Page 28 - Issue 3

GRAPPLER Summer 2019

“We were sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon.
We didn’t skate for money, we skated for beer.”

Kelly Beech started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to stay husband with her, a guy she was more attracted to
active when the waves were flat. In the water, on the than compatible with in hindsight. She loved the class.
mat, in a conversation-she’s tough to keep up with. Her He hated it. She landed a double-leg takedown on a
strong will and infectious positive outlook have helped guy much bigger than her and was impressed by how
her earn a second-degree black belt, compete in the effective the techniques were. He was shocked when she
World Championships and open her own gym, Black went back the next day to buy a kimono.
Belt Studio, in Neptune Beach, Florida, USA.
An argument broke out, ending with broken glass
Beech’s Jiu-Jitsu story begins at...the beach. Sounds like everywhere. She left the mess where it was and went to
Austin Powers: “Allow myself to introduce...myself.” the gym.
She owns a barbershop, cutting hair just like her father.
When her first marriage ended, some of her clients “I kept my gi and got rid of my husband [laughs].” She
convinced her to go surfing with them. After that she wasn’t angry, more so liberated; an opportunity to set
was hooked, and took lessons wherever she could. her own standard.

But you can’t surf all the time. For those days when the “Being perfect isn’t enough for some people,” she says.
weather wouldn’t cooperate, Beech turned to Hawaiian “[My first husband] didn’t love me enough to keep me.
Jiu-Jitsu, which she refers to fondly as “old school If the other guy would have loved me enough, he would
MMA.” Strikes, kicks, judo throws and submissions are have joined me in that class.”
all part of the game. The physical nature of the sport
interested her; the damage she wore after training did Beech continued training, almost exclusively with men
not. nearly twice her size. Her style is predicated on defense,
a consequence of spending countless rounds in survival
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach at that dojo noticed mode. No one wanted to get tapped by the petite blonde
and invited her to his class. She brought her second so no one went easier on her.

26