Paloma Pilar

Being a beginner is a gift— even though most people treat it like something to escape.
🙌
People are always chasing what’s next.

The next level.
The next version.
The next proof that they’re “further along.”

But being a beginner? That’s where everything actually starts. 🏁

This season has given me more than just a skill.

It’s given me structure when I needed it most.
It’s given me people who show up for me— and let me show up for them.
It’s given me something to hold onto when life felt/ feels heavy.

And it’s reminding me that growth doesn’t come from rushing, it comes from staying.

So yes, I know everyone looks forward to what’s next.

And I am too. 🤗

But when that moment comes, it won’t be because I rushed.

It will be because I stayed and honored this season.
Because I became who I needed to be here first.
🤍

This version of me?
She fought to be here.

And what a blessing it is to see who she’s still becoming.
🕊️

Stay for the ride and we’ll do it together. Love you.
🫂

{Strength Artist, Jiu Jitsu, BJJ, white belt, journey, community}

Do you ever feel like you have so much to say… you don’t even know where to start?

That’s me right now.

I’m just grateful to be here. Present.
Not living too far in the future.
Not stuck in the past either.

Two and a half years ago I lost someone I loved with my whole heart. It shattered parts of me I didn’t even know could break, and for a long time the darkness felt endless.

But something has been shifting.

For the first time in years, I’ve been able to go through old videos in my camera roll that I couldn’t even look at before.

Yesterday I recorded tutorials without breaking down crying.

Even the small things feel big right now — like finally buying a new pair of black shorts after wearing the same worn-out ones for years. (Don’t @ me… I wear my clothes until I absolutely can’t anymore. 😅)

This past weekend I competed with my team and felt so grateful to be there. I honestly didn’t feel good at all right before stepping on the mats, but it reminded me that preparation, resilience, and faith carry you even when you don’t feel perfect.
🙏

One thing my faith has taught me is that when you attach your suffering to Christ, it doesn’t have to be meaningless.

I look to His example — the loss, betrayal, and heartache He endured — and I’m reminded that darkness never gets the final word.

Things in this world will break your heart but with God, they cannot break the spirit.
🕊️

And I refuse to stay down or hide.✨
You’ll see me.

So wherever you are in your fight… in your mind, your heart, or on the mats of your life, please keep going.

There’s a light within you that no darkness can take.

I see it.
🥹

I’m with you.
I believe in you.
And I love you so very much.
🤍

🙋🏽‍♀️ 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳.

Giving isn’t a bad thing — in fact, if more people gave, more people would 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦. Including the giver. 😉
💛

But here’s what I’ve learned: there’s no honor in burning yourself out under the disguise of being “selfless.”

Because how can you ask someone to do what 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧?

That’s a rule of leadership.
That’s a rule of coaching.
And honestly… it’s a rule for life.
🌱

Every time I think about skipping the promise I made to myself — to get outside, to move, to spend time under the sun 🌞 — I remind myself that this is 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦.

And when I show up for me, I show up better for everyone else.

That’s what the #𝙂𝘾𝙆𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙈𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚 is all about — building momentum in a season where it’s so easy to just coast until January.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about becoming 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳. 💪🏽
Daily steps (or a timed promise).
2–4 days of strength training.
Simple, doable progress.

I even made the simplest workout — the GC5 — and a 𝘔𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘔𝘦 video inside our private Facebook group (pinned to the top 📌).
You’ll see how easy it is to start, and how to make it harder as you grow stronger.

This isn’t a trap or a net.
It’s a door.
🚪
One you can feel safe walking through — into a room designed to help you get better.

