me.  I hated every loss I faced, but I was determined to learn something from them. The only way to do that is to own up to where you fell short.

One thing I always remind myself when I’m faced with a problem off the mat is that if I can learn Jiu-jitsu, I can do this thing or solve this problem.  I can always make a way for myself no matter how long it takes.

 

Me:  What advice would you give to other women who are interested in starting their journey in martial arts?

 

Yoko: The reward is worth how uncomfortable you’ll inevitably feel when you’re pushed outside of your comfort zone.  Being a woman in a male dominated sport is empowering and has helped me become the strong woman I wanted to be. Find a gym with people that will push you but also care about your safety.  I’m grateful that I’ve found myself amongst a group of good men, and fortunate to have found a safe/fun place to train.

 

As women we often speak of other women that have empowered us in some way, and not of the men that do so as well. I wouldn’t have become this empowered version of myself if it wasn’t for the guys I train with.  They push me to do better, cheer me on and never make me feel like I don’t belong here because I’m a woman.  Being able to grow in a place like this will change you in all the best ways.

 

Yoko with her teammates after MMA Practice

 

Me:  As a former MMA fighter, what challenges did you face in a male-dominated sport, and how did you overcome them?

 

Yoko: At times it was tough being the only female competitor at the gym. A majority of the time I only had men to spar with.  Training camps spent sparring men twice my size was certainly a challenge, especially when they’re also as skilled as they are.  In the end it made me tougher, maybe sometimes delusional thinking I can take on giant men but definitely tougher.  I got lucky that everyone at the gym helping me along was so supportive. It made it a little easier to pick myself back up after tough training days.

 

Me:  In what ways do you think martial arts training fosters confidence and self-esteem in women?

 

Yoko: The mental toughness, problem solving and self-defense skills you learn builds the confidence that we carry on and off the mat.

 

Me: How do you balance your roles as a martial artist and potentially other aspects of your life, such as career or family?

 

Yoko: This is tough for me. I still struggle with it.  For me, learning time management has been key to finding balance. Career, martial arts, and time with friends/family can be a challenge to juggle. Sometimes it feels like they’re always competing with each other.  There are just some days it takes a bit more discipline and rearranging to balance everything.

 

Yoko with fellow members of Cincinnati MMA Academy’s BJJ Competition Team

 

Me: What misconceptions do you think people have about women in martial arts, and how do you debunk them?

 

Yoko: That women can’t train with men without getting hurt.  If you train in a combat sport you will get injured along the way, it happens.  I’ve had conversations with women that want to try Jiu-jitsu but are worried that they’ll get hurt rolling with men twice their size.  I think the only way to debunk that is to continue on this journey and show anyone that has doubts that it can be done.  As you continue to train, you’ll learn how to roll safely and effectively.

 

Me: Looking back on your journey, what are you most proud of achieving through your dedication to martial arts?

 

Yoko: I’m of course proud of all the wins as a competitor, but I’m most proud that I stuck with it training. Martial arts is a lifestyle that has made me a better person.

 

Me:  Do you set goals in your Martial Arts training. If so, could you share some of those goals?

 

Yoko: I try to set goals about specific skills to develop now.  I was working on my takedowns for these past competitions. My best takedown was one that was off the cage.  Competing in jiu-jitsu means I don’t have that cage, so I need to get better at takedowns. I want to get the fight to the ground on my terms, I’m still trying to improve that.

 

The other goal I have is to be a better advocate for women’s jiu-jitsu. I hope to draw more women into the gym and hopefully build a bigger community for women’s jiu-jitsu. Maybe one day we can outnumber the men on the mat!

 

Me:  Are there any supplements or products you highly recommend for female Martial Artists? [If you have any affiliate marketing link to these products, please share them].

 

Yoko: All of the supplements I take are from the brand AlaniNu.  I’ve been taking their pre workout and super green drink for years now.

 

 

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Me: How do you think training in BJJ and MMA helps prepare you in a self-defense situation?

