The latest episode of Grappling Central Podcast is a must-hear interview with Kristina Barlaan. Unlike many other guests, Kristina was very open up about the severity of issues jiu-jitsu has helped her overcome as well as the cultural notions attached to being a female practitioner of bjj.
Kristina is a black belt under Caio Terra. She competes in the upto 53kgs division and she’s had a lot of success. She’s won: European Open, Pan Ams, American Nationals (gi and nogi), was 2nd at worlds in 2012, 2nd at nogi Worlds in 2014 and many other prestigious tournaments.
Barlaan also has a sense of humor about the different expectations she’s encountered along the way as a female doing jiu-jitsu. She shared one of the strangest experiences she had when visiting a massage parlor.
In addition to all of the above, she also shared who thought the first class she ever attended and how she was able to freak out her instructors from the very beginning with her hyper-mobility.
Her bjj journey started pretty late and she shared some circumstances that are often attached to a female starting in our martial art.
She might be looking forward to NoGi Worlds right now but jiu-jitsu really clicked for her only after attending a Gi class after about a year of doing muay thai.
Kristina Barlaan is fighting panic attacks, anxiety and depression through jiu-jitsu and she was quite brave in sharing her story. BJJ has acted as her therapy but it’s also helped her break toxic relationships as well as find self-confidence.
Her story can be a true inspiration to everyone in our community. You can listen to the entire episode below.
You can check out Kristina Barlaan doing an insane grip strength work out here.
