Keeping BJJ In the Family with Steve and Audrey Hanson

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Inside the Wave podcast! In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with two of my favorite students at Utopia Martial Arts, Steve and Audrey. Steve, a dedicated member of the community for 13 years, and Audrey, who started training at the young age of 7, shared their journey in the world of grappling. We delved into their motivations for starting jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and judo, with Steve highlighting his initial interest in getting in shape and Audrey expressing her love for the sport from a young age. The conversation touched on their proudest moments in martial arts, with Steve emphasizing his pride in watching Audrey develop her skills and excel in wrestling, while Audrey reflected on her achievements in grappling competitions. The podcast also explored the challenges they faced in their journey, from injuries to self-doubt, and how they overcame them with perseverance and a love for the sport. Steve and Audrey shared valuable advice for families looking to get started in grappling, emphasizing the importance of having fun and not taking the sport too seriously. Audrey revealed her big goals in wrestling and freestyle wrestling, aiming to win state championships and compete at the national level. Steve, on the other hand, expressed his desire to achieve his black belt in jiu-jitsu and focus on coaching and giving back to the community. The episode concluded with a message of encouragement for parents to join their kids on the mats, as Audrey shared how having her dad train with her has been a significant factor in her continued involvement in the sport. Overall, the episode highlighted the power of family bonding through martial arts, the importance of perseverance in the face of challenges, and the joy of pursuing one's passion in the world of grappling. Tune in to the next episode for more inspiring stories and insights from the world of martial arts!