Jui Jitsu Fieldnotes #2 Cat Malik

Callum and Cat roll into the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – where sweaty grappling meets surgical precision. They dig into the physical realities of BJJ, how often you should be training (and how often you actually do), and the particular challenges women face on the mats. Cat talks through her journey from traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu into BJJ, sharing how it’s helped her navigate personal hurdles, find her people, and fall in love with the grind.Along the way, the conversation bounces between competition nerves, the mental chess match of grappling, and the simple joy of training with good humans. Cat also brings her day job into the mix, offering a behind-the-scenes look at sports injuries, recovery, and how being an orthopaedic surgeon shapes her approach to looking after her own body.With plenty of laughs, honest reflections, and shared enthusiasm for the sport, Callum and Cat explore how martial arts culture is changing – especially for women – and why an inclusive, supportive gym can make all the difference. It’s thoughtful, funny, and reassuringly human – whether you train every day or just like hearing smart people talk about hurting themselves in controlled environments.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Grappling and Injuries01:48 Balancing Work and Training05:31 The Journey to Becoming an Orthopedic Surgeon10:08 Experiences in the Hospital Environment14:24 Martial Arts Background and Training Preferences21:11 The Importance of Community in Martial Arts25:59 Introducing Kids to Martial Arts27:15 The Mental Challenge of Competition30:34 A Week in the Life of an Orthopedic Surgeon36:56 The Changing Landscape for Women in BJJ41:15 Injuries and Recovery in Combat Sports44:54 Techniques and Training Insights50:56 The Importance of Community in Jiu-Jitsu01:01:46 Encouraging Competition and Growth