The challenge is 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲.
The community is 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲.
And the opportunity to join is waiting in my bio.
🔗

Let’s keep moving forward together.
🤍

Love you, rooting for you.
📣

{Strength Artist, The Greatness Circle, Force for Good, Keep Showing Up, Momentum}

“Big mistake. Big. Huge.”
🛍️

You can’t tell me Pretty Woman wasn’t a deep, thought-provoking film.
💭🥰

We’ve all fallen short, right? And we’ve all been underestimated — but no one is too far from grace, growth, or a new beginning.
🙌❤️

And people might doubt you every step of the way… until you rise and show them: “Big mistake. Big. Huge.”
💅🔥

{Strength Artist, Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts, redemption}

People think I’ve fallen in love BJJ… but really, I’ve fallen in love with 𝐀.𝐌.BJJ — with the people.
🛡️

This community is a family — such a place of love, growth, and betterment on and off the mats.
🥋

I mean it when I say that when God gives you a gift, be of service.
🙏🏽

Listening to your stories, hearing your goals, and helping you see new ways to perform — in life and in health — has been such an honor.
🙏

And this is STILL just the beginning.
🌱😁

It’s the last day of the month, but if you’ve been wanting someone to really listen and help you move from where you are to where you want to be — send me a DM. 💌
I’ll gladly make time for you.
🕊️🤍

{Strength Artist, AMBJJ, Jiu Jitsu, family, strength, nutrition, lifestyle, recovery}

Listen… God told me you’re sexy😍 … His words, not mine.
🤷🏽‍♀️

So since His word is truth — go on and believe Him, girl.
👌

Now, for the love of God, drink your water and go for a walk tomorrow, okay?
💁🏽‍♀️☀️

… don’t make me raise my voice. 😏

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐝.

I wish it wasn’t true. I wish it was love. But not everyone has known love 🥺— from others, or even from themselves.

But what everyone does know is pain. Some kind of suffering is guaranteed to us all.
†

And because that is the one thing that links us, I choose to seek understanding—of the people hurting on every side.

I choose to meet the hate I see with love…

because love is the only thing that leaves light behind.

I’m praying you can too.
🕊️✨

🥇 2025 Dallas Summer Open this past weekend with my family.
🥋🥋🥋
There’s no better feeling than getting to cheer for your team and having your team behind you. 🛡️

Two of my closest friends came to support me, and fun fact: if you ever want the best video footage and frames? Bring your actor friends. 🎬😂

Jiu-Jitsu has become such a special part of my life. Not just for the thrill of competition, but because it speaks to every part of me — the learner, the strategist, the artist, the athlete.
🥰

This year has been full of growth, and I never could’ve imagined the kind of community and family God would give me through this art form.
🕊️🥋

I’m deeply blessed. Immensely grateful.
—————

And in case you’re reading this and need the reminder:
God truly does hear your prayers and gives you what you ask for… 🥹

Don’t doubt Him in your waiting season.
He’s setting everything up according to His plan — and building you into the person who can receive it. ✨

Praying for you.
Love you. 🙏🤍 †

City Crumbs
🌇
Just a quick trip for the East Coast screening of Wayward Kin—but it filled my heart in more ways than I expected.

1️⃣ My girls.
We bonded deeply through losing Ziel, and I didn’t even realize how much I needed to sit beside them. At one point in the film, I broke. They just reached over, held my hand, and we got through it together.🥹

2️⃣ Fred.
Family to me and Broadway restaurant buddy since I was 19. I didn’t have time to see everyone this trip—but I will 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 see Fred. Took him to dinner (it just happened to be restaurant week- he picked a new sushi spot😋) and our first Broadway show together since COVID. Just like the old days.🎭

3️⃣ Susan.
My client and dear friend. I missed her on my last work trip and wasn’t going to let that happen again. She couldn’t make the premiere—recovering from surgery—but I got to hug her, sit with her, just see her. Her husband and his brother came to represent. ❤️

4️⃣ Baby L.
I hadn’t seen my friend Dinna since last year, when I came to co-lead the Bell Mechanics cert. She was pregnant with baby #2 then—and this time, I finally got to meet her little sweet potato and play Mr. Potato Head. (Hence the tongue 👅😂). My heart melted.

🕊️
Spent the past year and a half really learning what it means to surrender. The grief. The pressure. The pace. The plans.
And somehow, the city feels lighter now.

