About Jiu Jiu!
My name is Julia. You can email me at julia@jiujiubjj.com. I’m a teacher trainer in Seoul, South Korea. I’m originally from Seattle, Washington. I began my BJJ journey at age 33 on May 31, 2010. I received my blue belt from DukYoung Jang, black belt instructor at Jiu Jitsu World on May 27, 2011.
Upgraded!
Life passions: Teaching, BJJ, cross stitching, and science fiction (mostly costuming).
Nerd/Dork/Geek--any works to describe me, none to malign me 
Life highlights: Having a BJJ article written about me, going on a BJJ tour, volunteering with Peace Corps in Ukraine for 2 years, meeting They Might Be Giants, seeing Paul McCartney in concert in Kiev, getting SCUBA certified in Okinawa Japan, adopting a cat from Ukraine (her name is Miau-Miau), learning Russian, learning to play the cello and viola, completing my MEd in TESOL, watching every single episode of every Star Trek series (excluding animated /fan-made stuff), watching all 10 seasons of Star Gate.
Life goals: Getting down to 135/140 lbs, earning my black belt in BJJ, learning a third language at a conversational level, retiring in Malaysia, living in Brazil for 3+ months, paying off all my student loans, paying off my credit card, potentially completing a PhD, being a super kick-ass auntie.
Random facts: I collect camels, I have watched more television than most, I am known to a group of people as “Wonder Woman,” I am part of The Cult of Scott Bakula, I love sucky music, and I love wearing makeup.
Favorite place on the Internet:
BJJ Milestones:
October 22, 2011 Herniated a disc in my back (not a BJJ injury, but it affected training)
May 27, 2011 Promoted to BLUE BELT!
April 7, 2011 Promoted to 4-stripe white belt!
October, 2010 Joined Jiu Jitsu World.
July 25, 2010 Started this blog.
July 18, 2010 Tournament: Campeonato Keiko Sports in Korea 2010.
++++++++++ Only entrant in women’s 86+, silver in student (only 2 of us)
June 11, 2010 Joined Jiu Jitsu Forums.
May 31, 2010 Started doing BJJ
Why yes, that is a purple mullet!
Errhead, Über-Bakulon and bartender of The Cult of Scott Bakula, is for help with all the html coding, email setting up-ness, and general website nerd-fu that makes me tap. (I’m convinced the “h” in html stands for “headache”). He’s my own personal Hardison.
DK > Google Translate. THANK YOU, DK!
Most of the Korean translations on this website are courtesy of DK. DK is a purple belt under John Frankl, and has been doing BJJ since 2008.
http://family-mat-ters.blogspot.com/
My blog is finally up. Please let me know what you think.
Hey there,
I just want to say that I enjoy reading your blog! I recently took up BJJ and I have fallen in love with the sport. We share similar passions as well in regards to international travel and learning foreign languages.
Best,
Urban Nomadista
P.S. Your youtube video on how to fold a gi into a purse with a carrying handle was awesome.
BJJ is SO addictive! Glad you liked the video. I found one on making it into a backpack that was cute.
Nice blog. Big fan of both bjj and Korea — I’m a middle-of-the-road blue belt from the middle of America who’s been around the (south) Korean peninsula three times now, mostly chasing the old trails of Buddhist monks up into the mountains.
Anyhow, keep doing your thing.
Thanks, Vince! I appreciate it. Glad you liked Korea. Did you have a chance to do BJJ while you were here?
Hi! Ran into your blog somehow. Grad student here from Manila, professional boxer, just got into BJJ today. Love it! I’m glad you’re pushing forward towards a passion, nothing beats that. You have a lot of heart, and I’m sure you’ll win more tourneys soon! Hope boxing is in your agenda too! Best regards!
Hi Rob! Welcome to the addiction! Nope, I have no plans to hit people in the face.
Hello
I was doing research for being new to JJ and your blog was really helpful and I wanted to thank you. Here is a video that I worked on with my friend who has been doing JJ for a while and wanted to share this- Hope you enjoy it
Take care
Rua =)
Thank you for the kind words! How long have you been doing BJJ?
Hey, Julia!
I want to write an article about your story, a really good compilation in portuguese of your landmarks, achievements, and obviously hard moments you have been through. If you can send me an e-mail e-mail so i can send you back some questions and stuff.
It will be a cover to the online magazine, and a really good way to make people see that its not impossible to move and change things. What you say?
Hugs!
Sent you a reply!
Hi Julia!
I’ve been following your blog off and on and its been great reading about all fo your different experiences in different places. I had a question about teaching in Korea and also finding places to train BJJ. I’m not sure of the exact job that you are doing but I was wondering if you had any advice about teaching english, what to look for/avoid and also where some schools are that are good places to train.
Thanks for your help,
Libbie
Thank you so much! I am a teacher trainer. This means I cannot AT ALL speak about what it is like teaching English in Korea. I have no idea about where to work or even general advice. My advice is to look on Dave’s ESL cafe.
I will be updating my blog with more reviews of BJJ academies. It would be awesome to eventually get all of them!
However, I can definitely say – make it to a teamwide training on a Saturday at 3pm at Apgujeong academy. You’ll be able to talk to John Frankl and he can help advise you, and it’s even possible that the instructor will be there!
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Hello Julia!
I stumbled upon your blog today, and I found myself reading back up to your very first entry:)
Your BJJ journey is interesting (and very much entertaining). I’ve been wanting to try out a combat sport with a belt system.
I’m just waiting for some papers and I’ll be heading off to Japan to teach English to kids. I got interested in your blog because I was worried about trying to learn BJJ or judo in a country that speaks little English.
Continue inspiring!:)
I’m so glad! I hope you try it and like it! You should give it a go in your home country so that you can learn some of the SUPER basics in your native language. It may be helpful to look up some super simple vocabulary and know what a few things are when you go in – it will make it a little bit easier.
Things I’m talking about: closed guard, half guard, side control, “pass someone’s guard”, armbar.
I’ve heard that in Japan there are a few BJJ places that won’t allow foreigners, so be aware of that. There are a bunch of BJJ clubs there, though, and I might be able to find some information if you need it.
Welcome!
Even online I feel a very friendly vibe from you! Thank you for being so nice. I will let you know what happens in Tokyo. I hope I don’t make a fool out of myself by trying to train in a gym that won’t allow foreigners.
Take care!
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Julia,
I love your blog! I’ll be heading to Seoul for a few days from Japan, and I hope I can get some training in. I’m only a blue belt myself, but I love training BJJ whenever I travel. Great way to make friends and learn new techniques.
I look forward to reading about your progress!
Brent
Awesome! If you’re on facebook I can invite you to the Korean Jiu Jitsu group so you can find jiu jitsu near where you’ll be staying, or if you know I can post and find a club near you! Please keep in touch. You can message me at julia at jiujiubjj.com