WOMEN ON THE MATS

My name is Stacey Carr, and I am a Brown Belt at Centaur BJJ in Saltash under 2nd Dan Black Belt Jamie Horsman.

I started my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in September 2020 after transitioning from Muay Thai and kickboxing in search of a new challenge. Having always enjoyed contact sports, I decided to give BJJ a try despite previously turning my nose up at it as “just people rolling around the floor cuddling.” It didn’t take long for me to realise how wrong I was, and I quickly fell in love with the technical, physical, and problem-solving aspects of the sport.

Away from the mats, I work as a police officer, and my experience in BJJ has had a genuine impact on my confidence and effectiveness at work. Throughout my career, there have been occasions where the control, composure, and techniques I’ve developed through Jiu-Jitsu have proven invaluable during physical altercations. Those experiences have strengthened my belief in the practical benefits of BJJ, not only for police officers but for anyone wanting to develop confidence, resilience, and effective self-defence skills. I’m particularly passionate about encouraging more women to train, helping them feel empowered and confident in their own abilities.

A huge part of my journey has been the guidance and support of my coach, Jamie Horsman. Jamie has created a welcoming and inclusive environment at Centaur BJJ where everyone is encouraged to learn, grow, and challenge themselves. His charismatic personality, positive attitude, and commitment to leading by example as both a coach and competitor have played a significant role in my development. The culture he has built at the gym is something I’m incredibly proud to be a part of, and I credit much of my progress to the support and standards he has set.

Since starting BJJ, I have competed on occasion and continue to enjoy the challenges and lessons that come with training. One of my biggest motivations is my 10-year-old daughter, who now trains and competes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu herself. Watching her confidence grow through the sport has been one of the most rewarding parts of my own journey. She inspires me to keep learning, improving, and setting a positive example, both on and off the mats. I hope to show her that with dedication, resilience, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone, you can achieve far more than you think.

I’m incredibly excited to be hosting Women on the Mats on 5th July. My goal is to bring together women from across the Jiu-Jitsu community for an afternoon of training, learning, and connection. Whether you’re completely new to the sport or an experienced competitor, I hope this event provides a welcoming environment where women can build confidence, make new connections, and celebrate the many benefits that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has to offer.

Our next open mat is at Centaur Jiu-Jitsu, Saltash on Sunday 5th July 12-2pm

Follow @k9sandkimuras and centaur_bjj_saltash on Instagram for more information