Legacy Jiu Jitsu Self Defense

Congratulations to everyone who leveled up today in Bang Muay Thai.

Keep putting in the work and most importantly, have fun doing it 🥊

HIGHLIGHT POST:

I am excited to highlight this student. Despite the challenges set out in front of her, she has remained a consistent member at .

She is determined to learn how to fight in general & for herself, to prove to herself how capable she, and grow. Thank you Haley for your hard work and engagement at Legacy.

Haley trains Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu at Legacy and this is what she had to say when asked about her experience here:
femmefatale
I had a boss years ago who told me she trained in boxing in Muay Thai and invited me to attend a class with her at legacy. I had NEVER participated in a martial art before and boxing had always been something I wanted to try.

I initially showed up to try a new sport with her and I really enjoyed it. I have dyscalculia (like dyslexia but with numbers/spacial reasoning) so learning combinations that are entirely based in left/right body movements and spacial reasoning was very challenging for me. This makes it so I really have to focus on repetition and muscle memory.

When the gym opened back up in 2020, I committed to a Legacy membership and to coming in for Muay Thai and boxing classes at least 3 times a week. Once I started catching onto the movements and developed muscle memory, I found that the power I was able to create with my body was incredibly empowering. I have always struggled with confidence and self esteem so being able to train in a sport that challenges those beliefs has been a beneficial therapy for me.

After years of staccato attendance in jiu jitsu classes I committed to consistent BJJ training in the fall of 2022. Unlike Muay Thai, I’ve found that I have to be very grounded and mindful when training jiu jitsu. With my PTSD diagnosis, this means I have to really train my brain to “be all there” during demonstrations in class. I love that jiu jitsu makes me be in my body and get out of my head. I love that it is helping me build new neuro pathways in my brain. I never knew how much fun rolling around on the mats with my sweaty teammates could be.

Both of these sports have taught me a lot about myself and I love the hard work and discipline that both force me to have if I want to get better.

Highlight Post: Meet Ada

Ada’s husband got stationed up here and Ada was looking to get into training. We first met Ada in the Muay Thai classes and she quickly got into other classes too like jiu-jitsu and comp class.

She competed in her first tournament within her first year of being with us and it was an empowering experience observing her do something outside her comfort zone.

This is what she had to say when asked about her experience here at :

How did I hear about Legacy and why do I keep showing up?
I was new to the area , so once my husband and I settled down I searched out a gym that offered some kind of kickboxing and Bjj classes. Legacy was one of the nearest gyms closest to home so I decided to try it out.

What keeps me coming back?
There are many reasons why I keep showing
up. Most days going to class can be such A CHALLENGE but at the end of the day i get so much out of the workouts and it keeps me from thinking about things I don’t want to think about. I also loved that there is a female coach and great group of females.💜🤗 Training helps me stay physically active and ready for whatever negative encounter(s) may arise one day.

Physical/Mental tool training has given me?
Since coming to Legacy it has helped me re gain my inner strength that I felt I had lost. We all go through trials and tribulations in this life, as for me the training I get here helps me overcome the circumstances I deal with on a daily basis. It is also a beautiful feeling to be surrounded by like minded people who are willing to keep showing up despite what life is throwing at them.
Overall I’m grateful for the coaches and new friends/fam I’ve made in this place. 💛👊🏽

Happy Thursday

Highlight Post:

We would like to recognize for her hard work, consistency, and dedication. Despite the cards life dealt her, she has chosen to fight back and write her own story.

We met her years ago at WSD but now she is a regular at 6AM Arm Bars JJ Group

This is what she had to say when asked about her experience at Legacy and what keeps her showing up on the mats:

When I moved back to Alaska as an adult I aspired to be more active but my experiences growing up here had left me anxious about walking/running alone. I was scared to walk into a gym until I found Legacy's women's self defense class.
Stephanie, the instructor, eased my anxieties about fighting and how it could empower me to deal with life. I learned that this was more than self defense but a lifestyle, a outlet for anxiety, and may even help me face past traumas.
Knowing that there are tools to stand up quickly, fall without injury, and create or close distance in a dangerous situation is one of the most valuable things I've ever learned. I believe every woman should have the opportunity to learn this skill in a safe environment.
For this reason I always recommend women try a women's class first because it's a safe space to learn how to deal with others in your personal space while gathering the fundamentals of fighting.
With and encouragement I was able to transition into regular Jiu Jitsu classes. This began a real fitness journey that transformed my life.
I am more patient, confident, and have gained an awareness to feel more capable in my body outside of class.
When I started I was an awkward 240lbs white belt but now I am a 185lb blue belt with an amazing supportive gym. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Legacy and the Women's Class that taught me I could fight and protect myself.

