JIU JITSU LOUE148: Michela Antonello - White Belt
Michela Antonello joins the JIU JITSU LOU Podcast as a White Belt in her mid-50s, proving that there really is no right age to start Jiu Jitsu.
Michela began training just a year ago after being encouraged onto the mats by her son. Already experienced in martial arts through Karate and committed to strength training and staying active, she wanted to continue growing older healthily and strongly - but initially wondered whether Jiu Jitsu was something her body, and even her brain, would be able to learn.
Those early months brought plenty of self-doubt. Michela talks openly about menopause, brain fog, fear of injury and watching fast-moving Jiu Jitsu online before realising that she didn't need to move or learn like anybody else. She could take things slowly, work with her own body and gradually build her own understanding.
And then came competition. Initially unsure why she would want to compete, Michela was given a different perspective: competition could expose the gaps in her Jiu Jitsu and give her something specific to take back into training. From her first matches at the British Open to recently winning double gold, the medals are enjoyable - but for Michela, they're not the point. Competition is a test of what she knows, what works and what she needs to learn next.
We also explore the realities of competing as an older woman. At Masters 5 and in the heavier weight divisions, finding matches can mean competing against women considerably younger than her. Michela talks about putting age aside once she steps onto the mats, using the strengths she has and, importantly, learning to apologise less for taking up space.
The Gauntlet Fight Academy has become Michela's home from home. She shares how an initially intimidating environment quickly became somewhere she felt welcomed, supported and valued, with a strong female presence throughout the academy and women represented not only as students, but as respected coaches and leaders.
And there is something much bigger running through Michela's story. We talk about getting older, body image, staying active, learning new things and the idea that women somehow become invisible after 40. Michela's response is simple: we're not invisible.
Rather than regretting that she didn't discover Jiu Jitsu earlier, Michela is grateful that she discovered it now. Her message to anyone watching from the sidelines - particularly parents whose children already train - is to give it a go. Find something you love doing, keep your body moving, keep learning and enjoy where you are now.
Topics:
• Starting Jiu Jitsu in your 50s
• White Belt
• Women in Jiu Jitsu
• Masters 5
• Competition
• British Open
• Double gold
• Competing to learn
• Age divisions
• Heavier weight divisions
• Training with younger women
• Playing to your strengths
• Fear of injury
• Menopause
• Brain fog
• Learning
• Karate
• Strength training
• Staying active
• Body image
• Ageing
• The Gauntlet Fight Academy
• Female representation
• Academy culture
• Community
• Belonging
• Self-doubt
• Women over 40
• Starting later in life
• No regrets
• Children inspiring parents
• Enjoying the journey
FOLLOW MICHELA
Michela Antonello on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/silverfitnessjourney/
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
The Gauntlet Fight Academy:
https://www.instagram.com/thegauntletfightacademy/
OFFICIAL PODCAST PARTNER
SoulTaker Fightwear:
https://www.instagram.com/soultakerfightwear/
FOLLOW JIU JITSU LOU
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JiuJitsuLou
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiu.jitsu.lou
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JIU JITSU LOU is a UK BJJ Podcast hosted by Lou Temlett.
PRODUCTION
Produced by Kerr Mathieson of Audio Outsource
https://www.audiooutsource.co.uk/
MUSIC
Maleki Ram - Just A Little Boy
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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