Can’t wait to come back this fall—to gather more of my people and bring us all together.

𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱.
🤍

{ , The Greatness Circle, film, family, friends, love}

🥇1st Place – Austin IBJJF Open 🥋
Second competition ever. First win. And this one meant something deep.
⠀
This win isn’t just about the medal. It’s about the journey back to joy after being stretched thin by the quiet weight of life that no one sees.
🕊️

The choice to try again after setback—not because I felt “ready,” but because I was willing to be faithful and courageous. Willing to show up even when the circumstances weren’t ideal.
🙏

It wasn’t a local comp, and my Professor and coaches couldn’t be there in person. But they sent their voices, their belief, and a plan: “𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘉𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘦. 𝘉𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘮. 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘎𝘰𝘥.” 🙏🛡️
⠀
And I did.
I got to fight someone INCREDIBLE, a total class act.👌
Skilled, respectful, gracious—the kind of competitor who makes you better just by standing across from you.🙏
One of the things I love most about this sport is how often opponents become friends.
🫂
⠀
AMBJJ has become a 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦. Jiu-Jitsu has become a love. And we keep going.
💪
⠀
Huge thanks to my first sponsor, , for believing in me and supporting me this tournament.
🥹🙏

To my Professor and my whole team—for giving me a place to train, heal, and grow.

And to one of my dearest friends, .kondovski—for driving four hours with me, making sure my gi was comp legal on the way, stopping at Buc-ee’s (there and back 😂), and being down for all of life’s wild rides.
⠀
When life off the mats is painful and hard, there’s still a way forward. There’s always a way out of the tough spots—as long as you’re willing to 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵, 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘶𝘱.
⠀
This is just the beginning.
🕊️🛡️†

𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁— I know.
👇

- I went 7 years without a true day off.
- It’s been 11 since my last real vacation.
- And there have been countless nights over the years when the day didn’t end— it just became tomorrow.

These photos are just a glimpse behind the scenes— of the work it takes to build a life of purpose and freedom.

Work that’s more than most will ever see.

But here I am— working from my car, my couch, my floor, public libraries, or sometimes the random seating inside a grocery store (not all pictured).
💻

Because this space I’m building—The Greatness Circle Arena—is what I wish I had when I felt lost, alone, confused, and unsure of my own worth.
🥹

And the one thing I’ll never take for granted
is the opportunity to repurpose my own pain
into something better for the people coming up behind me.
🕊️

I live in a country full of problems— but also full of possibility.
And I will never be ungrateful for the opportunity to try… I hope you don’t either.

Happy 4th of July.
🇺🇸

There are scared, weak parts of me that I work on everyday.

… and believe me I work on them.
🕊️🏛️

You and I are human. We feel worry & sadness but if we don’t develop rituals to interrupt those emotions with countering thoughts of hope & higher love… they’ll feed off themselves and multiply 𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵.
🦠

So whether you have a spiritual life or not, I’ll always encourage to find SOMETHING (or someone) to help pull you out of the darkness… any habit, routine, or ritual that will serve you when your heart is heavy.
⚓️

This is a prayer that helps me from one of my favorite Saints, Padre Pio.
🙏
p.s. He was one of Jesus’ most beloved souls and if he can admit how easy it is to abandon God when life’s weight gets too heavy… so can I, so can you and so can we then pause the pain long enough to ask Him to stay with us throughout it.
🙏

And it doesn’t matter if you’re a praying person or not… I’ll be sending love your way as usual.
†
😉🤍

This is called the “Stay With Me, Lord” Prayer.
🕊️

Share it with a friend if you feel called.
🫂

“Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You.

Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, that I may not fall so often.

Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life, and without You, I am without fervor.

Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light, and without You, I am in darkness.

Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will.

Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.

Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You very much, and always be in Your company.

Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.

Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is, I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of love.

Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close, and life passes; death, judgment, eternity approaches. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You.

👇Cont’d in the comments👇