Appreciation post: Kate has been a member Legacy Jiu Jitsu for a few years now training Muay Thai 🥊 she is also an honored member of our Self Defense class! she always has a bright smile on her face and a great attitude. She really glows up a room with her energy.

This is what she had to say when asked about her experience here and what keeps her consistently showing up.

Kate:
I started going Muay Thai at Legacy in 2018. I heard about it from (one of the coaches) who happened to work with my husband. I then heard about the woman’s self defense class through Legacy and started attending that as well. Then covid happened and I stopped going for a long time. The woman’s self defense class is what got me coming back in May 2022. This community of women is so empowering and supportive and this class always makes me feel like I can take on the world. With the confidence and strength I gained back through self defense I started going back to Muay Thai and have dabbled in Jiu Jitsu as well. I absolutely love discovering how strong my body is and how capable I really am.
When I first started at Legacy I had never done any kind of martial arts and always thought I was too fat to even try. Through consistently showing up to women’s self defense, I have learned that it doesn’t matter what size you are, you can still be a badass! Learning how to defend myself has given me so much more than just that. I have confidence in myself, more than I ever have before, and I feel stronger after every class.

Appreciation Post:
Nika Maria Rose Severance was recently awarded her blue belt in Jiu Jitsu. She competed in boxing at Thursday Night at the Fights 2 weeks in a row and won both fights.

We met her over 2 years ago for the first time at a Self Defense class
This is what she had to say when asked about her experience here and why she continues to train:

Nika Severance:
I heard about Legacy women's self-defense class from a member of legacy "David Booker".
I showed up because I was in a physical altercation with a family member. I wanted to learn how to properly defend myself and my children if needed.
What kept me coming back is the support from the women and the coaches there. They made me feel like I do matter and my life is worth fighting for. Not only for me but for my four children. They even allowed me to attend their classes with my children. Which helped me stay consistent.
I also fell in love with the different martial art techniques that they were teaching me. Which led me to pursue my martial arts Journey. In Muay Thai, boxing and jiu-jitsu. I built up the courage to enter the ring leaving my boxing record at 2/0.Throughout this experience I've gained more control over my life feeling empowered and confident that I can achieve anything with hard work and consistency.

Appreciation Post: we want people to find a community of like minded individuals that empower, inspire, and motivate them. We will be sharing the experiences from our students here at

Meet Jackie: this is what she had to say when asked about her time here and what keeps her consistently showing up to train.

Jackie:
I heard about your class through another member (Kate)
I loved that it’s so welcoming even though it’s an intense sport and way more intimate than I would like. I’m not a hugging or physical touch kind of person. But it was interesting to see how to defend yourself from a different point of view, not just the typical self defense class.
Everyone there is happy to show you how to get techniques down and no one judges you for not getting right or taking a while to learn it. I feel like I’m more confident and stronger, not just physically but also mentally. It’s an empowering community. They challenge you to overcome fears and push comfort zones. I look forward to seeing everyone every Saturday.

the mental tool that I get is confidence, if I can do this physically and mentally demanding sport, then really can do anything.
Physically I feel so much stronger, and it actually makes me go to the gym more so I can keep up with everyone else.

Girls just wanna jiu jitsu 🥋

How do you end your Mondays?
we roll and drill at

Reposted• I was trusted with the opportunity to teach self defense techniques at the YMCA for GenNOW: Girl Squad yesterday. I had a great time.

We covered topics such as situational awareness, levels of awareness and bullying. We talked some more productive ways to handle a bully and I showed these ladies my favorite breathing technique for regulation.
shared some great information about not being baited to meet someone to fight them because you never really know their true intentions, from her own personal experience.

I feel we made an impact. I ask the universe before each class to allow at least one thing I say or teach to resonate with each student. It’s my job to present in a way that appeals to the learner & I hope my curriculum improves with every time I teach.

I can’t wait for our next meeting 🙌🏽 thank you for your time and attention.

My self defense classes should be coming back soon

Hope to see y’all there too ♥️