When I first invited Carissa Batiller onto the Small Man Jiu Jitsu Podcast, she told me she wasn't from Hawaii and that she was just a nobody who started jiu-jitsu late in life.

I told her that everybody has a story. And after spending an hour talking with her, I think you'll agree.

Carissa started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at 52 years old. Now 57, she's a blue belt training at North Coast Jiu Jitsu in Vista, California. Her husband is a black belt, and together they've made jiu-jitsu a big part of their lives.

But getting started wasn't easy.

At five feet tall, Carissa is usually one of the smallest and oldest people on the mats. She's dealt with injuries, frustrating training sessions, and times when she didn't feel like going to class. Through it all, she's learned to adapt, ask questions, and appreciate the people who help her improve.

One thing I really enjoyed about our conversation was her attitude toward learning. She's been a blue belt for three years and isn't in a hurry to get promoted. She doesn't compete and has no interest in collecting medals. She just wants to learn, enjoy herself, and keep getting better.

We also talked about the differences between gi and no-gi training, the importance of finding good training partners, and why understanding the purpose behind a technique can be more valuable than simply memorizing movements.

Another interesting part of Carissa's story is her recent retirement from nursing.

After working in hospitals, hospice, and home health care, she decided it was time for a new chapter. Her last patient was a 101-year-old woman, an experience that left her feeling hopeful about the years ahead.

Now she's looking forward to spending more time with family, training jiu-jitsu, and helping introduce her three-year-old granddaughter to martial arts through a children's judo program.

Carissa and I discovered that we have quite a bit in common. We both started jiu-jitsu in our 50s, we're both smaller practitioners, and we both recently retired. We also share an appreciation for the friendships, challenges, and lessons that come from spending time on the mats.

We discuss how jiu-jitsu can become a reset button when life gets stressful, why training doesn't have to be about competition, and how staying physically and mentally active becomes increasingly important as we get older.

Toward the end of our conversation, I asked Carissa what advice she'd give someone who thinks they're too old to begin.

Her answer was simple: Just show up. Find a place where you feel comfortable, know why you're doing it, and give yourself a chance.

That's something I think applies to more than just jiu-jitsu.

You don't need to be young, athletic, or a competitor to enjoy the journey. And you don't need to be famous or accomplished to have a story worth sharing.

Thank you, Carissa, for sharing yours.

Connect with Carissa:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carissa_in_oside/

Academy: North Coast Jiu Jitsu, Vista, California

About the Small Man Jiu Jitsu Podcast

We share stories from people connected through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, from beginners to black belts and everyone in between.

It's not about fame, medals, or belt rankings. It's about the people, their experiences, and the lessons we can learn from one another.

Everybody has a story.

#SmallManJiuJitsuPodcast #CarissaBatiller #BJJOver50 #BrazilianJiuJitsu #NeverTooLate #WomenInBJJ #JiuJitsuJourney #BJJLifestyle

After a recent attempted kidnapping on Oʻahu, I sat down with Gilberto from Aloha Roll Academy to talk about situational awareness in everyday life.

Gilberto shares how his experiences shaped the way he thinks about safety and what he teaches his students. We talk about noticing what’s happening around us, staying attentive in places like parking garages, and how people nearby can help when someone may be in danger.

This conversation isn’t about judging the woman’s response or saying there’s one perfect way to handle a dangerous situation. It’s about learning to pay attention, asking for help when we need it, and looking out for one another.

Little Wisdoms with the Small Man — Episode 7.

At 51 years old, standing just 4'9" and weighing under 100 pounds, Vicky Kim is showing that jiu-jitsu isn't just for the young, strong, or physically gifted.

In this episode of the Small Man Jiu Jitsu Podcast, I sit down with Vicky, a purple belt from Culture Academy in Southern California, to talk about her journey from Brazil to the United States, her unconventional beginnings in jiu-jitsu, and her passion for encouraging more women to step onto the mats.

Vicky first discovered jiu-jitsu in 1996 while attending college in São Paulo, Brazil. She was fascinated by the students practicing techniques and having fun, but the cost of training was beyond what she could afford.

After moving to the United States in 2001 and learning English from scratch, she finally began training in 2013. Her first academy wasn't what most people would expect. It was a small UFC gym where students trained inside a boxing ring. When her instructor eventually left, she followed him to a friend's garage, where she continued training and earned her blue belt in 2017.

Eventually, Vicky wanted more opportunities to train with women and people closer to her size. That led her to larger academies and a community that has become an important part of her life.

We talk about the challenges of training as a smaller practitioner, the importance of technique over strength, and how jiu-jitsu has helped Vicky become more confident and assertive outside the academy.

Vicky also shares her experience competing at the Masters Worlds, where she moved up a weight division and earned third place. For her, the friendships and connections she made were just as meaningful as the competition itself.

Today, she's using Instagram, including Spanish-language videos, to encourage women of all ages to try jiu-jitsu. She wants them to understand that they don't have to be strong, athletic, or experienced to begin.

What I enjoyed most about our conversation was how much Vicky values the people. Her story reminds us that jiu-jitsu is about more than techniques, belts, or medals. It's about confidence, friendships, personal growth, and finding a community that supports you.

Her advice to anyone thinking about starting is simple: Don't overthink it. Just start.

Connect with Vicky Kim

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pequenina_jitz/

Academy: Culture Academy, Southern California

About the Small Man Jiu Jitsu Podcast

Sharing the stories, experiences, and life lessons of people connected through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Everyone has a story worth hearing.

#SmallManJiuJitsuPodcast #VickyKim #BrazilianJiuJitsu #WomenInBJJ #JiuJitsuOver50 #CultureAcademy #BJJCommunity