Page 20 - ISSUE 2

GRAPPLER Fall 2018

FEMALE

FORCE

ASHLEIGH’S
INSPIRATION

At twenty-three years old, I wanted nothing more
than to see the world and practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I
couldn’t have cared less for any sort of security, structure
or safety net in life. I just wanted to be anywhere else
other than where I was. I wanted to explore as much
of this planet as possible, and I was willing to give up
everything to do it. I believe many people carry a sense
of wanderlust with them but perhaps tuck it away in the
back of their minds, because they feel it is not obtainable
or beneficial.

The passion I have for travel and martial arts was
planted in me at a very young age. When I was a child
my father would take me to the library where we would
thumb through travel books and scan maps of places
we could only dream of visiting. He and I both loathed
Oregon but could only ever afford to make ends meet. We
weren’t in a position to move.

To cope with the grey, cold winters and our lack
of financial means, we would sit in cafes for hours
discussing in great detail where we would go and how we
would do it if we ever got the chance.

Written By:
ASHLEIGH FORCE

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