I joined a Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym on a whim, but it added so much to my life.Denae McGahaMoving back home after living abroad for years was difficult for my mental health and social life.I spontaneously joined a Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym, and this new hobby helped me rebuild confidence.I also made new friends, improved my body image, and learned about my own resilience.2025 started with a huge and unwelcome life transition: After seven years living in Budapest, I had to move home due to visa issues.Transitioning from a bustling city to a small town was a tough adjustment. I felt lost after trading my community, lifestyle, and travel-focused identity for my small hometown in the Pacific Northwest.To pass the time while searching for a new job, I spontaneously joined a Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) gym.

Training BJJ was supposed to be a fun hobby that helped me find my footing during a hard time, but a year later, it's changed my health, social life, and attitude in so many ways.BJJ helped me improve my mental health during a difficult time in lifeBrazilian jiu-jitsu is a martial art and combat sport that involves grappling techniques. I knew it would give me a solid workout, but I didn't expect it to bring me peace of mind, as well.Although training was exhausting, I loved how this total-body workout required every part of my concentration. Whenever I stepped onto the mat, the world went quiet, leaving me space to just breathe and connect with my body.Training also added structure to my days — it provided a reason to shut my laptop and move my body instead of just spiraling over my latest job application and obsessively refreshing my inbox.I started looking forward to my evenings, knowing I would get in a good workout and have a 90-minute break from any stressors or disappointments.Slowly, I felt my self-confidence rebuildAs I gradually improved in the BJJ gym, I felt my confidence rebuild, too.Denae McGahaAfter jumping from a discouraging immigration process in Hungary to a grueling job search in the States, my self-efficacy was at an all-time low.

It felt like no matter what I tried, I couldn't get my life back on track.Unlike my job hunt, however, I didn't put any pressure on myself at the BJJ gym. My only goal was to show up.It didn't matter whether I left class elated or frustrated; I always took pride in the fact that I had simply shown up and gotten stronger.In a way, the gradual progress gave me hope for other areas in my life. If I could practice the same technique for months without seeing improvement and then feel it click into place one day, perhaps I could apply that lesson elsewhere.Maybe all of my efforts weren't in vain; they were helping me build up to something.

I started to believe in my own abilities again.I formed relationships that added richness to my lifeMoving back to my hometown in my 30s felt like starting from scratch, since many friends I grew up with had moved away during my time abroad. This was especially jarring after leaving such a full social life back in Budapest, and I struggled with loneliness.Joining a BJJ gym introduced me to people I probably wouldn't have crossed paths with otherwise, as it was an age and career-diverse crowd.I thought I would be intimidated — I wasn't used to spending so much time in such male-dominated spaces — but the owners and trainers at my gym made it feel like a true safe space.

I met so many people who were generous with their time and knowledge, and built some dear friendships.Now, I have adventure buddies to explore the area with, which has only made me appreciate my hometown more.My physical health and body image improvedAs I got physically stronger, I learned to appreciate my body in a new way.Denae McGahaAfter a lifetime preoccupation with being smaller or skinnier, I was suddenly in a community where being strong and powerful was celebrated.This had a ripple effect throughout my life, motivating me to take care of my body in other ways. I started paying more attention to what I ate so I'd be fueled and focused during practice, rather than lightheaded.During other workouts at the community fitness center, I found more motivation to push myself, knowing that I was building endurance and strength to help me on the mats.It was exciting to see myself grow stronger as I gained muscle and technique. Being cheered on by my classmates for getting stronger — for applying more pressure and taking up more space during matches — was so freeing.In the end, I did see my body change, but that was a side effect of doing something I loved, instead of a preoccupation that added anxiety and frustration to my life.Brazilian jiu-jitsu taught me some invaluable lessons: that I can persevere through difficulty, that success can take many different forms, and that deciding not to give up on yourself can be life-changing.I still don't know what the next year of life will bring, but now, I'm excited to face it head-on.Read the original article on Business Insider