 

Yoko: Training consistently is the only way to keep your mind and body sharp.  Jeet Kune Do (JKD) taught me that the only way to prepare yourself for these types of situations is to test your skills with progressive resistance.  This is why I love the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) for the Street system. Rolling and sparring with weapons teaches us to always expect your attacker might have a weapon.

 

Me:  What advice would you give women in terms of self-defense?

 

Yoko: If learning self-defense is important to you then make it a point to apply the moves you’ve learned in class on a resisting opponent. It’s the only way you’ll figure out what might work. You don’t have to immerse yourself in the martial arts lifestyle if you don’t want to, but you have to test the moves you’ve learned.

 

Trust your intuition. If you get a feeling that something isn’t right, then listen.  I also encourage checking out ‘The Gift of Fear’ by Gavin De Becker. It was recommended to me by a female black belt and friend of mine.  Educating yourself on what to look out for so you can prevent potential danger. It’s just as important as learning self-defense moves. Take your safety into your own hands, don’t rely on the hope that someone will be there to save you.

 

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Me: What is your favorite quote?

 

Yoko: It’s a quote by Claude Debussy I believe. I first heard it from Robert Follis when he came out for the seminar, and it has stuck with me ever since…“It’s the space between the notes that makes the music.”

 

As previously noted, it was truly an honor to learn more about Yoko’s journey through Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and MMA. Here are my top five empowering takeaways learned from our conversation:

 

1. Embracing Obstacles as Opportunities for Growth: It’s normal to perceive that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA can be overwhelming and intimidating. Yoko faced the same challenges when she started her journey but decided to reframe those challenges into opportunities to grow. She ultimately was more focused on what she would be able to do in the future with consistent practice versus what she wasn’t able do at that present moment.

 

2. Physical and Mental Empowerment through Discipline: If trained correctly, Martial Arts develops one’s physical prowess, strength, endurance and mobility, as well as one’s mental fortitude. Appropriate instruction teaches the practitioner how to deal with stressful situations calmly while managing anxiety. This is useful for the gym and perhaps more importantly, in everyday life.

 

3. Using Losses and Setbacks as Motivation for Improvement: Yoko pointed out that losing can actually be a route to acquiring new skills and abilities. She encouraged herself not to let setbacks discourage her, but to use them to improve. This paradigm of owning the inescapable failures life inevitably brings and choosing to learn from them is life changing.

 

4. Empowerment Through Community: One of my favorite parts of the interview was Yoko emphasizing the community aspect of her Martial Arts journey. I was especially inspired when she discussed the support she’s received from her male training partners, which has especially empowered her as a woman in a male-dominated sport. As one of Yoko’s training partners, I took her comments to heart. It further emphasized the responsibility I have in making all my teammates better regardless of gender.

 

5. Self-Defense and Self-Confidence: The frequent work-out in the martial arts develops confidence, not just in physical defense scenarios, but in life generally; the mental training one receives can make them feel more confident in handling and solving problems – assertively and creatively.

 

CALLS TO ACTION:

• First and foremost, if you are a female and want to pre-emptively and drastically increase your probability of surviving potentially dangerous scenarios, read ‘The Gift of Fear‘ by Gavin De Becker. Men, I did some research on the book and the material is highly relevant to us as well. Too many times I have seen men let their machismo, egos, and peers steer them into dangerous consequential situations that could have been otherwise avoided.

 

• If you have ever been interested in learning Brazilian Jiu-jitsu or Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), please check out my article titled ‘Best Tips for Women looking to Join a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu School’. If you live in the Cincinnati area, consider checking out the school that Yoko and I train out – Cincinnati MMA Academy. More information can be found at: CincyMMA.com

 

• If you like this article, consider signing up to receive alerts on my latest Blog posts at charlesm.online where besides Martial Arts, I write about topics that help enlighten, elevate, and empower people….and when I’m feeling a little creative, some poetry as well.