In this BJJ Bonus episode, I sit down with Melissa Will—one of the true pioneers of women's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. With nearly 36 years on the mats, Melissa has been training longer than any other non-Brazilian woman in the world.

Melissa shares her incredible journey from being a 2nd-degree karate black belt to discovering BJJ at a seminar taught by John Will (who would later become her husband). She describes the moment she realized her karate was "useless" when pinned on the ground—and how learning the bridge and roll changed everything.

We discuss what it was like being the ONLY woman on the mat for years, how she won the Pan-American Championships at blue belt in 1997, and the mental shift required to keep training after taking 9 years off to raise her son Felix (now also a BJJ black belt and instructor).

Melissa offers invaluable advice for women starting in martial arts, guidance for men training with women, and insights on building a healthy gym culture that welcomes everyone.

🥋 Topics Covered:

• Her transition from karate to BJJ
• Being a woman pioneer in the sport
• Winning competitions against heavier opponents • Romantic relationships between instructors and students
• Training philosophy: "The more you tap, the more you learn"
• Tabata training and staying fit at 55
• Raising a BJJ black belt son
• Building inclusive gym culture
• Advice for women and men in BJJ

Links mentioned in the show

Andrew Bews physical trainer
http://www.andrewbews.com.au/

Melissa Will books:

Australia Link: https://tinyurl.com/MelissaWillAUST

USA Link: https://tinyurl.com/MelissaWillUSA

UK link: https://tinyurl.com/MelissaWillUK

ITALY link: https://tinyurl.com/MelissaWillIT

Canada Link: https://tinyurl.com/MelissaWillCA

Japan: https://tinyurl.com/MelissaWillJapan

Music:
“Disambiguation” by Robel Borja https://open.spotify.com/artist/7j0DUZ79z4edeLkU2H1UoJ?si=eISl0YfaQ-yLThljs48j5A

“Erotic Spring” by Robel Borja

https://open.spotify.com/track/20RAs5iOvZGYSxQTjx8AAM?si=5c2e9b66c221483d

Get in touch!

This episode was directed and presented by Dave Meyer, produced by Robbie Lockie, edited by Phil Marriott and music kindly provided by Robel Borja.