Featured traveller: Katie Taylor – BJJ Globetrotters
Age: 28
Belt: Blue
Profession: Digital Marketing Analyst
How many years in BJJ: 4 years this July (I will actually be celebrating my Jitz-aversary at this summer’s Iceland Camp)
Other martial arts: I am a white belt in Judo. I do not train Judo nearly as often as BJJ, but it has been a ton of fun to explore a new side of the sport and incorporate a new focus on throws and sweeps into my BJJ gameplan.
Where do you live: Providence, Rhode Island, USA. I have lived here for just over 4 years, and I began BJJ shortly after moving here in hopes of connecting with new people in an unfamiliar city.
Where are you from: Oxford, Ohio – a small town an hour from Cincinnati.
Other fun or curious information you would like to share: I have a blog at messykatie.com where I like to write about grappling and life! It helps me reflect on the important lessons I’ve learned while training and I hope that others can relate to some of the experiences I’ve had.
Katie Taylor – BJJ competition
Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
I moved to Rhode Island from a small town in Indiana over 900 miles away. I knew ZERO people in Rhode Island before making the move, so I was really on my own in brand new surroundings. I had to leave my comfort zone to thrive, and learning to do this independently has instilled a great sense of confidence to pursue my curiosity about the world.
I quickly realized I can really just “figure it out” in any new situation – I couldn’t just call my dad to ask him about what apartment would be best to rent or hang out with old friends from school on the weekends if I wanted to have a good time.
So I paved my own way. When I got into BJJ, I had no way of knowing what a vast community I would become a part of. Through studying such a complex and boundless art form, the individuals who continue to train BJJ share a bond – and though each of us expresses this in different ways, it becomes a beautiful representation of just how limitless the art can be. In one training environment, you grow familiar with your partners, so the first time you ever venture to a new school for open mat you will be stunned at the unexpected ways your new partners move with you and create never-before-seen flows.
Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?
Most recently, I attended the BJJ Globetrotters Maine Camp, which I wrote about on my blog. I loved being able to relive the experience of childhood summer camps, but with a grappling twist – plus I’m now (legally!) able to enjoy a beer by the lake!
Katie Taylor – BJJ Globetrotters
What are the things you enjoy about traveling?
My daily life is such a routine – even more so now that I have started working remotely. It can be so easy to fall into a quite dull existence where you become consumed with work, chores, and the same conversations over and over again. Some consider travel as an unnecessary luxury; but it can be an opportunity to bring a splash of color, art, music, emotion to an otherwise ordinary life. Normalcy and comfort is so overrated.
Above all, I travel for the joy of learning. I am so curious about the stories behind a place – why their architecture looks a certain way, how cultures have blended their cuisines into flavorful dishes, and why one group of people says ‘y’all’ and another group of people calls it ‘pop’ instead of ‘soda’. It’s refreshing to have your expectations challenged.
Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that makes it worth traveling and training?
Jumping from open mats among new schools was actually my first exposure to the aspect of playfulness that could be achieved in BJJ. I found large groups of women that would organize training sessions so we could finally have similar training partners (still a rarity to find more than a few women in one BJJ class), and I experienced moments with grapplers that had no preconceived notions about my skills or style of movement.
I traveled to an all-female Girls in Gis event as a white belt, and I had never seen so many grappling women in one room! It was my first time ever seeing female black belts, and best of all it was outside the context of competition. Many times, women who train only get to roll with another woman when they are trying to win a medal! Being able to take the pressure off and actually focus on making friends with women on the mats was really exciting, and I still have all those connections today.
I believe that traveling for BJJ is not only an important factor for exposing yourself to new techniques and methods, but it is a wonderful reminder that the art of Jiu-Jitsu is so much more intricate than we could possibly imagine. Each new roll is a gift.
What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
The kindness of humanity amazes me. Women are often cautioned when traveling, and with fair reason… but I don’t feel that the negative stories should hold us back from exploring. I have had multiple circumstances where humans I didn’t know at all completely saved my day, expecting nothing in return.
I remember one instance where I was driving outside Chicago mid-winter (which I can’t recommend doing to anyone, ever). My car skidded across the icy street and had a major part break. Meaning I was stuck basically in the middle of a cornfield nowhere close to home. A man who lived down the road spotted me on his way to work and together, we rolled my car up into his driveway and he called a friend of his over to tow it to a service shop – and refused to accept any kind of payment.
Another surprise is just how many little random connections you can find across the world. I mentioned to my good friend that I planned on traveling to Iceland, and lo and behold she had a friend willing to rent out his apartment in Reykjavik. It’s easy enough to post on Facebook asking for recommendations in a new city and you’ll always get a handful of comments with helpful tips and tricks (or gyms to visit!).
Katie Taylor – BJJ Globetrotters
Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
I believe there are plenty of things worth splurging on, and other areas where it’s wise to save your change. I would much rather spend money on a once-in-a-lifetime experience than on luxuries that won’t make a lasting impact on my life.
The biggest way to save is really to make a plan of activities ahead of time. What attractions do I need to check out? Are there restaurants or unique local cuisines that I must try on my trip? I make those my highest priority, and keep a tight budget everywhere else.
Buying groceries to make meals is a huge way to save cash… I have realized that I really don’t need to visit a restaurant for every single meal. Mostly, I want to stick to my plan. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement when you see signs for local tours and events, but if you do the research ahead of time, you can often find the coolest things to do at much lower prices (and it helps having a friend who can tell you which attractions are really worth seeing).
When it comes to accommodation, I try to find a really happy medium of comfort and cost. The most important aspect to me is LOCATION! Usually, the hotel room or hostel bed I am paying for is simply a place to rest my head at night – so as long as the accommodation is clean, safe, and (mostly) quiet… I don’t need much in the way of upgrades. With the exception; as a grappler, I’m always looking for a place with laundry machines.
While traveling solo can be a wonderful way to discover a new place freely, it can also be expensive. There are so many ways to share costs with other travelers, whether it is staying in a hostel with bunk beds or ride-sharing to the airport. I was really excited to see how fellow grapplers in the Globetrotters community really jump on these opportunities as well – there are so many generous people offering their couches to surf on and inviting others to their academies to train with no drop-in fees.
If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
Giving off positive energy will open the door to so many joyful moments. People gravitate toward smiling faces and generous spirits, and as you make new friends across your travels, they will provide unexpected views of the world.
