From Small Town to Kingsway: Katie Hooven on Grit, Grappling, and Grappling Getaways

From rolling on mismatched mats in rural Pennsylvania to training under John Danaher, Garry Tonon, and Gordon Ryan — Katie Hooven’s story is one of obsession, evolution, and community. Jenn and Mallory sit down with Katie to talk about her journey through small-town beginnings, the legendary blue basement, moving to Puerto Rico mid-pandemic, and now helping lead the next generation at Kingsway Jiu Jitsu in Austin. She also opens up about balancing life as a black belt, sales engineer, and co-founder of Grappling Getaways — one of the most empowering and fun women’s Jiu Jitsu camps in the world. It’s a story of passion, perseverance, and why it’s never too late to pack your gi and chase what lights you up. Register for Grappling Getaways at https://grapplinggetaways.com/ @grapplinggetaways @katiehooven @kingsway_hq